July 11, 2003

MOCKING TONE UNNOTICED

The Age’s headline:

Berlusconi sorry for 'arrogant blondes' comment

But according to the story, Berlusconi wasn't sorry for that at all:

Premier Silvio Berlusconi said today he was "sorry" for Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder after the German leader cancelled his Italian holiday to protest comments by an Italian official that Germans were "hyper-nationalist" arrogant blondes.

Berlusconi was asked to comment on Schroeder's decision during a visit to Positano, on the Amalfi coast, and responded: "I'm sorry for him."

The helpful AP reporter included the line twice in the top two pars, and the drunks at The Age still got it wrong.

Posted by Tim Blair at July 11, 2003 02:06 AM
Comments

Reminds me of the time I quit a managerial job at a fast food restaurant. The store manager always complained that people quit and didn't tell her why. I gave two weeks notice and arranged a meeting with her for a couple of days before my departure.

We went out for coffee, and I spent the better part of two hours explaining that I had other, better things to do, but that definitely some stuff on the job helped push me out the door.

One of those was another manager who was, basically, pathetic. I told her.

On my last day at work, the other mgr approached me as I left and said, "I understand that you said I was a bad manager." I replied, "That was the gist of it, yes." He said, "I demand an apology."

I said, "Terry, I'm so incredibly sorry you're such a half-assed manager you'll never know." I think it went right past him.

Posted by: JorgXMcKie at July 11, 2003 at 03:29 AM

it's nice to see that tim blair continues to jizz himself every time berlusconi says anything at all.

Posted by: adam at July 11, 2003 at 03:55 AM

Did you get some on you, adam? That might explain why your shift key isn't working.

Posted by: Roger Bournival at July 11, 2003 at 04:00 AM

Tim, you don't understand. The Age reports on the world as it should be, not as it us. They've been trying to do the same with circulation figures, but with less success.

When is Andrew Bolt coming back from holidays? There won't be anything sensible to read in Melbourne until then.

Posted by: superboot at July 11, 2003 at 04:13 AM

Jorg, I aggree that Silvio was apologising, not for the comment, but for the fact that Gerard was going to miss out on his Italian holiday.

CNN has a poll asking people if they'd rather go to Hanover, Germany or Pesaro, Italy.
The results:
Italy 69%
Germany 31%

Posted by: Jonny at July 11, 2003 at 05:43 AM

All wisdom comes from the Simpsons:

Hank: By the way, Homer, what's your least favorite country: Italy or France?
Homer: France.
Hank: [chuckles] Nobody ever says Italy. [sets the coordinates of a giant laser gun]

Posted by: LB at July 11, 2003 at 06:59 AM

The Age's tag would have been more accurate, only slightly more mind, if it read: `Sorry for the German Blonde.' Not true of course,Schroader's hair is dark. Gad, The Age even lies on reporting on someone's complexion.Genuine aresholes, but then they are Mao's devotees, a big arsehole who treated millions like his many dunnies, so does the Age.Crappers.

Posted by: d at July 11, 2003 at 09:48 AM

LB: We could get in trouble for posting. From your IP, I see that you work for the US Fed Gov't. From mine, you can see I work for New York University. (I'm at home, though)

Tim, are you sure this is a very good idea?

Posted by: Jeff at July 11, 2003 at 10:46 AM

Meanwhile, the German boycott of Italy as a holiday destination is on, with the potential of real harm to the Italian economy. Nice going, Silvio.

Posted by: Bon Scott at July 11, 2003 at 11:21 AM

This would be that world-beating economy of Italy would it? A few fat Germans going to Spain or Greece instead is hardly going to make a blip on the already messy Italian economic radar. Now I know you're having a lend...

Posted by: Jake D at July 11, 2003 at 12:23 PM

Wrong, Jake.

The Italian economy may not be world-beating... and that's why the tourism sector is so important.

At the moment, German tourists spend a lot of money in Italy. Their absence during the summer high season would be sorely felt.

Posted by: Bon Scott at July 11, 2003 at 12:35 PM

Yeah I'm with Jeff. I prefer hiding behind the name Gabor and taking potshots at people I will never see and never know. I don't like this identification. Could be dangerous. As you can see from my IP, I work for MI5. My security is endangered.

Posted by: Gabor at July 11, 2003 at 01:06 PM

I want to see what my IP is.

Posted by: Ellie at July 11, 2003 at 01:13 PM

Since I'm at work and supposed to be "productive" or some such can anyone tell me what rough dollar amount german tourists put into the Italian economy.

For once I'm on Schroeder's side. If someone walks up to me and calls me a Nazi they get a smack in the mouth. My Mum's from German ancestry so I had the pleasure of all sorts of Nazi jokes growing up.

So a lot of Germans didn't appreciate the comments and are expressing their displeasure with their wallets - good for them. The Americans are showing the French that bagging your allies is not a economically wise choice - good on them too. It's their cash.

Suck it up Berlusconi you old blow-hard.

Posted by: Jake D at July 11, 2003 at 03:18 PM

Berlusconi didn't just walk up to Schroeder and call him a Nazi. He was being heckled by Schroeder, and called him a "capo", which is more like a collaborator. Geez, get your insults straight.

Posted by: T. Hartin at July 11, 2003 at 09:45 PM

Hartin you fucktard shroeder had nothing to do with it. He was neither being heckled by, or even referring to Shroeder when he made his capo comment...

"Geez, get your insults straight."

gaze.

Posted by: Tom at July 11, 2003 at 10:01 PM