Entertainer banned after Bush remark -Presidential 'chicken legs' joke

Fredericksburg Dot Com ^ | Date published: 7/24/2003 | By MICHAEL ZITZ

[weegee]

Entertainer banned after Bush remark

Presidential 'chicken legs' joke leads bookstore's customers to complain

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Apparently, it's become un-American--or at least highly controversial--for a woman to publicly say that the president of the United States' body is less than perfect.

A Baltimore acoustic artist has been banned from playing the Fredericksburg Borders Books & Music store--apparently because she made fun of President Bush's legs between songs in her show Friday night at Central Park.

Julia Rose, a singer-songwriter and a fitness advocate who often shows audiences her six-pack abs, told a Fredericksburg Borders audience Friday: "George Bush has chicken legs. He needs to pump some iron."

"I never bashed Bush as president. I merely said his lower body needs some serious definition," Rose explained later.

She said most of the audience laughed. But a few were offended and reportedly contacted Amy Korsun, area marketing manager for Borders Books & Music, to complain about Rose making "political" comments.

Korsun confirmed Wednesday that Rose has been banned from performing at the Fredericksburg store after Friday's show. She said a number of Rose shows planned for the Fredericksburg Borders have been canceled, but that Rose would be allowed to continue playing other Borders stores in Virginia.

Korsun--who oversees stores in Arlington, Springfield, Sterling, Fairfax, Woodbridge, Manassas, Fredericksburg and Richmond--declined to explain why Rose has been banned from the Central Park store.

Rose said yesterday that she continues to be befuddled and shaken by what happened.

"I made no other comments about the president," she said. "I actually have said this before at other Borders stores, and have never had a problem.

"I never said anything about Bush being a bad president or anything. I was just poking fun at his scrawny frame."

Rose said she told Korsun this and she subsequently forwarded Korsun's e-mail reply to a reporter.

"Every store has a different clientele and that needs to be taken into account," Korsun wrote to Rose.

It's debatable whether President Bush has thin legs, but it seems certain that Borders sees Fredericksburg as having very thin skin.

[weegee]

PING

[weegee]

When FReepers say, "Protect our borders", this isn't what we had in mind (but it's a start at least at keeping the leftist radicals out).

[theDentist]

"George Bush has chicken legs. He needs to pump some iron."

He can literally run rings around this woman. And unlike Clinton, when he runs he doesn't stop at various intervals for a little "chicken".

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

He does not have chicken legs.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

This lady obviously has her head up her ass. Bush is one of the most fittest Presidents of all time.

She should stop worrying about the President's legs and worry about her own, which are probably hairy and full of varicose veins.

[homeschool mama]

Oh brother, ping.

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

My sympathies were with the singer until I read this: "Rose said yesterday that she continues to be befuddled and shaken by what happened."

Sorry. No one so easily "shaken" is worth troubling over.

[homeschool mama]

President Bush is in fine form...and no chicken legs!

[battlegearboat]

Ha! Pinging Hillary's Lovely Legs!

The "Befuddled and shaken" Rose can take it to the Border and beyond.<How long do I have to wait before that picture of Bill Clinton on the golf course is posted?

[weegee]

It's debatable whether President Bush has thin legs, but it seems certain that Borders sees Fredericksburg as having very thin skin.

The author thinks that it is "debatable". This link should permit you to email the writer (and the subject of the article is in the link).

[Maigrey]

You knew this was coming when that comment was publicised. Alas, some of us know he's got runner's legs. (esp. when he's doing a 6:30 mile!)

I'm sure Ohio has something to say about these comments.....

[weegee]

"I actually have said this before at other Borders stores, and have never had a problem."

So it was a prepared statement and not a slip of the tongue.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

And she has chicken lips.

[T Lady]

Not only that, she should get her eyes checked, too. Never seen a better looking President in my lifetime (of course, I'm a bit biased, too ;-))

-Regards, T.

[Belial]

So it was a prepared statement and not a slip of the tongue.

Indeed. This appears to be a treasonous attempt to discredit the president. Guatanomo?

[the Deejay]

Rose said, "I was just poking fun at his scrawny frame."

And why? did Rose deem it necessary to make such statement?

Did she not see the picture of billery and hillery dancing in bathing suits on the beach? Did Rose not noticed the FAT from hillery's rear all the way down to de-feet? (Anyone got that photo handy?)

[rockfish59]

Varicose veins!

Or, as Henny Youngman said; 'My doctor said I have very close veins!'

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

[I still care]

Oh, heck. She can say anything she wants. If this is truly all she said, I doubt it comes to the level of her losing her job.

On the other hand, if several people complained, maybe the implication was more than what she claims.

And frankly, as T says, anyone who criticizes this presidents fitness and physique needs their eyes checked. Bush is one good looking and in shape guy. By the way, does anyone remember the Saturday night live skit about Bill Clinton eating people's french fries at the McDonalds?