Category Archives: Political Commentary

The “John Yoo Trap”

…that might await Elena Kagan.

This is a little off topic, but the author is guilty of one of my pet peeves:

[Ed Note: or will she be called “General Kagan”?]

I sure hope not. Because a solicitor general is not a general. An attorney general is not a general. I cringe whenever I hear a reporter or pundit talking about “General Reno,” or “General Holder” (of all the people to not call a general, Eric Holder should be at the head of the line — he wouldn’t even rate as a PFC).

The “general” part of the title is not a noun. It is an adjective, modifying “solicitor,” or “attorney.”

I understand the urge to come up with a shorter means of address than “Solicitor General Kagan,” but it’s important to remember that she is a solicitor, and not a member of the armed forces.

[Update late morning]

Separated at birth? Now that’s just mean. Funny, but mean.