Bush’s unguarded revelations on war, peace, pop

As moments of diplomacy go, it wasn’t as embarrassing as his dad’s famous bout of nausea during dinner in Japan, but President Bush’s four minutes of open-mike remarks Monday at a Group of Eight summit luncheon left some mouths open in surprise around the world. It seemed most remarkable that such a straight arrow would swear among world leaders, and about something as serious as the conflict in Lebanon. This quote about the event’s pending closing remarks also revealed Bush’s impatience: “I’m just gonna make it up. I’m not gonna talk too damn long like the rest of ‘em. Some of these guys talk too long.” And now the world knows that Bush shares Vice President Dick Cheney’s preference for Diet Coke.
All of this came a day after Bush startled German Chancellor Angela Merkel (see photo) when he came up behind her and, “placing both hands on the collar of her gold jacket, gave her a short massage just below the neck,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

70 Comments

  1. Georgie Porgie
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 12:44 pm | Permalink

    What a chode. Besides our cretinous president’s display yesterday of open-mouth/mic chewing/cursing and the betrayal of just how pedestrian his grasp of foreign affairs is, we have yet another delicious faux pas…

    I didn’t vote for him but they sure did make sure my vote went to him. This guy is an embarrasment to the United States. I could care less if he is a guy you could have a beer with. I want my leader to act like one for Christs sake.

  2. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 12:49 pm | Permalink

    I wouldnt have a beer with someone who chews with their mouth open. Damn, my dog had better manners than that!

    He’s supposed to be a blue blood? They dont teach manners at Harvard or Yale? Or at Barb’s dinner table? It’s ok to do if no one is watching?

    Do you suppose he has a beer on the couch at night with potato chips while sitting in his boxers and wife beater?

    I feel so sorry for laura…

  3. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 12:50 pm | Permalink

    hee hee hee. Maybe that surprise back rub thing is something he does with condi…

  4. Dingus
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 1:20 pm | Permalink

    I thought Bush was a teetotaler?

  5. gster
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 1:24 pm | Permalink

    No, he started out as a moron and then progressed.

  6. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 1:25 pm | Permalink

    In the photo above, he has an unseen pistol pointed to her back. He’s saying “Give it up on those Iran sanctions, youB—CH!”

    He is such a sweet fellow…

  7. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 1:28 pm | Permalink

    heheh dd

  8. GMC70
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 1:31 pm | Permalink

    I don’t know; I don’t know why it is such a big deal to learn that a president is a normal guy in his unguarded moments. Perhaps it says something about his comfort level at events like the G8 that he can let his guard down.

    Remember: if Clinton had done this kind of thing, these same folks would be praising him for the “common touch” or being “down home.” Can’t have it both ways, guys.

  9. TRACY
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 1:35 pm | Permalink

    I’d say he’s a normal guy ALL the time.Tell me that story again about how he won Florida and Ohio, please?

  10. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 1:59 pm | Permalink

    No, if Clinton had done this, Ken Starr would have been there sniffing the ground where he walked, the House Republicans would have drawn up articles of impeachment, and governing would have essentially stopped. With Bush, governing has never really started, so we won’t notice those functional problems.

  11. Ben Huie
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 2:02 pm | Permalink

    And if Clinton had done it we would be hearing all sorts of redneck comments about him being from Arkansas.

  12. Posted July 18, 2006 at 2:07 pm | Permalink

    if clinton had done this kind of thing, these same folks would be praising him for the “common touch” or being “down home.”

    baloney. if clinton had done this, it would have been all we heard about on the cable news, hannity o’reilly limbaugh, everyone screaming how clinton was a molester and a groper.

    i had to search and search to find this somewhere besides in the blogs.

    the media is so two-faced.

  13. .morg
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 2:10 pm | Permalink

    Cut George some slack he wrote a great book review on “My Pet Goat” over at amazon……..

  14. Rage
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 2:39 pm | Permalink

    I’m not bothered by his using the English language (who cares? I don’t!), but sheer stupidity of what he was saying. Yeah, all we have to do is lean on Assad and it all ends. You bet.

