President Bush caused a minor diplomatic flap this afternoon when he confused Bolivia, a country in the Andean region of South America, with bulimia, a potentially fatal eating disorder.
Mr. Bush spoke with reporters returning to Washington with him from commencement ceremonies at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Much of the discussion concerned the President’s views of his legacy and achievements in foreign policy, with a particular emphasis on policy towards Latin America.
“We’ve had our problems with [Venezuelan President Hugo] Chavez, obviously,” the President said during a discussion of his administration’s relations with the growing number of left-leaning Latin American governments that have taken office during his two terms in the White House. “But I have had very good conversations with Lula [Da Silva], Cristina [Kirschner], Evo [Morales], and Rafael [Correa] in recent months,” said the President, referring to the chief executives of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador, respectively.
“I consider these guys to be good personal friends – and good friends of the United States. I mean heck, there’s a lot of good will towards the United States in that part of the world. That party that was in power for all these years in Paraguay, anyone know what they’re called? Don’t think too hard. We’re flying over it right now. That’s right, the Colorados – named in honor of our very own state.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” the President continued, “this great nation cannot just rest on its laurels. You know, we have to do what Jesus would have done – feed the hungry and heal the sick! That’s how we promote both our national interests and our humanitarian interests.”
It was at this point that the President’s comments began their swift descent into bizarreness. “Incidentally, Evo Morales will be in Washington next month. This is a man all Bulimics can respect as a fine leader. And I look forward to sitting down with him to discuss the problems of Bulimia and to see how we can help.”
In an unfortunate afterthought, the President continued, “We’re already looking into the possibility of increased food aid. I think it is mistake to withhold food from Bulimia just because it has a drug problem.” Aides later clarified that the latter comment was a reference to Bolivia’s significant production of coca leaf.
Above: Evo Morales, president of BOliVia,
addressing the UN General Assembly.
This is certainly not the first time that a prominent American politician has made a geographic slip-up. Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain recently caused a stir when he confused Iran and Iraq. (NYT) Mr. Bush himself is no stranger to such incidents, failing a map quiz as a first-time presidential candidate (NYT), inventing the term ‘Kosovarians’ to refer to citizens of a former region of Yugoslavia, and once insisting that it is Sweden – rather than Switzerland – that maintains a strict neutral stance and no standing army. (NYT) Bush is also widely suspected to have no idea of the difference between Austria and Australia.
“I’m just waiting for the day when he talks about Hitler’s seizure of Australia or refers to the Austrian outback,” said a communications consultant who has been called in to assist the White House in handling past public misstatements by Mr. Bush. “Those situations I have contingency plans for. But this one I never saw coming.”
White House reporters have grown accustomed to Mr. Bush’s sometimes tortured relationship with the English language. In this case, a journalist on the plane with the President provided him with an opportunity to correct his own error by posing a follow-up question naming President Morales’ native country.
“Bolivia!?? You mean, like, binging and….?” At this point, the president pretended to insert a finger down his throat, followed by a pantomime of copious vomiting. “Why are you bringing that up? No pun intended. Do you know something I don't? If Evo or any other world leader has bolivia, it is important that they seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity.”
“Couple of the boys on my college cheerleading squad had bolivia," Mr. Bush said, waxing sentimental. "It's really no laughing matter, though we certainly laughed about it at the time. Sure, like most of them, Evo could maybe stand to shed a few pounds – or 'kilos,' as those South Americans like to say. But I really don’t see why Evo's extra chub is relevant to my record of achievement in Latin America.”
“Come on,” the President continued, “you can’t expect me to solve every problem in the hemisphere! Evo’s weight, along with his dietary and bathroom habits, are what I would consider strictly private matters. Let’s stick to the subject at hand, which is Bulimia – with a ‘u’ and an ‘m.’ Jeez, someone get this guy an abacus -- you know, one of them map books.”
Above: A pamphlet on the risks of bulimia distributed by the State
Department along with its statement of apology to the Bolivian nation.
In the hours that followed the release of the President’s remarks, the Bolivian Ambassador in Washington lodged a written complaint with the White House, citing “gringo stupidity” and characterizing Mr. Bush’s comments as an “insult to national honor.” A State Department spokesman issued a clarification and a formal apology.
