The president need not be a trained herpetologist.

[peppertree]

28. And to Brazilians no less!

In general, they're very proud of their position as the largest, most important nation in Latin America - and with good reason.

As recently as the 1950s, they were among the poorest countries in the region (albeit the most populous by far already).

Up to 1952, they had a smaller GDP than Argentina's - despite having over three times more people.

Today - it's the world 8th largest economy on a PPP basis (Argentina, a modest 29th).

The worked very hard to get there - and even under dictatorship, they took care to have pro-industry and development policies (unlike Argentina - which since '77 has mostly been taking on foreign debt to finance offshoring by its own craven elites).

Suffice it to say, they did not take kindly to the gaffe - which many believed was intentional.

I'm sure it wasn't, as Reagan was already starting go around the bend by then.

A real gent and statesman compared to Snoozalini though.