The open mic blunder has been reported variously as:
“I cannot stand him. He’s a liar,” Sarkozy told Obama. The US president responded by saying: “You’re fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day.” (Guardian)
****
“I cannot bear Netanyahu, he’s a liar,” Sarkozy told Obama (Haaretz)
****
“I can’t stand him any more, he’s a liar,” Mr Sarkozy said in French.
“You may be sick of him, but me, I have to deal with him every day,” Mr Obama replied.” (BBC)
( It doesn’t state the language in which Obama’s retort was uttered)
****
Whether it’s ‘can’t stand’, or ‘can’t bear’, or whether the conversation began with:
“Mr Obama was taking Mr Sarkozy to task for voting in favour of the Palestinian bid….” (BBC)
or:
“for not warning the US that France would vote in favour of the Palestinians’” (Guardian)
is fairly immaterial, as is the extraneous “but me,” in the BBC’s report, (they probably stuck it in there just in case readers were too stupid to grasp Obama’s ironic self pity) it’s the exposure of the childish and trivial nature of these gossipy disrespectful playground-level remarks by supposedly two of the most important intellectual pigmies in the world that’s so painful.
Memories of Daniel Bernard, the French Ambassador’s infamous remark made in 2001:“All the current troubles in the world are because of that shitty little country Israel.”
The BBC will be feeling a warm glow of satisfaction that Obama agrees with them about Netanyahu, something that also implicitly confirms their assumption that Obama’s apparent support of Israel can be purely put down to electioneering.
Now they can get on with picking away at the scab of Iran’s nuclear threat, and hoping Israel will act alone so that after heaving a surreptitious sigh of relief (which I hope hope some mics inadvertently catch) the rest of the world can blame Israel for unnecessary aggression and for not waiting patiently for some non-existent diplomatic effort by the West to take effect
Not to mention the uncharacteristic but short-lived restraint by reporters.
And of course Sarkozy and Obama are not liars.
I would say all of the troubles in the world are caused by shitty little people like them.
I’m quite impressed with the nerve of it – a French president calling someone else a liar.
5 pm bbc 5contrive drive news have just reported this incident…and,(Surprise Surprise), the two hosts derogatory sniggers ensue.
liar! goodness??? unreal
boy does that petulant diminutive , need to get himself educated
and obama………slimy two faced innuendo……what again 🙂 …
no surprises there eh!
as a great addition, theyve just had Charlie Wolfe on…
who immediately started telling it like it is (5.30pm).
to which our hosts start scrabbling around starting to
obfuscate like mad even stating “well don t you think its refreshing to hear”???? even adding on that “to me” part
…old Chasser was having none of it, and started pointing out a few
erm painful facts.
the gong show hook was soon brought on to get him off
priceless
😀
5 live Drive C.Wolfe heres the link 1h.27 in…check out the sniggering earlier on, on the first mention of the sarkybama story too
Christian Frazer just told the News Channel that the reporters who heard the insults “gathered together afterwards” and “agreed” to keep silent about it. Then he said that, “Unfortunately” the Israeli press has picked it up and spread the word.
Unfortunately? Why is the BBC allowed to express an opinion on this matter? I’m pretty sure it’s not because they’re upset that the public will think Netanyahu isn’t to be trusted.
“Unfortunately” is a completely inappropriate word for the BBC reporter to have used.
The BBC weren’t quite so squeamish about private conversations becoming public knowledge when Wikileaks began.
Great point, Craig! What would St. Julian think?
Unfortunately? Why is the BBC allowed to express an opinion on this matter?”
Because it can.
It is ‘unfortunate’, David, because (putting this into Beeb-speak):
“It is unfortunate for the President because, our correspondent says, the Republicans will gleefully point to this incident and accuse Obama of deserting Israel. And, analysts say, the powerful Jewish lobby [cue scary music] may well turn against him as the 2012 presidential election approaches, possibly handing the keys to the White House to a [cue scary music] Republican.”
(And I have moved my reply as well!)
It is going to be much more damaging for Obama but if you rely on the BBc you would not get that impression. Strange that.
‘Not to mention the uncharacteristic but short-lived restraint by reporters.’
Not mentioning being a variable characteristic by some reporters more than others. Depending.
Unfortunately.
And unique.
I hope Mr. Frazer and his other shapers of narrative (I presume he’s a drone) are suitablly impressed with what’s left of their professional integrity.
