CRAWFORD, United States (AFP) - US President George W. Bush quoted French existential writer Albert Camus to European leaders a year and a half ago, and now he's read one of his most famous works: "The Stranger."
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Friday that Bush, here on his Texas ranch enjoying a 10-day vacation from Washington, had made quick work of the Algerian-born writer's 1946 novel -- in English.
Well, color me embarrassed. Gosh, I guess every single preconceived notion I ever had about George W. Bush has just been dashed against the wind-riven ricks of cold, hard reality -- because at age 60, he's made quick work of a 144-page book (an 8"x5" book at that, less than ½" thick) that's taught in most high school AP English classes.
But say, fella 'merkin, aren't you just curious as all get-out about what exactly this folksy, down-home born n' bred Texan quoted to them thar Yerapeeins? I know I am.
"We know there are many obstacles, and we know the road is long. Albert Camus said that 'freedom is a long-distance race.' We're in that race for the duration," Bush said in those remarks.
Betcha $20 that at the very least, he managed to fuck up the pronunciation of Camus' name. But seriously, what exactly is the purpose of this "story", which curiously has no byline? Is it that the "free press" might consider it bad form to put "Tony Snow" or "Jeff Gannon™" as the author of this crap, as if it is any better form to anonymously regurgitate puff pieces emanating from the White House PR department? Jesus, do these people even bother taking their kneepads off before tapping out their stupid little blurbs?
Seriously, is this the legitimate, responsible media presence that unhinged bloggers are supposed to "work with"? Um, yeaaaahhhh, right now I'm thinking something along the lines of "no fucking way". Perhaps this was an example of that "dry wit" I've heard so much about. It's hard to tell anymore, what with irony being long dead and all.
[h/t to Watertiger.]
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