Bruce writes about Jamie(K) and Georgie “baby” Bush.
Greetings all,
Recently, there has been a heated discussion through Intercultural subjects on this Forum which as I see has been overshadowed by some seriously insulting remarks to other writers like Stew t., Ralf and myself by a Jamie(K).
That thread has now been extracted. Very probably because it doesn?t add any worthwhile information whatsoever to thousands of readers out there whose interest it is to improve their English and not read about or be burdened with personality conflicts from other Forum members.
In answer to the attack by Jamie(K) on me, pointing out my ignorance that George W. Bush does indeed speak Spanish when I assumed he didn?t and my further remarks about George Bush, I will say quite clearly ;
I don?t have to know everything and if I didn?t know that the man spoke Spanish then that is no big deal whatsoever.
Sure, I got a red face for my big mistake, but then that?s exactly what this Intercultural conflict is about.
Lack of knowledge of the other side.
If we knew everything cultural, then conflicts wouldn?t arise and Forums like this wouldn?t exist.
Even if it is someone like me from Great Britain who didn?t know the facts about Bush and makes a comment which sounds rather stupid.
A fact that “supposedly” every American should know.
Here on this Forum we can surely exchange such information without resorting to heavy insults because of lack of knowledge.
I would be interested to know how many Americans and Spanish know that George Bush speaks Spanish. I made a comment that he had improved his English over the last few years because he made some terrible mistakes which millions of people have seen and heard.
At first, I felt a bit sorry for the guy, thinking it was due to nervousness and the stress as new president. Later I read some pretty unpleasant stuff about him.
Today, I am not the least bit confident about defending any “foreign policy” decisions made my Bush?s government as I previously was.
As a British citizen living in Germany I often felt it my moral duty to explain American governments decisions about “foreign affairs” because we in GB obviously have very close ties to the USA and German people with whom I have contact have continually asked me if I know what the hells going on, especially after the recent (2003) occupation of Iraq.
I am sure that there are thousands and millions of people worldwide who don?t have the foggiest idea about whether Georgie “baby” Bush speaks Spanish or not. And I?m sure most people don?t give a damn but would also be surprised and even impressed. Up to certain point his presentations in public weren?t impressive and even I couldn?t defend his dignity when had discussions with German friends and associates.
If my embarrassing mistake has educated thousands of people to that fact, then a blow to my dignity is worth it. Then good for George Bush. Even I?m now impressed.
Previously to my education by Jamie(K), I also thought how could a man that lives on the border of Mexico not speak Spanish (or at least a little) that?s why my derogatory remarks.
So, apologies Mr.Bush, but I?m still puzzled by what you are doing in Iraq.
Apart from all this, we are flooded - via the media - with INFORMATION and DIS-INFORMATION.
Filtering one from the other is a task most of us don?t have time for.
Best wishes, Bruce.