Bark Worse Than

Isn’t that always, or mostly, the case?

Thought so.

I would conjecture that this is the predominant view.

I’m telling you now though, right now, in this particular case, regarding Newt? Bite way worse. Not what you’d expect from a dumpy former Congressman, but there it is. Not many among us have gained the professional barking experience inherent in elective office, and you’d think that with practice the vocalization would come to the fore. I mean, if you can scare them off verbally, why sink your teeth into them?

Plus, there are legal and electoral consequences to be weighed, not to mention the very real possibility of disease transmission. The “Newt” in question here may or may not be rabid, though one very much suspects him to be, but whether or not he might give someone a dread disease, you’d think he’d be a little concerned about getting one.

[By the way, unlike a newt, this Newt has teeth. His own, at his advanced age which is something.]

Our Newt, like a wild newt, is pretty thin-skinned, which is what occasioned the bite(s) in question. He doesn’t much go for criticism—no doubt part of the reason for the serial marriages—and when the disparagement gets to a certain point—bang!

Often when someone is pushed to the breaking point, the someone is said to “snap.” But in most cases, I think we can agree, that “snap” is an interior event. Not this time. Oh, no.

It was last Tuesday if one can believe the report, and given that it was all caught on video I think calling it “fake news” at this point kind of beggars the imagination. At a book signing of all things. Author events are usually pretty sedate affairs, are they not? Some comments, a little reading of the only paragraphs likely to stir purchase. Then autographs, with requests for dedication to “Mary” or “Fred.” Soon the attendees shuffle out, content to have seen a real author in the flesh. Sometimes a few hang around, hoping to engage in conversation with the star.

The questioner in question has been hospitalized and may very well lose a foot. Newt bit his ankle clear to the bone.

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