Japan's prime minister isn't choosy about who his gaffes target

Way back in 1977 there was a famous war film called "A Bridge Too Far." Now, perhaps somebody should make a movie starring Prime Minister Taro Aso titled "Osugita Shitsugen (A Gaffe Too Many)."

Several throws of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's premiership dice ago, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi was described as being like "a cold pizza." With his one slip after another, Aso is like a box of sushi that's been all shaken up: Open the lid and all the pieces are there; they're just not in the right place.

Slips of the tongue have a long history. As the Latin equivalent lapsus linguae attests, people in togas were as prone to putting their sandaled feet in their mouths as are suited folk today. But Prime Minister Aso is the Grand Master of the Gaffe.