# Did Schwarzenegger compose a "Fuck You" acrostic in a veto letter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 28, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469 "2009-10-28T16:34:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/81 "2009-10-29T12:09:51Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > That’s the one that got me as well. That phrase is so clunky that it had to be deliberately used. But that’s not to say that a staffer didn’t draft this while Arnold just scribbled his sig at the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/82 "2009-10-29T14:56:56Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > That particular 7-letter sequence has a (1/26)[sup]7[/sup] chance of occuring randomly - roughly 1 in 8 billion. Counting a ‘space’ as an extra letter and requiring it to appear at the 5th position decreases the chance to 1 in 282 billion. > > No matter how many letters he writes in his lifetime, the chance is still not ‘very good’. 8 letters, it’s ‘I Fuck You’ if you count the whole body disregarding the greeting and the closing. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/83 "2009-10-29T15:00:33Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > It doesn’t just say ‘Fuck You’ it says ‘I Fuck You’. My vote is for intentional and that it’s kind of awesome. It is not kind of awesome. It is simply _awesome_, no qualifier necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/84 "2009-10-29T15:19:49Z")
“Kicking the can down the alley” might seem like a contrived phrase, but Arnie’s been using it at least since July, according to [this news item](http://dist16.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC=%7B1C4F33AD-8352-4B47-B515-73E677024285%7D&DE=%7BD3E4A5DC-3363-43F5-A7B9-5A4DA37C3010%7D). F-u-c-k-y-o-u might not be a dignified message from a governor, but from a cigar-chomping governator… ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/85 "2009-10-29T15:27:01Z")
This would have been funnier I will not sign this legislation because it is laughably simplistic and barely coherent. If my executive powers are limited by this sort of law then I’ll always veto it. Consider legislation that will keep California strong. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/86 "2009-10-29T15:30:28Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > This would have been funnier > > I will not sign this > legislation because it is > laughably simplistic and > barely coherent. If my > executive powers are limited > by this sort of law then I’ll > always veto it. > > Consider legislation that will > keep California strong. Except that it doesn’t work, you have a break between one word and none separating the words. What makes Arnold’s clever is that he was able to make each paragraph conform nicely to a word. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/87 "2009-10-29T15:43:48Z")
Not remotely random. Certainly intentional. Funny, yes, and maybe even deserved. But undignified and extremely unlikely to help the Governator actually govern. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/88 "2009-10-29T15:47:31Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Not remotely random. Certainly intentional. Funny, yes, and maybe even deserved. But undignified and extremely unlikely to help the Governator actually govern. Nonsense, crushing one’s enemies is a standard part of the political process. It seems like he accomplished his goal quite well and that it will help him govern in the future. Now would be a good time to throw Ammiano a bone and cultivate a lapdog. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/89 "2009-10-29T16:20:51Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Except that it doesn’t work, you have a break between one word and none separating the words. What makes Arnold’s clever is that he was able to make each paragraph conform nicely to a word. And that each line is the same length. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/90 "2009-10-29T16:30:57Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Nonsense, crushing one’s enemies is a standard part of the political process. This is crushing? He delivered a moderately funny insult [ETA: to a guy he’s got a history with; and Ammiano did act like a dick]. Meanwhile his popularity rating is in the toilet and his state is broke. Explain how telling one guy “fuck you” is going to help him govern over the year-plus left in his term. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/91 "2009-10-29T16:36:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This is crushing? He delivered a moderately funny insult. Meanwhile his popularity rating is in the toilet and his state is broke. Explain how telling one guy “fuck you” is going to help him govern over the year-plus left in his term. Did you read about this at all? This was the final blow in an ongoing battle with this guy. Of course his popularity rating is in the toilet we’re in a recession. You guys are just being silly by acting like this somehow makes it more difficult for him to govern. Nonsense. He insulted one of his enemies with a craftily worded missive that he wrote in ten minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/92 "2009-10-29T16:54:27Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Did you read about this at all? This was the final blow in an ongoing battle with this guy. I did. I missed the second part of the article earlier, and just edited my post after re-reading it. > [@](#): > > Of course his popularity rating is in the toilet we’re in a recession. Everybody’s in a recession. California is _broke_. But you’re probably right - the public already thinks he sucks and the state is financially screwed, so telling one jerkoff legislator “fuck you” over an insignificant bill probably does not hurt him. It’s also not a triumph of political will or crushing an opponent. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/93 "2009-10-29T16:59:03Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Everybody’s in a recession. California is _broke_. But you’re probably right - the public already thinks he sucks and the state is financially screwed, so telling one jerkoff legislator “fuck you” over an insignificant bill probably does not hurt him. It’s also not a triumph of political will or crushing an opponent. It probably won’t hurt him and it is indeed crushing his opponent. The ‘I Fuck You’ bit is just the cherry on top. But I think most states governors are in a bad way. David Paterson probably won’t even run on the Democratic party ticket and will be pushed aside for Cuomo even though he’s not doing a terrible job with what he’s got. He’s been governing as a nuts and bolts guy but that pisses people off because he’s siphoning from everyone’s pies rather than strategically isolating a few special interests to bugger. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/94 "2009-10-29T17:03:41Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Nonsense, crushing one’s enemies is a standard part of the political process. I hear the next step is to drive Ammiano before him and hear the lamentations of his women. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/95 "2009-10-29T17:03:57Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > It probably won’t hurt him and it is indeed crushing his opponent. The ‘I Fuck You’ bit is just the cherry on top. > > But I think most states governors are in a bad way. David Paterson probably won’t even run on the Democratic party ticket and will be pushed aside for Cuomo even though he’s not doing a terrible job with what he’s got. He’s been governing as a nuts and bolts guy but that pisses people off because he’s siphoning from everyone’s pies rather than strategically isolating a few special interests to bugger. The SNL sketches are hilarious, though. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/96 "2009-10-29T17:05:09Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I hear the next step is to drive Ammiano before him and hear the lamentations of his women. Ahem, hear the lamentations of his men. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/97 "2009-10-29T17:07:46Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The SNL sketches are hilarious, though. No they weren’t they were just as stupid as every other SNL sketch for the past 20 years that didn’t involve Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. They weren’t even remotely funny. Repeating, “New Jersey”, over and over again is the SNL standard of humor. Say something crass and offensive and repeat it loudly over and over, laugh riot. :rolleyes: It’s immoral and offensive to laugh at SNL, you should be ashamed of yourself. It’s an affront to the soul of wit. Put your Brawndo down and pick up a book on how to do political satire. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/98 "2009-10-29T17:07:52Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I hear the next step is to drive Ammiano before him and hear the lamentations of his women. Scooped! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/99 "2009-10-29T17:16:11Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > But I think most states governors are in a bad way. They are, but I’d be surprised if many of them are as unpopular as Schwarzenegger is. Plenty of states are having budget problems, but not like California is. Paterson’s in an entirely different universe of unpopularity. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469/100 "2009-10-29T17:18:29Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I clicked on your link, and I think I went backwards in time. > > For whatever reason, however, > under the circumstances I > cant blame you for the link. > Keep up the good work. > > My mother thanks you, my father thanks you - indeed, > everyone thanks you. > > Regards, > Shodan lol…you’re good at that, Shodan! Arnold clearly did it on purpose, and I laughed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469.md?page=6)