The Other Minister (was Re: Is Umbridge a commentary on British govt. ed

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> Tonks:
> I still think that the reference is to Bush. Never Bill!!! I didn't 
> know people in the UK had a bad impression of Clinton. He was one of 
> our best presidents. What's a little "massage" after all?
> 
> I agree that Rowling isn't paying that much attention to the time 
> line. The book came out when people the world over saw Bush as a war 
> monger and an idiot. I am SURE it is Bush. Now that is something I 
> wish she would admit sometime. Maybe when he is out of office and 
> Hillary is in!
> 
> Tonks_op

Sorry Tonks, I do actually agree it was probably the Blair/Bush 
relationship she was sending up. I was getting time line confused as 
well, thinking 1996 had to be Clinton! But you (and Geoff) are right, 
Clinton would command a lot more respect in Britain. And JKR was just 
having fun with a reference that was topical at the time she was 
writing. Wonder what they'll make of it in 20 years time!

Mercia 
>