President Bush is uncomfortable around people sometimes.  How he has survived in politics because of that I don’t know.  His rubbing the shoulders of the German Chancellor was ill advised and a mistake.  It doesn’t mean that he can’t make sound decisions or lead effectively.  It doesn’t mean he is prepubescent or an ineffective leader.  Her reaction was equally infantile.  All she should have done was turn around and say, “Please don’t do that”! It is beyond me that anyone would have any reaction to this other than to shake their head.

Everyone seems outraged about Bush’s massage of Andrea Merkel.  And I definitly see why.  His behaivior from the video does not appear diplomatic.
But just a theory I have not heard discussed any where online yet:
While he may be as simple minded as some say, I smell a more diabolical foul play than a dull president sexually harrasing a world leader for all to see. Remember who these people are, where they are, and how far Bush will go (and has gone) for his own power and agenda.  Could Bush have been warning Merkel about what she was discussing with Italy at that moment? Distracting her?  I would really like to know what was being said in the meeting before and after the infamous rub.  Did her tune change in the discussion after Bush touched her? 
The news report said she “grinned playfully” afterward.  I would not put it beyond the monster to sedate or drug anyother world leader who would try to double cross him (or get in his way) during something like the G8.  A tiny needle could be easily consealed in his sleeve and easily applied under the guise of a suddenly needed “backrub”.  When I first say the video, that is the first thing I saw: could he be controlling her? Look at how he approaches her in the video.  Quickly, with determination and resolve.  Arrogantly. Watch the position of his hands. He looks satisfied afterwards, as though a mission was just accomplished.
No matter how stupid we may think he is, his people are not stupid enough enough to let him get away with this.  He had confidence in this action (in a place where he should be weighing his every move and every word........even more than usual).  Perhaps confidence that the world would see this as “sexual harrasment” or “stupidity regarding other cultures”, rather than something much worse?  Perhaps confidence that he had friends (new advocate Bill Clinton) who would fabricate weird stories to cover his tracks?  I mean, really, why would two presidents REALLY discuss the relaxing benefits of touching women more often, as Clinton claims? Or admit it at least. 

We will probably never know his true motives.  But this is just what stood out to me....more than simple harrasment.

Thank you R. A. Earl for your comment in response to my embarrasment at what Bush did to the German Chancellor Merkel.  Thanks for telling us what they would do to him if he should touch the Queen of England.  He just might be so brazen.  I’d like to see that action against such actions.  Someone has got to teach him something.  Barbara, his dad and Laura haven’t done it. We call such folk white trash where I come from. Sorry to say that, but it’s the truth about good old U.S.A.  We have a lot of white trash here.

Question was asked: “Would he have acted in the same way toward the Queen of England?”

I can only guess what would have happened.

From out of nowhere, several British Commando-trained Royal bodyguards in ONE SECOND would have removed the President’s hands from the Queen’s shoulders, bent them behind his back and had him face down on the ground.

Her Majesty, of course, would appear to have completely ignored the entire indcident. The British people, however, would have gone nuts. NO ONE touches the Queen in public… EVER… not even members of her own family, except in the most informal of settings.

This action by GWB, had it happened, would have elicited an instantaneous negative reaction the likes of which would not soon be forgotten. I doubt even GWB’s powerful, myopic, oil-soaked supporters could have rescued him from being thrown from office for plunging the country into an international disrepute that would cost the economy BILLIONS.

I bet buying her a <a href=http://www.massage-chair-relief.com>massage chair</a> would have saved him less embarrassment and less $$ in a sexual harrasment lawsuit!

Get over it people, its a 3 second back rub. Good to see people acting normal. It was no turkey slap!!!! And shit he swears, wow, what a disgrace.
GET OVER IT!!!!!
GO G W, Massage it up!!!!
MAKE MASSAGE! NOT WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a moron!  This egomaniac has no foot in reality.  He and our government need to extend a formal apology to the honorable Chancellor Merkel. She should have screamed for security.
If anyone even was within 8 feet of the monkey Bush, the secret Service would take that person down. 
It is not OK for our puppet Pres. to molest a Head of State.  Bush is so out of control.  He thinks he is above all laws and etiquette. He eats like a sow and offends everyone with his cracker English. He is clueless.  He has been in that Ivory tower too long.  Also, take that silver spoon out of his mouth.  Perhaps he would act like a gentleman if other heads of state were to start groping Laura Bush.

Bush has always been an embarrasement to me. Now he is bent on not stopping Israel from starting what could be WWIII.  Why don’t we just send him out there on the front lines?  Maybe those who are bent on fighting this conflict will see this idiot out there and stop their fighting to just roll over in laughter.
Would that we could just laugh him away and all the trouble he has caused this world.

ya...she looks gorgeous even at this age.

