Talk:Wag the Dog

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Is the "quotes" section really necessary? Also, what novel is Wag the Dog supposed to be based on? 200.55.95.232 19:38, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

Contents 1 There is no irony in the "Irony" section. 2 Expression 3 Operation Desert Fox 4 George Bush's 'Coincidence'? 5 Duplicative information 6 Fair use rationale for Image:Wag The Dog Poster.jpg

[edit] There is no irony in the "Irony" section.

Hate to be a stickler, but I'm going to have to insist that we use words only in accordance wit htheir meanings: IRONY NOUN: pl. i·ro·nies

1. a. The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. b. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning. c. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect.

2. a. Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs: "Hyde noted the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated" (Richard Kain). b. An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity. See Usage Note at ironic.

The usage note mentioned in the definition points out that using "Irony" or any of its forms to describe theings which are merely humorous, coincidental, or even humorously coincidental is a misuse of the word.

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/irony

Nothing on WIki's entry for irony seems to cover this use, not even descriptivist appologies for its misuse.--Smallwhitelight 13:22, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Expression

What does the expression "wag the dog" mean, politically? --1000Faces 03:36, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Operation Desert Fox

We, in CENTCOM, called this operation Wag the Fox due to the movie. We thought we were so clever. :-) --BenWoodruff 18:14, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] George Bush's 'Coincidence'?

I do not see warrant for the following sentence in the 'Coincidence' section: "Similar criticisms were later leveled against President George W. Bush, whose invasion of Iraq and saber-rattling discourse with Iran were also viewed by some, including New York Times columnist Frank Rich, as being a foreign distraction to avert domestic unpopularity."

I don't know if this is simply trying to be NPOV by making sure a Republican is mentioned, but it really is irrelevant. The 'Coincidence' section doesn't detail presidents fighting wars to stave off unpopularity, but rather the coincidence of Clinton running military operations right as his sex scandal was hitting the nation -- only months after this movie was released. I could see it if George Bush had been hit with a sex scandal around 2003-2004, OR if he had been president and conducted (or threatened to use) military operations right after the movie came out, but this sentence as it stands doesn't add to one's understanding of the 'coincidence' between the movie and real life events. I'm removing it. 208.178.18.185 16:23, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Duplicative information

I have removed a paragraph from the "Coincidence" section that duplicated information about Operation Infinite Reach from the first paragraph. I also removed an irrelevant (to this article) paragraph regarding President Clinton's alleged justification for that operation. — 67.36.234.70, 14:52, 4 April 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Wag The Dog Poster.jpg

Image:Wag The Dog Poster.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 05:03, 14 July 2007 (UTC)