In a decent world people should be cringing 10 years from now just on the memories. And every time a book comes out, or some asshat bushie works the lecture circuit.
It's not like this stuff magically goes away in '09.
I don't think I've ever had Filipino food. Spanish/Asian mix sounds appealing, though.
Filipino food can be a) great b) involves a lot of lard
Isn't it mind-boggling that we weathered his re-election, psychology-wise? Like, when I think back to how dismal the world felt that November, it's amazing that the years have actually crept by and his sorry ass will actually leave the White House in the forseeable future.
hmmm, i just realized blatant grammar trolling like that probably isn't much use with ben gone.
At least it's not quite as bad as the time he tried to massage Angela Merkel's shoulders; I still find that extremely embarrassing.
It could be worse. He could have said "Every time I sleep in a well-made bed." But not much worse.
Hilarious and terrible. Like that uncle from the rural counties who seems kinda nice, but when you hear him talk, you really wonder how he survived in the modern world for this long without at least a couple major ass-kickings. I suppose having Secret Service detail helps with the latter part.
Imagine how embarrassing he's going to be as an ex-president--you know, without all the "scrutiny."
Why does LB hate Filipino food?
I assume we're just generally on the "Bush said it =/= Truth" mode here.
This doesn't really seem that bad to me. Probably because I'm racist.
Probably because I'm racist.
Or hungry.
Apo, he didn't say "I like Filipino food." He said, in a very garbled fashion, "I really like the Filipino cook that works for me at the White House."
7 is right on target.
It's pretty bad. It would have been one thing if he was saying that he liked Filipino food -- lame, but fine. But telling the president of the Philippines that her people make good kitchen staff? Blech.
I think what he really wanted to say was "You know that Filipino boy in the kitchen always gets my hamburgers done right. I like your people."
If he had served in the Navy he could have been exponentially worse by talking about how warm and accepting he found people to be in Olongapo City.
finishing 15: but he knew that would come out wrong, so he started in on talking about the pride and talent of Filipino-Americans. And then everything went to pot.
Shockingly, I agree with apo. Dumb, yeah, but not that awful. That's probably the only Filipino person Bush knows.
He's just very.. childish.
Eh. It was probably not very artful, but he was trying. He said, "And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madam President." I'm a little bit with Apo on this one. It betrays his clumsiness more than anything malicious.
And then everything went to pot.
Which seems to be a pretty common case with him attempting anything extemporaneous.
8: On his post-Presidency plans: "I'll give some speeches, just to replenish the ol' coffers,"
And I will agree with Apo; this one was not as bad as I thought it would be* when I first read about it at TPM. And in fact there is an ugly, naked classism in the reaction that I and other people are having to this (and in fact the guy is an executive chef for God's sake). ... So I am torn, but he is a child, that is indisputable.
*Maybe the soft bigotry of low expectations rears its ugly head.
Translated:
"Some of my best servants are Filipino"
Also, he's talking about the chef at the white house, apparently. Saying "kitchen staff" makes it sound like he's talking about a busboy. Whereas being the chef for the White House? Kind of a big deal.
So who's racist? Y'all.
And the Filipino chef in question is a lady, sexists.
A bit more on the White House chef:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/06/bush-jokes-abou.html
I don't see a problem for Bush to note that the White House executive chef was born and raised in the Philippines. It is embarrassing for Bush to reason that the fact that his executive chef is Filipino means that Philippine-Americans are known for their culinary skills. I thought the food the Philippines was most famous for was Balut, generally considered to be one of the world's most disgusting foods outside of the Philippines.
27: What are Philippine-Americans best renowned for? (Serious question.)
her people make good kitchen staff
Chef at the White House is a super-prestigious position, folks.
27: wow, that's nastier than haggis. As someone who eats eggs but not meat, I find it an an especially nasty category breaker.
Ok, I'll admit that I wasn't thinking of executive White House chef as a prestigious position, and I totally botched the gender issue. But would Arroyo think of the position as prestigious, or would she react the way we did? In diplomacy, it is her response that counts.
