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Article: Farewell present. (United States and Iraq relations) (Editorial)
- Article from:
- The Nation
- Article date:
- February 8, 1993
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 The Nation Company L.P. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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As George Bush receded to a mere pimple on the horizon of history, his parting shots became more frenzied, rash and careless. Professor Eric Partridge, the etymologist, claimed that "parting shot" was a twisted derivation of "Parthian shot," so called because horse-warriors of that ancient Asia Minority were expert in the art of firing their arrows more or less behind their backs as they galloped away from their targets. Bush clearly lacks their expertise. He launched his Tomahawks and lofted his fighters, as it were, over his shoulder and with mad abandon as he raced from the White House.
His first, night raid on Iraqi anti-aircraft emplacements in the southern ...