Shrill

One of the odder aspects of American punditry is what a bunch of shrinking violets a lot of my colleagues are -- it's an endlessly polite business and when some bloggers come on the scene with their name-calling everyone freaks out ("he said 'wanker!' I'm shocked"). Meanwhile, in the UK Martin O'Neil describes London's new Mayor:

As well as being a famous liar, Johnson has skirted the borders of criminality when it has suited his interests or those of his foul, larcenous and over-privileged friends. [...] Boris Johnson is not only shady, dishonest and incompetent. He is also a particularly offensive kind of clown, as is evidenced by his absurd litany of gaffes and insults. [...] Worst of all is Johnson’s casual racism, although it is perhaps not wholly surprising from someone of his class and background. [...] In any sane society, Boris Johnson would not be a plausible candidate for Mayor, even within the Conservative party.

Good times. Good luck, London!

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2008/05/shrill/44635/