Bush's unexpected squeeze of the German chancellor has the Internet howling (funny)

SF Gate ^ | 7/18/06 | Carla Marunucci

[Jorge]

I'm not a touchy-feely type of person and generally consider this sort of touching to be inappropriate, especially in these situations .

However, I work with some very professional and otherwise well mannered people who think nothing of giving a fellow employee a brief shoulder massage now and then.

Especially if one is tense or has a sore neck etc.

They just think nothing of it.

So even though I'm not personally very comfortable with this sort of thing I'm not about to criticize those who are, especially when it is simply a kind gesture.

Besides, people pay perfect strangers to give them massages all the time and it's considered a luxury.

[xsmommy]

ANY excuse to Bash....

[Sir Gawain]

When you consider any criticism bashing, the word bashing loses its meaning. But I guess your tactic is to try and stifle any criticism, valid or not. Just scream "basher!" like the lefties scream "racist!". How does it feel to use the same tactics as liberals?

[xsmommy]

not at all. there are PLENTY of legit areas to criticize. the nitpicking is just silly. THIS is nitpicking.

[Jorge]

It's the equivlalent of a hello to someone you know well. Nothing more, nothing less. If you watch the video, he did not stand there rubbing her neck. he gave her a squeeze hello.

Even if he did massage her shoulders a bit, it was simply a kind gesture.
I've also been in professional settings where this is not considered inappropriate.

[Sir Gawain]

I never said it was a big deal. I just said it was inappropriate. We can agree to disagree, but that doesn't make me a basher or you a bot, now does it?

[macamadamia]

If you believe this is ALWAYS wrong, then you're more a slave to feminist-think and political correctness than you realize.

[LibWhacker]

Is Bush a serial molester, rapist and lip-biter? That's the difference. And a big difference it is.

So I don't sense any hypocrisy.

Still, I wish he hadn't done it.

[Sir Gawain]

Whether I think it's wrong or not is irrelevant if I get fired for it.

[xsmommy]

i can live with that.

[Republicain]

What can be said except : another "tempete dans un verre d'eau" (tempest in a glass of water)...

[Savage Rider]

What's the big deal? It's not like he lifted up her shirt and kissed her belly.

[streetpreacher]

We don't know that. Why won't they release the missing frames?

[tioga]

-if clinton touches me I would scream.....if Bush touched me I would swoon......(sigh).......Clinton's track record is clear....he is a serial molester.....Bush's is clear as well....he is a gentleman. I would have been thrilled to get a shoulder rub from Bush.

[linn37]

I'm still waiting for the footage of the President dancing naked on tables during college!

[1035rep]

With BJ Clinton you'd never know where his hands had been.

[BenLurkin]

Looks like she's trying to get him off of her.

What is wrong our guy -- is he cracking up?

[Rb ver. 2.0]

"Just about every company's sexual harrassment policy would cover that behavior."

Yep, Bush would be toast if he were a corporate or government agency peon.

[streetpreacher]

Somehow that doesn't do anything for me...

[Kaslin]

"When he is away from his script and his handlers, his true lack of intelligence and emotional maturity surfaces for all to see. The dangerous situation in Lebanon ... requires true leadership. Don't look for it from the world's uberpower."

Does the writer mean like Billy Jeff who couldn't make a decision unless he had his toelicker do a poll in how the people felt about a particular situation. Billy Jeff was never a leader. President Bush is a true leader