Whether through deliberate denseness for political point-scoring, or through genuine failure of linguistic understanding, Democrats seem to be having real trouble with the word fail. But the word fail must be defended; or more particularly its usage; or more specifically its recent usage by Rush Limbaugh, which is thematically emblematic of its usance in politics et al.
Understand that I'm not indulging my admitted logolepsy here, and I don't think I'm engaging in ergoism, but being deliberately solecistic is an effrontery to discourse that must of occasion be countervailed against. In political debate, verity. Sine qua non. To term it as an increasingly common idiom: words mean things.
(The headline of this article is not antanaclastic, incidentally. "FAIL" is used declaratively in internet colloquy as a sort of running gag; ergo the sardonic graphic inhabiting the upper right portion of this article.)
The common indictment, hurled most often with a volley of invective, is that Limbaugh's assertion that he wants Obama to fail is unpatriotic or treasonous because, to the left commentariat at large, Obama is the country, res ipsa loquitur. It is amusing, a bit, to witness the turnabout on the part of Limbaugh's detractors. Did they not hope Bush failed? Or did they have secret sweven of Bush policies enacted across the board? What did they hope to profit in waging the theatrical anti-Bush crusades these eight years past if not his failure?
The logical fallacy, be it intentional or unwitting, is obvious and apparent to even the barest of examination. Allow me to impertinently inquire: if your president announces his intent to remove the national border and become a series of city-states à la ancient Greece, do you not hope he fails? Isn't hoping he fails, in that case, hoping the country succeeds? Talk about res ipsa loquitur! Ergo, your argument that it is prima facie treasonous to hope for presidential failure is simply fatuous.
Of course, as is invariably so, the sanguinary left overreaches on the story and on the stories about the stories. For example, after we amateur logicians and a variety of able interlocutors elucidated the errors within the original objection, they proposed secondarily that hoping for his proposals to fail is but a petty desire to be proven right. That republicans want Obama to institute socialist programs, then have them fail, ruining the country, all so we can say "I told you so." Presumably in their vision of our vision of their future, there is some form of tongue-sticking-outtery (my neologism for the day).
It cannot be the case, of course, that perhaps one wishes Obama to fail due to a belief that consummation of his plan, which in unimpeded fruition would fall just shy of a revolutionary alteration of the very fabric of this nation, is something against which one cannot but defend, could it? It couldn't be because the reckless path our feckless leadership is trekking down will wreck this nation in the long term either, right? I mean, who thinks past four years from now? What kind of scaramouch worries over how policy enacted now will affect the future? As long as Obama can maintain his ponzi scheme long enough to remain in office, that's what matters. So hoping he fails, this "reasoning" concludes, is just that most favored of words for the left: hate.
Well I say, stuff and nonsense. Poppycock. Fiddle faddle! Et cetera. I, too, hope Obama fails. That is the right word. It's what I mean to say because I say what I mean. I defend that word. FAIL!
And why? Because one day in the future I want my children to succeed. I want their children to succeed. In short, I want America to succeed. You might recognize succeed as the antonym of failure, but I recognize Obama as the antonym of success. For, if Obama successfully executes his nigh diabolical agenda in toto, it is they who will pay the price. Not the opportunistic politicos with their of-the-moment defense of the indefensible and water-carrying apologia for faux stimulus plans and malodorous agglomerations of pork, entitlements, and political graft. The future will ultimately answer for the present president's phyrrhic victories.
Do Limbaugh, Cantor and Pence want Obama to fail? Unquestionably. As do I. And to say that our defense of America and her future is "rooting for America to fail" is, in a word: quisquilian.
Oh, and now that you've familiarized yourself with the dictionary, look up "FAIL". And while you're at it, "accuracy." Thus ends the lesson.
Obama orders intel review on Fort Hood shooting
WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama has ordered a review of all intelligence related to Fort Hood shooting suspect Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, and...
Bustin' out the legal jargon? I haven't read this artticle in all fairness, but, when scrolling down, Latin tends to get me hot. Like two Fruit-Flies having hot, passionate, doggie style sex, Latin has a similar steamy quality to it.
Expressio unius est exlusio alterius. That explains the Republicans position now. Muhawahawaawaawa. Latin Rules.
