George Bush's Daisuke Joke

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]The Boston Red Sox gathered at the White House for the second time in four years to receive plaudits from U.S. President George W. Bush on their World Series triumph. Bush welcomed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, one of two Japanese Red Sox players who are constantly shadowed by the media. "His press corp is bigger than mine," Bush joked. "And we both have trouble answering questions in English."

From this news report:

[Behan]

Nah, Daisuke does better than George in English.

[Samurai_Jerk]

You know, the only time GWB is genuinely funny is when he uses self-deprecating humor.

[canman]

Speaking of speaking English, I was really impressed watching the Yao Ming news conference announcing his stress fractured foot. He spoke in English, answered the reporters questions in English, and had no trouble what-so-ever. No why can't any of the Japanese players who are playing MLB do that. I mean come on, Ichiro is starting his 8th season in the majors, but I've yet to see him answer a question in English. I really feel the Japanese players lose out a lot by not being able to speak English. They could make a lot more in endorsements if they could parle the Engle.

[Behan]

Wasn't Nomo like that, too? Maybe he could speak English a bit but he seemed to have an interpreter around for a long time.

[Gilligan]

You make a good point canman. But I wonder how much they really miss the US endorsement money. I mean for the high profile guys who would probably benefit from endorsements, guys like Ichiro, Matsui, and Matsuzaka, they're making so much more, relatively speaking, than they were playing in Japan that they may not miss the extra cash. Plus they still get money for Japanese endorsements.

As to doing press conferences, I'm sure they're are a lot of factors that play into their decision, but I suspect that one is that they just feel more comfortable. In a sense, it's probably easier having a translator than worrying that you may have inadvertently offended someone. Don't you think Ozzie Guillen's life would be a little easier if he used a translator?

[Visitor K]

"His press corp is bigger than mine," Bush joked.

is that a dick joke??

[Charles]

You know, the only time GWB is genuinely funny is when he uses self-deprecating humor.

It's the only time when he tells the truth.

[ttjereth]

You make a good point canman. But I wonder how much they really miss the US endorsement money. I mean for the high profile guys who would probably benefit from endorsements, guys like Ichiro, Matsui, and Matsuzaka, they're making so much more, relatively speaking, than they were playing in Japan that they may not miss the extra cash. Plus they still get money for Japanese endorsements.

As to doing press conferences, I'm sure they're are a lot of factors that play into their decision, but I suspect that one is that they just feel more comfortable. In a sense, it's probably easier having a translator than worrying that you may have inadvertently offended someone. Don't you think Ozzie Guillen's life would be a little easier if he used a translator?

At the very least it gives them a built-in excuse if they say anything stupid. Like most of my clients, when in doubt, blame the translator

[Marvin Feltcher]

Sorry!

[Captain Japan]

Don't you think Ozzie Guillen's life would be a little easier if he used a translator?

I think that is all part of Ozzie's schtick. Yes, I do think he honestly regrets about 1% of what he says. But the rest wouldn't have the intended effect if he went through a translator.

[Greji]

They could make a lot more in endorsements if they could parle the Engle.

I don't know how much they do miss. Dice-K apparently has his US endorsements, but he's also got some major ones in Japan. Matsui doesn't do bad, but it is Ichiro who has the lion's share, so I don't know if they really are missing out a lot, when you add their endorsements at home.

Obviously, you've got to be the Super Star in the states like Tiger, or Michael Jordan in the past, to score the huge deals and Ichiro is the only one that approaches that level from the Japanese players (contrary to what is reported in the J-media about how great every player is doing and how they're being created as super stars by the fans in the states).

[fanjapan]

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1118682285&vw=g&b=0&pos=2&p=bush+red+sox&fr=yfp-t-501

ummmm if anybody heard his whole speech. Mr. Smartguy bush says a member was from S. korea. as far as i know there aren't any players from there??

does he read his speeches or did he say this one by himself?? i am so glad this clown is out next year. BTW, he did well as a comedian. maybe he has found his new calling.

[Samurai_Jerk]

The only trouble is that when he's using self-deprecating humor, he's actually being deadly serious.

Funny because it's true?