McCain's Borrowed Words

In his speech tonight, John McCain referenced a "holiday from history" to deride his opponents -- well, really, mostly Barack Obama.

Guess what -- STOLEN WORDS! There's an epidemic.

Charles Krauthammer seems to be the proprietor of this cliche -- although lots of others have used the term.

We think Krauthammer should be given more nods for at least heading the google list (although I should add that a cursory survey I did from Narita Airport also doesn't produce anything I can find before his 2003 reference).

But to our knowledge, John McCain has not given him credit.

But can Barack exploit this vulnerability? Hillary?

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[Dandy12]

Who cares about "stolen words" since Thomas Jefferson borrowed much from John Locke nearly ver batim.

I bask in the sunshine that he's finding in the spotlight with his hot looking lady lobbyist friend! This arouses much prurient interest among voters! Maybe the tabloids will enlarge upon this story... There's nothing better than even the implication that such and such may have happened. The old Rep. men will be jealous, and the women jealous.

[Dandy12]

McCain needs to borrow some logic or a calculator from someone. His costly plans for warmongering, and no new taxes appears that he has taken a "holiday from logic and fiscal responsibility".

No need to worry... McCain doesn't inspire much of anyone with his status quo BS is good approach. Most Republicans are tepid, non-enthusiastic about him. Just look at how many are voting in the primaries given two poor choices! There is NO fervor, inspiration, and excitement. He's a big part of the failed policicies problem.

[readerK]

Steve Clemons, DemandTruth, ozamerican and Merlin7: Obama used whole sentences, without attribution, that had originally (?) been used by his friend. His use of those sentences in that manner qualifies as plagiarism.

Be honest and decent enough to admit that using a phrase or a clause is not the same thing as lifting whole sentences and ideas. Please!
readerK.

[DemandTruth]

I noticed this as well. Johnny McMoreWars talks about that like it's a bad thing. Let's look back at world history, shall we? Fighting and wars. Wars over religion. Wars over land. Wars over power. Slavery. Brutality. Opression and Repression. Let's look back at America's history - oh. pretty much the same thing.

I think we could all use a holiday from history right about now, thanks. In fact, let's leave history where it and McCain belong: IN THE PAST!

[ozamerican]

Just google the phrase "holiday from history" to track its entire lineage.

The point being that there comes a point where something--a word, a turn of phrase, a "formulation"--sums something up so well that we adopt it, it takes off and it becomes part of our lexicon.

"Words aren't important?--'Ask not what your country does for you, ask what you can do for your country. Just words!"

I said the same thing to a friend of mine when I heard Hillary complain that speaches don't matter. The next day, Obama said exactly the same thing--which came from Patrick, of course, but which also came from many people in their thoughts.

Holiday from history? I'm doubt that McCain understands what he was trying to say, but he wasn't, obviously, the first to use the phrase.

Universities now have software that compares a student's essay against the entire web to look for similar phrases in an effort to spot plagiarism. I guess we could do that for all political speaches to see who's lifting phrases and who's generating totally original oratory.

The problem is, politicians generally pay for speaches, or for input to to their speaches. No one would say that's unethical--a speech writer wouldn't last very long if they weren't channelling the thoughts of the speaker.

So sometimes someone might provide input and waive the fee--a friend or colleague, a consultant, spouse. But how's that any different from using a paid speech writer? There's no difference if the originator has given their consent...

The problem is when someone uses another's words without their permission. Look at the musicians who are complaining about politicians using their songs in their campaign rallies. Look at the ruckous over Hillary not acknowledging the woman who wrote much of It Takes A Village.

But, clearly, if someone says: Here, take this phrase, it worked for me and it's the best way for you to response, it's no different from when your best friend tells you exactly the perfect phrase to use to tell someone to fuck off.

[Merlin7]

America needs a holiday from jughead conservatives like Charles Krauthammer and John McCain.