Turn about, Smirky, is fair play.

[deminks]

edited to add paragraph

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/science/earth/10notebook.html


Reporter’s Notebook: Bush in Chat Mode


RUSUTSU, Japan — It wouldn’t be a G-8 without a microphone mishap.

When leaders of the world’s richest nations, the so-called Group of 8, gathered two years ago in St. Petersburg, Russia, President Bush was caught using some blunt, colorful language as he munched on a roll during lunch. For four enlightening minutes, the world was treated to an unvarnished view of George W. Bush as he expounded on everything from his penchant for Diet Coke to his long-winded fellow leaders. (“I’m not going to talk too damn long like the rest of them.”)

At this week’s gathering on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, the lunchtime microphones were on again. The life-of-the-party president, mingling before the meal, chatted animatedly about his parents’ health, his birthday and the corruption charges facing one of his best buddies in Europe, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.


(snip)

Then it was back to Mr. Berlusconi. On Tuesday, the day after the lunch, an embarrassed Bush White House issued a formal apology to the Italian prime minister for having distributed a biography to reporters that noted Mr. Berlusconi’s “convictions on a number of corruption charges” (all overturned) and used the word “suave” to describe him. The legal issues came up at the lunch, too.

“I read the courts are after you again,” Mr. Bush told Mr. Berlusconi. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it. Constantly after you.”

(end snip)

You listen to us, we listen to you. I can't wait for the audio on this one.