# Ari Fleischer--Genius **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 4, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474 "2003-10-04T01:29:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mambo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Mambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mambo)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/1 "2003-10-04T01:29:18Z")
Amazing timing, huh? Rides the wave and then gets out before the crash. ---
**Author:** ![Healter\_Skealter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Healter\_Skealter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Healter_Skealter)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/2 "2003-10-04T02:37:18Z")
He definitely was the Flack from Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/3 "2003-10-04T03:22:26Z")
And to think that just a week ago, [Fleischer](http://www.vaildaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030930/SPORTS/309300201) said he was looking forward to 2006… 🙂 Just what are we supposed to debate here? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/4 "2003-10-04T06:51:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr2001 \* > \*\*…Just what are we supposed to debate here? \*\* Chicken. Why do they call it ‘Broasted’, when it is really ‘Deep Fried’? ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/5 "2003-10-04T10:05:11Z")
> [@](#): > > [What is Broasted Chicken?](http://missvickie.com/howto/fry/broasting.html) > Broasting is a high-pressure cooking method that is supposed to make chicken moist and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, i.e., not unlike plain fried chicken, but not as greasy, either. Broasting is not only the process of frying chickens under pressure, but includes a special marinating process, and it is NOT available to home cooks. The Broasters and the seasonings are sold only to restaurants and the food trade, so Broasted chicken is a brand name that is available to you only when you dine out. Next topic: Why do they call them Mexi-Fries when they’re really Tater Tots? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/6 "2003-10-04T10:31:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr2001 \* > \*\*Next topic: Why do they call them Mexi-Fries when they’re really Tater Tots? \*\* Dunno (we used to call 'em all _pomme fritte_ in our house), but I did find this: **SHIT ON A SHINGLE** 4½ oz. dried beef 2 cups milk 2 tbs. butter ¼ cup flour Salt and pepper 6 slices bread Melt butter in pan, add dried beef. Cook 2-3 minutes to brown. Add milk (reserve ¼ cup for later), salt & pepper. Bring to boil. Mix flour and remaining milk together. Slowly add to boiling mixture until it begins to thicken. Serve over toast. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/7 "2003-10-04T10:51:06Z")
What? You’ve never had SOS? ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/8 "2003-10-04T11:17:03Z")
If you think you’re gonna like that recipe, try making it with ground beef. For that quantity of ingredients, I guess about half a pound of beef should do it[fry it well, and drain all excess fat] Used to get this in the service, especially at midnight chow. Best stuff in the world, I’d bet many will like it better than the dried beef. As an bonus, it looks more like its namesake. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/9 "2003-10-04T15:09:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Brutus \* > \*\*Chicken. > > Why do they call it ‘Broasted’, when it is really ‘Deep Fried’? \*\* No bones about [Deep Fried Turkey](http://www.chitterlings.com/deep_fried_turkey.htm). If you’ve never done this for Thanksgiving, you gotta try it. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/10 "2003-10-04T15:52:18Z")
Whippersnappers! You don’t know squat about mendacity until you learn at the knee of Ron Ziegler, press secretary to the Nameless One. It was he that declared a previous declaration of total truth to be “inoperative”, hence nonexistent. When it comes to wholesale horseshit, these guys got nothing on him! ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/11 "2003-10-05T00:56:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*When it comes to wholesale horseshit, these guys got nothing on him! \*\* Wrong. “These guys” are still spinning their B.S. Ziegler’s pushing up daisies. ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/12 "2003-10-05T07:05:25Z")
**elucidator** , for your own personal enjoyment, as well as to actually back up your assertion with a citation (which I have noticed you are occasionally wont to do), I give you the bumblings of [wet-behind-the-ears Scott McClellan](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/07/20030722-5.html), whose very name evokes images of ineffectual posturing when cast in the deep shadow of the administration in which he has cast his lot: > [@](#): > > Q The Robert Novak column last week identified the wife of Ambassador Joseph Wilson as a CIA operative who was working on WMD issues. Novak said that identification is based on information given to him by two administration sources. That column has now given rise to accusations that the administration deliberatively blew the cover of an undercover CIA operative, and in so doing, violated a federal law that prohibits revealing the