corrente

Remember those stories about how Saddam's government was so riddled with terror, his underlings would simply lie to him rather than bring him unwelcome news that might earn them a trip to the firing squad? Among the many other enjoyable tidbits in this article, I loved this:

Several former administration officials said the debacle over Raimondo illustrated broader weaknesses in Bush's White House as he gears up his reelection campaign. Some Republicans said the situation crystallized their concerns about his weakened political position. These Republicans refused to speak for the record because they said that if they did, they could not be candid about the problems without infuriating Bush and his most powerful aides.

Maybe a new nickname is in order that captures the particular mixture of incompetence, mendacity, vindictiveness, kleptocracy and self-delusion that defines Dear Leader. "Baby Doc"?