    What a moron.

  15. RD
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 3:10 pm | Permalink

    The world laughed at us for impeaching a president for a blow job. Now they’re laughing harder about the stupidity and non-social graces of the current one.

    Meanwhile, certain people of our own country are saying, “Gee, he sure done sounded good, din’t he? I culd even tell what he was a’chewin on.”

    Classless.

  16. DarthCheney
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 3:20 pm | Permalink

    The ignorance, the boorishness, the embarrassing behavior were all on display at this year’s G8 Summit, which concluded Monday. Between the president’s stuffing a roll in his mouth to his use of “s–t” in an exchange with Tony Blair to his witless banter with world leaders to his more-than-awkward surprise “massage” of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, our dumb president has never been dumber or more embarrassing. Or, for that matter, more AWOL when the world needs our leadership most. But that’s alright, his defenders will say, he’s just being himself, being authentic. Great. Our president is an authentic jackass.”

    . . .

    “When he wasn’t showing his grasp of global geography, the president was busy doing things that would normally trigger a workplace sexual harassment workshop. Cameras captured the president walking behind Merkel and giving her an impromptu shoulder massage. Her look, which mirrors the look of any unsuspecting female in a bar when a drunk gets touchy-feely, was priceless. Bush’s look, coincidentally, matched the look of that drunk. I mean, what the f–k? Somehow, I don’t see former presidents Bush or Clinton doing this with Helmut Kohl. Nor, also, do I see either Bush or Clinton asking their secretary of state for permission to use the restroom, as this president has in the past. But a massage? Seriously? I know these summits can be tiring, tedious affairs, but does that fact warrant our president acting like the office letch? I doubt it.”

    More at

    http://journals.democraticunderground.com/BobcatJH/112

  17. RD
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 3:54 pm | Permalink

    LOL, Darth, on the bathroom thing. I saw the photo of that when it happened.

    If Babs didn’t do a good job with him, and it certainly appears that way, his handlers aren’t doing any better.

  18. steve
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 5:06 pm | Permalink

    Just thank God Blair didn’t ask how Condi was!

  19. steve
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 5:11 pm | Permalink

    25,ooo American lives at risk in Lebanon, and Bush criticizes Koffi for wanting a cease fire. Does anyone really believe he ever gave a shit for those in the twin towers?

  20. dal
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 5:18 pm | Permalink

    The telling thing is the look on Merkel’s face. She is distressed and angry. She threw up here hands to get him off her. Why would anyone do such a gross thing to a powerful woman whose cooperation he may need? Something is even more wrong with Bush than usual.

  21. Tony
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 5:36 pm | Permalink

    Oh My God…

    Bush and I agree on something…

    ..”they just need to stop this sh$t”..

    ;-)

  22. J R
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 5:39 pm | Permalink

    Makes ya wish we knew more about what dumbya is saying when he thinks no one hears. Or maybe not….

    Remember the movie “Dr. Strangelove” when the American President is on the phone with the Soviet premier? I kinda see other world leaders having a similar exchange with bush.

  23. J M Walker
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 6:40 pm | Permalink

    Actually what Bush said was, “Say, Tony, ma mane man, yu be leebin dis place? Yo, tanks fo da bling, bro. I ben tinkin, if wese ta git dem syrip dudes ta quit pokin dem howsyamama boys what be trowin dem stiks at dem jews, we be stoppin all da gang-bangin an we kin goes ta da ranch an shuut us some laywers. Sheeit, man, dat be fun.”

  24. CrusaderWill
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 6:46 pm | Permalink

    Bush is pimpin the German chancellor!

  25. gster
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    It seems that George the Worst has moved beyond ” The Decider” to ” The Embarrasser”. From now on, the sky’s the limit for our hero!

  26. RD
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 7:26 pm | Permalink

    Leave it to George to simplify.

