NationStates Jolt Archive

That made me laugh so hard I nearly choked. Link (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/10/25/rice-canada051025.html)

From the article:
When asked how Washington's refusal to accept the NAFTA ruling will affect its credibility in the international community, Rice said the U.S. track record is solid.

"The word of the U.S. has been as good as gold in international dealings and agreements," said Rice.

So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?

That made me laugh so hard I nearly choked. Link (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/10/25/rice-canada051025.html)

From the article:


So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?
Sometime between birth and establishing herself as a luminary in the new American aristocracy would be my guess.

I get a very definite feeling that she doesn't know her head from her ass. Like the overwhelming bulk of unintentionally comedic aristocrats, who are by their very nature divorced from reality.

Unless it's a reality that focuses on themselves, of course.

This has something to do with her self-sublimation that she is a "shoe-in" as the next president.

I've noticed she keeps going on these smiley faced tours and stuff and frankly I find her hilarious. I can't wait until she makes the presidential run. It will be the best reality TV ever.

This has something to do with her self-sublimation that she is a "shoe-in" as the next president.

I've noticed she keeps going on these smiley faced tours and stuff and frankly I find her hilarious. I can't wait until she makes the presidential run. It will be the best reality TV ever.

Bah. Everyone knows Jeb Bush is next in line. :)

Bah. Everyone knows Jeb Bush is next in line. :)
And what's Jeb done to deserve it? Served his time as governor of Florida? Making good on handing Georgie-boy his first mandate? Breathing?

This has something to do with her self-sublimation that she is a "shoe-in" as the next president.

I've noticed she keeps going on these smiley faced tours and stuff and frankly I find her hilarious. I can't wait until she makes the presidential run. It will be the best reality TV ever.
Presumably the Republicans feel that whoever they put up next time, as long as it isn't Hilary Clinton they'll stand a fair chance?

And what's Jeb done to deserve it? Served his time as governor of Florida? Making good on handing Georgie-boy his first mandate? Breathing?
To be fair, that's probably at least as much as Dubya did to earn it.
One does wonder, now the point has been raised, if any the Chimp's increasingly bizarre behaviour since the last election has been calculated purely in order to piss on his brother's chips as far as getting a presidential nomination goes? It's probably more credible than some rationales I've heard.

And what's Jeb done to deserve it? Served his time as governor of Florida? Making good on handing Georgie-boy his first mandate? Breathing?

He's quite popular. Winning Florida by 10+ points after 2000, and with his opponents spending the kind of cash they did takes more than amateur tactics. Plus, he's got some populist appeal, and spent huge sums on the Everglades.. he's also married to a Mexican, so he's got his demograpjhic bases covered. Also, compare Hurricane Katrina to the 8 hurricanes to hit Florida under Jeb.. he's quite good at disaster preparation.. he's also an excellent public speaker, and not just compared to his brother. He also benefits from the low expectations people are going to have that he be a good speaker.. the contrast between him and George will make him look good.

"The word of the U.S. has been as good as gold in international dealings and agreements," said Rice.

http://www.spacespider.net/emo/happy051.gif http://www.spacespider.net/emo/happy051.gif http://www.spacespider.net/emo/happy051.gif

This is, presumably, Americans acting aggrieved over Canada selling oil to China after the Americans have spent a long time pissing them about with punitive import duties on lumber?

So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?
So when wasn't the American government one big comic team?

Bah. Everyone knows Jeb Bush is next in line. :)

Silly...he has to wait...don't you see it...Bush than Other, than Bush than Other than Bush...

Not bush than other than bush then brother!!

This is, presumably, Americans acting aggrieved over Canada selling oil to China after the Americans have spent a long time pissing them about with punitive import duties on lumber?
Yes. Among other things.
But this press conference was about the softwood lumber dispute.

Yes. Among other things.
But this press conference was about the softwood lumber dispute.
Mz Rice's comment wouldn't have been half as funny if that hadn't been mentioned, I suppose.

He's quite popular. Winning Florida by 10+ points after 2000, and with his opponents spending the kind of cash they did takes more than amateur tactics. Plus, he's got some populist appeal, and spent huge sums on the Everglades.. he's also married to a Mexican, so he's got his demograpjhic bases covered. Also, compare Hurricane Katrina to the 8 hurricanes to hit Florida under Jeb.. he's quite good at disaster preparation.. he's also an excellent public speaker, and not just compared to his brother. He also benefits from the low expectations people are going to have that he be a good speaker.. the contrast between him and George will make him look good.
Not good enough by far. The perfect candidate for the mouth-breathers, all things considered.

He's quite popular. Winning Florida by 10+ points after 2000, and with his opponents spending the kind of cash they did takes more than amateur tactics. Plus, he's got some populist appeal, and spent huge sums on the Everglades.. he's also married to a Mexican, so he's got his demograpjhic bases covered. Also, compare Hurricane Katrina to the 8 hurricanes to hit Florida under Jeb.. he's quite good at disaster preparation.. he's also an excellent public speaker, and not just compared to his brother. He also benefits from the low expectations people are going to have that he be a good speaker.. the contrast between him and George will make him look good.