identity of undercover CIA operatives. Can you respond to that? > > MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you for bringing that up. That is not the way this President or this White House operates. And there is absolutely no information that has come to my attention or that I have seen that suggests that there is any truth to that suggestion. And, certainly, no one in this White House would have given authority to take such a step. > > Q So you’re saying – > > MR. McCLELLAN: I’m saying that that is not the way that this President or this White House operates, and I’ve seen no evidence to suggest there’s any truth to it. > > Q Are you saying Novak was wrong in saying that it was two administration sources who were the source for – > > MR. McCLELLAN: I have no idea who “anonymous” is. I often wish – > > Q It’s not anonymous. He says senior administration officials. > > MR. McCLELLAN: That would be anonymous. > > Q Well, that would be senior administration – > > Q Like the guy who briefed us last week? > > MR. McCLELLAN: Whether it’s anonymous senior administration officials or just anonymous sources, it’s still anonymous. > > Q Is Novak lying? Do you think he’s making it up? > > MR. McCLELLAN: I’m telling you our position. I’ll let the columnist speak for himself. > > Q You’re saying, flatly, it did not happen, nobody – > > MR. McCLELLAN: I’m telling you, flatly, that that is not the way this White House operates. I’ve seen no evidence to suggest that there’s any truth to that. > > Q That’s different from saying it didn’t happen. Are you saying, absolutely, it did not happen? > > MR. McCLELLAN: I’m saying no one was certainly given any authority to do anything of that nature. And I’ve seen no evidence to suggest there’s any truth to it. I want to make it very clear, that is simply not the way this White House operates. > > Q If it turns out that somebody in the administration did do that – > > MR. McCLELLAN: I’m not even going to speculate about it, because I have no knowledge of any truth to that report. > > Q What’s the extent of your knowledge? Don’t you want to get some more facts? I mean, how do you know that no one in the administration – Robert Novak has been around for a long – > > MR. McCLELLAN: If I could go find “anonymous,” Terry, I would. > > Q Does the President support a criminal investigation – > > MR. McCLELLAN: Did you have something? > > Q Can I follow on that? > > MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, Richard. > > Q I’m not following. > > MR. McCLELLAN: You answer his question and – (laughter.) An unscrupulous parsing of the proceedings that fateful press conference also reveals a wonderful little haiku: Q You’re saying, flatly… MR. McCLELLAN: That would be anonymous. Q I’m not following. By the way, it wouldn’t be the first time a [press secretary ditched a sinking ship](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316930164/002-0413276-9955239?vi=reviews). I expect Ari can find a job as a talking head… on Fox News. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/13 "2003-10-05T08:01:27Z")
Thanx, **Sofa** Chucklesome, indeed. But in defense of Ari, I must admit that I had the sense, watching him spew the Party Line, of a man embarrassed by what Bland Ambition had led him to. Still, its hard to surpass the existential perfection of rendering a previous statement “inoperative”. You could look it up… Did you ever read the transcript of the press conference the day after the United Nations Atomic Energy Fairies said that GeeDubya’s claim of thier support was total crapola? Ari F.kept calling on different folks, and they all kept yielding the floor back to the same guy. The guy who was asking “why is our President lying through his teeth?” Something like ten or so different cycles. And every time, he stood his ground like nothing was happening. Unflappable. You think he drinks? ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/14 "2003-10-05T08:22:19Z")
Do I think that Ari drinks? Probably, judging by the proclivities of my fellow Washingtonians and a probable sighting at Ozio over there on M Street about a year ago. But, in Ari’s defense, not any more than I do. But then again, I knocked off a Budweiser just reading your post and writing this one. That’s something the rest of you people should remember: we’re just as wrecked as the rest of you, but some of us actually make decisions which guide the country. That Iraq thing? Someone set up an ice luge in the President’s back yard, I tell you. And I went ahead and looked up Ziegler, and I have to say that when such a statement sticks in one’s [obituary](http://www.watergate.com/stories/ziegler.asp), even a partisan one, well, it must have been a pirouette worthy of… that Russian guy with the huge balls. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ari-fleischer-genius/205474/15 "2003-10-05T15:36:31Z")
Ziegler got a bad rap, too, like any press secretary. They’re just flunkies, despite their air time. He was just saying what his managers had told him to say - the Nixon lies were Nixon’s, not Ziegler’s. But honorable men resign instead, or don’t get into the flackery biz in the first place. Not that I’m calling Fleischer honorable; he was as eager a spinner as their was, and his resignation’s timing is as suspicious as the OP says it is.