« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »
Canadian Official allowed to fall on sword
The investication into the sources of the leaks during the 'naftagate' scandal, which slimed Obama just before the Ohio primary appears to have been completed. Press releases and a Reuters story are both claiming that the investigation has 'cleared' Ian Brodie--long-time aide, best buddy, Chief of Staff and political fixer to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (a conservative). The same stories are also announcing his resignation, which is laughably claimed to have no relation to the investigation. Right! Of course it doesn't...
It looks like Brodie picked the "fall on your sword, and we won't charge you" option.
Advertisement
Comments (5)
Actually, to fall on your sword means to publicly take complete blame for something. This particular situation is more of a quid-pro-quo.
May 23, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a reference to a line in Plutarch's account of the death of Brutus. Brutus fell on his sword after losing the second battle of Phillipi vs: Octavian. Octavian was attempting to avenge the Julius Caesar's murder. Suicide spared Brutus from prosecution for murder, and Octavian magnanimously treated his corpse 'with honour' in return.
Brutus took no responsility for anything; he'd fought a small war and two batlles to avoid having to, and only killed himself when he could escape no longer.
May 23, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent schooling, S1m0n
(no offense meant to RobbyLove)
May 23, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a reference to a line in Plutarch's account of the death of Brutus. Brutus fell on his sword after losing the second battle of Phillipi vs: Octavian. Octavian was attempting to avenge the Julius Caesar's murder. Suicide spared Brutus from prosecution for murder, and Octavian magnanimously treated his corpse 'with honour' in return.
Brutus took no responsility for anything; he'd fought a small war and two batlles to avoid having to, and only killed himself when he could escape no longer.
May 23, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll concede the point even though "falling on your sword" is used quite differently in the common vernacular.
I still think this was a quid-pro-quo.
May 23, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Post a Comment