Newsgroup: it.cultura.linguistica.inglese
Titolo: What a moron

Exerpted from 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/elsewhere/journalist/story/0,7792,852207,00.html
"What a moron." 
Those three words (...) were uttered by the (Canadian) prime minister's
spokeswoman about the president of the United States (...) at the Nato
summit in Prague (...) during a conversation with a reporter in the
media briefing room. (...) Another reporter overheard their conversation
and wrote about it in a front-page article in the National Post. (...)
It prompted dozens of letters to the editor, including this one.
"Françoise Ducros's ill-considered comment is a grave and unforgivable
insult to morons everywhere."
Perhaps the oddest thing about the moron controversy was prime minister
Jean Chrétien's reaction. "He is a friend of mine. He's not a moron at
all," Mr Chrétien said in Prague. He continues to insist his aide was
actually defending the president of the United States when she called
him a moron, but will not explain what he means.
-- 
Mary

Mary Cassidy wrote:

In my opinion, this is really a failure of journalistic integrity.  It was
clearly an off-the-record comment, and one gets the distinct impression that
it was only printed in order to settle a score between the National Post and
the Chretien government (the two are not on good terms).  The whole episode
does nothing to enhance the reputation of the Post, which is generally seen
as the least credible of the three major Canadian dailies (the other two
being the Toronto Star and the Globe & Mail).
Of course, Chretien's response was rather stupid, as it served only to fuel
the fire.  The US media had a field day with this one.  CNN devoted an
episode of its show "Crossfire" to the topic.  "Canada: spoiled brats of the
West?  How much respect do they _really_ deserve?"
Phil Caravaggio

 In my opinion, this is really a failure of journalistic integrity...
(merciful snip)
Oh come on, see the funny side!!!  (I think the post was intended as a funny
one, or am I wrong, Mary!?)
Jo@nna

 Jo@nna
Without question, it was a classic remark.  I just thought I'd give a little
background detail, being Canadian and all.  Actually, it was kind of
refreshing -- a rare moment of honesty from a high-ranking official.  We
were all thinking it . . .
What was truly funny was the American response . . . more ammunition for
those in the US who attempt to portray Canada as the enemy to the north.
Pat Buchanan, a right-wing nutcase, recently called Canada "Soviet
Canuckistan."
PC

 
That was the idea, yes.
By the way, how was the first day at work?
--
Mary

 By the way, how was the first day at work?
Not bad actually, thanks for asking.  I'm working in a photo-studio for my
cousin so I don't get formally bossed around as much as I would in other
jobs.  However, that beautiful word ... what was it ... "Seagull manager"
... The boss does have a tendency to disappear for hours and then return
only to find everything in disarray, something I may add, is usually of his
own doing! I turned into "Monica" from Friends and began happily 'arranging'
things compulsively. Total chaos! :-)  That's what happens in an office
studio when the boss and workforce are all under the age of 25!
Jo@nna

 Canuckistan."
Right-wing nutcase - you said it all...
Jo@nna

 being anti-Bush & anti-American)
I heard that Blair is planning to build "Euro Pentagon" on the outskirts of
London, following the unqualified success of Euro Disney in France ;-)
PC


To twist a well known expression and get one last swipe...
Somewhere a village of morons is missing their idiot.
Rick

 Poutine (poutine being a rather unappetizing French-Canadian dish):
"unappetizing"??????


I can't say I've ever tried it, but according to the link Joanna posted,
it consists of "french fries, gravy and cheese curd".
It sounds distinctly unappetising to me :-)
-- 
Mary

> "unappetizing"??????
'Unappetizing' vuol dire poco appetitoso

...

Oooohhhh... you gotta try some. Ain't nothing like a hot bowl of
poutine on a cold winter's night.