From Tuesday's Seattle Times...
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has won this year's "Foot In Mouth" award from Britain's Plain English Campaign with this statement:
"Reports that say something hasn't happened are interesting to me, because as we know, there are known unknowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know."
John Lister, spokesman for the campaign that strives for straightforward public information, said: "We think we know what he means. But we don't know if we really know."
Rumsfeld's Foot In Mouth
- Tommy Martyn
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Actually the first time I read about this I thought it was very good. In the world of espionage with its bluff and counter bluff and double agents etc it made sense.
Back in the real world I think it has currency in describing human relationships. Especially in that first thrill of falling in love. Where your emotions make you take risks on relative strangers. Of course that was all a long time ago for me so maybe I'm remembering it all wrong.
Back in the real world I think it has currency in describing human relationships. Especially in that first thrill of falling in love. Where your emotions make you take risks on relative strangers. Of course that was all a long time ago for me so maybe I'm remembering it all wrong.
- Tommy Martyn
- Mile High Club
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2003 8:01 am
- Location: a desk
No really, I'm serious. I have seen this quote chopped up and used in a poem. (Published in Harper's magazine earlier this year. I think) I just loved it. Thinking about it now it, really does remind me of the day I stood at the front of the church and said, "I do." Unknown unknowns. That is the bit about marriage you have to find out for yourself. What Rummy is on about I haven't the foggiest but he was the catalyst for for many a rummination for me.
You all have cute little nicknames.
Did you make them up for each other?
Marky. Slothers. McCutcheon. Rosie the twat.
How very enchanting.
Marky. Slothers. McCutcheon. Rosie the twat.
How very enchanting.