Although their predicament has not been helped by pusillanimous ministers, they have not covered themselves in glory.
It is a pusillanimous, jargon-ridden, self-perpetuating proof of Parkinson's law.
And Indonesia is the regional giant.It would be wrong, however, to think that regional diplomacy is as pusillanimous and Indonesian environmental hooliganism as unchecked as in 1997.
But perhaps the more important point is that with unions on the back foot, there could be more room for reform in France than pusillanimous politicians think.
If they grow frustrated, they could turn again against the new order.Meanwhile Mr Maliki, no longer considered weak and pusillanimous, has continued to strengthen his own position.
The 50% rate was a badge of honour that distinguished the Lib Dems from pusillanimous Labour and wicked Tories.Had Mr Kennedy, with his hands-off style, still been leader, there is little doubt that the tax package would have been voted down.
She wanted them to know that neither she nor Mr Díaz would ever get out alive.For years, Ms Díaz staged demonstrations, petitioned the pusillanimous courts and badgered officials.
And so far, both Germany's chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, and France's prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, deserve plaudits, as well as prods to do more.In France it would certainly be worth a few weeks of chaos if the outcome were to be victory in the battle over pension reform, without too many concessions; and Mr Raffarin's record is more hopeful than the hitherto pusillanimous Mr Schröder's.
If true, the government was more than merely pusillanimous when it dropped the investigation.According to the Guardian, BAE drew the money from an account at the Bank of England, where it was deposited as part of a deal in which Saudi oil was sold in return for Tornado aircraft and various arms.
Mr Trichet has had a remarkable tenure: consistently delivering low inflation, deftly navigating the 2008 financial crisis, and holding the single currency together in the face of pusillanimous politicians (see article).
Perhaps drowningMay 27th 2010 China and America: Not exactly eye to eyeMay 27th 2010It is China that has come out of the affair looking pusillanimous.
