Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Historical Metaphors for Dummies

I don't do this usually, but from TPM:

At today's conservative "Code Red" rally against the health care bill, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) rallied the faithful with a fun historical and literacy reference: "It's the charge of the light brigade!"

The fun part here is that the Light Brigade lost that famous battle of the Crimean War -- they lost it badly, sustaining heavy numbers of deaths and injuries. They are celebrated not for victory, but for their bravery in taking on truly insurmountable odds in a military disaster.
OK, maybe if Ms. Bachmann had compared her compatriots to the British, or the Ottomans, or even the French following the charge of the light brigade, maybe the analogy would have been apt. But she didn't so it isn't.

So, Rep. Bachmann, here are some other things you probably shouldn't compare your friends to:
  • Pompeii
  • The Titanic
  • The Darién Scheme
  • Custer's Last Stand
  • Smoot-Hawley tariff
  • The Chevy Chase Show
  • Vanilla Ice
  • Day-Glo Attire
  • 8-Track Tapes
  • DiVX
  • Ishtar
  • This is a start anyway; I hope it helps.

    3 comments:

    The Honourable Husband said...

    Have I told you lately that I love you?

    Anonymous said...

    I thought the same thing when library supporters carried the banner "Don't Give Up the (ship) Libraries!" I know they are heralding back to Lawrenceville's namesake, Capt. James Lawrence, and his famous expression. But he said it while mortally wounded as the British overran his burning ship. Hmmmm. Might as well quote: "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore!"

    Vannevar said...

    Awesome post.