“That Excitable And Frenetic Nicolas Sarkozy Calls Netanyahu A”
[Extract]:
“Netanyahu does not presume to tell Sarkozy what France can or cannot do. His only interest is in the survival of Israel. I don’t know if he has ‘lied’ to Sarkozy but it would be fine if he had, for he has to do whatever he has to do for the survival of Israel. More likely, Sarkozy, who fails to realize just how much the West relies, even now, on Israel’s military power – it is Israel that destroyed the nuclear reactor that the French had built, it is Israel that destroyed the nuclear facility that Syria had built with Iranian and North Korean aid, it is Israel that keeps the forces of Islam at bay in what, for Christians, remains the Holy Land (just think what Jerusalem, and that Holy Land, would look like if Israel’s Jews did not control it, but Muslim Arabs — and it is either going to be one or the other). Sarkozy doesn’t appear to realize that between Italy and East Asia, the only certain military ally of the West is Israel.”
(by H. Fitzgerald)
http://www.newenglishreview.org/blog_display.cfm/blog_id/38901
Excellent post, DB. Have taken liberty of corss-posting on ATW.
I agree. But it’s Sue’s work, not mine.
Just saw that, mea culpa, congrats to Sue.
Two thoughts that come to mind immediately:
Could you imagine the French outrage if Netanyahu had said something negative about their dwarf?
If Obama does lose the next election the Democrats and their supporters (e.g. BBC) will blame it on the Jewish lobby, a brilliant excuse so they don’t have to admit that the vast majority of Americans will have rumbled his incompetence, arrogance, divisiveness and dishonesty. In other words, the usual scapegoats (the Jews) will have resumed their normal position.
Funny you should say that, Demon. As it happens, The Obamessiah did insult Sarkozy the other day, and the French weren’t pleased.
Obama’s Sarkozy remark offends French
“Obama insults Sarkozy,” blared the headline on one French website, taking umbrage at Mr. Obama’s wayward remark at the G-20 summit here about the physical appearance of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Mr. Obama thought he was making a gentle joke about Mr. Sarkozy, host of the summit, when he congratulated Mr. Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni on the birth of their baby daughter on Oct. 19. Instead, Mr. Obama caused a minor international incident.
“I want to make mention that this is our first meeting since the arrival of the newest Sarkozy, and so I want to congratulate Nicolas and Carla on the birth of Giulia,” Mr. Obama told reporters shortly after his arrival at the G-20, with Mr. Sarkozy at his side. “And I informed Nicolas on the way in that I am confident that Giulia inherited her mother’s looks rather than her father’s, which I think is an excellent thing.”
Naturally, the BBC has censored all news of it.
I suspect that is the funniest joke Obama has cracked in his life !
So much for fearless, independent journalism then!
Netenyahu has actually defended his country with honour and courage as a soldier…Sarkozy and Obama are Gods way of showing up the flabby and irrelevant western political class as opposed to a few Israeli politicians who actually know where this craven appeasement leads.
To a point where the likes of these pygmies with trophy wives actaully think that what they say is relevant…both are finished, but it`s going to be a long funeral….
For INBBC: out of interest, posters -‘SARKOZY LIED’ about Turkey, are posted on the streets of France:
http://galliawatch.blogspot.com/2011/11/front-national-poster-against-turkey.html
Look at the political ‘leaders’ of the West, you might think they are a sorry crew of non entities and self obssessed egotistical moral vacuums. And you would be right on the money honey 😀 .
None of them has the 1st clue WTF they are doing, all are career greasy pole climbers, all are compulsive liars who rely on spin and a stooge MSM and all of them would stab granny for a temporary advantage.
You may compare Netenyahu to these slimy worms and rightly ask where are our conviction politicians? Why are we stuck with such ghastly leaders from a class of people that view patriotism, love of country and honour as alien perversions.
Our gang of corrupt scumbag politicians are leading us all to disaster ad ruin, they dare to judge a small democracy fighting for its very life against the forces of islamofascist darkness? Look at the differences between brave plucky little Israel and our nation, not one but two foreign quagmire wars, unwinnable and useless conflicts that have done nothing to enhance our national security and determined to bring a grotesque abomination called the EUSSR to life, utterly determined to break us financially to support broke countries who would not piss on us if we were on fire and their bladders were full to bursting, nations that hate and despise us to the very depths of their souls.
There was a time when our leaders put the interests of the nation before some whacked out vision of global government. The differences between Netenyahu and Cameron is clear isnt it, where one served in the armed forces of his nation and serves the interests of his country like the patriot he undoubtedly is the other has taken all the best from his country, lived a life of rich privilege and is eager to sell out his own people to foreign interests like the amoral Quisling he undoubtedly is.
I know which leader I would rather have.
Cassie,
As so often, you are right on the button.
I think third rate pygmies like Sarkozy and Obama are quite aware of their inadequacies and are probably just jealous of Bibi.
As for Cameron, don’t get me started………..
“Is Benjamin Netanyahu having the last laugh at Barack Obama’s expense? ”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8877203/Is-Benjamin-Netanyahu-having-the-last-laugh-at-Barack-Obamas-expense.html
i think its obvious, all this nobama dummy spitting n sniping
he doesn t want to get schooled by Bibi again
tsk tsk…..goodness
how touchy these muslims get.