There are also rumors that Jeb is reluctant to run for President because of something in his past. What that "something" is, I don't know, so I can't say if this is true or not. But any dirty laundry that any candidate has will inevitbly be revealed during the campaign. (If there isn't any, some will be invented for the occaision. Expect both the Republican and Democratic candidates to be "swift boated" next time.)

:rolleyes:

That made me laugh so hard I nearly choked. Link (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/10/25/rice-canada051025.html)

From the article:
"The word of the U.S. has been as good as gold in international dealings and agreements," said Rice.

So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?

So when has our word not been as good as gold? What did we do that we said we would not, or not do that we had pledged to do?

Please give me something, so that I can laugh too?

There are also rumors that Jeb is reluctant to run for President because of something in his past. What that "something" is, I don't know, so I can't say if this is true or not. But any dirty laundry that any candidate has will inevitbly be revealed during the campaign. (If there isn't any, some will be invented for the occaision. Expect both the Republican and Democratic candidates to be "swift boated" next time.)

:rolleyes:

That Swift Boat "campaign" was absolute bullshit. It was just a bunch of anti-Democrat pissers who twisted the words of John Kerry's autobiography... Fucking assholes.

Though, that's not to say John Kerry was without problems himself --- He didn't take a stand against the dickheads, and that really makes you think: Would he have made a good President with that attitude? I think not.

'Tis a pity that we can't just vote to remove the position of President altogether.

There are also rumors that Jeb is reluctant to run for President because of something in his past. What that "something" is, I don't know, so I can't say if this is true or not. But any dirty laundry that any candidate has will inevitbly be revealed during the campaign. (If there isn't any, some will be invented for the occaision. Expect both the Republican and Democratic candidates to be "swift boated" next time.)

:rolleyes:

Yeah, they said that about Powell, too.. they said his wife had a drinking problem or something, and he didn't want her ridiculed.. after last election though, it's pretty clear you can come close to winning an election with your wife walking around stoned, giving meandering speeches for several months. So maybe Powell will reconsider, or Jeb will be more assured, if he's got that kind of problem.

Yes. Among other things.
But this press conference was about the softwood lumber dispute.
Oh yes. I love how fair trade is only fair if the american industry is getting the advantage.

So when has our word not been as good as gold? What did we do that we said we would not, or not do that we had pledged to do?

Please give me something, so that I can laugh too?

Er...Certain elements of the NAFTA agreement itself that have not been lived up to, as a starter.

I think you missed another joke of a comment:
"It is important not to speak in apocalyptic language about this issue. It is a trade dispute. Frankly, I think we'll get through it."

Gee, I'm sorry... I suppose America would giggle and laugh at losing thousands of jobs (15000 in BC alone, so says the link on the given site) because of an illegal tarriff! You're right, we're overstating the problem.
...
Or not.

So when has our word not been as good as gold? What did we do that we said we would not, or not do that we had pledged to do?

Please give me something, so that I can laugh too?
Illegal tariff on softwood lumber and steel, for starters. You got burned for the latter in front of the WTO.

Not to mention the incessant meddling in other countries like brutally removing democratically elected government while claiming to be a bastion for democracy.

Also, I'd mention dubious treatment of Iraqi prisonners, despite the Geneva Conventions.

Let's start with those...

So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?You know that the best comedy is unintentional comedy.

Bush needs Comic Ali to get out his message :D

If Condi Rice thinks we're going to let the US gov just keep the five billion they've stolen from us and come on back for more inequity, she's not a comedian so much as willfully naive.

That's our goddamn money, and you're not entitled to it. Not under the agreements you've signed, agreements upheld by panels staffed with a majority of Americans, agreements upheld as well by international trade organizations.

Give us back what is ours, or screw your petty thievery, deceit, and bullying - we'll scrap NAFTA.

That made me laugh so hard I nearly choked. Link (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/10/25/rice-canada051025.html)


"The word of the U.S. has been as good as gold in international dealings and agreements," said Rice.

So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?

Well, she is right. In international relations gold has led to any number of brutal massacres and conquerings. The simile is a bit outdated I suppose. She could have said "as good as oil," or "good as diamonds," these lead to the bulk of sadistic conquerings these days. Or maybe "good as heroin." It's not a joke really, just a literal application of a simile that is usually applied so as to be interpreted as having equal value rather than having similar effects.

If Condi Rice thinks we're going to let the US gov just keep the five billion they've stolen from us and come on back for more inequity, she's not a comedian so much as willfully naive.

That's our goddamn money, and you're not entitled to it. Not under the agreements you've signed, agreements upheld by panels staffed with a majority of Americans, agreements upheld as well by international trade organizations.

