Stupid Things

We all say stupid things but
one expects better from one who at one point was a close adviser to Nixon and who now, for reasons I cannot fathom, is thought of as an "Elder Statesman ."
I speak of Henry Kissinger who I never liked, who came to this country when he was twelve and still sounds like a Marlene Dietrich imitator.
According to the Herald Tribune he at one point said
Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe.
DUH.
I am sure he meant this in a humorous way ( although I don't think humor is one of his stronger suits, if one at all )
but it speaks to the pervasive idea that Europe is one area, a sort of United States of Europe.
Nothing is further from reality. Traveling in Europe, even the densest tourist will discover that these are sovereign countries with their very own government, royal families, language, history. culture and all of this so wonderfully different from whatever neighboring state that country might have.
Not even the Big Bad Bear, Russia, could quite erase these traits in their satellite occupied countries
The saying of Mr Kissinger is really as insulting as if one were to ask
Who do I call if I want to speak to the United States.
The Head Honcho Himself, the Prez, naturally.
And if you want to speak with Europe, choose your target. They all have their own head honchos, or in some cases, honchettes.
Silly old bugger. And his family right off the boat themselves.
Elder Statesman indeed.
Yikes.