Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Bushspeak Roundup: The Final 20 Days
Our etymological love affair with President George W. Bush’s malapropisms has come to an end, at least temporarily until he starts giving interviews at his home in Crawford, Texas, and wherever he may travel.
The time has come to say goodbye to now ex-President Bush. You were always good for a chuckle, if not a hearty laugh, at the way you mangled the English language. Have a happy retirement and do let us hear from you in the months to come when we will surely need a smile to cheer up those around us.
In the meantime, here are five choice examples of Bushspeak, the unique language you invented and polished to near perfection:
“I guess it's OK to call the Secretary of Education here 'buddy.' That means 'friend.'" Philadelphia, Jan. 8, 2009.
"One of the very difficult parts of the decision I made on the financial crisis was to use hardworking people's money to help prevent there to be a crisis." Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2009.
"In terms of the economy, look, I inherited a recession, I am ending on a recession." Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2009.
"The best way to ensure that there is a sustainable cease-fire is to work with Egypt to stop the smuggling of arms into the Gaza." Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2009.
"I'm telling you there's an enemy that would like to attack America, Americans, again. There just is. That's the reality of the world. And I wish him all the very best." Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2009.
Labels: Bushspeak, George W. Bush, Quotable Quotes
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Bushspeak Update, Second Half of 2008
Bushspeak pickings were slim as the final days of the eight-year imperial presidency of George W. Bush wound down and he made a concerted effort to rewrite history’s view of him. The number of Bushspeak quotes continue to be small as "the days dwindled down to a precious few." With W gone. we venture to predict that, in Richard Nixon’s immortal words, it won’t be long before we’ll regret "we won’t have him to kick around anymore.” For those keeping track of President Bush's malapropisms, here are more examples to add to your collection:
THE FREE MARKET
"I've abandoned free market principles to save the free market system." Washington, D.C., Dec. 16, 2008.
OTHER VOICES
"People say, well, do you ever hear any other voices other than, like, a few people? Of course I do." Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2008.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION
"So I analyzed that and decided I didn't want to be the president during a depression greater than the Great Depression, or the beginning of a depression greater than the Great Depression." Washington D.C., Dec. 18, 2008.
ON HIS FATHER
"He was a great father before politics, a great father during politics and a great father after politics." His comment on his father, George H.W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Nov. 12, 2008.
THE BIBLE
“I've been in the Bible every day since I've been the president." Washington, D.C., Nov. 12, 2008.
DANCING
"Yesterday, you made note of my—the lack of my talent when it came to dancing. But nevertheless, I want you to know I danced with joy. And no question Liberia has gone through very difficult times." Speaking with the president of Liberia, Washington, D.C., Oct. 22, 2008.
WATER QUALITY IN AFRICA
"I want to share with you an interesting program—for two reasons, one, it's interesting, and two, my wife thought of it—or has actually been involved with it; she didn't think of it. But she thought of it for this speech." Washington D.C., Oct. 21, 2008, discussing PlayPumps International, which hopes to install 4,000 pumps so children can enjoy clean water in Sub-Saharan Africa.
CREDIT THAW
"This thaw took a while to thaw [he meant freeze]; it's going to take a while to unthaw." Said at an economic roundtable held at Alexandria, La., Oct. 20, 2008.
THE OCEAN
“I didn’t grow up in the ocean. As a matter of fact, near the ocean. I grew up in the desert. Therefore, it was a pleasant contrast to see the ocean. And I particularly like it when I’m fishing.” Washington, D.C., Sept. 26, 2008.
THE BAILOUT
"Anyone engaging in illegal financial transactions will be caught and persecuted.” Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2008.
HURRICANE IKE
"We’re fixin’ to go down to Galveston and obviously are going to see a devastated part of this fantastic state.” Houston, Texas, Sept. 16, 2008.
“The people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there’s a lot of prayer—prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I’m one of them." Baton Rouge, La., Sept. 3, 2008.
THE OLYMPICS
"I'm coming as the president of a friend, and I'm coming as a sportsman." Said about his trip to the Olympics in China, Washington, D.C., July 30, 2008.
THE ECONOMY
"There's no question about it. Wall Street got drunk--that's one of the reasons I asked you to turn off the TV cameras--it got drunk, and now it's got a hangover. The question is how long will it sober up and not try to do all these fancy financial instruments." Speaking at a private fundraiser, Houston, Texas, July 18, 2008.
"The economy is growing, productivity is high, trade is up, people are working. It's not as good as we'd like, but -- and to the extent that we find weakness, we'll move." Washington, D.C., July 15, 2008.
A MAGIC WAND
"I think it was in the Rose Garden where I issued this brilliant statement: If I had a magic wand -- but the president doesn't have a magic wand. You just can't say, 'low gas.'" Washington D.C., July 15, 2008.
THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
"And they have no disregard for human life." On the brutality of Afghan fighters, Washington, D.C., July 15, 2008.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter." George W. Bush’s parting words to Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy, at what was his final G-8 Summit. He punched the air and grinned widely as the British prime minister and French president looked on in shock. Rusutsu, Japan, July 10, 2008.
