As a proud Queenslander myself, I found this exchange between Australia’s new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and George Bush (during Rudd’s first visit to the US) rather, well, interesting:
PRIME MINISTER RUDD: Mr. President, you said that you had a warm regard for me because, from a Texan point of view, you found me to be a reasonably straight shooter. I therefore designate you as an honorary Queenslander. (Laughter.) In the great state of Australia, I come from the great state of Queensland. It may surprise you that it’s bigger than Texas. (Laughter.) But can I say — (laughter.) But can I say quickly — (laughter.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Can you recover nicely? (Laughter.)
PRIME MINISTER RUDD: Yes. The recovery point is this: Queenslanders and Texans have a lot in common, and they get on well. And so, from one Queenslander, one Texan — one Australian to one American, I appreciate the relationship that we’re forming, part and parcel of the relationship between two great democracies.
Update: Apparently Queenslanders aren’t taking too well to the PM’s designation:
Shellei Maeapelt, 28, of Bardon [walking distance from my mum's house!], said the gesture by Mr Rudd was inappropriate.
“Bush a Queenslander? You have to be joking,” she said.
Comments 1
I hope Rudd took a long shower after that. No wonder we are the source of endless jokes in Melbourne and Sydney. But we do have some things in common with Texans - we take pride in screwing our environment for the mineral and oil dollar, and we weave stupidity into nobility.
Posted 30 Mar 2008 at 8:23 pm ¶Post a Comment