    Does he really believe that’s all it will take to stop this? There needs to be give and take from both sides. Seems to me that Clinton tried that and almost had them in agreement. George just seems to want one faction to stop, not all. Nope, ain’t gonna work, folks. Not in this lifetime.

  27. steve
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    You Rock Bush, show them Europeans you can diss both their men and women!

  28. steve
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 7:50 pm | Permalink

    He’s got me wondering what he had planned that night that was making him impatient!

  29. steve
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 7:51 pm | Permalink

    Where I work, sneaking up on a woman and massaging her, would get you up on sexual harrassment charges.

  30. Posted July 18, 2006 at 8:11 pm | Permalink

    After spending an hour on the air talking to our beloved Doo-Dah, I think this may be the only haven for thinking people in Wichita.Everybody else seems to be taking the Pat Robertson Comedy Hour waaaaay too seriously.

  31. CrusaderWill
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

    “Pat Robertson Comedy Hour”That’s classic! I wonder what his punch line is?”Mmmm… those are some deelicious cookies, Carla! Mmmm… I think we should assassinate a foreign leader.”

    (raucous background laughter)

  32. Ben Huie
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 8:29 pm | Permalink

    Steve – where I work it would get me a busted jaw!

  33. steve
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 8:35 pm | Permalink

    If only she’d have bitch slapped him! He weren’t scared, he had his boyz watching his back (SS)! Wonder if Tony double dog dared him, and he had no choice?

  34. CrusaderWill
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 8:36 pm | Permalink

    Ben,Yeah, those women scientist types are not to be misunderestimated.

  35. JackStraw
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 9:11 pm | Permalink

    >I think this may be the only haven for thinking people in Wichita.<

    I like to think of it as “Moonbat Central”.

    Quick, Batman, to the Moonbatmobile!!

  36. Ben Huie
    Posted July 18, 2006 at 9:39 pm | Permalink

    true CW … but they are sure lively!

  37. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 9:38 am | Permalink

    http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364×1671697

  38. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 9:39 am | Permalink

    oops, sorry, meant to post that on open thread. Repost there. Sorry again.

  39. Paul F. Rosell
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 10:46 am | Permalink

    Israel just blew up a truck full of missles comming from—- Syria!Syria absolutely has the power to stop Hizbollah.

    You liberals think you are so smart, while Japan and Israel beg the United States for anti-missle technology and actual anti-missle defense ships and ground batteries to protect them.

    Hisory will be on the side of George Bush just like history is on the side of Ronald Reagan. Reagan was the target of your hateful venom for his “star-wars” anti missle defense. Now the world sees Reagan’s wisdom and wants the technology.

    Bush is also a visionary, radical Islam wants all of us dead and Bush is doing what he can to protect us. Trying to build up democracies in the Mid East is part of that solution, even though it will be difficult, as seen in the radicalized Palestinian streets or in the castrated Lebanese govt., eventually democratic ideals will rule the day.If Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan could be converted to Western ways, so can the Mid East.We have to try, the only alternative will be to continue fighting radical Islam forever.

    Victory is the only way to achieve peace. Peace has never been accomplished any other way.When Israel destroys Hizbollah, we can then deal with Syria and Iran, both of which will be weaker and poorer thanks to Israel.

    10 and 20 years from now, you anti Bush nut cakes will look as stupid as the people who tried to run down Reagan. (I am sure many of you are the same people.)

  40. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 10:52 am | Permalink

    Yeah, right, Paul.

    http://www.atsnn.com/story/52272.html

  41. RD
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 10:57 am | Permalink

    Paul,

    Most of the people in the ME don’t even know what the word ‘democracy’ means. I’m not sure the people in this country know anymore, either.

  42. RD
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 10:59 am | Permalink

    “Israel just blew up a truck full of missles comming from—- Syria!”

    Coming from Syria? These trucks were IN Israel? The above sentence doesn’t make sense.

    Got links?

