The New Republic

Life is dangerous. Don't say anything because somebody may remember what you said. Don't do anything because somebody may have watched what you were doing. About all you can do is be very quiet and hide in the bushes, so you are much less likely to see what you are up to.

- skahn

February 2, 2012 at 2:24pm

I cringe to think of how that nugget of wisdom plays into his notion of Renewing American Civilization...

- GSpinks

February 2, 2012 at 2:47pm

I loathe everyone involved and still think all of this is a bunch of Fox level cheap shots. But anything to get under Gingrich's skin is fine by me.

- WandreyCer

February 2, 2012 at 2:48pm

To be fair to Newt Gingrich - even as he is massively unfair to his political opponents - it is extremely difficult to be aware of scandalous revelations that turn up in the 21st century when you were still a denizen of the 20th century.

- liberalref

February 2, 2012 at 3:11pm

The four previous commenters are missing the point. Paterno's remark is a perfect example of Dramatic Irony, like Oedipus saying just let me get my hands on that guy who killed my predecessor. Yeah, Gingrich isn't as smart as he and his admirers think he is, but the anecdote does not turn on that point. It turns on the icky deliciousness of the irony.

- Milstein

February 2, 2012 at 10:42pm

Milstein, part of my deranged TNR ethos (not understood by my detractors) is that when someone corrects me correctly, politely, and entertainingly, like a wolf bowing its neck in submission to the new pack leader, I say, "You are absolutely correct." However, I will undermine myself by arguing that Gingrich is in fact the reincarnation of Immanuel Velikovsky, a scholar of history, astronomy, and Greek mythology of surpassing brilliance. I have been in awe of Gingrich, wondering how he gained so much understanding and wisdom, but as I read your comment, the truth broke over my brain in a flash of stunning insight.

- skahn

February 2, 2012 at 11:50pm