Bush the Masseur

[eclectics]

He comes off looking foolish only because there are a bunch of cameras and a bunch of reporters just WAITING to catch him doing something-- anything-- they can spin and make look either foolish or negative or both.

That kind of goes with the territory for any elected official, even before cameras and microphones. Reporters wrote what they said and did and political cartoonists lampooned all of them since the first newspaper was founded. It's not a new thing or a liberal thing. Btw, you cut off the sentence where I said I'm sure he meant no harm. It's been no secret that Merkel is more warm to Bush than her predecessor. We knew that before she was elected. And no, it does not make me feel warm and fuzzy. Sorry, but very rarely does any politician do anything that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[Kendra17]

Suuuure......Blame it on the media....excuse me....the left wing main stream media....give me a break. I don't even know why I bother with this Bush stuff. The 35-40% that is his base will for him no matter what. It's so scary that people can so blindly follow one party or person.

hahaha. . . you're sticking by the idea that Bush squeezing her shoulders is NEWSWORTHY? A familiar bit of touching should make International headlines? Okay, you think that, and I'll think that it's about trying to make Bush look silly.

I obviously support Bush and find him likeable. I don't, however, agree with everything. I am disappointed, for instance, that he hasn't talked about the War in Terror in plainer terms (really for another thread). I also disagree with what he's been doing on immigration and a few other things. But, in the main, I definitely do support him and see this "Presidential Grope" /innocent shoulder squeeze as a minor show of friendliness/warmth. It's only news because people like you love to grasp onto this stuff, insult Bush, start a thread about how inappropriate he is, and talk about it until. . . well, until there is something else you deem criticism-worthy-- or until this thread falls off page 1 of the Community board.

 

[Kendra17]

That kind of goes with the territory for any elected official, even before cameras and microphones. Reporters wrote what they said and did and political cartoonists lampooned all of them since the first newspaper was founded. It's not a new thing or a liberal thing. Btw, you cut off the sentence where I said I'm sure he meant no harm. It's been no secret that Merkel is more warm to Bush than her predecessor. We knew that before she was elected. And no, it does not make me feel warm and fuzzy. Sorry, but very rarely does any politician do anything that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Yes, I paraphrased you, sorry. I didn't disagree with anything you said, and was just using your sentence to respond to the idea that he looks foolish because people try to make him look foolish. I agreed with you, however I wanted to add that the media has something to do with it. The act itself of squeezing someone's shoulders doesn't make anyone look foolish-- the spin does.

 

[roseprincess]

I found the video amusing
GWB is a fun- loving kind of guy. I'm sure he meant no harm to her. Maybe once he did that and found out her reaction, maybe he apologized to her? The apology probably wasn't recorded or on tape,if he did apologize.
Maybe GWB does this kind of thing to his wife, Laura, or his mom or his daughters? I wouldn't call it a groping of any sort. The Chancellor just probably was not expecting it and was very surprised?

 

[yeartolate]

Inappropriate and creepy. It would have given me the eebie jeebies, too!

 

[jocon]

The act itself of squeezing someone's shoulders doesn't make anyone look foolish-- the spin does.

Exactly, The ACT alone may not be foolish or newsworthy, but the REACTION
certainly is. Not to mention that we're talking about the POTUS and the leader of another nation. Note, I have not said what my opinion of grope-gate is. We don't know what the Chancellor thought. We can only discuss the appropriateness and professionalism of what happened. And as far as spin goes your twirling so fast you're making my head spin.

 

[eclectics]

Yes, I paraphrased you, sorry. I didn't disagree with anything you said, and was just using your sentence to respond to the idea that he looks foolish because people try to make him look foolish. I agreed with you, however I wanted to add that the media has something to do with it. The act itself of squeezing someone's shoulders doesn't make anyone look foolish-- the spin does.

And I agree with you that Bush, along with any elected official, is fair game to have his or her actions "highlighted" when perhaps it really isn't newsworthy. But, to be fair, Bush is not singled out for this treatment. There might be more "incidents" because well, he is President, and there is a camera on him whenever possible. All the more reason for him to be aware of how his actions might be viewed by others. I still say he appears awkward when he tries to be "informal".

 

[shortbun]

I found the video amusing
GWB is a fun- loving kind of guy........
Maybe GWB does this kind of thing to his wife, Laura, or his mom or his daughters? I wouldn't call it a groping of any sort. The Chancellor just probably was not expecting it and was very surprised?

Yeah, 'fun loving' like a pack of wild dogs on a hunt!!! The point is that this was the Chancellor NOT his daughter, wife or mother. His actions were inappropriately familiar in a business meeting. She responded indicating her disapproval of his touching her. I'd SAY she was suprised!!! He should have known better. He is an idiot and the leader of the free world SHOULD be a class act. We should demand that he take some lessons in manners. He's an embarrasment. A clear definition of 'ugly American.'

 

[Kendra17]

Exactly, The ACT alone may not be foolish or newsworthy, but the REACTION
certainly is. Not to mention that we're talking about the POTUS and the leader of another nation. Note, I have not said what my opinion of grope-gate is. We don't know what the Chancellor thought. We can only discuss the appropriateness and professionalism of what happened. And as far as spin goes your twirling so fast you're making my head spin.

