Dunce -1577, from earlier Duns disciple "follower of John Duns Scotus" (c. 1265-1308), Scot. scholar of philosophy and theology supposed to have been born at Duns in Berwickshire. By 16c., humanist reaction against medieval theology singled him out as the type of the hairsplitting scholastic. It became a term of reproach to more conservative philosophical opponents c.1527, later extended to any dull-witted student.
Aside from the recent announcement of Morris Guller to primary Representative Gillibrand in 2008, apparently the 'progressives' are a little tight about the recent vote to continue the occupation of Iraq despite efforts to deflect criticism by the devoted 'devtob'.
Apparently Citizen Action, scheduled a BBQ with representative Gillibrand at Grafton State Park a few weeks ago and she had to face a disappointed group of MoveOn types just after the vote to continue funding. Apparently the good Congresswoman cited her placement on the Armed Services Committee and the possibility of a veto that would only cause the troops to suffer more. It seems that not enough Republicans take the Ron Paul stance of non-interventionist foreign policy and thus are to blame for her vote. It's hard to figure out the extent of their disappointment given the fact that as many as four other anti-war candidates stepped forward rather quickly once Gillibrand's tepid position on the 'war' was revealed after her official announcements early last year.
Zachary Taylor crossed over the Rio Grande at the outset of the Mexican War in 1845 with very little prospect but for a long campaign past the border. Likewise the resolve of the Marines and Army once trapped at Chosin in Korea to make the best of a bad situation and persevere. It's highly unlikely that the average American soldier would be trapped in Iraq if Congress voted to bring them home. In fact, the phat Hallibuton contracts to make pizzas and do laundry for the soldiers probably wouldn't even be affected.
Kirsten Gillibrand blinked. All the progressives duped by the likes of 'devtob' should be considering an anti-war candidate of their own. Unfortunately the psychology of the vote of lesser of two evils or a no money high principle candidate will never pan out for them. I took some limited satisfaction in last year's events with an email from a dedicated peace activist who emailed me after the election indicating they 'wrote' me in. Fortunately there are principled individuals willing to waste their vote so others don't have to waste their lives.