# "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 10, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043 "2008-07-10T21:00:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/21 "2008-07-10T22:12:12Z")
[QUOTE=xtisme] He’s wrong anyway…the US is number 2 now on the pollution scene. China has over taken us for the top honors… -XT [/QUOTE] Bush lied! Man, the guy can’t even tell the truth when he’s putting us down! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/22 "2008-07-10T22:15:47Z")
[QUOTE=brickbacon] Unfortunately not. See [here](http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/10/bush-to-g8-goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/) , [here](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/report-bush-tells-g8-lead_n_111966.html) , and [here](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/bush-to-g8-goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter-863911.html) . If it’s a joke, a lot of reputable news organizations are falling for it. [/QUOTE] Those are all the same source, btw. The first two are just quoting the third one. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/23 "2008-07-10T22:28:09Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Those are all the same source, btw. The first two are just quoting the third one. [/QUOTE] The little bit about the Italian prime minister leads me to believe its either a practical joke of some sort, or else one hilarious mistranslation. > [@](#): > > Mr Bush also faced criticism at the summit after Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, was described in the White House press pack given to journalists as one of the “most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice”. Indeed. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/24 "2008-07-10T22:31:35Z")
Funny, funny stuff. Easily as good as his “maybe the WMDs are under this podium!” shtick, if not quite as hilarious as his spot-on impression of Karla Faye Tucker pleading for her life. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/25 "2008-07-10T22:38:18Z")
Was that punch he did to the air a “terrorist fist jab”? I’m scared… someone tell me what’s going on? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/26 "2008-07-10T22:49:52Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] If he were in a position where he couldn’t do much harm (like, say, Dan Quayle), I’d enjoy his stupidity a lot more. As it is, I’m gritting my teeth and waiting it out 'til November… [/QUOTE] Sorry he can still fuck us over until January 09. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/27 "2008-07-10T22:57:10Z")
Before you all get so huffy, go back up and look at what **John Mace** said. We’ve got a British tabloid reporting the story, and others quoting it. I’ll believe this happened when I see a report from a major TV news network (CNN, CBC, BBC…) or a reputable newspaper. THEN I’ll get all huffy. ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/28 "2008-07-10T23:00:20Z")
[QUOTE=wring] Sorry he can still fuck us over until January 09. [/quote] _And how._ [http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/07/10/bush\_pardon/index.html](http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/07/10/bush_pardon/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/29 "2008-07-10T23:01:20Z")
I’m getting a bit skeptical about this story. It was supposedly said in a private meeting, so how did it get out? Doesn’t seem like many news sources are caring this story. A yahoo search turns up the telegraph and then a bunch of blogs. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/30 "2008-07-10T23:17:48Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] It made me laugh, too. I have suspected for a while that Bush has a wicked dry sense of humour that he hasn’t in his many years on this planet learned to control. [/QUOTE] While I will be at the head of the line to spit on his grave for all of his faults - I willing give him credit for being a really funny guy. I’m sure some of it comes from being a sociopath, but still… ---
**Author:** ![Dumbguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dumbguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dumbguy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/31 "2008-07-10T23:53:55Z")
I give it a C+. If he had paused after ‘polluter’ and ripped a fart, then we’re talking. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/32 "2008-07-11T00:32:19Z")
Try as I might, I can’t find the humor in it. I would think it wildly funny if he were to grasp his throat, foam at the mouth, fall to the ground and decompose the instant Obama is sworn in. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/33 "2008-07-11T00:34:55Z")
[QUOTE=Don’t Call Me Shirley] He was probably drunk. [/QUOTE] No, no, the booze interferes with the good Jamaican grass high. Don’t you know anything? Not a Yalie, are you? [QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip] Funny, funny stuff. Easily as good as his “maybe the WMDs are under this podium!” shtick, if not quite as hilarious as his spot-on impression of Karla Faye Tucker pleading for her life. [/QUOTE] He’s giving it the old college try, but he still can’t top Reagan’s “We begin bombing in five minutes,” routine. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/34 "2008-07-11T00:42:01Z")
[QUOTE=Stranger On A Train] He’s giving it the old college try, but he still can’t top Reagan’s “We begin bombing in five minutes,” routine. [/QUOTE] I’m not sure if you’re serious or not, but I find that joke of Reagan’s to be far and away the funniest in this category. The idea of “legislation that will outlaw Russia” tickles me pink. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/35 "2008-07-11T00:47:32Z")
> [@](#): > > “Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter” It’s good to see that George W. Bush has, indeed, brought badly-needed _gravitas_ to the office of the President. And surrounded himself with the best of advisors, so he can turn to them and not do anything stupid. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/36 "2008-07-11T01:16:46Z")
Fans of this sort of humor may want to check out bin Laden’s underground comedy tape—tough to find, but it’s floating around. He does a pantomime bit about the burning towers falling on screaming Jews that is fucking _brilliant_. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/37 "2008-07-11T01:30:56Z")
[QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip] Fans of this sort of humor may want to check out bin Laden’s underground comedy tape—tough to find, but it’s floating around. He does a pantomime bit about the burning towers falling on screaming Jews that is fucking _brilliant_. [/QUOTE] Don’t be such a tease , there’s no such thing, is there! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/38 "2008-07-11T01:46:20Z")
[QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip] Fans of this sort of humor may want to check out bin Laden’s underground comedy tape—tough to find, but it’s floating around. He does a pantomime bit about the burning towers falling on screaming Jews that is fucking _brilliant_. [/QUOTE] And yet, we keep trying to kill him, even knowing that a mime is a terrible thing to waste. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/39 "2008-07-11T01:55:34Z")
[QUOTE=drm] Really? I always thought Canada was the worst per capita. [/QUOTE] Fucking Canadians! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/40 "2008-07-11T02:00:21Z")
[QUOTE=Indistinguishable] I’m not sure if you’re serious or not, but I find that joke of Reagan’s to be far and away the funniest in this category. The idea of “legislation that will outlaw Russia” tickles me pink. [/quote] Yeah, that and Reaganomics made the decade a real riot. Bush the Elder tried to follow it up with making Danny Quayle his Number One Best Boy and vomiting on the Japanese Prime Minister, but he never really hit his stride. Clinton, of course, was rife for humor, but the undisputed King of Comedy is Lyndon Johnson. [QUOTE=ivan astikov] Don’t be such a tease , there’s no such thing, is there! [/QUOTE] There is, but because it is taped over the beginning of an old tape of the _Star Wars Holiday Special_ (if you watch past the end of the rant it cuts to Bea Arthur singing) George Lucas has dedicated his life and fortune to making sure it is destroyed and forgotten by the general public. Stranger [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043.md?page=3)