The point ALSO is that her reaction isn't really shown. Sure, she lifts up her arms in surprise, but then, as he walks by, she seems to gaze up at him and you see the beginning of a smile (on the video link I provided in a previous post). You don't see it definitively, because the media has purposefully omitted that. . . to get their little little "Presidential Grope" piece. A bit of surprise is not her entire reaction.

The President, showing warmth and informality-- even with Chancellor Merkel-- is not necessarily inappropriate nor unprofessional-- when she has shown warmth towards him, as well.

 

[Laura]

It kinda bugs me because Bush does this stuff to women, and not men (kissing Margaret Spellings and Condoleeza Rice when he nominated them to their Secretary positions). Did he ever kiss Colin Powell? Besides all of that, I think it's inappropriate and unprofessional behavior.

A female co-worker seems to have this kind of trait that Bush exhibits. She seems to be able to interact with men only in a flirtatious kind of way. She gives one of my male co-workers neckrubs and stuff like that. It would bother me if one of DH's colleagues did that. I think it's unprofessional and inappropriate then, too. And we don't work in an environment that is nearly as formal as that of world leaders.

In her case and as with Bush, I don't think either one is actually flirting with anyone or making advances, but it seems some people just can't deal with the opposite sex in the same way they deal with the same sex. It's kind of irritating, that's all.

 

[DawnCt1]

He really needs to take some lessons from Clinton. Now, THAT is a man who knows how to treat women.

That's for sure; "You better put some ice on that lip".

 

[DawnCt1]

Yeah, 'fun loving' like a pack of wild dogs on a hunt!!! The point is that this was the Chancellor NOT his daughter, wife or mother. His actions were inappropriately familiar in a business meeting. She responded indicating her disapproval of his touching her. I'd SAY she was suprised!!! He should have known better. He is an idiot and the leader of the free world SHOULD be a class act. We should demand that he take some lessons in manners. He's an embarrasment. A clear definition of 'ugly American.'

She is the Chancellor BUT HE is the President of the United States. Nothing like making a mountain of not even a mole hill. You have no idea was she was indicating because we did not see enough of the episode and you didn't interview her.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I think you missed a spot on my back, I mean, Iraq......

 

[Patty3]

She is the Chancellor BUT HE is the President of the United States. Nothing like making a mountain of not even a mole hill. You have no idea was she was indicating because we did not see enough of the episode and you didn't interview her.

ITA .

 

[Kendra17]

Yeah, 'fun loving' like a pack of wild dogs on a hunt!!! The point is that this was the Chancellor NOT his daughter, wife or mother. His actions were inappropriately familiar in a business meeting. She responded indicating her disapproval of his touching her. I'd SAY she was suprised!!! He should have known better. He is an idiot and the leader of the free world SHOULD be a class act. We should demand that he take some lessons in manners. He's an embarrasment. A clear definition of 'ugly American.'

I have always believed the term Ugly American referred to those who spew ugly and arrogant vitriolic rhetoric (full of misspellings, no less!). Your post would be a wonderful example of this.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Yeah, 'fun loving' like a pack of wild dogs on a hunt!!! The point is that this was the Chancellor NOT his daughter, wife or mother. His actions were inappropriately familiar in a business meeting. She responded indicating her disapproval of his touching her. I'd SAY she was suprised!!! He should have known better. He is an idiot and the leader of the free world SHOULD be a class act. We should demand that he take some lessons in manners. He's an embarrasment. A clear definition of 'ugly American.'

What's your take on Clinton's extra curicular sexual activity in the Oval office?

 

[3princesses4us]

What in the hell does Clinton have to do with this?

It's a discussion on potentially inappropriate behavior by a male President to a woman. Most of the people who find this video upsetting are fans of Clinton (I can only assume). How can we not point out the hypocricy?

 

[toto2]

First , what president Clinton did was innapropriate toward is wife , not toward Monica Lewisky who was a willing part of this affair . And this is not a sexual thing that happend between President Bush and Chancellor Merkel, so dont use this comparasion , it is apple and oranges.

Secondly , the argument that she seem to starts smiling after the shoulder rub could be one of dismay. She has some class and wont be screaming at the President.

This work summit of the G8 is serious business: they dealt with fondamental issues that are going to affect all of us. You dont send your brother in law there , and the President Of the United -States should not act as the class buffon in these important fonction. You can be both warm , sincere , nice etc and have some class .

If the President want to be respected , he need to act like a president , and not like a hick comming out of the bayou. Talking with is mouth full , using four letter words in world summit is just innaceptable. It is innaceptable in most houshold in North America .

 

[Hedy]

At least anti-Sexual harassment videos just got a little more interesting:
Here is the POTUS demonstrating what not to do.
Sorry kids, but let's call a spade a spade. That's what this is.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

The only clip that shows any reaction at all is the one I found (with the ludacris music) that, I think, actually shows the beginning of a smile on her part. That's what it looks like to me.

That is probably because she felt embarassed.
I can't believe he did that. But, then again, I've been saying that through the whole presidency. Oh, and I am a Republican.