http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_406918.html
'It was just for fun'
Mr Schwarzenegger defended a video which shows him brandishing a huge hunting knife as he talks about the state's budget crisis. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
LOS ANGELES - CALIFORNIA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday defended a video on his Twitter page which shows him brandishing a huge hunting knife as he talks about the state's budget crisis.
Schwarzenegger, under fire for a budget plan announced this week that will see US$15 billion (S$21.6 billion) in spending cuts from services such as education and health care, said the light-hearted video was intended as a bit of fun.
The movie-star-turned-politician brushed off suggestions from reporters in Sacramento that the video might be viewed by some as being insensitive.
'You know, you sent a governor to Sacramento - not El Stiffo, like some of the past were, but you sent someone that is a little bit more entertaining and has a little bit more fun with the whole thing,' Schwarzenegger said.
'Not that I have fun with making the cuts; they sadden me. But fun with the job itself, because I think it is the most rewarding job that I've ever done, even though with a huge responsibility. So just relax and have a little bit of a sense of humour.'
California lawmakers are set to approve the spendings at a vote on Thursday which will pass a budget aimed at closing the state's US$26.3 billion deficit. -- AFP
'It was just for fun'
Mr Schwarzenegger defended a video which shows him brandishing a huge hunting knife as he talks about the state's budget crisis. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
LOS ANGELES - CALIFORNIA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday defended a video on his Twitter page which shows him brandishing a huge hunting knife as he talks about the state's budget crisis.
Schwarzenegger, under fire for a budget plan announced this week that will see US$15 billion (S$21.6 billion) in spending cuts from services such as education and health care, said the light-hearted video was intended as a bit of fun.
The movie-star-turned-politician brushed off suggestions from reporters in Sacramento that the video might be viewed by some as being insensitive.
'You know, you sent a governor to Sacramento - not El Stiffo, like some of the past were, but you sent someone that is a little bit more entertaining and has a little bit more fun with the whole thing,' Schwarzenegger said.
'Not that I have fun with making the cuts; they sadden me. But fun with the job itself, because I think it is the most rewarding job that I've ever done, even though with a huge responsibility. So just relax and have a little bit of a sense of humour.'
California lawmakers are set to approve the spendings at a vote on Thursday which will pass a budget aimed at closing the state's US$26.3 billion deficit. -- AFP
