Bush Groping the German PM...

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

OK, Louis - watched the video. Well, we all knew Bush wasn't a diplomat.

[scotchedpommes]

He doesn't strike me as one either in this video on the G8. Besides the lack of table
manners we're all well aware of, his other observations shown indicate something
lacking.

Amusing programme, though.

[Divinus Arma]

Its kind of funny that mostly Non-American Orgahs take real issue with this, aside from DevDave, whom I would assume is successfully baiting.

It shows a difference between our cultures. In America, if you have a friendship between a man and a woman, this would be perfectfully acceptable. In England it's Called "Common Assault", which I find horribly disgusting and indicative of the evils of liberalism. Like I said, Bush clearly thought they were better friends than is the reality.

[Kralizec]

I don't know what "Common assault" ecompasses, but I doubt it is the same as "sexual harassment" because, y'know, they're different terms

If she didn't react, it wouldn't be appropriate IMO (nation leaders should know better then to hug and kiss on television, you know) and people would have frowned but it wouldn't have been an issue.

[scotchedpommes]

It shows a difference between our cultures. In America, if you have a friendship between a man and a woman, this would be perfectfully acceptable. In England it's Called "Common Assault", which I find horribly disgusting and indicative of the evils of liberalism. Like I said, Bush clearly thought they were better friends than is the reality.

Even if there was a friendship, between world leaders on such a stage it seems
difficult to see how that could be acceptable. It is not some cosy meeting on
his ranch.

[Proletariat]

Considering this assault is insanity. By that standard most Italian men are commiting rape everytime they greet someone.

The guy's an uncouth buffoon, leave it at that.

[Divinus Arma]

I agree with Proly and SSNeo.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Well, in the strictest legal sense, I believe that any unsolicited physical contact can be labeled "common assault," though I believe the assaulted party has to bring the complaint (Pindar, help us with this). In practice, I don't think this case would go very far....

Inappropriate? Yes. Another example of GWB's spotty social graces? Indeed.

Silly? Almost Ford-esque. Scandalous? Oh, please.....

John Riggins mouthing off "Loosen up Sandy-baby" to Justice O'Connor before sliding under the dinner table drunk was worse.

Bush 41 barfing during his presentation in Japan was more "off-putting."

Reagan "outlawing Russia" was a more substantive gaffe.


I'll bet GW can even tell the difference between a bidet and a commode.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Reagan "outlawing Russia" was a more substantive gaffe.

No, that was inspired.

[Papewaio]

Considering this assault is insanity. By that standard most Italian men are commiting rape everytime they greet someone.

Making wife scrub is banned

FORCING your wife to kneel down and scrub the house floor clean is a crime because it amounts to mistreatment, Italy's highest appeals court has ruled.

[Devastatin Dave]

Its kind of funny that mostly Non-American Orgahs take real issue with this, aside from DevDave, whom I would assume is successfully baiting.
.

Why are you trying to ruin my fun!?!?!

[Papewaio]

Its kind of funny that mostly Non-American Orgahs take real issue with this, aside from DevDave, whom I would assume is successfully baiting.

It shows a difference between our cultures. In America, if you have a friendship between a man and a woman, this would be perfectfully acceptable. In England it's Called "Common Assault", which I find horribly disgusting and indicative of the evils of liberalism. Like I said, Bush clearly thought they were better friends than is the reality.

But consensual sex is bad.

IFF the opposition is doing it.

How would you react if it was Clinton doing that to your wife, sister or daughter?

[Divinus Arma]

But consensual sex is bad.

IFF the opposition is doing it.

How would you react if it was Clinton doing that to your wife, sister or daughter?

The difference is that Clinton is a known adulterer. Bush is not. Bush can rub my wife or daughter's shoulders anyday and I would be fine with it. I'm not saying that Clinton is then going to try to seduce my family, I am just pointing out who I would feel more comfortable with. Bush at least has a pretty wife to bang. Clinton has the battleaxe of horror in his bed.

I would also rather leave my hypothetical six yr old son with a pastor than a priest.

[Byzantine Prince]

Hey I can't blame Bush. That's one fine piece of ass.

[PanzerJaeger]

Like I said, Bush clearly thought they were better friends than is the reality.

From the video I saw, it looked as though she could not see who was doing it, and just as the video ended and she saw whom it was, it looked as though she smiled at him.

So - it could have been that shes simply skittish and doesnt dislike him.

I cant believe Im actually analyzing this stupidity...

[whyidie]

Yet another sign of American decline.


Clinton would have had her bra off.

[IrishArmenian]

My brother in America emailed me that. The link was on som show, I'll pull up the email... The Daly Show? That is what it says in the email. But the US president has to brus up on his "moves". Yes? I hope that is not how you Americans woo a woman.

[Franconicus]

Hey I can't blame Bush. That's one fine piece of ass.