Give us back what is ours, or screw your petty thievery, deceit, and bullying - we'll scrap NAFTA.

Now now. It's money and has value. That makes it America's. Just like all that oil that we left in Iraq. Saddam thought it was his, and look what happened to him. Private ownership is an American concept. i.e. America owns stuff, you just hold onto it for us until we take it back. ;)

So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?

It is fairly amusing, but it's also fairly typical of the Bush administration's tactics. Just say something mind-blowingly absurd, that flies unashamedly in the face of the most obvious truths, but say it as if you really believed it, and most importantly say it as often as you can. And very soon a great many Americans will be believing it. She's doing it because she knows it works.

It is fairly amusing, but it's also fairly typical of the Bush administration's tactics. Just say something mind-blowingly absurd, that flies unashamedly in the face of the most obvious truths, but say it as if you really believed it, and most importantly say it as often as you can. And very soon a great many Americans will be believing it. She's doing it because she knows it works.The Big Lie: Tell a lie big enough and they'll believe it, because something like that is so obviously false, no one would ever say it unless it was really true.

The Big Lie: Tell a lie big enough and they'll believe it, because something like that is so obviously false, no one would ever say it unless it was really true.
"What I tell you three times is true..."

It is fairly amusing, but it's also fairly typical of the Bush administration's tactics. Just say something mind-blowingly absurd, that flies unashamedly in the face of the most obvious truths, but say it as if you really believed it, and most importantly say it as often as you can. And very soon a great many Americans will be believing it. She's doing it because she knows it works.


Wow, it's like you're describing New Labour.

I thought I'd post an editorial from the Toronto Star on this subject.

Editorial: Bush's 'golden' word


U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice bristled yesterday when she was asked why Canada and other countries should trust Washington when it reneges on trade pacts such as the one on softwood lumber.

America's word is "as good as gold," she snapped.

Ah, if only it were so.

The sad truth is, U.S. President George Bush's credibility is in tatters. And not just on softwood. Washington's charming chief diplomat surely knows it.

Americans are coming to believe Bush led them down the garden path into a war in Iraq that has taken 2,000 U.S. lives, cost $200 billion and fanned 9/11 fanaticism.

And Canadians, most of whom never considered Bush credible on Iraq, scoff at the idea that Washington has a believable case on lumber. The North American Free Trade Agreement dispute resolution panels have ruled the U.S. is cheating us of $5 billion by imposing unfair duties.

So Prime Minister Paul Martin did the sensible thing, as a Liberal leader who faces re-election early next year, and made a fuss about softwood and other irritants during Rice's brief visit to Ottawa. That visit came on the heels of trips to 40 more missile-defence friendly, or more urgent, destinations.

With an eye to the American media, Martin singled out softwood, U.S. plans to require passports or other documents at the borders, and the problem of smuggled guns turning up on Toronto streets.

While this must seem like small potatoes to Bush, preoccupied as he is with his own political woes, the build-up of irritants is angering Canadians, raising the pre-election temperature here and corroding a relationship that Rice generously characterized yesterday as "deep and broad and good."

It is a matter of amazement in this country that Bush cannot see all this and clear the disputes from the table.

Canada and the U.S. do $680 billion worth of trade a year, and Canada is a key energy supplier. Rice asked Canadians to cool the "apocalyptic language," given that softwood is but a fraction of our trade. But by that logic, why has Bush allowed this tiff to cast a pall on the bigger relationship?

Moreover, Rice arrived in Ottawa with a shopping list that highlighted the scope and value of the Canada-U.S. partnership in other ways.

Bush wants Canada to do more in Iraq, beyond our $300 million in reconstruction aid. He wants our diplomatic support for his drive at the United Nations to punish Syria for meddling in Lebanon. He wants Canada to take on a bigger role in continental defence. And he is urging Ottawa to help dampen tension in the Middle East, Haiti and Sudan.

Rice also thanked Ottawa — a "generous, tested" ally — for sending troops to Afghanistan, for helping U.S. residents when Hurricane Katrina hit, and for co-operating on security issues. That is high praise for an ally who cannot seem to get the time of day for a trade complaint.

To be fair, Americans carry a heavy burden. The world looks to them for leadership, muscle and cash on everything from fighting genocide and terror, to pressing peace in the Middle East, funding AIDS programs, helping earthquake victims and reining in pariah states. They are distracted by one crisis after another.

And Bush has problems on Capitol Hill to keep him awake nights.

But Canadians have reason to feel slighted by this administration. If Rice carries that simple message home, and lobbies for a remedy, her belated trip will be judged a success.http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1130277006596&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

From the article:

"The word of the U.S. has been as good as gold in international dealings and agreements," said Rice.

So when did Mrs. Rice decided to become a comedian?


I kinda liked the rejoinder from International Trade Minister Jim Peterson, who applied the correct level of sarcasm to his response:


"We've been off the gold standard for an awfully long time in this country,"