High noon at the White House

The Washington Times ^ | February 3, 2003 | Suzanne Fields

[Indy Pendance]

The word "cowboy" is not translatable. It holds its own, no matter the language. It conjures up the American myth greater than lifesize on the big screen under a big sky. It's not a myth that easily wraps around a graduate of Yale with an M.A. in business from Harvard. The foreign reporters naturally invoke the cowboy myth as the most convenient handle of derision for George W. Bush. For them, the contemporary cowboy is the American primitive

[Indy Pendance]

"An American diplomat who deals with Europeans tells the New York Times that the president's rhetoric drives them crazy in the same way Ronald Reagan's did: "It reminds them of what they miss about Clinton. All the stereotypes we thought we had banished for good after Sept. 11 — the cowboy imagery, in particular — it's all back." "

[xJones]

"It reminds them of what they miss about Clinton.

Clinton was perfect for them. A hick from Arkansas, trying to dress up with Hollywood glitz. A buffoon that couldn't even take a mistress in the approved style, but settled for a stupid intern and the White House sink. Someone who was easy to manipulate and even easier to laugh at behind his back. Just the joke of an American leader they dreamed of.

[dts32041]

As much as I disagree with some of the current things the current occupant of the white house does, I do appreciate his ability to drive the euro wienies crazy.

[COBOL2Java]

For them, the contemporary cowboy is the American primitive — unsophisticated, untutored and unrealistic.

I'd like to have seen you try that line with this guy...

[TRY ONE]

"As much as I disagree with some of the current things the current occupant of the white house does.."

For example?????????????

[I still care]

You know, that's neat. Next protest I attend I think I might just carry that picture instead of "pithy" sayings.

[dts32041]

Signing CFR, Signing budget increases for the DOE, etc, etc.

[cactusSharp]

it's deeper than yhat however
Clinton was launched the second Charlie Tree
was placed in a bbq setting....

[Southack]

Nice article!

[TexasRepublic]

Yee Haw! There's gonna be "neck tie" party in Iraq purty soon! Head'em out!

[homeschool mama]

dts is still upset Browne didn't get in. :o/

[okie01]

"For them, the contemporary cowboy is the American primitive — unsophisticated..."

Y'know, "sophisticated" isn't necessarily a virtue. And "unsophisticated" isn't necessarily a flaw.

[wildbill]

I can hardly wait for the final scene: After running out the bad guys in Iraq, Dubya enters the UN, silently looks around at all the poltroons with a disgusted look, and throws the badge of a UN peace-keeper onto the floor.

[dts32041]

Nope just tired of conservatives giving the rats 30 -40 % of what they want.

[NH Liberty]

"It's the ruggedness of the Americans that intimidates the effete sophisticates of Europe,"

Although I agree with much in this article, there is one thing that begs for criticism. For as many years as we lived in Europe and traveled the vast majority of the continent quite thoroughly, I don't think I ever met anyone that could be legitimately described as a "European sophisticate." This invented stereotype of Europeans really does elude me. It seems that in journalism nowadays the word "sophisticate" has lost its true meaning and is most often used as a synonym for "socialist" (as opposed to the conservative "bumpkin".)

There are many kind and thoughtful men and women in Europe, but the use of the term "sophisticate" as a general description of them really does elude me. It is simply inaccurate as a general rule.