Deputy party head Elisabeth Zanon, Science Minister Johannes Hahn, Vice Chancellor Wilhelm Molterer and Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik (L-R) pose before an Austrian Peoples Party (OeVP) meeting in Vienna Janaury 7, 2008. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader (AUSTRIA)
This is difficult to comprehend. We're so used to our dour politicians, where 9 out of 10 men are wearing navy blue suits (the others are in gray). I'm not sure exactly what's going on above, but I think that Ursula 'n' pals had their big annual political party confab and decided to make it a football theme! So. Totally. CUTE! With custom scarves (Ursula's idea, I'm guessing) and balls and everything! So weird to see such a casually well-adjusted administration. I am totally bewildered. Can an Austrian Pony Pal™ please explain this to me? Here's the other shot:
Honestly, when's the last time you saw American politicians be frolicsome? Another observation: Wilhelm Molterer is really fit 'n' handsome!
12 comments:
You're right, Princess. Except maybe for touch football games with the Kennedy clan, long ago in days gone by, it's hard to remember a political photo where everyone is having so much silly fun.
I'm not Austrian, but I do know that in Europe, especially in the cooler climate countries, wearing a scarf with your team's colors is standard operating procedure.
It's how the hooligans know who to beat up and who to leave alone.
Of course, with Ursula around, no one need fear hooligans, no matter what team they support.
Worse yet, when was the last time you heard anything about our Science Minister?
I'm not an Austrian, but I would bet a nickle that they are showing support for their national soccer/football team in the '08 competition. Are the European championships or something coming up?
Now, that's what a call a great peace deal, when everyone can play together.
My foreign born partner always complains that DC is about work hard/play hard -- instead of what it should be: play while you work.
Clearly, the Austrians have figured this out.
But what has Ursula spotted off to her left in the bottom photo? Is their trouble on the horizon (and clearly, she can see beyond that?) perhaps angry Hungarian mobs have just crossed the border?
I checked with my roommate, who is keener on world football than I am. Euro 08 is the tournament they are promoting because the host countries will be Austria and Switzerland. This is a championship for national teams, like the World Cup, but only European teams are invited. (As John Cleese once said, the difference between Americans and Europeans is that when Europeans have a world championship, they actually invite the entire world.)
Maybe there are similar pics of cavorting Swiss ministers in their local papers. A Micheline sighting, perhaps?
Micheline has been SUCH a letdown.
europeans are so much more fun than americans -- must be all that old time religion
How I'd love to kick a soccer ball at Bush's third eye. And I mean HARD. :D
Kick it, Karen!
Their happy-happy government does not compute, says the Condibot.
Bright colors and smiling faces... so un-American!
And so Ursula-licious!
They sort of look like the Brady Bunch meets the West Wing, Euro style.
Nice.
Mmmm. More Wilhelm, please.
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