Posted on 07/21/2006 6:46:22 AM PDT by BerlinStrausbaugh
We were embarrassed by the behavior of the president of the United States at the G-8 Summit this week.
First, a little background. When Bill Clinton served in the White House, this newspaper was offended by his personal weaknesses. One Editorial Board member wrote: "Bill Clinton has proved himself a liar, an adulterer, a cad and a failed feminist. He is no candidate for boss of the year."
While we agreed with Clinton on policy, we thought, at least, George W. Bush's personal actions would, as he himself put it, "bring honor and dignity back to the White House."
That's why we were stunned when the president "greeted" the chancellor of Germany in a manner we consider inappropriate. The San Francisco Chronicle put it this way: "The scene, captured by a Russian TV camera, hit the Internet like a summer wildfire Tuesday, and it may be most memorable for the German chancellor's reaction. Bush applies his hands to (Angela) Merkel's shoulders and neck while she's speaking with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi; the chancellor hunches her shoulders, then throws her hands up to stop the unexpected massage with a wan smile -- and an expression that can best be translated as 'Ewwww.' "
The act was demeaning to the leader of another nation. It also demonstrates insensitive (if not out-of-bounds) workplace conduct. Since this was an international summit, we'll cite the United Nations' sexual harassment guidelines. "Unwelcome behavior is the critical word," the document says, followed by a listing of objectionable actions. About halfway down the list: "Neck massage."
Ewwww. We're embarrassed again.
President Bush had just read a book on tension-releasing massage and was attempting to ease the tensions built up in the new chancellor.Ewww is a German expression of joY.
The Russian cameras didn't pick up what he did to Putin. There, he placed his hands around Putin's throat and the noise emitted by Vlad was something like "Arrrrgh."
The editorial staff should find other nits to pick.
G. W. Bush was sending Germany a massage as opposed to a message.
Thanks. It would seem I was looking at my keyboard while standing on my head.
What a joke! Couldn't have been that bad, as it was in a room full of people. They just hate the idea that he gets along with people we are supposed to believe hate us all.
How embarrassing for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
MY guess is none. In any case, the SPI can STFU.
The SPI - just another liberal clap trap. Nothing new.
From what I have seen, Merkel did not look happy, however, one can't always go by what they see on the internet or in pictures because they can be manipulated.
I am eager to hear other FReepers take on the matter.
Plus, I still like Pres. Bush even if he did make a mistake in massaging Merkel's neck....it is not like it is a crime. (Also, I loved his straight talk at the G8, that made up for anything else he might have done.)
I am more interested in what you think Merkel thought.....
The left hand too!
I can't remember exactly who was discussing this last night.
A still photo series of the "encounter" can be seen here.
What is there to say about it? In a very public place, Bush, a touchy-feely person, put his hands on a person's shoulders. When she was jolted by it, he stopped. Is the accusation that he was somehow beginning sexual harassment? No. It's what it was.
The FIRST I heard about it was here, when someone posted an article about how this was all anyone was talking about on the net. I didn't look at the video and still haven't.
Why? Same reason you haven't seen more on this topic on FR.
Who gives a ****? We have war going on, Israel has a war going on, parts of the country are enduring tough weather, the Minutemen are having financial difficulties, we're heading towards an election in November that may decide if our President is impeached or not, and about a hundred more important things.
You're not seeing much on FR because no one wants to talk about someone putting their hands on someone else's shoulders in public, or buy into the MSM attempt to smear this president, AGAIN.
There has been plenty of times my husband and even, on occasion, a coworker has walked up behind me and did the same thing! I've never seen my reaction televised, but I imagine I would not look pleased. Mainly because sometimes it hurts so good, or takes me by surprise.
HEAVEN FORBID!!! A President touched her shoulders and therefor sexually harassed a woman!!!!
The Dems freak out because of a massage but dutifully ignore what Clinton did.
However, I was more interested in what people thought Merkels reaction really was.
When she was jolted by it, he stopped
That is all I was really looking for, other FReepers reaction to it all.
I did search but must have not used the right key words or something.
So Bush's shoulder massage of another world leader is on a par with Bill Clinton's throat massage of a subordinate? Wow! It must be confusing living on Planet Equivalency.
I understand your point about this not being a very important topic, but please, FR talks about the latest Idol episode, Brittney's lastest episode, or what-have-you, so it is not like FR is just relegated to only serious topics.
If Bush propositioned her, the libs would have said 'This is just about SEX, and who cares about his private life?'
Yeah. Sure.
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