A gem from Matthew about our Dean of old. The New York Times issued this correction today:

Because of a transmission error, an article yesterday about a visit to the Philippines by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz to assess plans for American troops to extend a counterterrorism training mission with the military there misstated a phrase in his description of the situation. He said, “The stakes are large there, and so are the problems” — not “Mistakes are large.”

A picture caption misidentified the object under Mr. Wolfowitz’s shoulder. It was a life preserver, for use if his helicopter landed in water, not a holster.

Transmission errors are a wonderful thing. No such luck for the Uruguayan president: Here is an AP story from yesterday:

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle offered a teary apology in a nationally televised meeting with Argentina’s president Tuesday for calling Argentines a “bunch of thieves” and sharply criticizing its leadership.

Looking somber, Batlle went on television at the side of President Eduardo Duhalde at the Argentine leader’s suburban compound to say he was sorry for his outspoken comments, broadcast a day earlier.

I too apologize immediately every time I insult a much bigger neighboring country, but could Batlle have gotten away with claiming transmission errors? Did he not say Argentines are a bunch of chiefs? Or whatever the Spanish equivalent is.

[Wed, Jun 05 2002 – 12:51] Charles Kenny (www) (email) This is off-topic, although I’m sure there’s a link somewhere. But idly browsing across the Geens Blog plot to the resume section, I noticed that the links to sites created by Stefan Geens ‘IT consultant for small business’ take you to one site you cannot enter without a password (although admittedly displaying Stefan’s talent at site password box design), and a single page that announces more will be ‘coming soon’ (if all on a background that suggests the web master has a fine taste in shades of blue).

[Wed, Jun 05 2002 – 12:54] Stefan Geens (www) (email) Yes Kenny, it is off topic, and no, I didn’t design the site.

[Tue, Jun 18 2002 – 04:56] yiarof (email) this isn’t off topic, but i think it is outrageous that the uruguayan president had to apologise for stating what is after all the truth. sharply criticising the bunch of theives that bankrupted the poor argies’ economy is spot on.