----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam C. Lipscomb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Brin-L" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 10:28 AM
Subject: Re: ABM Treaty
> John Horn wrote:
>
> > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> > >
> > > Just as a side note - I would find the use of the term
> > > "Shrub" offensive if
> > > it weren't so pathetic. So you don't like him. I know that
> > > civility has
> > > become a purely conservative virtue nowadays
> >
> > Huh? Did I dream about hearing names like "Slick Willy" for the
previous
> 8
> > years?
>
> "Shrub" has been a nickname for GWB in Texas for years. I defend my use
of
> it on that basis alone.
>
I think Molly coined that, didn't she? Maybe Ann did. It is in a fine
Texas tradition, and not uncivil. I think that the civility Gautam refers
to is the old fashioned Northeastern upper crust politeness. That's not how
things are done in many parts of the country now.
My rule of thumb is if you call someone a name during a debate and they are
still likely to be happy to have you buy them a beer afterwards, then its
OK. I think that shurb would qualify for this, but b___ wouldn't.
However, I think Gautam is right in that many folks have substituted name
jokes for honest opposition to ideas.
Dan M.
