Conservative Donnybrook

President Obama has threatened to respond to nuclear proliferationwith a stern finger wagging.  That’s right, on Friday the Obama administration said it is prepared to confront ships near North Korea which it believes to be carrying contraband.  However, in no event will the United States Navy attempt to forcibly board the suspected contraband ships nor will it blockade or force a diversion of the ship’s course.  Instead, Obama will wag his finger and point: a time tested nuclear deterrent.

Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (ugh), said “There’s reason to believe they (North Korea) may respond in an irresponsible fashion to this.”  Hmm, more irresponsibily that the Obama administration?  Rice said the administration was “very pleased” with the sanctions. She called the new resolution, which was supported by China and Russia, an “unprecedented” position by the Security Council.  Right, unprecedented because Russia and China did not veto new sanctions.

Rice also said Obama’s wagging finger should scare the Hell out of Iran.  “I imagine that they have been following this closely.”  She said Iran will observe that “the response from the international community has been very clear, very firm and very meaningful.”  Oh, indeed.

UPDATE:

It appears the United States Navy has encountered its first suspect ship!  Start wagging, Mr. Obama.  I am sure the NoKos wont threaten Hawaii…AGAIN.  Looks like we might have to santion North Korea.  God, I am sure they aren’t ready for that!

On the way home from work this evening I was listening to talk radio (as I do) and there was a PSA that came on during one of the programming breaks that concerned mortgage debt. There was a woman talking about how she got behind in her bills and how she was afraid to talk to bill collectors. In the background there was the sound of someone using a shovel to dig a hole. At the end, the announcer said let whatever organization it was “dig yourself out of the hole.” It is this phrase which I object to. If one is digging a hole and has found themselves at its bottom, the last thing that person should do in order to escape is to “dig.” The advertisement should have said something like “let us help you climb out of debt (or the whole you’ve dug).”

In light of this stupid ad, I thought I would open a discussion. Are there other stupid phrases which nettle you? Digging oneself out of a hole is certainly one for me. The phrase itself suggests exactly the opposite of a solution which might work. Anyway, give me your phraseological pet peeves.