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Ryan
6:09PM Mar 6th 2009
Caleb,
There were a few words in your article that I had to look up in the dictionary... LOL! I know Cube understands all those big words but some of us still have to break out the old dictionary. I do understand what you are saying and agree with you that Rush's "I Hope President Obama Fails" is taken out of context by the left. I think that is what you were getting at. I enjoy your articles as I also enjoy Tommy's. Guys like you and Impomni help bring balance to this site and that is a good thing....
BONG OUT!
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RustyShackleford
6:13PM Mar 6th 2009
Rush believes that our country will be in worse shape down the road if Obama's agendas are successful. I agree. I hope Obama falls flat on his face.
Question- would you want Bernie Madoff to succeed, knowing two years ago what you know now?
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kathy
6:24PM Mar 6th 2009
Well, that was interesting Caleb.
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Somber
6:27PM Mar 6th 2009
Mr. Howe...
EPIC FAIL!
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Ryan
6:37PM Mar 6th 2009
I hope America succeeds.
This is all that needs to be said.
MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR
BONG!
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still happy he won
6:42PM Mar 6th 2009
I really hope that Obama succeeds. I really want our country to get out of this financial mess that we're in. I really want our standing in the world to improve, but I think that already happened on November 4th. I certainly never hoped that Bush would fail, even though I didn't vote for him. I hoped that Iraq would be a success and not a waste of money, even though I thought going in there was not the right thing to do. I hoped that whatever Bush was doing to keep us "safe" would work, although it looks like his team might be in a bit of trouble for the tactics they used. The only time I wanted Bush to fail was during the election. I wanted him to fail at winning the Presidency. But once he was President I certainly never hoped for his failure, or for our country's failure.
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TJ
8:11PM Mar 6th 2009
I must confess I was impressed by Obama from the first time I saw him. At first I was excited to see a black candidate. He looked youthful, spoke well, appeared to be confident - a wholesome presidential package. I was put off soon, not just because of his shallowness but also because there was an air of haughtiness in his demeanor that was unsettling. His posture and his body language were louder than his empty words. The fact that Obama is a total incognito with zero accomplishment, makes this inexplicable infatuation alarming. Obama is not an ordinary man. He is not a genius. In fact he is quite ignorant on most important subjects. Barack Obama is not a leader he is a narcissist and pathological narcissists are dangerous because they look normal and even intelligent. It is this disguise that makes them treacherous.What can be more dangerous than having a man bereft of conscience, a serial liar, and one who cannot distinguish his fantasies from reality as the leader of the free world?
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MEGABOB
7:01PM Mar 6th 2009
Rush was refering to the criticism he got from the left wing media when during his interview with Hannity they took his "I hope he fails" comment out of context. Typical of the left wing media. I saw the interview. What he actually said was, "I hope he succeeds if it helps America succeed. But in his socialist agenda, I hope he fails." Of course the liberals ran with what they wanted to believe, and to their shame the White House picked it up and ran with it also.
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R. Ross
7:19PM Mar 17th 2009
Caleb Howe is a spoiled little boy. Amazing that AOL puts this punk on the web. Just another right wing jerk like Rush Limberger or Ann Ugly!
Just remember that the Republicans nearly bankrupted the US with their 8 years of rule [and I doubt they really won in 2000 or 2004 -- google Rolling Stone and Ohio 2004 to see how they pulled all kinds of BS to steal the Buckeye State! even a phony terror threat near Cincinnati ! ]
It will take time to fix the INCREDIBLE MESS OF REPUBLICAN RULE ! Let's not blame the firefighter for the homes burnt by the firebugs, Bush and Cheney! And that includes current negative jerks like Cong. Boehner, Sen. McConnell, or Mad McCain! They started a COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY WAR AND SPENT MONEY LIKE CRAZY !!! THE KINGS OF BORROWING ONLY NOW APPARENTLY ARE AGAINST IT !! APPARENTLY BORROWING FOR DESTRUCTION IS OK, FOR CONSTRUCTION, FOR RE-BUILDING AMERICA IS NOT???
