Stupid Politician tricks - Disaster Reconstruction Minister Edition

Japanese minister quits over gaffe - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English:

"A week into his new job, Japan's disaster reconstruction minister has resigned.

Ryu Matsumoto's resignation on Tuesday came after his conduct during a visit to the tsunami-devastated northeastern coast over the weekend angered local residents and political opponents.

During the visit, he had refused to shake a governor's hand, scolded him and threatened to withhold aid.

He told the governor of Iwate, one of the hardest-hit prefectures, that the government would not help municipalities that did not have good ideas about rebuilding.

Matsumoto expressed irritation for being made to wait by Myagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai. Then Matsumoto refused to shake Murai's hand when he entered the room and scolded the visibly surprised governor.

'When a guest comes to visit, do not call up the guest until you have arrived in the room,' he told Murai. 'Do you understand?'

He then warned journalists in the room not to report his words. They were widely reported in the media, and a video of the exchange was posted on the internet."