"Amigo! Amigo!" George W. Bush’s attention-getting call in Spanish to Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi at the G-8 Summit. Rusutsu, Japan, July 10, 2008.
"Should the Iranian regime--do they have the sovereign right to have civilian nuclear power? So, like, if I were you, that's what I'd ask me. And the answer is, yes, they do." Asked while talking with reporters in Washington, D.C., July 2, 2008.
WEIRD STATISTICS
"Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people." Said in Fourth of July address to new citizens, Charlottesville, Va., July 4, 2008.
Labels: Bushspeak, Geroge W. Bush
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Bushspeak Update, First Half of 2008
Apparently recognizing that his second term would soon run out, President George W. Bush made fewer public appearances during the first six months of 2008 and thus made fewer public-speaking gaffes. One might hope that this was a sign that he was listening more and speaking less. He was true to form, however, in the unintelligibility of those of his words expressed in Bushspeak during the first six months of 2008.
THE ECONOMY
"Let's make sure that there is certainty during uncertain times in our economy." Washington, D.C., June 2, 2008.
"We got plenty of money in Washington. What we need is more priority." Washington, D.C., June 2, 2008.
"And so the fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's jobs at the machine-making place." Said while visiting the Silverado Cable Co., Mesa, Ariz., May 27, 2008.
"We want people owning their home—we want people owning a businesses." Washington, D.C., April 18. 2008.
"Business leaders from many backgrounds, along with current and former senators, congressmans, mayors, diplomats, national security council people, Cabinet members from both parties—I emphasize, from both parties—support this agreement." Jacksonville, Fla., March 18. 2008.
POLITICS
"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office." Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008.
"Let me start off by saying that in 2000 I said, 'Vote for me. I'm an agent of change.' In 2004, I said, 'I'm not interested in change—I want to continue as president.' Every candidate has got to say 'change.' That's what the American people expect." Washington, D.C., March 5, 2008.
"A lot of times in politics you have people look you in the eye and tell you what's not on their mind." Sochi, Russia, April 6, 2008.
DISASTERS
"And I, unfortunately, have been to too many disasters as president." Said while discussing flooding in the Midwest, Washington, D.C., June 17, 2008.
DEMOCRACY
"There is some who say that perhaps freedom is not universal. Maybe it's only Western people that can self-govern. Maybe it's only, you know, white-guy Methodists who are capable of self-government. I reject that notion." London, June 16, 2008.
HISTORY, IMPORTANCE OF "One of the things important about history is to remember the true history." Washington, D.C., June 6, 2008.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
"We've got a lot of relations with countries in our neighborhood." Kranj, Slovenia, June 10, 2008.
"Take the Middle East seriously because that's the center of—that's the place where people get so despondent and despair that they're willing to come and take lives of U.S. citizens." On the advice he would give the next president, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008.
"How can you possibly have an international agreement that's effective unless countries like China and India are not full participants?" Camp David, April 19, 2008.
"Oftentimes people ask me, 'Why is it that you're so focused on helping the hungry and diseased in strange parts of the world?' " Washington, D.C., April 18. 2008.
"Afghanistan is the most daring and ambition [sic] mission in the history of NATO." Bucharest, Romania, April 2, 2008.
"The United States has suffered terrorist attacks on its soil, as have Russia."Sochi, Russia, April 6, 2008.
"I thank the diplomatic corps, who is here as well." Washington, D.C., March 12, 2008.
"I'm oftentimes asked, ‘What difference does it make to America if people are dying of malaria in a place like Ghana?’ It means a lot. It means a lot morally, it means a lot from a—it's in our national interest." Accra, Ghana, Feb. 20, 2008.
"A clear lesson I learned in the museum was that outside forces that tend to divide people up inside their country are unbelievably counterproductive." Said after touring a genocide memorial, Kigali, Rwanda, Feb. 19, 2008.
"I can press when there needs to be pressed; I can hold hands when there needs to be—hold hands." On what he can contribute to the Middle East peace process, Washington, D.C., Jan. 4, 2008.
IRAQ WAR
"Removing Saddam Hussein was the right decision early in my presidency, it is the right decision now, and it will be the right decision ever." Washington, D.C., March 12, 2008.
MILITARY AFFAIRS
"Soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and Coastmen—Coast Guardmen, thanks for coming, thanks for wearing the uniform." The Pentagon, March 19, 2008.
"And so, General, I want to thank you for your service. And I appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq." Meeting with U.S. Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2008.
CULINARY PRAISE
"The German asparagus are fabulous." Said at Schloss Meseberg, in Meseberg, Germany, June 11, 2008.
"First, "I want to tell you how proud I am to be the president of a nation that--in which there's a lot of Philippine Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. I am reminded of the great talent of the--of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House. . . . And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madame President." Said in Washington, D.C., June 24, 2008, to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo about Philippine-born White House Chef Cristeta "Cris" Comerford, a natualized American citizen who studied culinary arts in the Philippines, Austria and the U.S.
