George H.W. Bush apologizes after actress accuses him of groping her

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill




BY JULIA MANCHESTER - 10/25/17 08:49 AM EDT

Former President George H.W. Bush issued an apology after an actress accused him of sexually assaulting her during a photo op four years ago.

“When I got the chance to meet George H. W. Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo. He didn’t shake my hand. He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke,” actress Heather Lind wrote in a now deleted Instagram post reported by The Daily Mail on Tuesday.

Lind, who stars in the Revolutionary War drama "Turn: Washington’s Spies," was at a private screening of the series when the incident allegedly took place. “And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again. Barbara rolled her eyes as if to say `’not again,’ she continued, adding "His security guard told me I shouldn’t have stood next to him for the photo.”

Lind also said in the post she was "disturbed" by a photo she saw of former President Barack Obama shaking hands with Bush at a benefit concert to raise funds for disaster relief on Saturday night. A spokesperson for the former president issued an apology, saying Bush did not mean to cause any harm.

“President Bush would never — under any circumstance — intentionally cause anyone distress, and he most sincerely apologizes if his attempt at humor offended Ms. Lind,” the spokesperson said.

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Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/357047-george-hw-bush-apologizes-after-actress-accuses-him-of-groping

[The Blue Flower]

1. Attempt at humor?

This is adding insult to injury. Women are not as stupid as he believes.

[zipplewrath]

3. A form of a pivot

Apologize for the least offensive thing he did, and ignore the rest. The take away from supporters is "well, he apologized".

[RedSpartan]

4. They are acknowledging that he told a "dirty joke"

but not that he grabbed her ass.

[joeybee12]

2. Whatever happened to Bush's Jennifer, his mistress the media ignored?

[cubbies01]

7. Most likely

If he is truly like some of the extremely wealthy men, she was likely traded in for a newer version, who has in turn been traded in.

[Roy Rolling]

5. *sigh*

This is disturbing on so many levels. I actually somewhat admire HW.

[mercuryblues]

6. The old

I only grabbed your ass 2x because it was supposed to be a joke defense.

Women do not find being grabbed at funny. How would men like that, like it if we went around kicking them in the groin because we think it is funny? I think we should start doing that.

[Abouttime]

28. He just admitted to felony assault

He should be charged and held accountable before the law, no one, up to and including an ex president should be above the law. If Bill Clinton had done this tRump would have him locked up.

[Not Ruth]

8. Horrible Republicans being horrible

In 2014 Bush was 90 years old. Will Barbara comment?

[IronLionZion]

9. I thought this was satire, but it turns out it's real

and very disappointing. If HW did it, then it's another step towards normalizing this behavior.

[cubbies01]

10. Yeah, it is so bad and rampant...

...that women can't even trust being with a 90 plus year old former president....

The behavior was always there, women are finally at the breaking point and telling their stories. It may be the most effective weapon due to the shame. I would guarantee there are a LOT of men out there worried and losing sleep that someone is going to out them for harassing/assaulting behavior on their social media.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. At least he immediately admitted it & apologized. GrOPer Don Dong Ill will never admit / apologize.

[IronLionZion]

13. Dipshit actually brags about it on camera

but no apologies. He also claimed at his rallies that only a weak liberal woman would allow herself to be groped and that conservative women would slap him.

[karynnj]

12. Umm, that is NOT an apology. He places the blame on her not understanding his "humor" which does

address the dirty joke, but not that he touched her.

[coolsandy]

14. From a wheel chair, putting your butt in someone's face could be called harassment.

[Siwsan]

15. Could there be some other issues at play, here?

GHWB's affect and demeanor have seemed a bit a bit 'off', for a while, now. I know he's had some serious health issues, and sometimes, in the elderly, those can manifest is some impulse control issues.

I am not offering an excuse - just a possible alternative explanation.

[jeffreyi]

16. Agree. Let it go.

See the thread about dementia, makes sense.

[Siwsan]

17. Having seen (uncharacteristic) behavior like this, it is best to let it go

Reading the story kind of broke my heart. Having gone through this with family members, if that is the case with him, my heart goes out to the family.

[Pale Blue Dot]

21. I'm sure all of the women here appreciate it.

Please continue to let everyone know when, regarding sexual assault, it's time to 'let it go."

[RobinA]

30. I'm A Woman Here

and sometimes I just have to roll my eyes and think, Let it go. Shit that annoys us happens. Let it go.

[Chemisse]

19. I wondered that as well.

This could also happen if he is getting dementia. Unless he has a history of molesting nearby women, I would bet that it is an age- or health-related behavior. Barbara would do well to keep his wheel chair away from grabbing distance.

[DLevine]

22. I used to work in a nursing home. My guess is dementia. nt

[AtheistCrusader]

18. Non apology: "if his attempt at humor offended"

Classic example.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-apology_apology

[truthisfreedom]

20. Crazy as a loon.

He's lost it.

[Stuart G]

23. But note:...and this is not a "butt joke"..He, "sincerely apologizes" A new term for republicans.

Apologize.. Is Trump familiar with that... New Word....apologize...?

a pol o gize ..

express regret for something that one has done wrong.
"I must apologize for disturbing you like this"


synonyms: say (one is) sorry, express regret, be apologetic, make an apology, ask forgiveness, ask for pardon;

[keithbvadu2]

24. So groping is humor and it's her fault for standing next to him.

So groping is humor and it's her fault for standing next to him.



GOP honor understood.

[Old Vet]

25. Jesus Christ, Has our hatred overlooked humanity. The man cant pee on his own, Let it go........

[janterry]

26. As a woman

I also say, let it go. He's nearing the end of his life - even if he doesn't have dementia, he certainly suffers from diminished capacity.

We can't prosecute every geriatric geezer, for heaven's sake.

[nocalflea]

27. Wow .

Hard to know what to think. Is this new behavior or is there a history of this type of behavior ?

Is he using age as a cover for bad behavior ? Or is he losing his inhibitions due to some organic process ?

Whatever, Ms. Lind was right to call him out.

[keithbvadu2]

29. If his family and security folks do not warn women to stay away, can they be charged with aiding and

If his family and security folks do not warn women to stay away, can they be charged with aiding and abetting or some such activity?

Now that it's known, there is no excuse or reason to 'forgive and forget'.