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Aw, what the heck... just one more for the road :-)



http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=391626
7

Rumsfeld Ramble Wins 'Foot in Mouth' Award
Mon December 1, 2003 09:09 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's curious statement at
a press briefing was named on Monday as the year's most baffling comment by
a public figure.
Rumsfeld, usually renowned for his uncompromising tough talking, was awarded
the "Foot in Mouth" award for a confusing message which probably left his
audience in the dark as to its meaning, Britain's Plain English Campaign
said.

"Reports that say something hasn't happened are interesting to me, because
as we know, there are known unknowns; there things we know we know,"
Rumsfeld told the briefing.

"We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are
some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones
we don't know we don't know."

John Lister, spokesman for the campaign which strives to have public
information delivered in clear, straightforward English, said: "We think we
know what he means. But we don't know if we really know."

Rumsfeld, whose boss President Bush is often singled out by language critics
for his sometimes unusual use of English, took the booby prize ahead of a
bizarre effort from actor-turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"I think that gay marriage is something that should be between a man and a
woman," was the odd statement from the new California Governor.

Previous holders of the award include U.S. actress Alicia Silverstone and
British chancellor Gordon Brown. Last year's winner was actor Richard Gere.









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