08.02.2011 03:44 PM

“Blowing smoke”

I’m not sure what that saying means. I think it was popular in the forties, or back before WW2.

In any event, I’ve heard from his own supporters the same thing over and over: that if he’s popular in two years’ time, the party would be “crazy” to let him go.

Heard that again today, in fact.  Doesn’t sound much like a kept promise to me.

Anyway, happy birthday wishes to Mr. Rae.  An uncharitable person would say he isn’t getting better, he’s just getting older.  But I’m a nice guy, so I won’t say that.

7 Comments

  1. Attack! says:

    Acc. to ‘Cassell’s dictionary of slang’ (Sterling Publishing Company, 1998, 2005, at p. 136) http://books.google.com/books?id=5GpLcC4a5fAC&q

    “blow smoke” = verb, 1) (mid-19thC.) to confuse, to mystify through speech; 2) (1930s+) (US) to boast, to brag, to flatter.

    (the two senses of which became combined and intensified after WWII, as:

    “blow smoke up someone’s ass” = verb, (1950s+) (US) to confuse, to tell lies to.

  2. Wes says:

    As a Conservative, the sound of internecine Liberal squabbling is sweet music to my ears.

    My two cents probably aren’t worth much in this case, but I agree with Kinsella that Rae is no spring chicken, and the Liberals should probably be turning to a younger generation for renewal and leadership.

  3. JenS says:

    The squabbling is about making me crazy. Funny that when I talk about it on Twitter, I get DMs from an array of sources saying that you, WK, are a shit-disturber. My response to that is that sometimes, the shit needs to be disturbed because the current situation, rife with strife within the party from some and large form apathy from others, is not allowing the party to move forward. And there is the concern that the apathy could have a variety of results, from Rae remaining leader over the not-so-interim term to the party not doing the work it requires to regroup and rebuild. So, you know what? Have the fight (QUICKLY – and I mean that to be addressed to all the warring factions within the party), get it over with, and let’s move forward.

    • Warren says:

      Just saying what I think. If folks don’t like it, they shouldn’t read it. Simple.

      • JenS says:

        Believe me, I get that. And as I said, even if the shit is being disturbed, maybe it’s necessary for that to happen, so the conversation can take place (you’re from the only Liberal who thinks Rae is gunning for leadership, and those who seem most riled by the suggestion seem to be those who would be happiest to see exactly that happen) and the party can move forward.

  4. Philip says:

    That is rich on so many levels. Thank you for sharing that!

  5. frmr disgruntled Con, now Happy Lib says:

    Guess Im one of those folks….if Mr. Rae serves up more of the same of our last leader as far as “top down, we know whats best so you grassroots dont worry your tiny little minds about” style of

    party governance, then we wont have a Liberal party to worry about anyways……too much power in grassroots hands is not a good thing either, but a balance needs to be struck between the party

    elites, backroom boys and girls, and we plebs in the trenches……

    So yes, if Mr Rae can breathe new life into the party, Im all for letting him have another ride to attempt to grab the brass ring…..I think the party would owe him that……

Leave a Reply to Warren Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.