A question for our friends in the U.K.

[johnaries]

I've seen several sites that claim that "people in Britain don't talk the way that we do" and that the word "fixed" in the Downing Street Minutes has an entirely different meaning than we're giving it. I even saw one site that claimed that in British vernacular "fixed" means "corroborated".

So, when you see the statement that the "facts were being fixed around the policy", exactly what does it mean to you?

Thanks! :hi:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. I'm from this side of the pond.... my impression is that

it means Saddam had outlived his usefulness...

[Double T]

2. This Almost Sounds Like A repub-lick-can Explanation ....

...to the Downing Street Minutes. 'fixed' means manipulated and I can't imagine any other 'interpretation' of 'fixed' by Karl Rove and his band of thugs.

[mrfrapp]

3. As a UK DUer

As a UK DUer, I interpret it the same way you and any other honest reader interprets it.

[johnaries]

4. THANK YOU! Now, anytime i see or hear that ridiculous

argument, I will refer them to your post.

As long as you don't mind, that is! :toast:

[mrfrapp]

5. I don't mind

:toast:

[pocket]

6. relax and have a fag

:P

[johnaries]

7. Actually, I'm smoking one right now.

That's not a hate crime, is it? :crazy:

[whatgives]

8. I'm not British, but I think the key

word in the phrase is "around". One definition of fixed is "To determine with accuracy; ascertain". But when used in conjunction with "around" there is no doubt in my mind that "fixed" means that facts were manipulated, made up, etc.

[Vladimir]

9. I think its a funny bit of spin

you see it as it is, the looking-glass is being used by others...

[Bouncy Ball]

10. whatgives is right, the use of the phrase "fixed AROUND"

is what makes it mean that the policy was developed AHEAD of the facts and the facts were shaped AROUND the policy so as to make them fit. Any facts which did not support the policy were thrown out, any which did, but needed to be tweaked were tweaked.

This is nothing new, btw. See Richard Clarke, Joe Wilson, the former Treasury Secretary (I have the book, what was his name?) and others, they've been saying it about the bush administration for a while now.

[DrDebug]

11. When in doubt use the dictionary

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=fixed

1. place securely -> facts were being placed securely around the policy
Meaning policy first facts later
2. put into a stable form -> facts were put into a stable form around the policy
Meaning policy first facts later
3. to direct steadily -> fact were to direct the policy steadily
Meaning policy first facts later
4. to capture or hold -> facts were to capture the policy
Meaning policy first facts later
5. to set or place definitely -> facts were to set the policy definitely
Meaning policy first facts later
6. to assign -> facts were to assign the policy
This meaning is different
7. to correct -> facts were to correct the policy
This meaning is different
8. to prepare -> facts were to prepare the policy
This meaning is different
9. to spay or castrate -> facts were to castrate the policy
Hmm. this is a really cute one
10. to take revenge upon -> facts were to take revenge upon the policy
I guess this meaning came later
11. to influence the outcome or actions of by improper or unlawful means -> fact were to influence the policy by unlawful means

Still think that (11) is the winner!