WASHINGTON - In a stunning reversal of previous policy and practice, President George W. Bush announced his administration's strong stance against inflammatory rhetoric.

"We must bring all our resources to bear against this scourge which has brought so much pain to so many," declared Bush. "Every day in America, inflammatory rhetoric keeps people from engaging with the outside world, and in some cases is so overwhelming it even prevents them from thinking clearly."

"I don't think any of us could have seen this coming," said one Washington insider. "I mean, inflammatory rhetoric is a pillar of Bush's governance. Without inflammatory rhetoric, there is no Bush administration."

The confusion was lifted later in the day when Press Secretary Ari Fleischer explained that the President meant to declare war on inflammatory arthritis.

In an attempt to salvage the stated policy, the Bush administration has instead declared war on the "h" in the word "rhetoric".

"It's not like it actually does anything in there," said a visibly grumpy Bush.