On top of the major faux pas in gifting promulgated by the Obamas during the visit of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown comes the story of the ridiculous mistake that Secretary of State Hillary "the linguist" Clinton made with her gift to Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.
The "gift" was supposed to be a funny one, but it was a misfire because it seems that Clinton couldn't find anyone in the employ of the State Department that had a grasp of the Russian language. The U.S. media has not made too big a deal about this one but the Russian and British media has been playing this one to the hilt. It's being called the "Button Gaffe" and it certainly is making our Sec. of State look stupid to the world.
At their meeting in Geneva last week, Clinton gave Lavrov what was supposed to be a "re-set button" telling the Russian people that we were "re-setting" our relationship. Unfortunately for our expert at foreign relations, the word on the button's casing did not say "re-set" in Russian. It said "overcharged" or "overload." So, if the Russian Minister were to push that button we'd be "overloading" our relations. NOT the message that we wanted to send, was it?
Now, it's all well and good to have some fun with this idiot gaffe by Clinton's State Department. Believe me, I am no fan of Foggy Bottom no matter who sits in the Oval Office. But this incident also shows another aspect of this uncivil administration.
Obama is not moving forward into his bright new future. He is wallowing still in what he thinks are the evil Bush years. Neither he nor anyone else in his administration spare the least bit of effort to forget about the last president. At every opportunity you can find them digging at Bush. This still born "re-set button" idea was just another aspect of that.
What are we supposed to be "re-setting," anyway? What else but the presumed "failed" policies of the Bush administration. But what "failed" Russian policies could Obama and Clinton be talking about? After all, Bush rarely crossed Putin, saying he thought he was a man that he could deal with, that he "looked into his soul." One of the only times Bush crossed Putin was when the Russians invaded the country of Georgia without justification. We stood with the beleaguered Georgians and for god reason. That made Putin mad.
So, what are we saying with this "re-set button"? Are we saying that from now on we will let Russia invade any nearby country that it wants to?
This gaffe is far more than the linguistic stupidity of Clinton's State Dept. It is also shows the failure of the coming Obama foreign policy.
Along with the epic fail that was her “gift” we are also seeing the emergence of the epic fail of her foreign policy efforts.
(Photo credit: news.bbc.co.uk)
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Utter failure
March 8, 2009 - 01:31 ET by NorthCoasterFailure and incompetance is evident from the Economy to Domestic and Foreign Policy.
These people bitched and moaned about Bush and in comparison they are abject failures.
You said.................
March 8, 2009 - 03:22 ET by old croIt's being called the "Button Gaffe" and it certainly is making our Sec. of State look stupid to the world.
Yes
March 8, 2009 - 04:00 ET by Warner Todd HustonYes, I wrote that. What are you saying?
Sorry, WTH..........
March 9, 2009 - 03:32 ET by old croMy finished comment never made it. I'm away from home on a strange computer..........;). What my finished comment was you said she is beginning to look stupid, she is wayyyyy past that, she is stupid.
Button Gaffe
March 8, 2009 - 05:48 ET by Horizon3Forrest was right!
"Stupid is, as Stupid does"
This is just the "warm up phase"
With a Secretary of State who's only foreign relations experience was aquired riding around on Air Force One, and attending coctail parties. Coupled with a President who has absolutly no foreign relations experience. I am sure we have many more "Gaffes" to look forward to.
I am waiting with baited breath for the Obama's trip to Turkey, I just hope we are still able to have a base there after his visit.
Look to Foggy Bottom
March 8, 2009 - 04:12 ET by richb313It is well know for anyone who cares to look that the State Dept.(Foggy Bottom) worked actively to undermine President Bush and his Foreign Policy. Now we have what amounts to a piece of stupid street theatre as the opening bell in a round of Diplomatic Talks with Russian Representative. I can only guess what the Oh So Smart Guys at Foggy Bottom think of this. The one consistent thing that can be depended on by any administration is that the residents of Foggy Bottom always think they know better than any one else.
We can only know a few things for sure. Hillary Clinton had to approve of this idea of using that bit of stupid stage craft. Someone at State had to put the Button Box together and have Reset translated into the Russain equivilant. Does anyone here really believe this would not have been caught? I think what we are really seeing is a public demonstration of what the State Dept. really thinks of Hillary Clinton.
There is also another, although a slightly more sinister idea that occured to me. It could be a way for Obama to embarass Hillary without doing any real damage. Either way it does not let Hillary off the hook. She had to approve of the idea of using the Reset Button.
So this is the Change we all can believe in. Statecraft has been replaced by Stagecraft. Translations are messed up. Hillary as always must be the center of attention.
Look for a house cleaning coming to a State Department near you. Hillary has a mean streak a mile wide and she will attack and destroy anyone with a vengence for any slight whether real or imaginary.