A complete collection of all Bushspeak articles can be found at the following links:
- The Prequel: Early Examples of Weird Bushspeak
- The Weird World of Bushspeak, Updated Again
- Three Little Words: George W. Bush's Infatuation with the Sound of His Favorite Phrase
- Bushspeak Update, First Half of 2007
- Bushspeak Update, Second Half of 2007
- Bushspeak Update, First Half of 2008
Labels: Bushspeak, Quotable Quotes
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Bushspeak Update, Second Half of`2007
Our collection of excruciating examples of President George W. Bush's disastrous encounters with the English language continues to grow. The number is now so large it is no longer convenient to publish them by updating the original collection. Here are some gems of unintentional humor we have accumulated during the second half of 2007:
MILITARY POLICY
"If you've got somebody in harm's way, you want the president being-making advice, not--be given advice by the military, and not making decisions based upon the latest Gallup poll or focus group." New Albany, Ind., Nov. 13, 2007.
"I fully understand those who say you can't win this thing militarily. That's exactly what the United States military says, that you can't win this military." Said about the need for political progress in Iraq, Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2007.
"I cannot look a mother and father of a troop in the eye and say, 'I'm sending your kid into combat, but I don't think we can achieve the objective.'" Washington, D.C., July 12, 2007.
POLITICS
"And I will explain the need to reform a confirmation process that is making it more difficult to persuade decent and intelligence people to accept the call to public service." Washington, D.C., Nov. 15, 2007.
PAKISTAN
"In other words, he was given an option: Are you with us or are you not with us? And he made a clear decision to be with us, and he's acted on that advice." Said about President Pervez Musharrafof Pakistan, Crawford, Texas, Nov. 10, 2007.
NEWSPEAK
And so I welcome you here. I'm proud of your accomplishments. And I welcome you all to say a few comments to the TV, if you care to do so." Said to First Minister Rev. Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, of Northern Ireland, at the White House, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 2007.
"I don't particularly like it when people put words in my mouth, either, by the way, unless I say it." Crawford, Texas, Nov. 10, 2007.
MALARIA AID
"We're going to-we'll be sending a person on the ground there pretty soon to help implement the malaria initiative, and that initiative will mean spreading nets and insecticides throughout the country so that we can see a reduction in death of young children that--a death that we can cure." Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, 2007.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
"All I can tell you is when the governor calls, I answer his phone." San Diego, Calif., Oct. 25, 2007.
"My hearts are with the Jeffcoats right now, that's what I'm thinking." Said after meeting with California wildfire victims Kendra and Jay Jeffcoat, San Diego, Calif., Oct. 25, 2007.
HIGHWAY POLICY
"You know, a trucker, if he's interested in moving through Northwest Arkansas in expedition fashion, will pay a little extra money to be able to do so." Explaining how toll roads can generate revenue for highway maintenance while helping motorists move quickly, Rogers, Ark., Oct., 15, 2007.
DECISION MAKING
"The decisions we make in Washington have a direct impact on the people in our country, obviously." New Albany, Ind., Nov. 13, 2007.
"I got a lot of Ph.D.-types and smart people around me who come into the Oval Office and say, 'Mr. President, here's what's on my mind.' And I listen carefully to their advice. But having gathered the device, I decide, you know, I say, 'This is what we're going to do.'" Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007.
CONSUMER ECONOMICS
"You know, when you give a man more money in his pocket--in this case, a woman more money in her pocket to expand a business, it they build new buildings. And when somebody builds a new building somebody has got to come and build the building. And when the building expanded it prevented additional opportunities for people to work." Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007.
JUSTICE
"All of us in America want there to be fairness when it comes to justice." Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2007.
EDUCATION
"As yesterday's positive report card shows, childrens do learn when standards are high and results are measured." New York, Sept. 26, 2007.
IRAN
"We're also talking to different finance ministers about how we can send a message to the Iranian government that the free world is not going to tolerate the development of know-how in how to build a weapon, or at least gain the ability to make a weapon." Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2007.
JUSTICE
"I feel strongly that there ought to be fair justice." Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2007.
HOUSING SLUMP
"There is no question that there is some unsettling times in the housing market." Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2007.
WHERE AM I?
"Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit." Correcting himself, he added, "He invited me to the OPEC summit next year." But neither Australia nor the U.S. is a member of OPEC (The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries). Said to Brian Howard, then Australian prime minister, while addressing APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, at Sydney, Australia, Sept. 6, 2007
EXPERTISE
"I'm going to try to see if I can remember as much to make it sound like I'm smart on the subject." Answering a question concerning a possible flu pandemic, Cleveland, July 10, 2007.
THE SWIFT PACE OF HISTORY
"More than two decades later, it is hard to imagine the Revolutionary War coming out any other way." Martinsburg, W. Va., July 4, 2007.
A complete collection of all Bushspeak articles can be found at the following links:
Labels: Bushspeak, Quotable Quotes