What the heck does that mean? Besides further proof that Mr. Dilettante is fond of really obscure puns, that is. Well, first, let's talk about hermeneutics.
The definition of hermeneutics is "the theory and methodology of interpretation." Hermeneutics was, at least initially, a word that connoted interpreting Scripture. These days some of my more unhinged English major colleagues have appropriated the term and use it as part of the impenetrable academic fog that surrounds "texts," i.e., any written thing that they want to interpret. It could be "Hamlet," it could be Che Guevara's 1962 shopping list, it could be the Star Tribune's editorial page. Hell, let's make it the Star Tribune's editorial page.
Yesterday the Strib ran an especially funny editorial entitled "Sack Bolton, Or at Least Muzzle Him." Turns out that they don't like U.N. Ambassador John Bolton's tendency to make intemperate remarks about the U.N. and its inner workings. Bolton had the temerity to suggest that, because the member nations of the U.N. seem unwilling to reform their behaviors within the organization, and feel free to reject Kofi Annan's calls for reform, that the U.S. and others who bankroll the organization should have the right to withhold funds until better behavior is forthcoming. So, how to interpret this? Let's take a shot.
Bolton can be criticized, but Bolton cannot criticize. Stop it, Ambassador Bolton.
The U.S. can ask for reform, but if reform is not forthcoming, it should still pay up.
Bolton should shut up.
Diplomacy means "taking one for the team."
The team is not your employer (the Bush administration), but the U.N.
Shut up, Bolton!
See how easy it is? And anyone can play. Except John Bolton. He can just shut up.
2 comments:
Luap says, Awesome comments, sir! We must all remember not to speak evil about the U.N., because that is WRONG!! :o)
Wow, the 2nd entry here sure looks familiar. So, I Googled the headline to that entry, and I saw it word for word on a few different sites.
You know, even if one were to agree with the sentiment, that doesn't change the basic fact that plagiarism sucks. Write your own words, for crying out loud!! Stop spamming people!! I wonder if Kofi would stand for that?
As for the Strib's editorial, I brush it off. That paper is by and for liberal Minneapolitans, so editorials like this are like the sun rising in the east every morning...not a shock at all. The Red Star would rather have Michael Bolton than this Bolton being our ambassador. Think about it, he could croon Motown ballads at the General Assembly...badly, I might add, and the Strib would love it compared to anyone who might actually want to call the UN to task for anything.
Post a Comment