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mary
7:26PM Mar 6th 2009
Caleb Howe, I strongly suggest you get your money back from the college you graduated from. You lack common sense. Don't reproduce again. Poor kid, to have a nut case as a father. You remind me of the 19 yr. old. kid at the being of semester, knows everything, but doesn't take the time to listen. I have to constantly encourage him to listen, read, and no comments.
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Mike DeVine
7:27PM Mar 6th 2009
As Rush pointed out, Obama does not seek economic recovery with his policies. He seeks to use a crisis to transform America. Please, fail.
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Annie
7:43PM Mar 6th 2009
Everyone know what this article says is true, but as usual the mindset is tear a person apart even if you have to do it with lies.
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Michelle
8:20PM Mar 6th 2009
nice spin job...but he was pretty clear about how he ment his statement...
Caleb...please, don't be a crawfish....Rush spoke clearly, and he didn't studder...he said what he said...and now, you guys are just putting some English on it, and trying to spin it in a different direction...thats cool, because, Obama won't fail...his he taking a chance, sure, anyone in his position would be...
Instead of just standing and pointing like invasion of the body snatchers, why not come up with some solutions instead of just criticism.
I'll wait....
thank you, and drive thru.....
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Crystal
9:11PM Mar 6th 2009
The purpose of the Limbaugh bashing is to detract from the direction the Dems are going. Rahm Emanuel, Begala and Carville must be getting paid to create this detraction.
First Obama says the stock market means nothing and they are just like polls and in the next breath he is telling people to buy stock.
For some reason this guy has something against anybody who makes 250,000 or more. He is taxing them up to the gills and the small businesses will soon have to close shop.
Yeah, I hope he fails too.
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Crystal
9:23PM Mar 6th 2009
The name caller's are piling it on because you insulted their Messiah.
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Annie
9:35PM Mar 6th 2009
These are just some of the quotes Rush said trying to explain to narrow minded pinheads what he was talking about. It is not Obama the man...it is his policies. Policies that he feels will hurt this country badly and change it forever and not for the good. It is not because he is dem...if you notice Rush is not speaking highly of Republicans actions either. The first time Rush talked about Obama failing I was listening to his show. It didn't take a lot of brain power to understand what he was talking about
LIMBAUGH: If he does not eliminate the Bush tax cuts, I would call that success. So yes, I would hope he would succeed if he acts like Reagan, but if he's going to do FDR, if he's going to do the new, new deal all over which we will call here the raw deal, why would I want him to succeed?
Look, he's my president. The fact that he is historic is irrelevant to me now. It matters not at all. I — if he is going to implement a far left — look it. I think it's already decided. $2 trillion in stimulus? The growth of government. I think the intent here is to create as many dependant Americans as possible looking to government for their hope and salvation.
If he gets nationalized health care, I mean, it's over, Sean. We're never going to roll that back. That's the end of America as we have known it because that's then going to set the stage for everything being government owned, operated, or provided.
Why would I want that to succeed? I don't believe in that. I know that's not how this country is going to be great in the future, it's not what made this country great.
So I shamelessly say, no, I want him to fail, if his agenda is a far- left collectivism, some people say socialism, as a conservative heartfelt, deeply, why would I want socialism to succeed?
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Annie
9:54PM Mar 6th 2009
Crystal9:11PMMar 6th 2009
The purpose of the Limbaugh bashing is to detract from the direction the Dems are going. Rahm Emanuel, Begala and Carville must be getting paid to create this detraction ===================================================== I have a real problem with these guys getting paid by tax payer money to try and destroy a private citizen.
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Maggie
10:43PM Mar 6th 2009
Frum's take on the role of Limbaugh in the GOP:
And for the leader of the Republicans? A man who is aggressive and bombastic, cutting and sarcastic, who dismisses the concerned citizens in network news focus groups as “losers.” With his private plane and his cigars, his history of drug dependency and his personal bulk, not to mention his tangled marital history, Rush is a walking stereotype of self-indulgence – exactly the image that Barack Obama most wants to affix to our philosophy and our party. And we’re cooperating! Those images of crowds of CPACers cheering Rush’s every rancorous word – we’ll be seeing them rebroadcast for a long time.
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Caleb Howe
10:44PM Mar 6th 2009
Frum is obviously talking out of his posterior. The speech wasn't rancorous. Yet another person who needs to find a dictionary.