Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: 100% Barataria on November 07, 2008, 08:39:47 AM
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BBC News
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has provoked criticism for describing Barack Obama as "young, handsome, and tanned".
He made the remarks after a meeting with the Russian president in Moscow.
Opposition politicians in Italy said Mr Berlusconi's remarks about the US president-elect were at worst, racist and at best, undiplomatic.
Mr Berlusconi shrugged off the criticism, saying those who disagreed with him were humourless "imbeciles".
'Great compliment'
Mr Berlusconi made the quip at a news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
''Obama is young, handsome and also tanned, so he has all the qualities to agree with you,'' he told the Russian leader, speaking in Italian through a translator.
The Italian news agency Ansa said Mr Berlusconi later defended the remark, calling it "a great compliment".
Responding to a reporter's suggestion that the remark might be misunderstood, he accused his opponents of not having a sense of humour.
''God save us from imbeciles,'' he added.
Gaffe prone
The Italian leader has a history of public gaffes.
On his first meeting with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen in 2002, Berlusconi complimented him with the words: "Mr Rasmussen is not only a great colleague, he's also the best-looking prime minister in Europe."
He added: "He's so good looking, I'm even thinking of introducing him to my wife."
He sparked a minor diplomatic incident in 2005 by suggesting he had wooed Finnish President Tarja Halonen to ensure her backing for Italy to host the European Food Safety Authority.
"I had to use all my playboy tactics, even if they have not been used for some time," he said, prompting Helsinki to call in the Italian ambassador to explain the comments.
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tanned,black,brown,spanish,NOT WHITE same ting.
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Consider the source and the country
He does blurt out ting for years that would stun the PC western world
At least he give props...Russia eh even sen no congrats to de man atall
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Mussolini country
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He on a next level.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2xHB1FmWpk
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He on a next level.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2xHB1FmWpk
:D
dreaaaadddd.....boy,, dis man,,,, I dunno nah
Rich arrogant and own everyting....fuss dey like him too bad
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Saw dis thanks 2 Kieth O last nite a hotttttttttt mess
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Not much different from what Biden said.
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Not much different from what Biden said.
Biden say de man 'clean'... he ent talk about he skin color, lol
Anyways, everybody juss trying to overdo de PC thing.
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Not much different from what Biden said.
Biden say de man 'clean'... he ent talk about he skin color, lol
Anyways, everybody juss trying to overdo de PC thing.
I agree...tactless but harmless
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Not much different from what Biden said.
what did Biden say E-Man?
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Not much different from what Biden said.
what did Biden say E-Man?
http://www.youtube.com/v/wlxXNyIuyTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlxXNyIuyTM
"He's the first sort of main stream African-American, who is articulate, and bright, and clean and a nice looking guy."
is the exact quote.
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"He's the first sort of main stream African-American, who is articulate, and bright, and a nice looking guy."
is the exact quote.
Actually,
"You've got the first sort of mainstream African-American, who is articulate, and bright, and who is clean...a nice looking guy."
I find it interesting where you placed the first comma. That's how I'd read the statement as well... "first" qualifying mainstream. Remove the first comma and it would seem to indicate that Biden thought that Obama was the first... "who is articulate, and bright..."
Read the second way and it may seem more sinister. Read the first way and it's clear that there were no racial overtones or stereotyping the way the media tried to spin it.