Posted on 01/01/2014 1:33:10 PM PST by ransomnote
Full Title: (OT) Abe's Yasukuni Shrine Visit and the "Disappointed" US: State Dept Spokesperson Tells Chinese Reporter to Go Get a Dictionary
and learn the difference between "disappointment", "regret" and "concern".
The Chinese reporter's question is quite legitimate, as the words used in diplomatic statements are (or should be) strictly defined and used to convey specific meanings. The US State Department, following the example of the US Embassy in Tokyo, chose the word "disappointed" in their statement regarding Japan's PM Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine on December 26, 2013.
But Ms. Harf, deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, told the reporter to get a dictionary and look up.
In passing, Ms. Harf also debunked the story floating in Japan and clearly in Asia that the State Department consulted the White House in choosing the word "disappointed". So much for that story.
From the Daily Press Briefing at the US State Department, 12/30/2013:
QUESTION: Some media reports that U.S. officials from State Department discussed with officials from White House and finally chose the word “disappointed” rather than “regret” or “concern” to express a stronger or tougher tone. I mean, what kind of message does U.S. trying to send to the Japanese Government?
MS. HARF: Well, I think our message is very clear from the words we chose. I don’t know those reports about interagency communications. Obviously, we talk to our colleagues at the White House all the time. I think we’ve made very clear that we were disappointed, that we think this will exacerbate tensions. I think those words are very clear in their meaning, and I wouldn’t probably wordsmith them any further to try and get deeper meaning out of them.
(Excerpt) Read more at ex-skf.blogspot.com ...
meanwhile in some places they have to provide interpreters in any of 72 languages....
I’m disappointed that hacks like this are presenting America to the world.
San Jose, Kalifornia. Local ordinances translated into Hmong and several other languages as well as public meetings conducted in Spanish etc.
Hey, at least it is only a flap about what the spokesperson said. Imagine if they were trying to decipher a statement from Ambassador Caroline herself!
I said “ordinances” when I meant “ballots.”
“Go get a dictionary — and just be glad we’re not strip searching you like we did that diplomat from India!!”
Hmong? Tau tawm kuv nyom!
Not very diplomatic of her...
It’s just nuts I bet.
Clearly they need to use African sign language.
The next president needs to continue the tradition established by Obama and go on an global apology tour saying...
“We are truly sorry that the Democrat Liberals in America insulted your honor and intelligence for the past 8 years by electing my predecessor and fostering himself and his accomplices upon you.”
Fair is fair.
Kerry’s a condescending, pretentious, insufferable creep..he makes me ashamed that he “represents” the United States....yet, somehow, he fits right in this garbage dump of an administration.
I just googled her and she “won” the title “Most Pathetic Answer” from a state department official by her stupid, stumbling performance in absolutely refusing to provide a straight answer despite repeated requests. The video at the link is painful to watch:
http://conservativeangle.com/the-most-pathetic-answer-ever-given-by-a-state-department-official-maybe-aptly-name-it-whos-on-first/
Well, we can at least say she accurately portrays the core values of the administration to the world...one of Obama’s finest.
Having now seen video of that airhead I’m going to the bathroom to Harf.
The problem is not that the Chinese reporter didn’t know the word.
It’s that the US Embassy has some half-assed translators.
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