Bush the Masseur

[SwedishMeatball]

Treating her differently because she's a woman doesn't make him sexist nor is it demeaning (I think this is what you meant). I realize this might open a whole can of worms that I'm reluctant to open. But, in case you had not noticed, men and women ARE different. They are not the same. They interact differently. This is why he probably did NOT do this to Blair's shoulders. Men and women interact differently. Two women interact differently. Two men interact differently. That's not sexism-- it's just the way things are.

Did you catch the link I provided before? Merkel clearly likes Bush. Unless she complains, well, I don't think it's anything at all. They are friendly. And, if you watch this entire video, not just the shoulder squeeze, you'll see that they are friendly.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4372463076604414221&q=merkel+bush

This is just all about Bush bashing, as it always is, all the time. This isn't that it's completely inappropriate that he gave her shoulders a squeeze. They shared smiles and a kiss earlier in the day (catch the video link I pasted), and they are friends. He did it in public because there's nothing at all to be ashamed of. Merkel LIKES him (yes, as hard as that is to believe for you!) and she is glad to have the relationship with Bush/the US that her predecessor did not.

 

[toto2]

This is just all about Bush bashing, as it always is, all the time. This isn't that it's completely inappropriate that he gave her shoulders a squeeze. They shared smiles and a kiss earlier in the day (catch the video link I pasted), and they are friends. He did it in public because there's nothing at all to be ashamed of. Merkel LIKES him (yes, as hard as that is to believe for you!) and she is glad to have the relationship with Bush/the US that her predecessor did not.

No , It is about commenting about what is appropriate or not. I share smiles and kisses with a lot of people: at work , with aquaintances etc. I squezze shoulder without warning only to a very small minority of selected very close friends. I kiss some co-workers if I meet them on the street ( us french kiss alot ) , but would never considered appropriate to give a shoulder rub to them , unless they say that they are very tense

 

[DawnCt1]

First , what president Clinton did was innapropriate toward is wife , not toward Monica Lewisky who was a willing part of this affair .

.

Given the vast difference in age and the obvious imbalance of power, the term sexual harrassment comes to mind, so no, it wasn't just inappropriate behavior towards his wife, but towards an intern, whether she welcomed it or not, and of course, it showed incredible disrespect for the Oval Office. I recall that President Reagan wouldn't even remove his jacket in the Oval Office.

 

[toto2]

Given the vast difference in age and the obvious imbalance of power, the term sexual harrassment comes to mind, so no, it wasn't just inappropriate behavior towards his wife, but towards an intern, whether she welcomed it or not, and of course, it showed incredible disrespect for the Oval Office. I recall that President Reagan wouldn't even remove his jacket in the Oval Office.

If we want to speak of respect for the title of president of the USA , President Bush should lean not to speak with is mouth full in a world summit , not use four letter word when adressing another head of state , not make fun of blind reporters etc.

And nowhere in any official document did Monica Lewisky ever stated that she was sexually harrased by the President.

This discussion is about what is appropriate behavior by a President of the USA in a world meeting.

 

[3princesses4us]

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.

Although you and I don't see it as a sexual thing that just happened, many on this thread are crying "sexual harrassment" now. This is why we bring up Clinton. I wasn't just referring to his affair with Monica. Paula Jones springs to mind. So in this instance we are talking apples to apples...

 

[jocon]

I really don't think it was a big deal. I don't think the President is the type
to grope someone, but am reluctant to call the discussion "bashing". By virtue of him being the POTUS, in public, with another world leader, makes it newsworthy. W appears to be a goofy and friendly guy. I think he is
one of the worst Presidents to walk the halls of the White House, but nonetheless, a friendly guy who I am sure is a hoot to be around!

 

[bevtoy]

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

 

[JadenLayne]

I just really don't see the big deal at all. I think people will make something out of NOTHING where Bush is concerned. Anything to start a debate.

 

[TheBellhop]

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?

Because it's been beat to death?

I have question for all women who work. If a male came up to you, quickly gave you a back rub, and then walked away, would you be creeped out?

 

[lucas]

Oh my! And he made a beeline past the 2 men right for her! The video does crack me up!

 

[TheDoctor]

The Daily Show bits on this were simply great. I really enjoyed the various accounts of this incident.

BTW, what is with bush rubbing the heads of bald men. I remember seeing a collection of bush rubbing the heads of a number of bald men.

 

[HOGFAN]

yes, this IS all about Bush bashing. Geeesh, some people need to find something to do with their time besides this.

 

[eclectics]

yes, this IS all about Bush bashing. Geeesh, some people need to find something to do with their time besides this.

Funny, I used to think the same thing in the 90's only we had a different bashee then. I guess everything stays the same except the names and the political parties change.

 

[yeartolate]

yes, this IS all about Bush bashing. Geeesh, some people need to find something to do with their time besides this.

So do you think it is appropriate for the leader of the free world ( ) to give backrubs to other world leaders backrubs - especially ones that do not appreciate the gesture? (This is a yes or no question)

 

[Free4Life11]

yes, this IS all about Bush bashing. Geeesh, some people need to find something to do with their time besides this.

Speak for yourself! I'm getting quite a kick out of this thread

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?

It's a discussion about a 5 second video clip of Bush giving a massage. See the title, Bush the Masseur? Don't read too much into it.

And why in the world would you assume that someone who finds the video upsetting are a fan of Clinton? Guess what I voted for Bush. If you ask me they're BOTH creeps.

 

[Kimmie5870]

I didn't watch the video link of this but several friends and I did just see a clip from the news.Honestly (this is coming from a bush hater) I think alot of you are seeing things that are not there.It really looked to me like Bush jokingly put his hands on Merkel and gave her a little GRRRRRR shake,she threw up her hands and laughed (kind of like ,"Oh don't choke me")and continued smiling as he walked away.
But then,maybe we we're just seeing things differently.JMO

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

I didn't read all the posts but I laughed so hard when I saw the video. I think this was sooooooooooooooo blown out of proportion! That's a surprise. The media at it's finest.

 

[DawnCt1]

I didn't read all the posts but I laughed so hard when I saw the video. I think this was sooooooooooooooo blown out of proportion! That's a surprise. The media at it's finest.

That's the only conclusion that a reasonable person could come to but then.....there is that "other" point of view.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I have question for all women who work. If a male came up to you, quickly gave you a back rub, and then walked away, would you be creeped out?

Absitively, posolutely! Would be and have been. and if anyone saw the beginnings of a smile afterwards, it would be a smile of relief that it was over.

I think it's a generational thing, though. The only men that have done this to me in a business setting were quite a bit older. Younger men (who were definitely much better friends with me), seem to understand that it's not appropriate.

That said, I don't think Bush meant any harm by it, and while I find it amusing, I also think it's being blown out of proportion.

 

[Laurajean1014]

First , what president Clinton did was innapropriate toward is wife , not toward Monica Lewisky

What Clinton did was disrespectful to ALL women and his country.