Bush demotes visiting Polish president

[zimv20]

link (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050209/323/fc5a5.html)


WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush often calls Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski "friend," but he bestowed a different title as they met in the Oval Office: "Mr Prime Minister."
Referring to a possible end to a longstanding dispute over visas for Polish citizens travelling to the United States, Bush said: "I want to thank you for your leadership on that issue, Mr Prime Minister."

Kwasniewski did not seem troubled, but he quietly said "president," prompting Bush to correct himself quickly: "I mean, Mr President. Excuse me."

"I demoted him," Bush quipped, adding: "Well, it's not a demotion. It's a lateral transfer."

The US president occasionally has trouble with world leaders' titles and sometimes their names.

On Monday, he referred to newly elected Palestinian Preident Mahmud Abbas as "prime minister," and in several speeches last week referred to him as "Abu Abbas" -- an apparent mix-up with Abbas' alias, "Abu Mazen."

embarrassing.

[bousozoku]

It's not that bad. When he first took office, he had trouble pronouncing American English words and saying the names of people he knew.

I think he's come a long way since his mum sat down with him and the "Hooked on Phonics" kit. ;)

[miloblithe]

I still like that SNL skit with Will Ferrel where he's naming random Nigerian cabinet ministers to pretend that he now knows something.

I'd have to say the President/Prime Minister thing is an easy enough mix up. Getting people's names wrong is a little worse.

[mpw]

There’s a great joke about President Bush having a conversation with a constitutional expert;
Bush : “I’m bored being called a President, I think I’ll call myself king from now on.”
Expert: “You can’t do that you don’t rule a Kingdom.”
Bush: “OK, I’ll be a Prince then.”
Expert: “You can’t do that either you’d need a Principality.”
Bush: “Duke?”
Expert: “No, you’d need to rule a Duchy.”
Bush: “What can I be called then?”
Expert: “Well, you do rule a country.....” :D

[pseudobrit]

I can't wait for a foreign leader to "accidentally" demote Bush to something like "Junior President."

Or Sack o' Lies. I think we'd all get a chuckle out of "Mr. Sack o' Lies"

[Thomas Veil]

At least Bush didn't call him a Polack. :rolleyes:

[yellow]

Doesn't bush say "nukeular"?

[mischief]

Doesn't bush say "nukeular"?

Indeed, along with:

"Feller" (Fellow)

" 'mer'ca" (America)

"ev'dince" (evidence)

"Freedom" (Occupation/destabilization)

"Tyranny" (CIA-installed regime no longer playing ball)

"Folks" (Neocon constituents)

[yellow]

"Freedom" (Occupation/destabilization

LOL! Classic!

[IJ Reilly]

He's also been known to call terrorists "folks." Everybody should remember those inspiring words from 9-11.

Over in another thread, we've got Bush calling Americans working three jobs "fantastic." Now, of all the things I'd prefer not to be called, "fantastic" is near the top of the list.

[mischief]

He's also been known to call terrorists "folks." Everybody should remember those inspiring words from 9-11.

Over in another thread, we've got Bush calling Americans working three jobs "fantastic." Now, of all the things I'd prefer not to be called, "fantastic" is near the top of the list.

Nope, nope... you're right...

Revision:

"Folks" (Idealogues/Dangerous Religious Zealots)

[Thomas Veil]

Now, of all the things I'd prefer not to be called, "fantastic" is near the top of the list.Unless, of course, you're a member of a quartet of Marvel superheroes.

[skunk]

" 'mer'ca" (America)
"'mer'ca" is presumably full of "merkins".

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

[IJ Reilly]

Unless, of course, you're a member of a quartet of Marvel superheroes.

Darn. My cover is blown!

[Ugg]

"'mer'ca" is presumably full of "merkins".

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

I thought he was just practicing his French and as usual used the wrong letter, a "c" instead of a "d". Rather appropriate since that what this country is fast becoming.

[diamond geezer]

I feel you're all being very unfair.

Your President used the phrase "lateral transfer", and it actually made sense.

Things are on the improve.

[skunk]

I thought he was just practicing his French and as usual used the wrong letter, a "c" instead of a "d". Rather appropriate since that what this country is fast becoming.
And an "a" instead of an "e"? Murkier still...