on verbing "extinct"

[Laurence Horn]

from Gail Collins's column in yesterday's NYT urging President Bush
to resign his office forthwith.  Note the parenthetical:
====================

In the past, presidents have not taken well to suggestions that they
hand over the reins before the last possible minute. Senator J.
William Fulbright suggested a plan along those lines when Harry
Truman was coming to the end of a term in a state of deep
unpopularity, and Truman called him "Halfbright" for the rest of his
life. Bush might not love the idea of quitting before he has a chance
to light the Christmas tree or commute the execution of one last
presidential turkey. After all, he still has a couple more trips
planned. And last-minute regulations to issue. (So many national
parks to despoil, so many endangered species to exterminate ...)  And
then there's all the packing.
====================

LH

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