'Foot in mouth' prize for Rumsfeld ( 2003-12-02 09:14) (Agencies) A comment last year by Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld on the hunt for Iraq's weapons of mass destruction was awarded the
"Foot in Mouth" prize Monday by Britain's Plain English Campaign.
Rumsfeld, renowned for his uncompromising tough talking, received the prize
for the most baffling comment by a public figure.
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Rumsfeld is renowned for his tough
talking. [AP] | "Reports that say something hasn't happened are always interesting to me,
because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know,"
Rumsfeld told a news briefing.
"We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some
things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't
know we don't know."
John Lister, spokesman for the campaign, which strives to have public
information delivered in clear, straightforward English, said: "We think we know
what he means. But we don't know if we really know."
Although Rumsfeld's comments were made at a news briefing in February 2002,
they were nominated for this year's award.
Rumsfeld, whose boss, President Bush, is often singled out by language
critics for his sometimes unusual use of English, defeated
actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger for the booby prize.
"I think that gay marriage is something that should be between a man and a
woman," the new California governor said.
Previous holders of the award include U.S. actress Alicia Silverstone and
British Chancellor Gordon Brown. Last year's winner was actor Richard
Gere.
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