Ito san, please forgive the arrogance and stupidity of some of our politicians. They do not speak for all us Americans! Typically, these are right-wing Republican who think America is the center of the universe...(sigh)

Ugh. What a ridiculous comment. Doesn't Delay realize that he's not talking with his friends in the same confines of his golf club?

"Duper" sounds to me like the Polish word my grandmother used to use to describe my hindquarters. So for DeLay to use that word, he must be a Super-Dupayosh.

Frankly, I don't see what the fuss is about. America does have a unique status in the world today, and DeLay's term captures it a lot more elegantly than "sole remaining super-power".

I guess it's a matter of... taste. You think "super-duperpower" is elegant? Hmmm...

As for the "deeper meaning" and reading into this comment the notion that the US politicians are sound stupid on purpose to pitch the "stupid is good" image... I guess that's debatable, but an interesting theory.

But, I still think "super-duperpower" sounds silly. How about something like, "first-strike-enabled-executive-branch super-power"?

The phrase "super-duper power" has also been used by Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong to describe America, and while you might want to pretend you're smarter than he, I doubt that anyone who can read would buy it.

America-bashing is such a boring and conformist undertaking that it's really not worthy of a man of your intellect, Joi. Why don't you find a more productive use for your time, like translating the article on the History of the Ethernet in this month's Nikkei Network into English.

OK OK. I didn't mean to bash/offend anyone. It's just that the last time I personally used the word "super-duper" was in grade school or something. Do you think Chris Patten or Tom Delay use "super-duper" when they talk to their peers, or are they using "super-duper" to talk to their kids and the public... It just reminds me of when adults talk to kids using baby-talk.

I'm not as "native" as you, Richard, so maybe I have just not been exposed to how widely "super-duper" is excepted in the adult English vocabulary.

And by no means am I bashing "America" just as I don't bash Japan. I just try to point on things that I think are silly globally. ;-p

Maybe "Super-sized Power" would be more acceptable, but I suspect the real issue is America's dominance in the world, and how it affects the self-esteem of citizens of other nations rather than a particular choice of words. Perhaps we just shouldn't mention it any more.

"Super-sized Power" wouldn't work since that sounds like "Super-sizing" (a option at McDonalds restaurants that everyone in America understands means adding large versions of fries and a soft drink to your meal)

Due to a populist anti-intellectual sentiment, politicians have been "dumbing down" their speech so as to not sound over-educated. This trend occasionally leads to "baby-talk" phrases like "Super Duper".

Most people just let it slide unless they have some idealogical axe to grind or maybe want to take a cheap shot (not there is anything wrong with that)

Given the way the UN has been reacting to us lately, maybe we've become the Super Target for Over-the-Hill Empires.

i think the united states is the greatest nation in the world!!!and that we ARE the center of the universe, and all Frenchies need to bow down to us!!!!

i think the united states is the greatest nation in the world!!!and that we ARE the center of the universe, and all Frenchies need to bow down to us!!!!

I think you all need to get a life. Who cares if some dude said "super-duper"?!?!

I agree Spencer, who cares.