alternative hippopotamus

progressive cyberdadaism from our nation’s capital

February 17, 2006

Finding the Right Word

by AltHippo @ 3:38 pm. Filed under Bush

When I first read this Washington Post article on killing the Senate investigation into illegal wiretapping, my first reaction was Pat Robertson (Bushie - KA) is such a hack. I should point out that Robertson has been one of the principle defenders of improbable cause. I wasn’t just throwing out Pat Robertson is such a hack as a non-sequitor.

Then I noticed that Glenn Greenwald starts off his latest post with: (emphasis mine)

There are lots of people who appear to be morbidly depressed — to the point of conceding defeat — as a result of yesterday’s unilateral obstruction by the incomparable White House shill Sen. Pat Roberts of the long-planned and long-promised investigation into the operational aspects of the NSA program by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

I see the word “shill” being used loosely, and wanted to clarify its proper use. A shill is one of the actors in a carnival scam, or street con. Per prior arrangement he gets the ring on the hook that wins him the life-sized stuffed bear. Or pops the balloon, or gets the football through the tire.

I’m just suggesting that there are more precise words for Pat Roberts than “shill.” I’ve done some digging. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

abettor, biddy, boy, broker, cleaning lady, delegate, deputy, domestic, drudge, factotum, flunky, functionary, go-between, handler, hireling, houseboy, lackey, menial, minion, minister, operative, operator, peon, proctor, promoter, proxy, retainer, salesman, serf, servant, servitor, slave, steward, substitute, surrogate, valet.

I believe these are more accurate words to use when describing Senator Roberts’ relationship to W.

Update: I have to confess I’m a little embarassed. I thought this might be a new premise, but as KCinDC points out, coming up with an epithet for Pat Roberts was well covered on TPMCafe. I probably even read the original thread from July, so I’ll just offer my apologies to Josh Marshall, and leave it at that.

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One Response to “Finding the Right Word”

  1. KCinDC Says:
    February 17th, 2006 at 5:21 pm

    Well, in July I suggested “henchman”.

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