# Bush's speech tonight, Ayatollah Khomeini's "drinking poison". **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 25, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097 "2008-09-25T01:23:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/21 "2008-09-25T16:07:18Z")
> [@Baldwin](#): > > Please don’t take it personally; one thing I like about the SDMB is that we try to keep each other on the strait and narrow path to good grammar and spelling. This is a marked contrast to the semiliterate squalor in which most message boards wallow. > > If you catch me making any spelling errors, your more than welcome to correct me, and you’d be doing me a favor. Here, here mi gud man. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/22 "2008-09-25T16:09:13Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > Here, here mi gud man. “Man” should be “mon.” ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/23 "2008-09-25T16:35:24Z")
Can we have a do-over on the OP? I’m sure there’s something for pitting there, but am not sure what it is. I didn’t catch the speech last night, so don’t know the context. Why the old link? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/24 "2008-09-25T16:38:27Z")
I think his point is that we are like Iran, having to bow to the realities of socialism…or something. I watched some of Bush’s speech and I have to say…was one of the best speeches he’s ever given. Of course, the bar is pretty low there… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/25 "2008-09-25T16:50:59Z")
> [@Baldwin](#): > > No, “strait” is correct. I did make a deliberate spelling error, though. Please try again. > > ETA: Never mind; Nootlin already caught it. Not to belabor things, but “strait” is absolutely NOT correct in this context. You can be in dire straits (or you can listen to them), and you can pass through the straits of Gibraltar, but when used in the context of direction, it’s “straight”. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/26 "2008-09-25T16:55:01Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Not to belabor things, but “strait” is absolutely NOT correct in this context. You can be in dire straits (or you can listen to them), and you can pass through the straits of Gibraltar, but when used in the context of direction, it’s “straight”. [Eh](http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/strait-and-narrow.html), “strait” (as an adjective meaning “narrow”, and thus a bit redundant) is closer to the historical origin of the phrase. However, “straight and narrow” is much more popular these days. Really, they’re both acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/27 "2008-09-25T17:36:47Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > [Eh](http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/strait-and-narrow.html), “strait” (as an adjective meaning “narrow”, and thus a bit redundant) is closer to the historical origin of the phrase. However, “straight and narrow” is much more popular these days. Really, they’re both acceptable. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo… Well, I guess if one wishes to speak in biblical context, it’s fine, but my Aramaic is rusty. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/28 "2008-09-25T17:40:02Z")
Were it not for the spelling hijacks that at least made this pile of crap thread somewhat readable, most readers would likely find themselves wishing they were down in hell, belly to to the bar, doing poison shots alongside the mad mullah. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/29 "2008-09-25T20:03:41Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > So why is the 19-year old story about the Ayatollah displayed on the link? Because during his speech (sp?), Bush looked like he was drinking poison. Read the link about what the Ayatollah said. It was a famous quote. Reality hit both of them square in the gut and they had to get up in front of their countries and lay out a not so pretty picture. Of course I’m no Bush fan but I’m not criticizing his speech. He said what he had to say. The undertone that came through to me is that this was the speech that he hoped to never have to make. The fact that he had to do it was almost an admission of the failure of his presidency. The sense of urgency that he portrayed also indicates that as bad as the situation sounds, the reality of it is probably even worse. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/30 "2008-09-25T21:12:11Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Really? Can you name the massive deregulation he has been a part of? I HEAR all about this deregulation all the time, but never seen any solid examples of large scale deregulation. Lets see some so I can judge how bad it’s been. Just for starters [the recent mess](http://zompist.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/meltdown/) (not written by me, but with links to cites). > [@zompist from the linked site](#): > > And underlying the bubble and the subprime crisis was, quite simply, [deregulation.](http://http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/opinion/15krugman.html) The strictures of traditional banks were loosened because the market could do no wrong. (As recently as 2005, a bipartisan effort to regulate the GSEs was simply [shut down by Bush](http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8780c35e-7e91-11dd-b1af-000077b07658.html)). I’m sure people who have their cites better organized and have better memory of the important US newspapers can dig up more examples for you of other deregulations that lead to famous business failures in the last years (Enron and similar?) > [@](#): > > I don’t believe the executive branch is in charge of enforcement, but I could be mixing up my spheres of authority again. Maybe I don’t know enough about the US system, but what else would the \*\* Executive\*\* branch do, if not \*\* executing \*\* - in the meaning of carrying out orders, not in the meaning of killing people - laws and regulations? Since the Legislative’s job is to make the laws, and the Judicary’s job is to judge, who else would oversee the application of laws in real life? Maybe you are a libertarian and don’t believe in applying laws? > [@](#): > > Um…afaik he tried to put some in place, but again, this isn’t the sphere of the executive branch…it’s the legislative branch that is in charge of doing this kind of things and they (Dems AND Pubs) dropped the ball. The Dems didn’t have a majority in the house/congress/senate for most of the administration, I thought? And since your president has more powers than normal heads of executive, he can veto /block laws, which he has often done. He’s also, with the help of the Republican majority, passed laws that give him free reign on some matters without any oversight, [like the AUMF](http://zompist.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/last-minute-power-grab/). If you aren’t simply automatically defending Shrub and the Republicans no matter what. In that case, sorry for wasting my time. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/31 "2008-09-25T21:26:38Z")
God, shut the fuck up about spelling and grammar already. This is not a fucking publication or a job resume. It’s an informal discussion board for fuck’s sake. You are not smarter because you masturbate to the works of Strunk and White instead of Heffner and Flint. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/32 "2008-09-25T21:38:30Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > God, shut the fuck up about spelling and grammar already. This is not a fucking publication or a job resume. It’s an informal discussion board for fuck’s sake. You are not smarter because you masturbate to the works of Strunk and White instead of Heffner and Flint. You’re new here, and this is your first grammar war, yes? 🙂 Otherwise, where have you been - it happens about once a week, I think?😉 ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/33 "2008-09-25T21:39:26Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > God, shut the fuck up about spelling and grammar already. This is not a fucking publication or a job resume. It’s an informal discussion board for fuck’s sake. You are not smarter because you masturbate to the works of Strunk and White instead of Heffner and Flint. “Heffner and Flint”? Please, tell me you **meant** to do that!!! ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/34 "2008-09-25T21:45:43Z")
Did I spell their names wrong? I didn’t look them up because I don’t give a shit how they’re spelled. It’s so liberating. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/35 "2008-09-25T21:47:26Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > You’re new here, and this is your first grammar war, yes? 🙂 Otherwise, where have you been - it happens about once a week, I think?😉 Right, because you only get sick and tired of something the first time you see it. After the 10,000th time you love it, no matter how annoying it is . . . . . . 😕 . . . that’s some blue-ribbon logic, right there. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/36 "2008-09-25T22:03:53Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > God, shut the fuck up about spelling and grammar already. This is not a fucking publication or a job resume. It’s an informal discussion board for fuck’s sake. You are not smarter because you masturbate to the works of Strunk and White instead of Heffner and Flint. I believe Wal-Mart is having a sale on humor implants this week. You might look into it. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097/37 "2008-09-25T22:07:45Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I believe Wal-Mart is having a sale on humor implants this week. You might look into it. Because hijacking threads to nitpick spelling is sooooooooo funny . . . I mean, objectively I know it’s hilarious but I just can’t bring myself to laugh. I NEED THAT IMPLANT! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-speech-tonight-ayatollah-khomeinis-drinking-poison/465097.md?page=1)