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February 03, 2004
There's "Ironic" ... and then there's "Ironic"
From the Alanis Morisonette dictionary of English abstractions:
Ironic --
Exhibit A:
Getting a galley of an article you've worked to get published for 2 years exactly one week from the date your thesis draft is due -- and the galley requires 72-hour turnaround time on the edits. (This will be discussed in a later post ...)
Exhibit B (which is closer to M-W's definition and my favourite):
In a recent edition of Government Information Quarterly (v. 19 no.3), Lotte Feinberg discusses the origins of Freedom of Information Act (first passed by the Johnson Administration). She pointed out that among the various players in the drama was a young presidential aide who was dead set against FOIA and likewise, a young Republican congressman from Illinois who was a very vocal proponent. In fact, the rep. said this in regards to FOIA:
"I believe strongly that the public's business must be conducted in public if our system of government is to prevail."
The identity of the presidential aide? Bill Moyers. And the pro-access congressman? Donald Rumsfeld.
There are lessons to be drawn from this. Not to mention rueful amusement (at least on my part). Bill "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" Moyers ...
Okay, all you who were around and paying attention during the Johnson Administration may not be so surprised.
Posted by misseli at February 3, 2004 12:57 PM