The apparently-departed Billmon periodically referred to Emperor Hirohito’s incredible face-saving spin during his radio broadcast announcing surrender (World War II) to the Japanese people:
Despite the best that has been done by everyone-the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of our servants of the State and the devoted service of our 100,000,000 people-the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan’s advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
“The situation has developed not necessarily to Japan’s advantage”–that’s one way of putting it.
Today we seemingly have our own Emperor Hirohito:
WALLACE: Mr. Vice President, why should we believe that this time you’ve got it right?
CHENEY: If you look at what’s transpired in Iraq, Chris, we have in fact made enormous progress.
One has to wonder how Cheney maintains credibility in anyone’s mind these days. But apparently he does, both inside the White House and among the 33%.