What are Philippine-Americans best renowned for?
This is the wrong question. It's this categorizing of other people by ethnicity is what makes Bush's comment seem so icky to me.
But since you asked, nursing and museum docentry. Also, pop-locking.
As someone who eats eggs but not meat, I find it an an especially nasty category breaker.
Think of it as a partial-birth boiled egg.
Aside from the "every time I eat dinner" gauchery, which, no matter how prestigious the executive chef position is, still was extremely tacky*, is this really an accurate transcription? "And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of..." Bush reminded the President that what the what what?
Ignore stranded asterisk, if you would. Thank you.
Bush reminded the President that what the what what?
Don't think about it too hard, rfts. Blood will come out of your ears.
Think of it as a partial-birth boiled egg.
new roll-over text.
Chef at the White House is a super-prestigious position, folks.
So was Gentleman of the Bedchamber. Still meant you were a servant/employee, even if you were the best and most influential chamberpot emptier in the kingdom.
It's not a horrendously racist comment, just really damn gauche. Especially with a country like the Phillipines that is known for a vast diaspora of nurses, maids, and other housekeepers. Though I suppose it would also have been worse to have mentioned Michelle Malkin, or any of these distinguished folks.
When did calling someone a credit to their race become politically incorrect all of a sudden?
What are Philippine-Americans best renowned for?
A deep love for Misty?
Can't we cut some kind of a deal
I shudder to think what would be our end of that deal.
It's this categorizing of other people by ethnicity is what makes Bush's comment seem so icky to me.
That, and the privileging of personal experience. An important part of Bush's anti-intellectualism (and a-i in general) is that I don't think he trusts second-hand knowledge. Whatever he may have read or could read about the Philippines is much less trustworthy than the people he has met and what he has seen for himself.
This was a brutal movie in many ways, shot with a handheld camera in the poorest neighborhoods.
Cockfights. Casual murders. An old lady who thinks a Coca-cola an unimaginable luxury.
There exists a chain of restaurants in the Phillipines that bears the moniker "Kiss King of Balls." I really mean that -- it exists in real life. Franchising opportunities are available. The latter link includes the following text:
Kiss King of Balls (KKB) is the pioneer in stainless steel mobile carts which offer piping hot fish balls, kikiam, squid balls and ice cold sago at gulaman. The carts are manned by uniformed salesmen who underwent rigid training.
43: Hey, the boyfriend's family is from Cavite. His granddad likes to tell me stories about the wild old days.
I thought the food the Philippines was most famous for was Balut, generally considered to be one of the world's most disgusting foods outside of the Philippines.
Could be, but I've heard a fruit of all things beats it out. The durian. The smell is supposed to be, um, unique.
There exists a chain of restaurants in the Phillipines that bears the moniker "Kiss King of Balls."
There is a high school in Illinois who's team is the "Corn Jerkers." True story.
I think both durian and balut are pretty tame compared to some things (e.g. icelandic rancid shark thingy)
other places do the embryonic birds too (Korea? I forget)
There is a high school in Illinois who's team is the "Corn Jerkers."
And a soho classic, chinese restraunt "man fu king"
Durian is yummy. Smells weird, sure, but so delicious.
I don't think he trusts second-hand knowledge.
Now that is a charitable point of view. What a convenient interpretation. I can't quite reconcile it with his professed faith, but what do I know?
51 is correct. can't speak to the eggs though.
other places do the embryonic birds too (Korea? I forget)
Not Korea. Vietnam.
You're all racist. It's excruciating.
Also, how does anyone in America not know someone who's Filipino?
There is a high school in Illinois who's team is the "Corn Jerkers."
And who could forget the Butte Pirates?
Durian is yummy. Smells weird, sure, but so delicious.
Could be, I dunno. All I know is that guy on the travel channel who searches out weird food like raw wood slugs and scarfs them down can't stomach durian.
