# I pit the naive, optimistic idiots, the Pollyannas, weasel-wordy authorities and bad planners associated with the pandemic

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-naive-optimistic-idiots-the-pollyannas-weasel-wordy-authorities-and-bad-planners-associated-with-the-pandemic/956437>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [December 21, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-naive-optimistic-idiots-the-pollyannas-weasel-wordy-authorities-and-bad-planners-associated-with-the-pandemic/956437 "2021-12-21T21:28:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 5

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-naive-optimistic-idiots-the-pollyannas-weasel-wordy-authorities-and-bad-planners-associated-with-the-pandemic/956437/81 "2021-12-28T02:39:18Z")

</div>

> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> I know that I’ve seen arguments that those tactics are necessary, otherwise people will be ignored, but fuck that shit. Rubber bullets and tear gas aren’t warranted but there are other ways to disperse people.

Are you okay with a _warning_ about rubber bullets and tear gas, followed by a _countdown_ to rubber bullets and tear gas, followed by — well, rubber bullets and tear gas?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-naive-optimistic-idiots-the-pollyannas-weasel-wordy-authorities-and-bad-planners-associated-with-the-pandemic/956437/82 "2021-12-28T02:58:40Z")

</div>

I don’t think that’s necessary to arrest people.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-naive-optimistic-idiots-the-pollyannas-weasel-wordy-authorities-and-bad-planners-associated-with-the-pandemic/956437/83 "2021-12-28T21:53:25Z")

</div>

> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> I’ve been nothing but complimentary and polite

_Unfailingly_ polite, even…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2021, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-naive-optimistic-idiots-the-pollyannas-weasel-wordy-authorities-and-bad-planners-associated-with-the-pandemic/956437/84 "2021-12-29T10:58:19Z")

</div>

> [@Steve\_McQwark](#):
>
> As noted by famed lyricist and anatomist, Mark Knopfler, “When you point your finger cuz your plan fell through, you’ve got three more fingers pointing back at you.”

I believe it’s “When you point your finger at someone, you’ve got three more fingers pointing back at you and one indicating the direction of torque.”

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-naive-optimistic-idiots-the-pollyannas-weasel-wordy-authorities-and-bad-planners-associated-with-the-pandemic/956437.md?page=4)