The following is an excerpt from OpinionJournal.com’s “Best of the Web” written by the editor, James Taranto.
Breaking News From 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007
“Leaders Call for Peace as Mideast Talks Begin”–headline, New York Times, Sept. 2
Brussels Sprouts
Just in time for the “Summer of George,” London’s Daily Telegraph brings us this anecdote:
George W Bush did not recognise the prime minister of Belgium or understand why he was at a G8 meeting, Tony Blair has disclosed.
In his new book, A Journey, Mr Blair writes that the former US president was confused by the presence of Guy Verhofstadt at the 2001 G8 summit in Genoa.
“He didn’t know or recognise Guy, whose advice he listened to with considerable astonishment,” Mr Blair writes. “He then turned to me and whispered, ‘Who is this guy?’ ‘He is the prime minister of Belgium,’ I said.
“Belgium? George said, clearly aghast at the possible full extent of his stupidity. ‘Belgium is not part of the G8.’ “
Mr Blair explained to Mr Bush that Mr Verhofstadt was there as “president of Europe.” Belgium held the presidency of the EU council at the time.
Mr Bush responded: “You got the Belgians running Europe?” before shaking his head, “now aghast at our stupidity,” Mr Blair writes.
Don’t you miss having a president who showed foreign leaders the respect they were due?
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