Gauging the incorrectness
How much trouble will we get into if we start referring to Portland city commissioner Steve Novick as "Napoleon"?
| Posted at 10:45 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (33)
I don't see a problem
Posted by jimbo | January 18, 2013 10:56 AM
Only a little...
Posted by It's Mike | January 18, 2013 11:00 AM
A paraphrase of the Mae West quote might be highly inappropriate...
Posted by cc | January 18, 2013 11:01 AM
No more than usual.
It's flat brilliant.
Posted by sally | January 18, 2013 11:03 AM
He's going to bring you up short if you do.
Posted by Cary | January 18, 2013 11:08 AM
Sorry, Jack, I think that nickname went right over his head.
Posted by cc | January 18, 2013 11:11 AM
I'd hold off thinking too hard about a nickname. Something will come up that's more appropriate and way better than this. Just give it a little time.
Posted by Alice | January 18, 2013 11:19 AM
Didn't Napoleon just leave as head of PWB, or was that Boss Tweed?
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | January 18, 2013 11:27 AM
The nicknames always seem to have a better ring to them if you incorporate their first name somehow. "Nurse Amanda", "Fireman Randy", "Scoutmaster Sam", etc. I do like the direction you are heading in because Napoleon reflects both his mercurial/ dictatorial disposition as well as his short stature. He also looks like Napoleon. Maybe call him "Emperor Steve" if you want to P.C. it a little?
Posted by Usual Kevin | January 18, 2013 11:36 AM
Besides, Napoleon was a Leo, and Novick is an Aquarian. On that basis alone, I'm not convinced this is a great idea. You could end up with an Aquarian uprising on your hands.
Posted by Alice | January 18, 2013 11:39 AM
Maybe "Steve Napole-vick"?
We have Mayor Char-Lie, Nurse Amanda, and Legend Dan, but then Jelly Fish.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 18, 2013 11:39 AM
Besides, Napoleon was a Leo, and Novick is an Aquarian. On that basis alone, I'm not convinced this is a great idea. You could end up with an Aquarian uprising on your hands.
I don't know, that's a little complex...
Posted by cc | January 18, 2013 11:45 AM
Well here's a fun fact: Napoleon was really around 5'7". Not short at all for the time. The diminutive description is frankly false. At his autopsy he was measured by English standards, which caused him to lose about 4 inches.
Anyhoo, as a "vertically challenged" Italian, I prefer the nicknames bestowed on me such as: Napoleon, Benito, Little Guinea, Little General..., so I would hope someone strong enough to consider himself a leader would not be flummoxed by mere monikers.
And he can always seek counseling with the organization I founded in the 70's: "S.H.R.I.M.P.S." Short Humans Representing Insecure Minute Persons in Society. For those of us who liked to jive, but measured under five-foot-five.
And now my little break is over. Back to work. Short day today for me. Like everyday.
Posted by PDXLifer | January 18, 2013 11:54 AM
Captain Hook?
Posted by cc | January 18, 2013 11:55 AM
Napolean had his Waterloo. We have the Water Bureau.
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 18, 2013 11:59 AM
Let us hope he won't turn out to be the Admiral's follower.
If so, I have a name.
So far good at the halt of Washington Park reservoir project.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2013/01steve_novick_delays_spending_o.htm
Posted by clinamen | January 18, 2013 12:03 PM
I will add not only hope but pressure/encourage council not to continue on the Admiral's destructive path! In my opinion, the economy of what is left here depends upon changing the course of the Admiral's ship!
Posted by clinamen | January 18, 2013 12:10 PM
Having advised not thinking too hard about this, I wouldn't want to myself, but what about Rear Admiral Novick, or Commander Novick? The naval theme 1) acknowledges Novick's debt to his predecessor, Admiral Randy, and 2) befits someone born under the sign of the Water-Bearer.
Posted by Alice | January 18, 2013 12:16 PM
Napolean, that is OK, for Imperial Leader is taken back in D.C.
Posted by vperl | January 18, 2013 12:18 PM
His campaigns into areas hitherto unconquered by the City of Portland remind me of Napoleon, but his wit reminds me of David Brent from Ricky Gervais' "The Office."
Posted by Garage Wine | January 18, 2013 12:21 PM
Mini - Randy
Posted by x-portlander | January 18, 2013 12:33 PM
I'm fond of "The Littlest General".
Posted by Larry Legend | January 18, 2013 12:43 PM
I thought Sam was the rear admiral...
Posted by tankfixer | January 18, 2013 12:57 PM
Putznick!
Posted by Dave A. | January 18, 2013 1:02 PM
I still like Mr. Novickall
Posted by Tim | January 18, 2013 1:30 PM
How about Rigoletto?
Posted by Valley Man | January 18, 2013 2:22 PM
Would Nappy Novick work?
Posted by Abe | January 18, 2013 2:24 PM
The real Napoleon's nickname was The Little Corporal. To be nice, Novick's nickname could be The Corporal.
Posted by lw | January 18, 2013 2:30 PM
What could possibly be un-PC? Napolean was a great man. His flaws and failures are vastly outweighed by his contributions- the Napoleonic code, his policies laying the basis for later separation of church and State, and introducing the metric system. Like Alexander before him, he just over-estimated himself, and his power to bring his brand of civilization to the rest of the world. Mountains, and weather elements got in his way, and things became messy.
Posted by Gaye harris | January 18, 2013 2:31 PM
Everybody's nuts over Novick
Posted by todd | January 18, 2013 2:53 PM
"How much trouble will we get into if we start referring to Portland city commissioner Steve Novick as "Napoleon"?"
Yes - Which Napoleon in govt are you referring to? Besides the real Napoleon actually did something worthwhile when he kicked out the king.
Posted by Steve | January 18, 2013 3:28 PM
I think Usual Kevin is right that the nickname works best if it has part of the real name in it. Then I think it should tie into something significant the person did here in Portland. For Steve, the most noteworthy thing he's done is to have one of his ads for senator go viral. Therefore, I'd call him Viral Steve.
It sort of connotes something that spreads out to many and if you've seen the word count in his policy writings, that sure fits.
Viral Steve. That'd be my pick.
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 18, 2013 4:27 PM
...and if you've seen the word count in his policy writings, that sure fits.
Yeah, but, Bill; you're a cheap date where "word count" is involved...
...leaving aside the CDC stuff.
Posted by cc | January 18, 2013 9:47 PM