Oh, yeah, ewwww.
One of Tripp's words of wisdom to his sprog - Do NOT treat your stomach like a garbage can.
You're all racist. It's excruciating.
How do you figure.
Not Korea. Vietnam.
Ah, that's what I was thinking of. Never been (to either), more's the pity.
At least it's not exsanguinating.
How do you figure.
She just wants to start a fight about something or other.
And who could forget the Butte Pirates?
Or the Boise Gladiators.
Do NOT treat your stomach like a garbage can.
Afaics these days, this is almost impossible growing up in North America.
||
Hey bPhD - you remember I'm gonna be in St. Paul this Saturday winning the Gold? My email addy works if you wanna poke me with a stick or something to prove I'm not an AI program. Or not.
|>
There is (or was) a Chinese restaurant in Rochester called "House of Poon".
Also, JP, who I've dragged over here to comment, is Filipino. As were all my h.s. boyfriends. Filipino stereotypical professions: health care--chiropractors, nurses, nursing home workers. The orthodontist I took PK to last week was Filipino. Most famous Filipino food: lumpia (which are teh yummy). Pop-locking: yes.
64: Shit! I'd love to, but I'm back home in Ventura now. I'll be back in the twin cities around the RNC, I hope??
You're all racist. It's excruciating.
How do you figure.
"It's" = "Bush's statement." "You're all" = those of you who deny that the statement is racist.
And a soho classic, chinese restraunt "man fu king"
Our local classic is Hung Far Low. It used to have the greatest broken neon sign ever.
The only Filipino stereotype I'm familiar with is a tendency to paint houses in colors that result in new neighborhood covenants.
67: Ah, i mis-parsed it.
It's not really even above average for stupid things this particular pres. has said (does he ever set the bar low, though) but just sort of reinforces the all-around cringeworthyness of this admin.
Though I suppose it would also have been worse to have mentioned Michelle Malkin, or any of these distinguished folks.
To be honest, had GWB invoked the Jabbawockeez, I would have to love him, a tiny, tiny bit.
Filipinos are all super tall, like 8' and above.
Filipinos reflect sunlight with incredible efficiency; if you stare at a Filipino at noon you'll be blinded.
Some Filipinos can fire lasers out of their hands, but it's pretty much only the religious ones.
We have a sushi restaurant near here called "Yomama Sushi." On purpose, I'm pretty sure.
Filipinos are NOT super tall.
The rest of what Tweety says is true, though.
Wait, I might have been thinking of ROM, Space Knight.
67: Oh. Well, I'll strive on alone then.
(gazing off bravely into sunset, single tear falling down cheek)
It is all probably for the best.
Mystery has a certain power don't you think?
"You're all" = those of you who deny that the statement is racist.
Gosh, I really did not guess that from the context (because I didn't think that anyone, let alone a group large enough to be addressed as "you all," was denying that--the closest people came was "not that bad," right? which I took to mean "considering the source").
A friend told me a wonderful long story of Bush's visit to her government office (Disability Services), and the way he had a custom stupid horrible gaffe for each little group of five people or so that he did a photo op with. It's extended, but let me just say that not the worst of it was the part where he shook hands with everyone not in a wheelchair in one group, and then turned to the woman in a wheelchair and patted her on the head like a puppy.
Now that is a charitable point of view
Not at all charitable. Despicable in most cases. BBur we may not be communicating
I can't quite reconcile it with his professed faith
I certainly can. Do you mean Methodism? Am I, or Everyman, really equipped to personally experience and interpret the Gospel? Scholars been working on it for 2000 years;is this accumulated wisdom irrelevant?
(PS Based on this view of epistemology, science, and my own limitations I prefer secondary sources. I would rather read 10-20+ books about Spinoza before I read Spinoza myself. I would rather read about the Taj Mahal than visit it:I don't trust my senses.)
