Authentic Mexican gibberish… from Porfiro Díaz
Even at the age of 80, one thing you can say about Don Porfirio: the man knew how to obfuscate better than just about any politician ever.
In 1908, the President was interviewed by Filomeno Mata, and asked about a statement published earlier that year in which he had hinted of a possible retirement at the end of his term. Don Porfirio gave a master lesson in how to avoid a straight answer:
The main topic, to which you refer is one which, in my opinion, should not be discussed just now, and if on a recent occasion I made a statement with respect to that subject, it was only the expression of a mere personal desire of mine. You will, therefore, not take it strange if, in answer to your request to be informed as my resolution, I forbear to make it known seeing that so long a time has elapsed before the prospect time for manifesting it arrives.
“President Díaz Makes Statement on Rumors of Coming Candidacy,” Mexico Herald, 28 October 1908
So… uh… yeah.
Damn. That is Cantinflas level. LOL.
The man was an artist, I guess that’s one of the reasons he was able to hang on for so long.
In my work experience as a civil servant we referred to such outpourings as ‘mumblefuck’. I had a boss who was of Olympic caliber.