Call Me...or Name Me...Irresponsible

This is about names--specifically, about how names sometimes don't match their objects.

Case in point: the Tamil Tigers. That has got to be the BEST name for an organization that is at least separatist and rebellious and generally considered downright terrorist. My reason for liking the name is obvious: it's like a football team. Go Tigers! Yes, it's a terrible, irresponsible reaction. But it shows the power of a name.

Here's another great name in world news these days: Tzipi Livni. What a positive-sounding name! (It's the two short "i" sounds.) It's energetic. It's a role written for Debbie Reynolds (back before we knew how hard it would be to grow up with her for a mother--thanks a lot, Carrie Fisher). Tzipi is your go-to politician; she'll get things done. It's a perky name; it's a cheery name. It's Katie Couric squared.

But Tzipi Livni is lucky for the "tz" combination. "Tippy" is a little too cheery (not to mention cheesy) and even a little unstable. "Zippy" would be over-the-top, the Israeli version of Scooter Libby.

Now there was a case of an unfortunate name for a person unfortunately inflicted upon the world for a looooong time. Scooter Libby, as you recall, was a White House aide who broke the law and was caught doing it, probably taking the fall for Cheney and others.

From her position as armchair psychologist to the world, Dr. Marion says his problems stem from the fact that he apparently never took himself seriously enough to claim a real name. No adult should be called "Scooter," except by his wife who knew him in Grade 7, and even then they should keep it behind closed doors. (Ewww.) Certainly no adult in the White House should go by a nickname like that.

In my less mild-mannered moments, I consider Scooter Libby to be responsible, in large part, for turning the White House into the Frat House for eight years.

Please understand that except for Scooter, I am responding only to these names--I have no political opinion about Livni vs. Netanyahu, except that the Israeli election makes the name-calling and other political rhetoric in Ottawa seem downright decorous. I do not support the Tamil Tigers and I do not know enough about the situation in Sri Lanka to say anything else about it.

But, as I pointed out about Bear Sterns, just keep in mind the importance of a name.