Man, you are talking about our Kanzlerin! So don't you forget to mention her outstanding hair style

I cant believe Im actually analyzing this stupidity...

I agree with you. There were much more stupid things during this visit. Isn't it frightning to see how many policemen you need today just to invide a friend to BBQ?
Did you know that they selected the people who could see George and jubilee? The common people were not allowed to enter the town during the visit. I guess that is old practice from a time when visitors still came from the Communist block.

[R'as al Ghul]

Some compare it to the vulcan nerve pinch. From boingboing.net:



It's also being called a "Blitz-massage" now.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I find it amusing to see the divided opinion on this, particularly from the European side.

Back in the day, virtually no-one in my circle of European acquaintance could see what the Clinton fuss was about. He slept with an intern - what, only one? And she wasn't that hot. Where were the leggy blondes that 'intern' in Strasbourg or Brussels? Mind you, there was concern about the use of a fine cigar and hope that it would turn out to be a cheap make.

In Russia (where their president of the time was a drunk, impotent old fool) Clinton was thought of as a great man, since his virility was much more important to the Russian mind than his politics (see Putin). There was talk of offering him their presidency if he got impeached.

Now we all seem to be up in arms about an inappropriate but hardly criminal act of misplaced jollity. No wonder the Yanks don't understand us any more than we do them.

[A.Saturnus]

Now we all seem to be up in arms about an inappropriate but hardly criminal act of misplaced jollity. No wonder the Yanks don't understand us any more than we do them.

Speak only for yourself, it's a non-issue in Germany. In fact, I haven't heard any where else of it than here.

[Kralizec]

I'm not saying that Clinton is then going to try to seduce my family, I am just pointing out who I would feel more comfortable with. Bush at least has a pretty wife to bang. Clinton has the battleaxe of horror in his bed.

Then cut him some slack will ya

[Byzantine Mercenary]

Its kind of funny that mostly Non-American Orgahs take real issue with this, aside from DevDave, whom I would assume is successfully baiting.

It shows a difference between our cultures. In America, if you have a friendship between a man and a woman, this would be perfectfully acceptable. In England it's Called "Common Assault", which I find horribly disgusting and indicative of the evils of liberalism. Like I said, Bush clearly thought they were better friends than is the reality.

well im british and dont see what the issue is!

He didnt hit her, there was no malice he looked like he was was being freindly!

[Dutch_guy]

Speak only for yourself, it's a non-issue in Germany. In fact, I haven't heard any where else of it than here.

Same over here, I don't see how people can blow this out of proportion really.

Not the smartest thing to do but hey, other than the German PM, who did he hurt with his action ?

[Strike For The South]

I'll join the Idaho crowd too. Bush' behaviour is entirely inappropriate.

He eats and talks with his mouth open, uses profanities at G8 summits, and sexually harasses women. And the Chancellor of the worlds third largest ecomony at that.

Just keep that hick at home and spare yourselves the embarrassment.

How is it sexual harassament? I mean come on this incdent would merit at worst an "akaward silence" at a party (and Im talking at worst) Just take a step back and imagne it wasnt Bush

[Fragony]

In motion!

http://dump.geenstijl.nl/mediabase/2...0d0/index.html

Anyway, what's the big deal, just a friendly gesture. Sometimes Bush appears almost like a human being, sympathy = +1

[Cowhead418]

You just don't go around touching women or for that matter anyone without their consent, it's called common assault.

I'll join the Idaho crowd too. Bush' behaviour is entirely inappropriate.

He eats and talks with his mouth open, uses profanities at G8 summits, and sexually harasses women. And the Chancellor of the worlds third largest ecomony at that.

Just keep that hick at home and spare yourselves the embarrassment.

GMAFB. Way to blow this entirely out of proportion. It was just a squeeze on the shoulders. Why does everytime a man touches a woman constitute sexual harassment? And I'm not a Bush lover by any means. I think the guy is a fool, but I don't see anything wrong with what he did here.

[A.Saturnus]

How is it sexual harassament? I mean come on this incdent would merit at worst an "akaward silence" at a party (and Im talking at worst) Just take a step back and imagne it wasnt Bush

Yes. Also consider that Merkel herself isn't the most socially skilled person.

[Devastatin Dave]

Yes. Also consider that Merkel herself isn't the most socially skilled person.

Ooohhh, this sounds good!!! Sat, hook us up with the 411 on the PM. Is she, as we say her in da states, a Frrraaaeeeeek?

[whyidie]

GMAFB. Way to blow this entirely out of proportion. It was just a squeeze on the shoulders. Why does everytime a man touches a woman constitute sexual harassment? And I'm not a Bush lover by any means. I think the guy is a fool, but I don't see anything wrong with what he did here.

I agree that its not a big deal, but there is something silly about it.

Why does he think he can double clutch her shoulders in that setting ? Can you kick people in the groin too ? Because that would be cool.

I have touched a woman like that in the workplace. Oooh. Great time for a spinoff thread.