Hillary Unqualified, Conflicted... and Silly
March 8, 2009 - 07:52 ET by Reaganite RepublicanThe only explanation for the appointment of Hillary to SOS is a political bargain struck at the convention- Obama wasn't about to let qualifications or ethical considerations get in the way of such a win-win deal. Anyone who expected him to put the country's interests before his own political security hasn't really taken a serious look at how he got this far in the first place. - Hillary Clinton has not one iota of foreign policy experience. She lacks basic diplomatic skills and has serious character flaws, like a legendary temper, use of foul language when angry, and berating those unfortunate enough to be in the room when she "loses it". - In a pitiful attempt to embellish her foreign policy resume, Clinton was caught lying with claims of coming under-fire at Sarajevo in 1996- what happened to honesty and integrity as selection criteria? - Other presidents lacking diplomantic experience have brought someone who has such a background to the State Department--- but Obama didn't feel the need, for some reason. Hmmm. - Any chance of Obama controlling this loose cannon Hillary? LOL, of course not, the Clintons can't even control each-other. Yet, perhaps the most unsettling concern is that Hillary's judgement is warped by her blinding ambition to gain power and control- causing her to be manipulative and Machiavellian in her dealings with others. It would be amusing to see what Russian intelligence files hsay about how to best exploit her personality flaws at the negotiating table. - Is this the kind of person who should represent the United States with foreign governments in such momentous times? - http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/
Not to mention - what a
March 8, 2009 - 08:14 ET by MazziNot to mention - what a stupid gift in the first place. I mean, come on - who in their right mind would think that a useless gag gift is appropriate for the representative of a country that we are trying to build relations with? It's as appriopriate as a teenage guy giving a cute girl a whoopee cushion.
This is diplomacy and it is supposed to be traditional and dignified not juvenile as this was, even if it had used the correct word. Epic fail.
"I would rather be historically accurate than politically correct" ~ My husband's T-Shirt
Maybe Staples should sue?
March 8, 2009 - 09:29 ET by c5thenAfter all the concept was developed by them with their now famous "EASY" button. Could there have been any bigger screw-up with this simple concept? I suppose they could have taken a Staples button and replaced the word "Easy" with the Russian counterpart. Of course since apparently all the Russian experts in the State Department have been fired or retired, they would have screwed that one up and written "Whore" on it instead.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
I shudder to think what's going to happen when the "test" hits.
March 8, 2009 - 09:34 ET by c5thenYou know, the one predicted by Joe Biden that Obama will be "tested within the first 6 months of his Presidency". What will these buffoons do when North Korea an/or Iran actually creates a diplomatic and international crisis that they have to deal with and try to diffuse?
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
c5,
March 8, 2009 - 09:51 ET by R D HelmHell, nobody over at Foggy Bottom can properly translate Russian. I doubt they could do much better with Farsi or Norkspeak, either.
Let's just hope the CIA isn't similarly afflicted, or those clowns won't even see the "test" coming.
-Dave
This coup has gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.
Good morning c5
March 8, 2009 - 10:04 ET by cocodriewhen the "test" hits, Present Obama is going to send the enemy some Three Stooges DVDs to show them what to expect from him.
Jesus Loves You
actually, it's an emergency stop button.
March 8, 2009 - 09:49 ET by tonemeisteri wonder if they're smart enough to reset it.
No doubt
March 8, 2009 - 09:54 ET by general companyThe Russians are
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Tone, You are correct!
March 8, 2009 - 11:35 ET by JTPBeing an industrial machine builder by trade I saw that right away. That is the button used on all machines to stop all motion and action of moving devices as well as to remove all power sources to pevent a hazardous condition to the machine or bystanders.
Oh the irony........
Obambi has been SITTING on his button since November.
That buttons value is about $25 to purchase. Obamas damage from using it is close to 3 trillion.
"I need more cowbell!" SNL
At least our SOS didn't
March 8, 2009 - 09:55 ET by cocodrieAt least our SOS didn't give him a cigar.
Jesus Loves You
Hillary
March 8, 2009 - 10:08 ET by jessieHJessie R. Hamby She, & her staff, can't get anything right. That's pretty lame.
someone at the dept.of state
March 8, 2009 - 10:11 ET by larry on LIdeserves a medal for exposing hillary for the fool she is
Overcharge buttons
March 8, 2009 - 11:16 ET by BlondeWe ought to start sending them to the White House, and to Congress.
Along with teabags.
Lots and lots of both!
I hope he fails, too.
The button was written all in English!
March 8, 2009 - 12:29 ET by blueskyThey could have at least used Russian block lettering for the Russian part of the word! Talk about a gaffe-prone administration! Between this and the region 1 dvds which don't play in England, they got all bases covered!
Russia gets the button.
March 8, 2009 - 12:40 ET by Jack BauerRussia gets the button. Britain gets the finger...
Yes -- that's change alright. Thank YOU Obama administration.
Look Stupid????
March 8, 2009 - 14:22 ET by pgrossjrand thus the wisdom of selecting people with no experience. Hil thinks this is just like dedicating libaries in Schenectady, NY. The only choice that would have been weaker would have been Caroline Kennedy Schlosswhatever. If the world had not become such a dangerous place with unhinged leaders itching to launch missles at us or our allies, this might be funny. However we really cant afford this rookie running around the globe pissing off world leaders.
Reset to:
March 8, 2009 - 18:49 ET by VonuWe are ignorant, we are arrogant...
And we don't care!
Freedom is a vital component of human effectiveness and fulfillment.
Let's go back..
March 8, 2009 - 20:34 ET by xyzzypoofsLet's go back to the Bush foreign policy. I would rather that the world "hate" us (as the liberals believed) than to think that we are "stupid"! see also "Idiocracy" (movie) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/plotsummary
Shades of Jimmy Carter
March 9, 2009 - 13:18 ET by UtherpendOh hell this is worse than Carter was on foreign policy. Carter at least was a hick from Georgia who had no clue how to handle foriegn dignitaries and Clinton has at least been in office long enough to know better.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you."