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Don Gato
We Wish You a Merry Giftmas


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Noticed this item in Slate today, regarding the Senate testimony of Richard Armitage, who's been nominated to be No. 2 in the State Department:

But give Armitrage credit for one line that, if original, should get him a Bartlett's entry--his reference to diplomacy as "saying 'Nice doggy, nice doggy' until you can find a big stick."

Now, the quote definitely isn't original -- I've been seeing it in e-mail forwards for years -- but I did a search on the Web, and found it attributed to both Wynn Catlin (no idea who that is) and Will Rogers. Also, some versions had "rock" instead of "stick".

Anyone know the deal?

Frank

Posts: 951 | From: The place to be | Registered: Mar 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a moderator
Silas Sparkhammer
I Saw V-Chips Come Sailing In


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There's another beaut: "Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest thing in the nicest way."

Can't remember that author either...

Silas ("nice doggie!") Sparkhammer

Posts: 16801 | From: San Diego, CA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a moderator
Kathy B
Angels Wii Have Heard on High


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I usually hear it this way:

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggy', until you can find a rock."

Attributed to Talleyrand, Heinlein, Will Rogers

My money's on Will Rogers

[This message has been edited by Kathy B (edited 03-16-2001).]

Posts: 4255 | From: Sacramento, CA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a moderator
Pogue Ma-humbug
Happy Christmas (Malls are Open)


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An old joke says that Irish diplomacy is the ability to tell a man to go to hell so that he'll look forward to the trip.

Pogue "Happy St. Patrick's Day" Mahone

Posts: 11325 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Nov 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a moderator
Kamin
The Red and the Green Stamps


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I thought diplomacy was the art of telling someone to 'go to hell' by which he looks forward to the trip


...please take all personal belongings and GET OUT!

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Kamin

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