White House sorry about Berlusconi bio gaffe

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

TOYAKO, Japan - Sorry about that, Silvio.

An embarrassed White House apologized on Tuesday for an "unfortunate mistake" — the distribution of less-than-flattering biography of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi at the Group of Eight summit. Still, the gaffe led to headlines in Italy.

The summary of Berlusconi was buried in a nearly inch-thick tome of background that the White House distributed at the summit of major economic powers. The press kit was handed out to the White House traveling press corps.

The biography described Berlusconi as one of the "most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice."

It was just last month that Berlusconi welcomed Bush to Rome, calling him "a personal friend of mine and also a great friend of Italy." And Bush responded then: "You're right. We're good friends."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080708/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_embarrassing_bio

[SpiralHawk]

1. Oh oh, Commander AWOL's White House lets the truth out.

And republicons see the TRUTH as a major blunder.

Ptooey.

True statement: The biography described Berlusconi as one of the "most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice."

Deal with it, republicons. It is the truth. Thanks for pointing it out, even if by your own perverted republicon 'family values' it is somehow wrong to speak or write the truth.

[livetohike]

2. Just when you think this administration couldn't possibly embarrass

our country any more.......we get this. :eyes:

[harmonicon]

4. you mean for apologizing?

The guy's a crook. That bio seems very friendly to me.

[livetohike]

5. I think it's more in the comments Bush makes that is embarrassing

He thinks everyone is a "good friend" regardless of their deeds. He's an idiot.

[DS1]

8. It's like "Clear and Present Danger"

Where the prez is linked to a drug dealer, and before any questions are asked "We're good friends"

[man4allcats]

3. Re: And Bush responded ... : "You're right. We're good friends."

With friends like Bush, who needs enemies?

[Turbineguy]

6. So then the Italians publish

a Bush bio:

"The dumbest motherfucker ever to serve as president of the United States."

[Amonester]

7. In the mofo's case, it's more "disserve" than "serve" ...

except if they'd mean "to serve himself and his cronies as pResident of the Divided States"

[Peace Patriot]

9. "...a country known for government corruption and vice." H-m-m. I wonder

what country that could be.

[truthisfreedom]

10. Someone at the CIA is snickering his ass off right now.

[Finite]

11. hahaha

well they're not wrong, Berlusconi is easily the most corrupt politician in Europe. He spends most of his time passing legislation to prevent him and his friends getting prosecuted for corruption.

Which is of course the reason why the Bush administration gets on with him so well!

[Supersedeas]

12. another sign of Condi competence --- what does our Sec of State do...right?

[LeftishBrit]

13. The shock of the decade! The White House actually told the TRUTH about something!!!!

Of course, it was an accident, but still! I think I'll faint...

[Endangered Specie]

14. The Irony of course, is so thick, you could cut it with a knife.

[DogPoundPup]

15. White House apologises for Berlusconi slight

Source: ABC news Austrailia

The White House has offered embarrassed apologies to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after it handed out an unflattering portrait of the premier and his country's politics.

Briefing notes given to reporters accompanying President George W Bush to the G8 summit in Japan described Mr Berlusconi as one of the "most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice."

When the spokesman for the Italian embassy in Washington, Luca Ferrari, learnt about the howler from the Italian press, he rushed to get an explanation.

"The first thing I did was to call Tony Fratto," a White House spokesman who has remained behind in Washington, Mr Ferrari said.

"I made an official protest saying that this was unacceptable and that first we wanted an immediate retraction (of the biography) and above all a formal apology," Mr Ferrari said.

He said Mr Fratto reacted immediately and offered "a thousand apologies" as well as publicly apologising for the error.

Mr Fratto said that "there was obviously a mistake, and sloppy work," describing the incident as "unfortunate."

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/09/2298426.htm?section=justin

[MnFats]

16. That's it, then. Bush & his administration have gone completely insane.

stuff a cork in his mouth.
what the hell?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

17. typical of this scum

surprised they apologized...must need him for something

[Arkana]

18. Wow, even though that statement is, well, mostly true.

[MidwestTransplant]

19. I can only imagine what other countries say in their briefing notes.

[frog92969]

20. Does this mean the court case...

against the CIA kidnapper/torturers is back on?

There could be a bright side.

[Ian David]

23. It COULD have been worse...

... Bush COULD have used THIS photo of Berlusconi...


(NOT SAFE FOR WORK)
http://sirocco.blogsome.com/2006/04/10/if-berlusconi-wins/

[frog92969]

24. Arrgh!!

What the hell have I ever done to you?!

[frog92969]

21. Isn't that the same guy...

that shot down the Italian case against the CIA?

[Pastiche423]

22. Speaking of Berlusconi...

Has anyone seen this video?

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Berluscon.html

Right side of the page.

:wow:

[Ian David]

25. That's not him. n/t

[Pastiche423]

27. The bio says it's him

And it looks like him.

Who is it?

[Ian David]

28. Olbermann played this and then later said he found out it wasn't him.

No idea who it actually is.

Try snopes.com

[Pastiche423]

29. There is nothing on snopes about it

Believe what you will, I believe it's him.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ian David]

26. You know what would make Berlusconi feel better?

A nice massage.





Or maybe a kiss on the head...