Posted by David Post: Today's Quote: http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_12_14-2008_12_20.shtml#1229784243
On an interview broadcast on NPR this morning, Willard Wirtz -- Secretary of Labor in JFK's administration -- called cabinet meetings "part of the Kabuki dance of democracy." That is a great line, eh? It perfectly captures something about a bunch of institutions and arrangements -- carefully orchestrated, just "for show." But it doesn't connote worthlessness; Kabuki can be very beautiful, and the Kabuki dance of democracy can be important and valuable. Any suggestions for other things that belong in the category? [My nominations: the Electoral College [the actual meeting of "the college"], the Congressional Record, . . .] _______________________________________________ Volokh mailing list [email protected] http://lists.powerblogs.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volokh
