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ZOT: Bush trips over Abu Ghraib pronunciation
alertnet ^ | 25 May 2004

Posted on 05/24/2004 11:42:44 PM PDT by montreux30th

CARLISLE, Pa., May 24 (Reuters) - Two rehearsals for his prime-time speech on Monday were not enough to keep U.S. President George W. Bush from mangling the name of the Abu Ghraib prison that brought shame to the U.S. mission in Iraq.

During the half-hour televised address, Bush mispronounced Abu Ghraib each of the three times he mentioned it while announcing U.S. plans to tear down the infamous jail and replace it with a new facility.

The prison, the scene of torture under Saddam Hussein and the setting for the Iraqi prison abuse scandal under the U.S. military, has a name that English speakers usually pronounce as "abu-grabe".

But the Republican president, long known for verbal and grammatical lapses, stumbled on the first try, calling it "abugah-rayp". The second version came out "abu-garon", the third attempt sounded like "abu-garah".

White House aides, who described the speech as an important address on the future of Iraq, said Bush practiced twice on Monday before boarding his helicopter for his trip to the speaking venue at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.


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KEYWORDS: vkpac; zot
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To: montreux30th
BUSH PRONOUNCED IT CORRECTLY.

ALL THE MEDIA IS PRONOUNCING IT INCORRECTLY.

How Do You Pronounce "Abu Ghraib"? Hint: It doesn't rhyme with "babe."

The first word is easy: "ah-BOO." The trouble is the second word, which begins with a phlegmy, guttural "gh" sound uncommon in American English—the sound is peculiar to the Arabic letter "ghayn." The "r" is easy, but the "ai" is a bit confusing: The word doesn't share the diphthong vowel sound of "grave" or "grape" as many newscasters seem to think; instead, the vowel is closer to that in "ebb," but is slightly more extended. So the proper pronunciation sounds something like a French person using a rolling "r" to render "grehhb." (Click here to hear New York University's Ahmed Ferhadi pronounce "Abu Ghraib.")

(If the last link didn't work, go to the link of the article, and use the link there to hear it pronounced. Bush's pronounciation was closer to the real think, than any of the media, who are mispronouncing it completely.)

21 posted on 05/25/2004 12:08:49 AM PDT by FairOpinion (If you are not voting for Bush, you are voting for the terrorists.)
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To: montreux30th
You got to be kidding .. that's the best you can come up with???

Looks like you Misunderestimated the President also

22 posted on 05/25/2004 12:10:42 AM PDT by Mo1 (Make Michael Moore cry.... DONATE MONTHLY!!!)
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To: FairOpinion
LOL ... Figures
23 posted on 05/25/2004 12:11:52 AM PDT by Mo1 (Make Michael Moore cry.... DONATE MONTHLY!!!)
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To: montreux30th
The question to you is, did you listen to his speech as closely as you looked for mispronunciations. To find out if you are a man of good judgment, I have a little test for you to take:

You are driving down the freeway and a rock strikes your windshield, putting a small chip in your windshield. Later, on your arrival home, you inspect your windshield and find that a small rice-sized chip is indeed in your windshield. Do you:

A. Take your car to a windshield chip repair shop?
B. Take your car in to have the windshield
replaced?
C. Drive your car to a wrecking yard for scrap?
D. Drive your car over a cliff because, with a
chipped window, life is not worth living?

Let me know what is your answer.

By the way, we are winning the war in Iraq.
24 posted on 05/25/2004 12:20:14 AM PDT by jonrick46 (jonrick46)
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To: montreux30th
Al Gore: "Out of one, many"
25 posted on 05/25/2004 12:24:42 AM PDT by tame (Are you willing to do for the truth what leftists are willing to do for a lie?)
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To: montreux30th
Al Gore: "I took the initiative in creating the internet."

...but at least Al didn't accidentally mispronounce a word...he just purposefully lied his ass off.

26 posted on 05/25/2004 12:27:29 AM PDT by tame (Are you willing to do for the truth what leftists are willing to do for a lie?)
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To: montreux30th

ON TOPIC:TO ALL
The Wedding, cont.

US Iraqi administration spokesman Senor reported discovery at purported Iraqi wedding scene near Syrian border of Sudanese passports, Syrian currency, satphones with Taliban and al Qaeda numbers in Afghanistan, in addition to ammunition, weapons, false ID kits.

Earlier, US Brig. Kimmit said of video run by Arabic TV stations: We know the enemy’s ability to manipulate media, but stand by foreign fighters safe house claim.

I repeat for emphasis:

"We know the enemy’s ability to manipulate media."

I think Bush's ideas are excellent, and his moral actions prove it. Sorry lefties, you've been taken over by the dark force. Really.

Your universe of Hyper-Super Self Criticism and need for penance has been noted. The compliant media is being used by America's enemies to feed your defeatist afflictions.

Hope you wise up before it's too late.


27 posted on 05/25/2004 12:29:53 AM PDT by Doctor DNA
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To: CaliGirlGodHelpMe

O'Reilly was good tonight. He even had Bob Kerrey on, although O'Reilly was pretty soft on that weasel. He asked him about the remarks he made back in March when he criticized Fox News for exposing Richard Clarke as a liar and a scumbag. Kerrey said he stands by his remarks. Apparently he and the other partisan hacks on the laughingstock "9-11 Commission" are upset because they lost what they thought was a nice hammer to beat up Bush with when Clarke got outed. I was hoping O'Reilly would flay him but he didn't.


28 posted on 05/25/2004 12:55:52 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: montreux30th

Must have been a great speech if that's all you can find to whine about. Be gone, troll.


29 posted on 05/25/2004 1:25:36 PM PDT by Not A Snowbird (You need tons click "co-ordinating")
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