Okay, a general knowledge question here – who invented the automobile? The answer is that there are many claimants for the credit but there’s no American in it and this is where Obama goofed up in his speech to the joint session of Congress. He said – “And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it.”
He probably thought Henry Ford invented the automobile. The strongest claim to being the inventor of the automobile is of Nicolas Joseph Cugnot of France who built the first automobile in 1769.
Admitted Obama does not write his speeches but he’s the guy who said it. He’s the one who’s violated the sanctity of facts and it dings his reputation; the guy who wrote the inspired line has probably melted away somewhere. Do I hear Bush chuckle and inwardly welcoming Obama to the “Goofing Presidents” club. Speaking of Bush, if this slip had come from him, the Internet would already be full of wisecracks and smart jokes at his expense.
I don’t know.. I think there is a certain amount of flippancy that is present in what the people in power in the US say. But coming from a black man who should, of all people, have an acute sense of history, this is a little disturbing.
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