Mr. Bush spoke with reporters returning to Washington with him from commencement ceremonies at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Much of the discussion concerned the President’s views of his legacy and achievements in foreign policy, with a particular emphasis on policy towards Latin America.
“We’ve had our problems with [Venezuelan President Hugo] Chavez, obviously,” the President said during a discussion of his administration’s relations with the growing number of left-leaning Latin American governments that have taken office during his two terms in the White House. “But I have had very good conversations with Lula [Da Silva], Cristina [Kirschner], Evo [Morales], and Rafael [Correa] in recent months,” said the President, referring to the chief executives of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador, respectively.
“I consider these guys to be good personal friends – and good friends of the United States. I mean heck, there’s a lot of good will towards the United States in that part of the world. That party that was in power for all these years in Paraguay, anyone know what they’re called? Don’t think too hard. We’re flying over it right now. That’s right, the Colorados – named in honor of our very own state.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” the President continued, “this great nation cannot just rest on its laurels. You know, we have to do what Jesus would have done – feed the hungry and heal the sick! That’s how we promote both our national interests and our humanitarian interests.”
It was at this point that the President’s comments began their swift descent into bizarreness. “Incidentally, Evo Morales will be in Washington next month. This is a man all Bulimics can respect as a fine leader. And I look forward to sitting down with him to discuss the problems of Bulimia and to see how we can help.”
In an unfortunate afterthought, the President continued, “We’re already looking into the possibility of increased food aid. I think it is mistake to withhold food from Bulimia just because it has a drug problem.” Aides later clarified that the latter comment was a reference to Bolivia’s significant production of coca leaf.
Above: Evo Morales, president of BOliVia,addressing the UN General Assembly.
This is certainly not the first time that a prominent American politician has made a geographic slip-up. Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain recently caused a stir when he confused Iran and Iraq. (NYT) Mr. Bush himself is no stranger to such incidents, failing a map quiz as a first-time presidential candidate (NYT), inventing the term ‘Kosovarians’ to refer to citizens of a former region of Yugoslavia, and once insisting that it is Sweden – rather than Switzerland – that maintains a strict neutral stance and no standing army. (NYT) Bush is also widely suspected to have no idea of the difference between Austria and Australia.
“I’m just waiting for the day when he talks about Hitler’s seizure of Australia or refers to the Austrian outback,” said a communications consultant who has been called in to assist the White House in handling past public misstatements by Mr. Bush. “Those situations I have contingency plans for. But this one I never saw coming.”
White House reporters have grown accustomed to Mr. Bush’s sometimes tortured relationship with the English language. In this case, a journalist on the plane with the President provided him with an opportunity to correct his own error by posing a follow-up question naming President Morales’ native country.
“Bolivia!?? You mean, like, binging and….?” At this point, the president pretended to insert a finger down his throat, followed by a pantomime of copious vomiting. “Why are you bringing that up? No pun intended. Do you know something I don't? If Evo or any other world leader has bolivia, it is important that they seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity.”
“Couple of the boys on my college cheerleading squad had bolivia," Mr. Bush said, waxing sentimental. "It's really no laughing matter, though we certainly laughed about it at the time. Sure, like most of them, Evo could maybe stand to shed a few pounds – or 'kilos,' as those South Americans like to say. But I really don’t see why Evo's extra chub is relevant to my record of achievement in Latin America.”
“Come on,” the President continued, “you can’t expect me to solve every problem in the hemisphere! Evo’s weight, along with his dietary and bathroom habits, are what I would consider strictly private matters. Let’s stick to the subject at hand, which is Bulimia – with a ‘u’ and an ‘m.’ Jeez, someone get this guy an abacus -- you know, one of them map books.”
Above: A pamphlet on the risks of bulimia distributed by the StateDepartment along with its statement of apology to the Bolivian nation.
In the hours that followed the release of the President’s remarks, the Bolivian Ambassador in Washington lodged a written complaint with the White House, citing “gringo stupidity” and characterizing Mr. Bush’s comments as an “insult to national honor.” A State Department spokesman issued a clarification and a formal apology.
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