What do You expect from ON EMPTY SUIT LIKE THE BOY FROM CRAWFORD !!!!!!

Re: “Comment #14227 by R. A. Earl...To my American friends… please be aware there are many millions of us around the world who condole with you on your misfortune to have GWB as your President. While you DID ELECT HIM… TWICE...” NO, we did NOT elect him twice. George Bush has ascended all the way from college into the presidency from the worst defects and most undemocratic aspects of American society: Nepotism, influence peddling, and other affirmative actions for the undeserving children of the wealthy and powerful.

There is nothing in George W. Bush’s background, public intellect, verbal literacy or personal achievement that suggests he should be leading even the local dog pound. America’s Founding Fathers established a system of “voting” that was never intended to elevate the best and the brightest but rather the wealthiest and most powerful. In 2000 Bush was appointed by a Supreme Court that was protecting The System, not democracy or the people. International election monitors have stated that the US 2004 Election also would NOT pass international democratic standards.

Occasionally, the best and brightest have become president; those few stand out: Jefferson, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Kennedy, Clinton and a few others. Presidential history shows a long line of mediocrity of which Bush is merely the lowest and worst. His faithful followers are undeterred by his total incompetence, sociopathic policies and bizarre personality because “he is a man of god with a good personality.” What “god” they never bother to explain to the rest of us who are still rational.

calm down
loved the humorous posts - hate the politically slanted ones - both sides
remember to never vote for an imcumbent, never vote for anyone backed by big business,a labor organization, an incumbent, a politician, the greenies, etc they do not have anybodies interests but their own in mind
and the groping incident? better things than this to get upset about

Regardless of whether Bush earlier made friends with Chancellor Merkel, his subtly demeaning physical attention, in which Merkel is seen raising her arms to push him away, was extremely inappropriate and undignified conduct for a president of the United States.

This incident is embarrassing enough all by itself, but it follows right on the heels of yet another incident in which Bush, talking while chewing with his mouth open, uses profanity as glibly as a Texas cowhand, again demonstrating his crudity and immaturity.

This was a formal dinner party at a conference of heads of state from around the world—at which Bush represents all Americans—and not some backyard Texas barbecue! Would he have acted in the same way toward the Queen of England? And if he had, would the same supporters still have been excusing his behavior?

Bush and his group of bafoons seem to have, collectively, the absence of a frontal cortex, and a direct connection of brain to mouth. This allows their stupidity to come jumping out at the most inappropriate times and places, for all the world to see.

Bush seems not to realize that today’s wars are fought not only on the battlefield, but also on the public relations front. Such behaviors make men like Vladimir Putin seem respectable by comparison.

RE: Comment #14455 by Derek Drummond on 7/20 at 4:36 am

Guess you like to lie just like the decider; if it was fun watching all those liberals, you would not be posting your crap on this site. Just reading! It irritates the hell outta you and we are glad. It would be appropriate for you to address the issue at hand, rather than going to an attack on Clinton. Get over it, Clinton was a decent president....this ass is ruining the country and in your neocon heart, you know it too!

Enjoy this parody video on the subject of the Bush back-rub incident…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdkJbOlfFzc

Cheers

MD
vlogger & comedian....
myspace.com/markday

Bush is a joke (I wish) He never ceases to amaze and disapoint the world! He represents the United States-and we the citizens are totally embarassed by everything he does-Impeach him!!!! I can’t take two more years.

Her shoulders said no but her eyes said yes, yes.... oh my god yes!

It is fun to read the comments of Bush haters.  The same crowd of people who defended President Clinton against credible charges of rape, sexual harassment, and his eventual impeachment for lying under oath are now pillars of virtue and abstinence.  It is just in your nature to see an innocent 1 second shoulder touch in the light of a full frontal assault.  You view President Bush though your own filter, dark and depraved.  I will continue to see the man who leads the free world and successfully protects us from terror.  Too bad your glass is half-empty.

OMG..whats next? Wearing white after labor day?
As long as the moonbattery is concerned with this, the real agenda is going forward.
Secretly is going to run for a THIRD TERM!!!

And we’re all going to vote for him.
Now, resume your normal tinfoil hat positions.
teh dawg

This is not the first time this complete dictator, tyrant, despot, has been exposed. Michael Moore showed us and Bush himself has shown us on numerous occassions in press conferences and publicity campaigns how utterly ignorant, incapable, incoherent, insensitive, inept and indescribably boorish, ugly, foul mouthed, uncouth, arrogant, ill educated, ill mannered, superficial, glib, trite, aggressive, hostile, self righteous, sanctimonious and smug he truly is. Now he’s shoulder rubbing the shoulders of a female head of state at one of the most important meetings in the world...but will the American people realise they need a reality check or just keep going along with him so they don’t have to admit their collective gross error of judgement???
How does the saying go...Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Me thinks there’s something in that…

THE US would be more sincere if they would send Dick Chenney to these events, after all he is the president of the U.S.

