The Philippine president’s surprising remark about Barack Obama belongs to a tradition of undiplomatic language President Rodrigo Duterte’s description of Barack Obama as a “son of a whore” has caused a spat between the Philippines and the US and raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles. But Duterte’s discourteous language is not exactly a new low in high-level political discourse. Insults – mortal, vulgar, stylish or lighthearted – have been levied by politicians against other politicians, national leaders, public figures and the countries they represent ever since the Greeks invented democracy. Continue reading...
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