He is such an embarassment--an even greater one than was initially thought. It's one thing to have bad/idiotic/selfserving policy but to disrespect a world leader, in such a public context and in such a personal manner...it can't be chalked up to disagreeable "politics".

I suppose this behavior is the result of having your entire life staged for you during a 6 yr period--there are no consequences for his actions and there is no need for self-reflection. I bet none of his staff even bothered to call him on shit--can you imagine working for him?

This is just another line of very embarrassing things that our president has done. Just like the first one where a reporter asked about the US role when the Isreal/Lebanon conflict was just beginning and he thought the reporter was going to ask about the pig being served for dinner. Just like when he said that he hopes Russia becomes like Iraq since he assumes Iraq is now a perfect democracy complete with freedom of the press. Where smartly replied Putin replied "I'd rather it not." Now this? Thinking he can freely touch the Prime Minister of Germany because she is woman? Blah. This president is becoming a joke throughout the world who starting to show more of his ignorance and stupidity in very public places. Laura Bush says that none of her husband's good news appears in papers anymore. That's because, Mrs. Bush, everything that your husband does isn't good news to begin with. And it's a all a joke...and not the good kind of joke either.

EW! Ugh that gave me the heebie-jeebies. The only person I have met who does things like that is a total slime-ball ex-frat boy (no offense to non-slimeball ex-fratboys) YUCK!

Yes, this was an incredibly creepy thing for the President to do, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it was sexual harassment. This is the type of over-the-top glad-handing that some men (salesmen mostly) practice on other men. Other moves include the upper-arm grab, the lower-back touch, and the chest pat. (Look at C-Span footage of congressmen interacting with each other and notice how physical they get.) It’s a way of trying to ingratiate oneself while also asserting dominance--definitely not a way to treat a fellow world leader.

I agree with other who have pointed out that this illustrates how clueless the President is. I would also hypothesize that he would have done a similar thing if the Prime Mister were a man.

...REALLY curious about the conversation he had with Laura later that evening? :D

The worst thing is the look on poor Chancellor Merkel's face. She has so much more class than he. Did anyone else see their joint press conference? Bush kept talking about the pig they were going to roast later. An audience member asked him a legitimate question, and he mentioned the pig roast again. Chancellor Merkel kept the annoyance out of her face through what looked like a valiant effort. With this, however, she couldn't help but shriek. Can he just make it through a day, just one stinking day, without getting caught cursing (and demonstrating that he has no idea what the word "irony" means), insulting a citizen, or making himself look like a frat boy?

Oh, man, do I recognize the old shrug-and-stretch tactical manouever! And that horrified, yet dipomatic expression on her face...

It's true that people use uninvited touch to express dominance - this is not purely a man-on-woman thing. But it *is* awfully interesting that this has never happened before in Bush's tenure, but as soon as he's confronted with a female head of state, he gets all "let me soothe your poor frazzled nerves" on her.

That's right, Clinton really knew how to act Presidential. I mean Lewinsky just ate him up. Of course that "was just about sex", not the sort of egregious act that George Bush performed on Angela Merkel.

that's all he is and that's all he ever was or will be. Did you see him chewing his food like a real a-hole hick at a bbq when he said the 's' word to Tony Blair?

Not surprised in the least.

It's what passes in Georgie's world for "meeting of the minds"--nicknames, slaps on the back, and crassness that he tries to make look better with his frat boy version of affability. It's all a sham. He's a dumb, dangerous, uncouth, mean spirited (like his mama) coke head.

I'm so proud.

but it's true that besides the surge in blood pressure that invaraiably accompanies the unpleasnat experience of hearing the sound of his voice, a lot of the time there is the additonal factor tha his behavior just makes me CRINGE.

...you are being facetious, aren't ya?

Are you really one of those people still bothering to be sour about Clinton's private indiscretions (I know I know "but he did it in the Oval Office!") when our current ruler is not only destroying our country (economically, socially, ecologically, etc etc etc) and any diplomatic ties we have to the world outside of AMURRICA but also has a hand in pretty much effing-up all (yes, all) of the good that came out of the Clinton era.

I find it so funny that the "Monica Lewinsky Scandal" is the only card anyone ever plays anymore when trying to disparage Clinton--even with this debacle that we currently call the "US Gov", the anti-Clinton folks can't seem to get perspective.

You know, some days during this administration, it's almost too embarrassing to get out of bed in the morning.

I LOL'd when I read that line. Very true! I've never been a great admirer of frat-boy business majors but he's just the creepiest bast*rd ever. If, as they say, active alcoholics (and dry drunks) are always the age at which they started drinking heavily, I guess we know why he behaves like a clueless frat-boy...