  43. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 11:01 am | Permalink

    More, “yeah, right” material:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071801373_pf.html

  44. Ben Huie
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 11:09 am | Permalink

    Paul – Hizbollah never existed until after Israel and the US invaded Lebanon and slaughtered thousands of Lebanese civilians. As part of this invasion Israel sponsored a militant militia that worked with the IDF including the massacres of women, children and babies at Sabra and Shatilla.

    Just curious – where do you propose putting millions of Palestinians when they are ‘ethnically cleansed’ from Greater Israel? “Camps”?

    The sad thing is that both Lebanese and Palestinians had long ago adopted “western” ways – it is only in recent decades that they have become radicalized. Two generations of captivity for the Palestinians and a brutal invasion for Lebanon has done that.

    A year ago the US pressed Lebanon to remove all air defense from their country. That is why they are open for destruction and the slaughter of their civilians in air attacks; including attacks that have targeted civilians trying to flee the south and head north. This after Israel dropped leaflets ordering them to flee their homes.

  45. RD
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 11:31 am | Permalink

    “Just curious – where do you propose putting millions of Palestinians when they are ‘ethnically cleansed’ from Greater Israel? “Camps”?”

    They already have a good start on this. Tens of thousands are already there, with no hope of release.

    Isn’t Israel supposed to be a democracy?

  46. Ben Huie
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 11:43 am | Permalink

    Actually RD the number is in the millions.

  47. RD
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 11:52 am | Permalink

    Ben, I don’t doubt it.

  48. Paul F. Rosell
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 12:45 pm | Permalink

    It is entirely possible for Israel to “blow up” a truck full of missles comming from Syria. When Israel shoots an air to ground missle, from a fighter jet, at a truck full of missles, on the highway between Syria and Lebanon, guess what happens??A.) It immeadiately changes into an ice cream truck.B.) The truck qualifies for a free oil change from Jiffy Lube.C.) The truck “blows up”

    That you would ask for a link to this proves you aren’t informed.

    Also, Israel has NEVER instigated hostilities. That civilians are harmed in war is unfortunate, but the fact is, Israel targets militants, and the militants target civilians. The militants also attack from civilian areas on purpose, making it hard for Israel to avoid civilian casualties.

    The radial Moslems want to kill every jew. They say it in their mosques, they say it in their speaches. How in the world is Israel supposed to make peace with such people? Victory is the only way! Only victory will bring peace.

    By the way, Hizbolla just hit Nazereth, killing many ARABS. There are many Israeli citizens who are Arab. There are many Arabs serving in Israeli government.

    Name a Moslem country with a Jewish (religion) governement official?

  49. RD
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 12:57 pm | Permalink

    Gee, Paul, if you’d give a little information with some of your statements, it would help. They were coming from Syria. Okay. You didn’t mention where they were going TO.

    Sorry, I’m working today. Not a lot of time to do more than check the headlines.

  50. RD
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 1:09 pm | Permalink

    Radial Muslims. Are those steel-belted?

  51. Dingus
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 1:25 pm | Permalink

    The same Reagan that did nothing but cut and run when Hezballah blew up our barracks killing 200 marines, and whose solution to kidnapped americans was to sell weapons to Iran. While selling WMDS to Iraq.

  52. Paul F. Rosell
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 1:33 pm | Permalink

    We were at war with the Soviet Union, it was called the “cold war” — and Reagan won.Iraq and Iran were at war with each other and we had to do what was best for America.Frankly, I think “Iran Contra” was a stroke of genious and perfectly legal.FDR did similar arms deals with British and other countries before Pearl Harbor.The difference here was getting one enemy to finance the distruction of another enemy.The Contras did win, remember? And of course, you are upset because you WANT the spread of Communism in South and Central America to go unchecked?

  53. Ben Huie
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 1:44 pm | Permalink

    Paul – so when Israel shelled a beach in Gaza and blew up a family it was necessary? It was that shelling (and others) that instigated the capture of the soldier. Two generations of Palestinians have grown up knowing only Israeli captivity.

    The answer to this is full israeli withdrawal from the illegally held territories and insertion of peace-keeping troops to maintain order until a government and society can be developed (nation-building). Failing that answer my question: what do you do with the millions of Israeli subjects (Palestinians) there who are prohibited from voting in Israeli elections?

