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Hooked on Bush Phonics

It's been a good long while since we've posted a big fat presidential guffaw here on TIG (not that there hasn't been great fodder all along). But the editor geek in me was especially impressed with this headline:

When words get in the way, Bush goes phonetic

The article explains that somehow, a marked-up draft of Bush's speech appeared on the UN's website as he was delivering.... a marked-up version showing that Bush needed help with his mouth words. From the article:

The White House was left scrambling to explain after a marked-up draft of Bush's speech popped up briefly on the U.N. Web site as he delivered his remarks, giving a rare glimpse of the special guidance he gets for major addresses.

It included phonetic spellings for French President Nicolas Sarkozy (sar-KO-zee), a friend, and Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe (moo-GAH-bee), a target of U.S. human rights criticism.

Pronunciations were also provided for Kyrgyzstan (KEYR-geez-stan), Mauritania (moor-EH-tain-ee-a) and the Zimbabwe capital Harare (hah-RAR-ray).

 Can't blame him, really. Those mouth words are HARD.

categories: political
1

Michael said on September 26, 2007:

Well, I have to admit I didn't know that's how you say Kyrgyzstan or Harare. But then again I DO know how to pronounce a lot of difficult words related to my job, like desalkylflurazepam.

2

imaginary dana said on September 26, 2007:

Whoa. Is that (des-al-kee-FLOR-a-ze-pam)?

3

elle said on September 26, 2007:

I at least know how to pronounce my friends' names... wow.

4

Jimmy Legs said on September 26, 2007:

It's time for Chimpy McHitler to hit the road. Jimmy Legs HATES being embarrassed by his head of state.

Here's a classic: "During his first presidential campaign, Bush -- who promised to be the "education president" -- once asked: "Is our children learning?"

And from today:

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Offering a grammar lesson guaranteed to make any English teacher cringe, President George W. Bush told a group of New York school kids on Wednesday: "Childrens do learn."

Check It!

HA HA HA! That's he's so charming!!!! He's the kind of guy I'd love to have a beer with, and then punch in the chimp face.

5

Jimmy Legs said on September 26, 2007:

You know... I feel like I need to apologize to the charming and noble chimpanzees of the world.

I know you're all smarter than shrub

6

michael said on September 26, 2007:

That is how you say desalkylflurazepam! Shoot, I tried to pick a hard one.

7

elle said on September 26, 2007:

Are you a pharmacist?

8

Imaginary-Kiku said on September 27, 2007:

Wow, just, wow. And all over the UN website! The whole world is laughing at us!

9

imaginary dana said on September 27, 2007:

Yes, it's a travesty (that's TRA-vis-tee to you, Mister President!!).

10

michael said on September 27, 2007:

No, a forensic toxicologist.

11

imaginary chona said on September 27, 2007:

i vote dana for president

12

imaginary dana said on September 27, 2007:

I humbly must decline your offer in order to continue with my imaginary duties. Though I appreciate the vote of support!

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