What does the Nincompoop in Chief really mean? It all depends on the nuance of “I don’t
think you can win it,” his statement about the war on terrorism in answer to a
question from the “Today” show’s Matt Lauer. Now the AP reports:
In a speech to the national convention of the American Legion, Bush said,
“We meet today in a time of war for our country, a war we did not start yet one that we will win.”
…
That statement differed from Bush’s earlier comment, aired Monday in a pre-taped television
interview, that “I don’t think you can win” the war on terror.
Yes, we know: The ninny’s spokesman trotted out to translate the original
statement for us. The ninny merely meant there would be no formal declaration of victory. Get it?
No concluded agreement, no signing ceremony, no diplomats smiling for the cameras and
exchanging pens. “In this different kind of war,” the ninny now says, “we may never sit down at a
peace table. But make no mistake about it, we are winning and we will win.”
English is such a rich language, magical even. Who knew a simple declarative sentence
made of seven one-syllable words, “I don’t think you can win it,” could be made to
have so many shades of meaning?
