Thursday, May 06, 2004

Parse the statement

1. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan:

The president very much appreciates the job Secretary Rumsfeld is doing and the president has great confidence in his leadership

Whose leadership? Rummy's, or Dubya's own?

2. But wait, there's more:

"He will stay in my Cabinet," the president said.

What cabinet? The one that runs the country, or just a kitchen cabinet in the White House? And even if the former, he doesn't say what role Rummy would perform. The Cabinet might need a new coffee boy.

3. [Dubya] I told His Majesty [of Jordan] as plainly as I could that the wrongdoers [prison guards] will be brought to justice

Subtle change in usage: bad guys are normally evildoers.

4. [Dubya] The free trade agreement between Jordan and the United States is a model for the region, as my government works to build a Middle East free trade agreement.

Aside from the idea that Arabs can be bought off with a free trade agreement, note the odd usage my government. Who is he, the Queen?

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