Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome Speech!

The world is going to miss the classic statements that came out of the mouth of the Ex-American President George W Bush. From reading a nursery book upside down and peeping through a telescope the other way around to the Easter Egg Hunt in Ei-raaq, he single-handedly kept the entire world entertained. Here’s a bit of the legacy – some of his more notable malaprops and mangled statements – he left behind, courtesy News 24 and my friend Fareed:

“I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.”
September 2000, explaining his energy policies at an event in Michigan.

“They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander-in-chief, too.”
September 26, 2001, in Langley, Virginia. Bush was referring to the terrorists who carried out the September 11 attacks.

“There’s no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail.”
October 4, 2001, in Washington. Bush was remarking on a back-to-work plan after the terrorist attacks.

“It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber.”
April 10, 2002, at the White House, as Bush urged Senate passage of a broad ban on cloning.

“I want to thank the dozens of welfare-to-work stories, the actual examples of people who made the firm and solemn commitment to work hard to embetter themselves.”
April 18, 2002, at the White House.

“There’s an old saying in Tennessee - I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can’t get fooled again.”
September 17, 2002, in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”
August 5, 2004, at the signing ceremony for a defence spending bill.

“Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren’t able to practice their love with women all across this country.”
September 6, 2004, at a rally in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

“Our most abundant energy source is coal. We have enough coal to last for 250 years, yet coal also prevents an environmental challenge.”
April 20, 2005, in Washington.

“We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job.”
September 20, 2005, in Gulfport, Mississippi.

“I can’t wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbours back into neighbourhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs.”
September 5, 2005, when Bush met with residents of Poplarville, Mississippi, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

“It was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship. After all, 60 years we were at war 60 years ago we were at war.”
June 29, 2006, at the White House, where Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

“Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die.”
December 7, 2006, in a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

“These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved.”
June 11, 2007, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“Mr Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the Opec summit.”
September 2007, in Sydney, Australia, where Bush was attending an Apec summit.

“Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome speech.”
April 16, 2008, at a ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the White House.

“The fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there’s jobs at the machine-making place.”
May 27, 2008, in Mesa, Arizona.

“And they have no disregard for human life.”
July 15, 2008, at the White House. Bush was referring to enemy fighters in Afghanistan.

“I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office.”
June 26, 2008, during a Rose Garden news briefing.

“Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people.”
July 4, 2008 in Virginia.

“The people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there’s a lot of prayer - prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I’m one of them. It’s good to come down here.”
September 3, 2008, at an emergency operations centre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast.

“This thaw - took a while to thaw, it’s going to take a while to unthaw.”
October 20, 2008, in Alexandria, Louisiana, as he discussed the economy and frozen credit markets.