Another possibility would be "nuclear option," in reference to a risky but devastating tactic, and particularly in reference to the pending Republican proposal to rule that Presidential nominations cannot be filibustered in the Senate. The broader metaphorical use of the term has been around for some years; the use specific to the Senate dispute has become popular only this year, but has been around at least since a 4/7/2003 article in The New Republic (actually published, of course, some days previously):
<<And Lott, apparently still itching to play field marshal, added that he had a plan of his own that might allow Republicans to circumvent a filibuster, which takes 60 votes to break, and confirm Estrada with a simple 51-vote majority. Lott wouldn't give details but ominously warned that his plan would mean going "nuclear."
What might Lott's "nuclear" option be? Two potential scenarios have Democrats chewing their nails. The first would be an audacious GOP effort to change Senate rules and outlaw filibusters in the case of judicial nominations--a possibility that Senate Republicans have suggested in both word and deed. . . .
The other, arguably more plausible, "nuclear" option would be a recess appointment.>>
John Baker
-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf
Of Baker, John
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 3:43 PM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: Quotations from 2005
Does "culture of life" count? The religious right's characterization of a "culture of life" has taken on new prominence in the wake of the Schiavo case and looks likely to last for at least a few years. However, the phrase predates 2005. I don't know when or by whom it was first used.
John Baker
-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf
Of Fred Shapiro
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 11:32 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: Quotations from 2005
But I don't know if any of the above are ones for the ages. I would still
welcome other recommendations of already-famous quotations from 2005. Has
anything from the Terry Schiavo controversy become famous?
Fred Shapiro
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Fred R. Shapiro Editor
Associate Librarian for Collections and YALE DICTIONARY OF QUOTATIONS
Access and Lecturer in Legal Research Yale University Press,
Yale Law School forthcoming
e-mail: fred.shapiro at yale.edu http://quotationdictionary.com
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