[kj] ot - pakistani arabs and other gems of the most powerful chimp

[fluw]

    The Education of the President: Bush On Pakistan

It was only a matter of time. While speaking in India prior to departing 
for Pakistan, Bush revealed his lack of familiarity with South Asia 
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11651039/from/RSS/>:

    "I believe that a prosperous, democratic Pakistan will be a
    steadfast partner for America, a peaceful neighbor for India and *a
    force for freedom and moderation in the Arab world*," the president
    added.

    Later, White House press secretary *Scott McClellan told reporters
    that Bush meant to say Pakistan would be a force for freedom and
    moderation in the Muslim world. Pakistan is not an Arab country.*

Bush's knowledge of Pakistan has advanced, however, over the years. In 
2000, while campaigning for president Bush could not identify 
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/506298.stm>Pakistani 
President Pervez Musharraf 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pervez_Musharraf> by name:

    QUESTION: *Can you name the general who is in charge of Pakistan?*

    BUSH: Wait, wait, is this 50 questions?

    QUESTION: No, it's four questions of four leaders in four hot spots.

    BUSH: The new Pakistani general, he's just been elected-not elected,
    this guy just took over office. It appears this guy is going to
    bring stability to the country, and I think that's good news for the
    Subcontinent.

    QUESTION: Can you name him?

    BUSH: *General. I can't name the general. General.*

In the global war on terror, Bush needs to win the support of countries 
like Pakistan. The first step is to learn something about them.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/03/03/bush-on-pakistan/
 
*more gems from the most powerful man in the world:*

We're going to have the best-educated American people in the world."
-"The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history. I mean in 
this century's history. But we all lived in this century. I didn't live 
in this century."
-"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities 
in our air and water that are doing it."



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