William Safire's Feelings Are Hurt

From "On Phony Toughness"Presumably unaware of the presence of a live microphone, Senator John Kerry, campaigning last week in Chicago, let loose with his opinion of Republicans opposing him as "the most crooked, you know, lying group I've ever seen."

My first reaction — like that of millions of parents and schoolteachers around the country — was to wince at a prominent politician's use of "you know," a halting interjection that has been cluttering the speech of teenagers for years.

Only later, as the rest of the Kerry condemnation sunk in, did I wonder: Was it wise for a candidate for president to characterize Republicans — tens of millions of American voters, including even veterans — as thieves and liars? And if the double slur had been part of a pour-it-on strategy, was it tactically smart to take the low road so early?

No, Bill he was talking about "lying, you know, crooked" Republicans like Tom Delay, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush and of course, intellectually dishonest columnists like yourself. Then again, you might not be a liar or crooked, but just dumb as hell. I guess that could also work, because the Times seems to let a lot of people like that (or at least one or two others) write for their op-ed pages.