For another example, I think Bush would pretty much ignore what Petraeus tells him about Iraq unless it confirms his prejudices; what Bush has seen and what he believes is what matters.
What did I just read? Oh yeah, an Austrian economist talking Popperish:"Science (knowledge) always hurts."
The beginning of knowledge/wisdom (Descartes, Buddha) is skepticism about experience, especially the senses.
I really did not guess that from the context
It's kind of like when I or Ogged (PBUH) say "I hate you all." Broad, sweeping flat statements like that are generally not to be taken too literally.
76: Like those mysterious Filipinos!
The story in 77 sounds well worth telling in full.
77: Basically, Bush is David Brent.
55.2: Also, how does anyone in America not know someone who's Filipino?
The story in 77 sounds well worth telling in full.
It is! It's best done in person, though, so you can get the visuals of his zany reactions and the dance he does in front of the blind person.
It's kind of like when I or Ogged (PBUH) say "I hate you all."
Gotcha.
78:
bob,
I think we *are* miscommunicating. Did you bring enough to share, because it is a little rude to indulge on your own and not share.
76: Like those mysterious Filipinos!
Exactly. Those exotic beautiful mysterious Filipinos.
the dance he does in front of the blind person
No. Way.
Really??
Really!! It's like a comedy sketch of Dubya Meets the Cripples. Of course I have the story at second-hand myself, so for anyone I tell it to, it just becomes a friend-of-a-friend tale. But the person who witnessed it all is very trustworthy and also eager for me to disseminate it, so she drilled me carefully to make sure I had it down pat.
Were there no news cameras? I thought all the President's antics were required to be on youtube.
OMG. Seriously, that shit should filmed and put up on youtube. He is *such* a fucking asshole. I never understood this "want to have a drink with him" crap.
This story gave me an interesting vertigo effect in the degree to which it suggested that all the filmed antics are a mere tiny fraction of his career of idiocy.
86:I suspect you are the one not sharing.
What is the point of the post anecdote?
That Bush met a Filipino and thought he learned something about Filipinos? That people grossly overvalue their own experience?
Oh, wait, the point was to make fun of Bush until something better came along. Have you retargetted, Tripp?
93 - I know I shouldn't but . . .
Guess what bobby? Chicks dig me. They do!
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Ha haha haha ha ha
I never understood this "want to have a drink with him" crap.
Well, there's always the hope that he'll drink enough to pass out and you could film him with a lit candle up his butt or getting teabagged or something.
82: Yes, all the cringeworthiness, but OTOH, W doesn't elicit the slightest bit of sympathy, a quality that makes Brent classic.
Jonathan Zasloff puts the gaffe in shameful context:
Bush could have mentioned that one-quarter of the foreign-born in the United States armed forces are Filipino.
98 Well duh!
Whatcha gonna do about it? Huh?
Neener neener neener
99:Submissive wetting, belly & neck exposure, whimpering, grooming, slink off to woods with tail tucked, watch, after ritual chest-beating, you go forth and multiply.
Comfort myself with a non-hegemonic masculinity.
You're all racist.
And I was reminded of that this week when I made an absolutely cringeworthy remark referring to a Latina professional as "articulate." I swear I am going to ban that word from my vocabulary. It's just too dangerous.
(What's worse is that my immediate next thought was IDidn'tMeanThatInARacistWay!....I meant it in a classist one. I managed to keep that thought in my own head, at least.)
I made an absolutely cringeworthy remark referring to a Latina professional as "articulate."
No! No! I just meant "limber and flexible"!
And I was reminded of that this week when I made an absolutely cringeworthy remark referring to a Latina professional as "articulate."
Was she, in fact, articulate?
Our local classic is Hung Far Low.
The local classic when I was in college was a place called "Lung Fung." "That's not a restaurant," a friend used to say, "it's a respiratory disease."
Mm. I'm impressed that Bush didn't use the phrase "little brown brother."
Dick Cheney followed up with the Quip: and your babies make wonderful food.