Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does "blue sleet" mean in connection with "raise your right hand" ?

DAVID BROOKS: He's got Iraq.

But, you know, they gave it to Judy Miller, and, then, eight days later, they gave it to a lot of us. They handed -- I think Scooter Libby himself handed the NIE the -- to me, this intelligence estimate.

JIM LEHRER: This is the national intelligence...

DAVID BROOKS: Intelligence estimate.

JIM LEHRER: Gave it to you?

DAVID BROOKS: Well, we were -- I was in a group of a whole reporters.

JIM LEHRER: Raise your right -- raise your right hand.

DAVID BROOKS: Yes.

(LAUGHTER)

JIM LEHRER: Put your hand on the blue sleet.

DAVID BROOKS: I now have to get a lawyer. I shouldn't have said that.

JIM LEHRER: Yes.

(LAUGHTER)
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Hiromichi

[Nef]

I have no idea! Could the term have been "blue SHEET," do you think? I'd still be puzzled if that were the case, but it seems easier to imagine someone putting a hand on a blue sheet of paper than on blue sleet. Maybe someone else knows.

[hiromichi]

Sleet not sheet accrding to the script of PBS online news hour.
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Hiromichi

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello hiromichi -

A "blue paper" is a detailed position statement in business or government.

You "raise your right hand" when swearing an oath to tell the truth before giving testimony in a court case or congressional commitee (in some cases, with your left hand on the Bible).

So...Since there may be an official investigation to determine the source of the "leak" (unapproved disclosure of information), they are making a joke about "raising their right hand" and swearing an oath on the "blue sheet" instead of the Bible.

Seems to be a bit of mockery on the part of journalists as to the "sanctity" of an official statement (NIE) given to the press by the CIA.

[Philo Kevetch]

P.S. - Remembering how thorough you are.....

"sheet"... a sheet of paper

a "blue sheet" = a sheet of blue paper = a "blue paper" :) Philo

[Philo Kevetch]

P.P.S. - I just read your response to Nef-

Most certainly a typo in the PBS script - "sheet" not sleet.

[hiromichi]

Philo Kevetch-san, Thank you very much. English is really difficult to understand. I greatly appreciate a teamwork approach in answering a question in Dave's ESL Cafe. A good model for teaching.
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Hiromichi