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Corporate Media Go Into a Frenzy Because Obama Says 'Thank You' in Arabic
June 3, 2009 |
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King Abdullah also noted the ties between the two nations, which he said go back to the 1930's and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the late King Abdul-Aziz.
He endorsed Obama's election win, calling him "a distinguished man who deserves to be in this position."
"Shukran," Obama said, which is "thank you" in Arabic.
The president's use of an Arabic word has apparently sparked some interest because, well, I'm not sure why. When Obama chatted with a French journalist yesterday, he said, "Bonjour," and no one seemed to care. (It's good to know Arabic is still more controversial, as a language, than French.)
Steve Benen is "blogger in chief" of the popular Washington Monthly online blog, Political Animal. His background includes publishing The Carpetbagger Report, and writing for a variety of publications, including Talking Points Memo, The American Prospect, the Huffington Post, and The Guardian. He has also appeared on NPR's "Talk of the Nation," MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show," Air America Radio's "Sam Seder Show," and XM Radio's "POTUS '08."
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