    As for the truck 0 is there any verification that it happened? Or is that like the mobile WMD labs in Iraq?

  54. Ben Huie
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 1:45 pm | Permalink

    There are only a few token Arabs in the Israeli government – not many. However, if they were all allowed to vote …

  55. reo
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 1:52 pm | Permalink

    Paul is really smart and well-balanced.

    HAHHHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

  56. Ben Huie
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 2:27 pm | Permalink

    Cal Thomas had an interesting comment today:

    “For roughly 4,000 years, there has been “unrest” and war in the Middle East. It possibly began when the ancient Israelites drove out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. Modern Israel is attempting to drive out the Hezbollah-ites, Hamas-ites, Islamic Jihad-ites and the rest.”

    In both of the cases the Israelites used genocide and ethnic cleansing in order to steal land on which other peoples had lived. Apparent Thomas shares Israel’s view that they have a right to steal land from people and drive them from their homes.

  57. steve
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 5:13 pm | Permalink

    Now you know that ain’t right God done give them that land.

  58. Ben Huie
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 5:15 pm | Permalink

    So THEY claim steve. However, they have never produced a document etched in granite by lightning bolts to prove it.

  59. Joe
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    The irony is priceless:

    Bush is the only leader present at the G8 who swears in public.

    The USA is the only nation represented at the G8 which requires swear words to be ‘bleeped’ out of television.

    Let’s hear it for the party that promotes “family values” and “non-intrusive, small government.” Give me a break.

  60. Infernal B
    Posted July 19, 2006 at 9:25 pm | Permalink

    Paul, you wanna wipe the spit off your monitor?

  61. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 7:50 am | Permalink

    Does anyone else think paul sounds a lot like nathan? twins separated by birth? Or nics, separated by time?

  62. gster
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 8:03 am | Permalink

    KFG- Yes , the similarities are amazing. I have been thinking the same thing.

  63. Chiku
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 10:47 am | Permalink

    Seriously, if Bush was working in an office and did that to a female colleague, he could be fired for sexual harrassment. Shouldn’t he be impeached for embarassing the United States?

  64. Mary Caruso
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 8:12 pm | Permalink

    Bush has done nothing but humilate, embarrass, and destroy the credibility of the US ever since he took office. He’s a moron. Why would anyone be surprised by his latest antics? So what’s new?

  65. J M Walker
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 8:37 pm | Permalink

    Ben,I know you and I disagree on the Palestine/Israel conflict (though not by that much), but it was reported by more than one credible source the bomb that killed the family on the beach was actually of Palestinian make. I don’t think it is of good use as a negative picture of Israel.

  66. J R
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 9:05 pm | Permalink

    kfg and gster,

    How many ever nics Nathan has, and I suspect he has at least 3 operational ones, Paul F Rosell is not one of them.

    Paul is a proll I am thinking. Ben knows him. Rage knows of him.

  67. gster
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 9:35 pm | Permalink

    JR- OK, I will accept him as the twit he shown himself to be.

  68. Ben Huie
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 9:58 pm | Permalink

    J M – the Israelis deny that it was theirs; however, two investigations (including an international one that got forensics from the scene) concluded that it WAS Israeli. I think your sources are Israeli – I know they put out that story immediately after the shelling.

    Palestine does not have artillary.

  69. Ben Huie
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 10:00 pm | Permalink

    JM – By the way, why the opposition to international peace-keepers to try to defuse the situation? How would you like it if I stole your house and then, just to show how nice and fair I am, I let your family live in the shed out back. Of course, you must obey all my orders since you will be living at MY house now.

  70. J M Walker
    Posted July 20, 2006 at 11:15 pm | Permalink

    “I know you and I disagree on the Palestine/Israel conflict (though not by that much),”Ben, your response was uncalled for. I believe I stated my stand in a clear manner. I don’t need you telling me what the conflict is about. I do know how to read after all.