VOLVO VOLVO VOLVO VOLVO VOLVO VOLVO BIBI page 43 AP/NATI 1-IARNIK a THE WORLD'S FIRST SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG... Now on Every 1996 Volvo • NEW 1996 VOLVO 960 Leather, Moonroof, Power Seating & Much More! THE 1995 VOLVO 960. LOADED WITH WHAT MATTERS. Only Volvo offers 2 front air bags and 2 side air bags standard on every 1996 car. PLUS...Air cond., stereo/cass., ABS brakes, pwr. windows, pwr. locks, cruise, int. wipers, rear defrost & more! Suburban THE VOLVO STORE 643.8500 1821 Maplelawn TROY MOTOR MALL •Based on approved credit thru Volvo Car Financing until July 31, 1996. Down pymt. based on 40% of MSRP of $34,850. Finance option in lieu of cash incentives. ASK FOR ILENE ADLER! Assistant Manager 44 vow() vow() vow() -vow() VOLVO vow() tag like "Bibi." Mr. Netanyahu Who knows? Even though there didn't even have to pay a public is no reference to it in the Bible, relations pro to think it up. Ac- maybe even a few Israelites cording to Netanyahu family called their great King "Dov" — lore, it stems from childhood the Hebrew equivalent of "Dave" though probably not to his confusion with another older Benjamin who was the big BB face. But has there ever been as while the future prime minister good a nickname as Prime Min- was the little Bibi. Of course, nicknames can be ister Binyamin Netanyahu's a double-edged sword for politi- "Bibi?" It is short, colorful, po- cians. A good nickname can be litically neutral and a writer's delight. Its two-syllable a political advantage. It length also allows his was hard to resist pulling Binyamin most ardent supporters the lever for "The Gip- per," as President Ronald Netanyahu laughs to serenade him with with a group of Reagan was affectionate- supporters during the "Bibi, King of Is- rael" song, into which ly called. On the other a rally. "Mr. Netanyahu" hand, unwillingness to would definitely not fit. buy a used car from a man called "Tricky Dick" may It also helped this product of Is- have led to Richard Nixon's rael's most elite military unit and one of America's elite uni- downfall . Other names are mixed bless- versities convince the Israeli in ings, such as Britain's Margaret the street that he was one of Thatcher's appellation, "The them. Iron Lady." It conveyed strength What lies behind this deci- and resolve to those who sup- sion? The prime minister may ported her while it conjured up believe being called "Bibi" shows a medieval instrument of tor- disrespect, as if making every- ture for her detractors. one call him "Mr." will increase Acronyms such as TR, FDR, the government's prestige. But JFK and LBJ were good luck to since when did Israeli politics both Roosevelts, John Fitzger- and journalism look to Miss ald Kennedy and Lyndon Manners for guidance? Baines Johnson. They also Mr. Binyamin Netanyahu's helped headline writers who success in office will depend on dread long names. the strength of his character, in- Nicknames also break down tellect and political skills. I hap- the formal distance between the pen to think he will do just fine electorate and their leaders. The leading Israel whether anyone last two Democratic presidents calls him "Bibi," BN, his excel- have insisted on being called lency, the prime minister or "Jimmy" and "Bill," no doubt to "late for dinner." And sticking lend credence to their "man of to formality will not convince his the people" pose. A nickname critics that he is on the right gives you a chance to talk as if track. - you actually knew the person Mr. Netanyahu's staff should who leads your country. forget about the formality and It is also useful to monarchies. make good use of his moniker. ❑ 16th-century Englishmen re- ferred to their sovereign as Jonathan S. Tobin is executive "Bess." The soon-to-be ex-wife editor of the Connecticut of England's current heir Jewish Ledger. zoomed to popularity as "Di."