Mediocracy brings disaster, and the world is a disaster because George Bush and Tony Blair are both incompetent

Is Bush back on cociane? The groping, yes groping, of Chancellor Angela Merkel. In any enlightened workplace in the Western world Bush would be given a serious warning, probation and required to get counseling on inappropriate touching.

Earlier in the week Bush is seen carefree, chowing down and jostling with his frat house buddy Tony Blaire like he’s keeping score of somebody else’s Big War Game on TV: “the Syrians should cut that shit out...” Meanwhile, that same day in Iraq at least 4 Americans, and over 83 Iraqis were killed— Hey George, let’s change the channel—what the f*# K!?!?—over in Afghanistan the Talliban is back not just to grope women, to subtly keep them in their place G.W. style, but to also KILL them if they dare challenge their own Religious Right. The Talliban should cut that shit out. But wait, George you are right, I stand corrected, you would never say that ‘cause: The Talliban don’t like stemcells, Evolution, gays or liberals, neither. EEEYAHOO!!! The Talliban is just like good ‘ol Texas Frat Boys Gone Wild, sponsored by the NRA!!!

There are more reasons than Oil that the Bush regime removed its Army from Afghanistan to attack Iraq, the one nation in the Middle East where women actually enjoyed democratic standing. —Keni Washington

Here is the correct link to the Frankfurt newspaper’s coverage of G8 (featuring Frau Merkel). Even without knowing German, it is clear from the pictures that Bush doesn’t get much photo-op. The only mention of Bush is the Groper incident, which is similar to the LAT coverage (as I understand it), i.e., Angela was pleased. They also show the “holding hands” picture with the caption “trusting relationship”. But he seems to have missed the Angela birthday party and the final picture.

Im Sitzungssaal des Konstantin-Palastes rüttelt der Präsident sie einmal freundschaftlich zupackend von hinten an den Schultern, während sie schon auf ihrem Platz sitzt. Sie ist überrascht, aber sie freut sich sichtlich. Sie sei ja nicht gerade eine rheinische Frohnatur, sagt ein Mitarbeiter, der sie gut kennt, deshalb wird ihr die manchmal rustikale Herzlichkeit Bushs zunächst fremd gewesen sein. Aber Frau Merkel gehört offenkundig zu den ausgewählten ausländischen Politikern, die der Präsident persönlich mag.

That is:

In the meeting hall of the Konstantin-Palace, the president shakes (rüttelt) her from behind with a friendly gripping (zupackend) behind the shoulders, while she is sitting in her place at the table. She is surprised, but clearly is pleased (expression, sichtlich). She is by nature not good humored, says a coworker, who knows her well, therefore initially reacted, against the crude (country) humor of Bush, with indignation. But Frau Merkel belongs openly to the especially selected politicians, who the president personally likes.

G8
http://www.faz.net/s/RubFC06D389EE76479E9E76425072B196 C3/Doc~E5B52AEE3CC614B5CBA17675A6EF1F2A6~ATpl~Ecommon~Sspez ial.html

Bush and Ms. Merkel
http://www.faz.net/s/RubFC06D389EE76479E9E76425072B196 C3/Doc~E5B52AEE3CC614B5CBA17675A6EF1F2A6~ATpl~Ecommon~Sspez ial.html

Long known for our touchy, feely, hands on approach to relaxing,California’s Esalon Institute has offered to host the next G-8 meeting.Pres. Bush needs to brush up on his hand on techniques. Chancellor. Merkel need a course in relaxation 101. 
As for the rest of eight leaders…
Well if they all followed the Esalon method there would be a lot less of the killing stuff going around. Rest of you dudes,duddetts,bloggers etc
also need to take the same course.
MJ

Honestly, Bush looks like the wino that showed up at the corporate dinner and doesn’t realize he’s in the wrong place.

Abe Lincoln’s in podcast on the gaffe:

“This marks the first documented case of sexual harassment by President Bush since 2003 when he finger-banged Vladimir Putin....”

Episode 81
http://www.theabrahamlincolnlogs.com

You have to remember that Bush is an alcoholic and Germans drink a lot of beer.

We have to show Bush the same patience, pity and tolerance we would cheerfully grant a sick fiend.

