Monday, April 22, 2013

'We're not Chechnya!'

This is for real:



Statement of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic on the Boston terrorist attack
19.04.2013 / 21:27
As many I was deeply shocked by the tragedy that occurred in Boston earlier this month. It was a stark reminder of the fact that any of us could be a victim of senseless violence anywhere at any moment.
As more information on the origin of the alleged perpetrators is coming to light, I am concerned to note in the social media a most unfortunate misunderstanding in this respect. The Czech Republic and Chechnya are two very different entities – the Czech Republic is a Central European country; Chechnya is a part of the Russian Federation.
As the President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman noted in his message to President Obama, the Czech Republic is an active and reliable partner of the United States in the fight against terrorism. We are determined to stand side by side with our allies in this respect, there is no doubt about that.
Petr Gandalovič
Ambassador of the Czech Republic


:-/

13 comments:

  1. My wife's from Taiwan. You wouldn't believe how many people think that she speaks Thai and must cook great Thai food. I've had to explain this about a million times.

    Ben

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  2. Americans aren't known for their keen sense of geography.

    JQ

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  3. If they'd said that Chechnya was next door to Georgia, probably 10% of Americans would reckon it was located in the United States...

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    Replies
    1. Probably, but your ten percent might be a little low.

      JQ

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    2. The scary part is that some of those ten percent of Americans might even live in Georgia! Wait a second, did someone stick a new state somewhere between South Carolina and Tennessee?

      JQ

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  4. Adm. G Boggs, Glenbeckistan NavyApril 22, 2013 at 8:40 AM

    Americans are also noted for their unfamiliarity with foreign languages. Why, even the President Lackwit admitted he didn't know any Austrian, and the Clintoon State Department mistranslated the word "reset" into the Russian equivalent of "overcharge" in a broadly televised display of... [ahem] Smart Power.

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  5. Bachfiend,

    Do Aborigines have a thing about huffing petrol? Do you think they did in the 1960s as well, or as that a newer development?

    Ben

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    Replies
    1. And another thing: is it common in Australian English to use the words "lad" and "lass"?

      Ben

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    2. Ben,

      'Lad' and 'lass' aren't common expressions in Australia. It's more of a local English expression.

      Petrol sniffing is endemic in remote Aboriginal areas, around Kalgoolie in WA, in the Northern Territory and central Australia. Recorded first in 1951, so it's plausible for the '60s.

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    3. Thanks again.

      Can you tell me what Australians would say in place of "lad" or "lass"? Guy and girl? Guy and gal?

      Ben

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    4. Ben,

      I really don't know. The '60s is just too distant. You'd have to pick terms appropriate for your characters, education and background and so on. Australia is a big country and expressions vary. 'Guys and gals' sounds 'safe'.

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  6. Adm. G Boggs, Glenbeckistan NavyApril 22, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    WARNING: Off-Topic

    But timely. Here's another case of Progressive tattletales...

    It's always the Progressive sissy-boys who make the best bootlicking informers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Georgie,

      Another one of your pop ideas coming from a YouTube video, eh? What's good for the goose is good for the gander. I prefer to get my information from books, which at least allow me to think about what is printed, reread it, check the facts, etc, whereas in a video, the 'facts' are transitory.

      Delete