I’m afraid in the ‘which world leader is the biggest liar?’ competition there is only one winner:
I think I find most amazing about modern politics and the MSM is how words have assumed a meaning that is the opposite of what they originally meant.
For instance Neyenahu isn’t a lair but is simply doing what he told the Israeli public he would do before he was elected i.e defend Israel. Looking at it that way he is quite predictable. Barry O on the other hand promised to close Gitmo and a 101 other things before he was elected and has done none of them. Yet Barry wins a Nobel peace prize and is hailed by the MSM as a great statesman.
Understand it ? I don’t.
1327,
It is simple. The Left always reward failure.
Thank god all this was said by these 2 cretins and not someone who matters in the real world ,but I do have a real issue with is the protecting of the identity’s of reporters who conspired to hide a news story from the world for what must only be political reasons and if the BBC jellyfish knew then he/she/it is also complicit in this utter abuse and total disrespect for the public and should be fired on the spot !!
Obama, “And I informed Nicolas on the way in that I am confident that Giulia inherited her mother’s looks rather than her father’s, which I think is an excellent thing.”
Most men would take this as a very gracious compliment for their wife, and thus by extention, to themselves. Only a third rate moron would take offence at such a compliment to his wife and child.
PS
I have two lovely daughters. From the time they were born, friends and relatives have openly stated that its a damn good thing they took after my wife then moi.
Now I’m not plug ugly, but everytime this was stated, I felt really happy. Which real man would not be happy to have his two daughters just as pretty as his wife? Oh to be so lucky.
Guys, guys – this is the game “the lobby” has played for over 100 years. Cosy relationships between the governent of the day and the political correspondents of the press meant (and mean) that lots of interesting stuff (well, interesting to voters and taxpayers) is kept quiet by complaisant journalists seeking the odd “exclusive” courtesy of their chums in office.
I presume the same game – under slightly different rules – is played in Washington (cf the creepy-crawly easy questions lobbed at St Obama when he deigns to attend a press conference with the Washington press corps). In both countries whose governments forever flaunt their attachment to the “freedom of the press”, “access” is used as a potent weapon to silence a genuinely enquiring press: and the press acquieces (quietly, of course).
You’re right, Umbongo. I’ve heard several journalists recount the threats of exclusion by the nasty bullying A. Campbell should they refuse to play nicely with his little boy Blair.
This game predates Campbell although Campbell perfected the system. One reason I’ve got time for Michael Howard is that he ripped into Campbell on Newsnight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-QxBTR9_HU concerning Campbells’s responsibility (with Blair of course) for the wholesale corruption of British politics (let alone the press). Why do you think Campbell is the go-to guy for “impartial” political comment on the BBC?
I remember it – he had to sit there and take it. The nastiest piece of work in politics EVER! (and it’s a crowded field!)
Yes, Campbell is filth, but I would love to meet him…….. in a dark alleyway !
Umbongo,
That is the first time I have seen that clip. Michael Howard calls Campbell a liar to his face and Campbell doesn’t react.
Paxo’s face is a picture !!!
I presume the same game – under slightly different rules – is played in Washington
Sadly, yes. And it helps when the publisher of the Washington Post can grant access to Administration figures, and when the CEO of GE tells a media company they own – CNBC – to stop criticizing the President. Then joins the Administration after securing a nice fact Chinese labor contract to build government-subsidized wind turbines.
DP
Thank God for small mercies: at least the IRS (or a US equivalent of Capita – the BBC licence enforcement subcontractors) doesn’t actually go round forcing TV viewers to cough up their $$$ to GE for the pleasure of watching lies on the CNBC news.
Here’s an interesting take on this, particularly regarding Sarkozy. H/T The Commentator.
There’s the Arab Spring and promises made to Tunisia and Egypt, and ‘the demographics’. (see comment 10)
Demographics. Coming to a place near you.
I wonder how the 5LiveDrive would have reported a story about Netanyahu calling Sarko a liar ? Or stating that he “had to talk to O’Bama” every day ?
I heard the 5Live drivel yesterday. And the sniggering. Fair and balanced ? I don’t think so.
Was this a mistake or deliberate? Two of the world’s highest ranked politicos, surrounded by minders, an open mike. Journalists at the bilateral press conference had been handed translation boxes but had been told not to plug in their headphones until the backroom conversation had finished. But those who did heard the revealing comments… and the organisers really expected the journalists to obey. Talk about reverse psychology.
You have to be kidding!
Regretably the idea that Israeli journalists spread the word rings true.
There is a silver lining. Obama will be in tension until election day lest Netanyahu forget himself over an ‘accidentally’ open mike. I suspect the damage he could do to Obama is far greater than the damage Obama could do to Netanyahu.
Melanie PHILLIPS:
“Blaming the Victim”
http://phillipsblog.dailymail.co.uk/2011/11/blaming-the-victim.html