You have to remember that Bush ordered the unnecesssary war that killed and maimed tens of thousands of innocent civilians and he has a tremendous need to be liked so he will know people don’t hate him for it.

Bush can’t help it if he’s a liar...some people are just born that way.

I think there’s a very good chance that he was drunk during the meetings with Blair and Merkel. Even given Bush’s vast stupidity, it’s hard to imagine a sober guy swearing and giving Merkel an “innocent” massage. Who the fuck does he think he is, competent or something?

To all but the imbeciles who still like him, he is obviously a pathological narcissist. He acts as if he owns the world but he must really know that he’s a pathetic, idiotic failure. He’s never done anything well in his life, and he’s now easily the worst president in history. I hope he takes the entire criminal Republican party down in flames with him. Rove and Cheney should make him get out of sight. Impeach the motherfucker.

First it’s “Yo Blair” and the s bomb. Now it’s the back rub. WTF ???? The people of this country should be embarassed by the dope. It’s as if the country put W.C. Fields in the white house. Sad ... just sad.

When Lyndon Johnson showed the world his gall bladder operation scar, I thought that diplomacy had sunk into the muck. Then we get the moron we have now, talking with an affected drawl, swearing on an open mike, incapable of behaving in a civil manner without a script in front of him, and now groping the head of the German government.  Is he so clueless that he cannot sense her disdain for being “handled” by him in such a manner.  Compared to Bush, Johnson’s little blemish rises to the level of polished diplomacy. Or perhaps American diplomacy has just sunk into the place where no light reaches it.  How can the American people just sit by and allow their president to stain this nation’s reputation as he does? Daily.  He is a walking national disaster zone.

To my American friends… please be aware there are many millions of us around the world who condole with you on your misfortune to have GWB as your President. While you DID ELECT HIM… TWICE… so it’s partly YOUR FAULT, we do not believe you had the benefit of full disclosure before doing so.

I don’t suppose lack of class and intelligence, and boorish behavior are amongst the grounds to consider impeachment?

much of what’s coming out is designed to distract americans from the mess he’s made in the middle east—anybody who has half a brain knows bush is a cretin but all of a sudden his psychological make-up is news

Definition of Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment is any unwanted and unwelcome behavior of a sexual or gender-specific nature that interferes with a person’s ability to work.

Three important elements are:

1. The behavior is unwelcome or unwanted
2. It is of a sexual nature or is gender directed
3. The impact of the behaviour interferes with the ability for someone to do a job.

Where’s Gloria Allred when you need her?

http://www.operation2012.com

I have a direct link for TRUTHDIG members to the
Nuclear Newt Gingrich flash game here.

This kind of behavior is typical of the malignant narcissist that he is. Such a person’s superficial palsiness, especially in a first encounter, is founded on his absolute certainty that he is everyone else’s heart’s desire.

But when this autoerotic presumption is not met with the response he demands, he reacts with visceral hostility, as when last year an Irish TV reporter persisted with unpleasant questions well past the point when she was supposed to have been conquered by his alleged charm. The sudden flash of teeth-baring, Presidential hatred was rather chilling.

Looks like Bush is showing his true self under time of stress: having no manners and so horny that he can’t keep his hands to himself.  Why should he?  He is used to having anything he wants.  But Newt is worse for accepting the mission to test the waters of starting World War III.  Have you guys tried my new flash game:  Nuclear Newt Gingrich and World War III at http://zenwire.com/flashmedia.php
Try it when you guys have some time, I just hate this guy.

It makes you wonder about Americans who hear the words and see the actions of this low rent, drunken creep and can decide that his best quality is his “likeabililty.” Please...someone...tell me what is so “likeable” about a guy who deals with heads of state - our “allies” for Chrissakes - and thinks he is off the meter in “likeability.”

You’d think that at the very least someone in his entourage ought to make sure he combs his heair before he participates in a council that decides the economic fate of billions of people.

He’s a disgrace. A humiliation for all Americans to bear.  And we have two and half more years of this jerk to endure.

I’ll say it.  And I have no compunctions about it.  I hate George Bush more than I have hated any other public figure, and I have ample reason to do so.

I’ll say it again.  I hate George Bush.  Any decent American who loves the principles of American democracy and decency and fairness ought to hate him, too.  He’s a worse enemy to us than Osama bin Laden.

Our Nation Embarrassment.  I thought Bush was the guy people wanted over for barbeque.  Now I see he’s a bumbling boar.

The stupidity of this nincompoop never ceases. First this asinine behavior with another head of state, then the talking to Blair with a mouth full of food, using foul language to boot. The man is not only a national disgrace for this nation, he is an international disgrace as well! The German peopole will see him for exactly what he is: a dumkoff!