# "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:** 3
**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, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/41 "2008-07-11T02:20:10Z")
[QUOTE=Stranger On A Train] 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] Right, but the difference from all that was that the Reagan soundcheck thing actually was, intentionally, a joke. He said a couple lines in ostensible private, not broadcast over the air, to make a couple guys around him laugh. ---
**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, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/42 "2008-07-11T02:26:24Z")
[QUOTE=Indistinguishable] Right, but the difference from all that was that the Reagan soundcheck thing actually was, intentionally, a joke. He said a couple lines in ostensible private, not broadcast over the air, to make a couple guys around him laugh. [/QUOTE] “Har har hardee har har. One of these days, Yuri, one of these days…POW! Right to the moon!” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/43 "2008-07-11T03:10:49Z")
_He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock._ So it was a terrorist fist punch? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/44 "2008-07-11T03:28:17Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] And yet, we keep trying to kill him, even knowing that a mime is a terrible thing to waste. [/QUOTE] Bitter experience has taught me to have a warrant on file at all times, **'luci**. C’mon, they’re waiting for you out back… ---
**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 11, 2008, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/45 "2008-07-11T03:59:03Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi] _He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock._ So it was a terrorist fist punch? [/QUOTE] my… posts… so… invisible… sob… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ThirdCultureKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@ThirdCultureKid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThirdCultureKid)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/46 "2008-07-11T06:18:29Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] Dry humor suggests that he is appreciative of the irony of his comments. But his joke, in light of his policies, actually suggests that he is indifferent to the irony of his comments. Which makes him an asshole. [/QUOTE] Bingo. I’m not completely convinced he grasps the concept of irony, let alone is capable of employing it properly. Aiming for irreverent, achieving assholedom. ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/47 "2008-07-11T08:18:03Z")
[QUOTE=Sinaijon] 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. [/QUOTE] Well that bit at least is straight-up, covered in multiple news sources > **[Latest news & breaking headlines](https://www.thetimes.com/)** > > The latest breaking UK, US, world, business and sport news from The Times and The Sunday Times. Go beyond today's headlines with in-depth analysis and comment. [QUOTE=The Times] The profile dwells on Mr Berlusconi’s influence and wealth, suggesting that he is “hated by many, but respected by all, for his ‘bella figura’ or charismatic style, and for his force of will". It adds: “Considered by many an amateur in politics, he conquered his high office only thanks to his substantial influence in the national media." He is also described as having used "His business acumen and his influence to create a personal empire which produced Italy’s longest-lasting government, and to become the richest man in the country.” In a section of the profile which appears to mock Mr Berlusconi for his self-made roots, it adds: “He earned money by organising puppet shows and making people pay a ticket, he sold vacuum cleaners, worked as a singer on cruise ships, made photographic portraits, and did the homework of other students in exchange for money.” [/QUOTE] Likewise the rest of it. > **[Bush to G8: 'Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter'](https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/bush-to-g8-goodbye-from-the-world-s-biggest-polluter-863911.html)** > > After rejecting global climate-change targets, George Bush's parting shot to the G8 summit [QUOTE=The Independent] As he prepared to fly out from Japan, he told his fellow leaders: “Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter.” President Bush made the private joke in the summit’s closing session, senior sources said yesterday. His remarks were taken as a two-fingered salute from the President from Texas who is wedded to the oil industry. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=The Telegraph] ended a private meeting with the words: “Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter.” He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock. [/QUOTE] [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/2277298/President-George-Bush-‘Goodbye-from-the-world’s-biggest-polluter’.html](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/2277298/President-George-Bush-'Goodbye-from-the-world's-biggest-polluter'.html) ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/48 "2008-07-11T09:25:21Z")
[QUOTE=InvisibleWombat] 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. [/QUOTE] 😕 What tabloid is reporting it? I only see the Independent and The Telegraph links provided. Summary of British Press Non-Tabloid (from Left to Right slant): The Guardian The Independent The Times The Telegraph Tabloid: The Daily Mail The Express The Sun The Mirror The Star ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/49 "2008-07-11T15:00:33Z")
You’ll vote now, won’t cha hippies? ---
**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, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/50 "2008-07-11T15:02:36Z")
Always did, each and every opportunity. You? ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/51 "2008-07-11T15:10:27Z")
This seems to be a bit of a head scratcher for me. This thread is the first I heard of the incident. My first reaction was that the story was B.S. If true, how could he be so tactless? (Did someone, during the summit meeting, gripe about the U.S.'s non-participation in the Kyoto-treaty?) Is he seriously trying to torpedo McCain? (McCain has made no disavowal, right?) (To be fair, I don’t sense that this is making much of a splash here in the US media.) ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/52 "2008-07-11T21:45:21Z")
Don’t worry - he still has 5 months to restore honour and dignity to the White House, as promised. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/53 "2008-07-11T21:48:52Z")
We are on the second page of this thread (and I’ve seen spin offs of the same theme in several other threads), and I still don’t know if it’s even true. I’ve seen nothing about it on CNN or any of the other MSM web sites I regularly go on. Anyone know if this thing even happened? -XT ---
**Author:** ![Words\_on\_the\_Interweb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b19c9b/32.png) [@Words\_on\_the\_Interweb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Words_on_the_Interweb)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/54 "2008-07-11T22:10:33Z")
It’s been picked up by the [Seattle Times](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008045951_bushpollute11.html), but they’re citing the Telegraph and The Independent stories. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/55 "2008-07-11T22:23:18Z")
Yeah, I did a google search and they all cited the same source. -XT ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/56 "2008-07-12T00:15:36Z")
Christ, what an asshole. ---
**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:** [July 12, 2008, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/57 "2008-07-12T05:37:07Z")
[QUOTE=Capt. Ridley’s Shooting Party] Non-Tabloid (from Left to Right slant): The Guardian The Independent The Times The Telegraph [/QUOTE] Aren’t they all tabloids now? I thought the Guardian and Times converted a few years back. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/58 "2008-07-12T08:37:39Z")
No, The Telegraph is still a broadsheet. But that misses the point—tabloid is an ambiguous term in the UK. It can refer to either a newspaper printing format, or to a style of journalism purveying gossip and questionable reporting. When **InvisibleWombat** stated the only reports were originating from tabloids, I took him to mean the latter, which is incorrect. Neither The Indepedent (centre-left) nor The Telegraph (right) are tabloids. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/59 "2008-07-12T10:42:42Z")
[QUOTE=Maeglin] I hope Angela Merkel brought her taser. [/QUOTE] Don’t taze me, mädchen! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043/60 "2008-07-13T02:47:51Z")
[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] But not per capita, I’m sure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-from-the-worlds-biggest-polluter/456043.md?page=4)