FRIDAY GREEK QUOTING… In his latest Salon piece on how the Bush administration is silently signaling defeat by dropping the slogan “global war on terrorism” in favor of “global struggle against violent extremism,” the eminent Hellenist Sid Blumenthal reminds me of this passage from Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War”:

The meaning of words had no longer the same relation to things, but was changed by them as they thought proper. Reckless daring was held to be loyal courage; prudent delay was the excuse of a coward; moderation was the disguise of unmanly weakness; to know everything was to do nothing. Frantic energy was the true quality of a man.

Our ideas can save democracy... But we need your help! Donate Now!

Paul Glastris is Editor in Chief of the Washington Monthly, founder of the magazine’s alternative college rankings, and president of the Washington Monthly Institute. He was previously a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and a correspondent and editor at U.S. News and World Report. He is a co-founder of the National Vote at Home Institute and co-author of two books, “The Other College Guide: A Roadmap to the Right School for You,” and “Elephant in the Room: Washington in the Bush Years.” He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Republic, Slate, and other publications.