Defining Superlatives Down…Again
by Jason at 6:30 am on December 21st, 2004 in Bush Man Date“I support the FDA. They do a spectacular job.”
White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, December 2004
“You are courageously leading our nation in the war against terror. You’re doing a superb job. You are a strong Secretary of Defense, and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude.”
“…I’m never disappointed in my secretary of defense. He’s doing a fabulous job and America’s lucky to have him in the position he’s in.”
President Bush on Donald Rumsfeld, May and June 2004
The new rule of Presidential Praise: If you ever want to know which governmental agencies or officials are suffering from negative publicity, check for the most over-the-top statements of support. Rumsfeld, as we know, was deemed to be “superb” and “fabulous” in the midst of the Iraq prisoner abuse scandal and a mounting death toll. And now that the FDA is under fire from both political parties, the White House steps in to proclaim their work to be “spectacular”.
The FDA has certainly taken a big image hit over the past month. They were torn to shreds before a Senate Committee on November 18, when a FDA scientist named David Graham testified that the agency had ignored serious warning signs on at least a half-dozen drugs; in the most serious accusation, Graham estimated that the pain pill Vioxx had caused about 140,000 heart attacks (the drug was subsequently taken off market). A recent internal survey shows that about two-thirds of the FDA’s scientists aren’t fully confident in the agency’s monitoring of prescription drug safety, and a third have doubts about the drug approval process. On top of that, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee (Iowa Republican Charles Grassley) has suggested that an independent drug safety board might be needed because, basically, the FDA can’t be trusted to do the job themselves.
Last word to David Graham: “[the FDA is] more concerned with getting drugs onto the market than it is with getting safe drugs onto the market.”
Spectacular, indeed.
(More: Matt’s original Defining Superlatives Down)
eponymagain wrote:
This is a nice, on-target reminder of the political rule that praising is healthier for one’s public image than criticizing. And maybe part of the creepiness comes from the rhythmic steadiness of these Rovian amplifications and their utter, habitual separation from observable fact. It’s no surprise when those in power work to “handle” public perception and public opinion. And, as with all liars, lies work best when they are sculpted to the fears and desires of their victims. Still, I wonder if this administration has indeed somehow managed to accomplish the incredible trick of successfully lying to itself. Why do I get the feeling that they are never so much interested in deceiving or persuading me as they are in creating a public excuse for their future actions?
Posted 21 Dec 2004 at 10:05 am ¶
cashilini wrote:
Stop taking pictures of my desk.
Posted 21 Dec 2004 at 10:08 am ¶