Pelosi's Rhetoric

It is like the Democrats have no understanding of the English language. Or, perhaps, their command of the language is far greater than mine. In a matter of two sentences, Nancy Pelosi extends a "hand of friendship" while simultaneously extending a middle finger.

Maybe Pelosi recognizes, as have many politicians before her, that words can often be used not as a conveyance for reality, for ideas, or for truth, but rather words in context can be made to communicate something that would otherwise be inherently irrational. "There's a new congress in town" is provocative. It stirs up images of the Old West mythology, of Wyatt Earp riding into town, giving notice to the Cowboys that Tombstone was no longer their private pervue. Yet Pelosi wants us to think she's offering friendship.

Nancy Pelosi is no more offering friendship to President Bush than Earp did to Ike Clanton. And I have full faith in the American people that they won't fall for it, if they just listen to the words that she is using.