OK, now I'm beyond humiliated.

[globalvillage]

Germany was on my short list of places to visit. I don't think it'll be any time soon.
I just feel like hiding until this is all over. I thought KG's pics from yesterday were embarassing, but this takes the cake (or the fifth of Jack, as the case may be).
Who is God's name actually thought it was a good idea to vote for this jackass? After I send them all this video, I am swearing off all contact with republicans that's not absolutely necessary.
WTF does he think he's doing? Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1659972

[Blaukraut]

1. rotfl!!!

GV, don't feel too badly here. I'm sure the Germans were highly amused to see Merkel get a rubdown. She's held in about the same esteem there as Bush is over here - at least by the majority of the voters. Remember; the Germans did not elect her as chancellor. She was the CDU candidate and only managed to get appointed to the office through a Grand Coalition.
Schroeder would have been the people's choice (42% ves 25 or so for Merkel), but the SPD got 1 or 2 percentage points less than the CDU, hence Merkel as chancellor, and not Schroeder.
She is a nasty, mean-mouthed, stupid woman. :-)

On edit; I said she deserves it, but no matter what kind of person she is, Bush was disrespectful. It's just poetic justice to me to see one stupid idiot insulting another stupid idiot.

[globalvillage]

5. She may be vile,

but at least she chews with her mouth closed (doesn't she?)
Lord in heaven. I wouldn't invite him to a pig roast lest he be confused with the main course.
This may seem trivial compared with all the suffering he's caused, but you'd think he could at least keep his nasty hands off the other world leaders. Cripes. What a boor.
He had to be drunk.

[Blaukraut]

6. I suspect he was drunk, too

Remember the picture with Putin where they're standing at their respective places by the dinner table? Dubya's had a bottle of beer sitting next to it, Putin's a glass of water.
I believe Merkel chews with her mouth closed. lol Just as well, because as I remember her from last October back home, every time she opens it, either something stupid or something foul and mean escapes it. She was as much of an embarrassment during the chancellor debates as Bush was during ours. Schroeder mopped the floor with her..and yet...here we are - stuck with the morons. Go figure, huh?

[globalvillage]

7. What was the movie with Eddie Murphy

where the two rich guys made a bet ($1) that they could turn a homeless Murphy into an executive? Trading Places.
I think a couple guys with lots of money and a really sick sense of humor did this on purpose. They found the least likely and least presidential people on the planet, and made them world leaders on a dare. Just to prove they could get away with it.
Only in the movie, Murphy turns out to be a bright and decent guy. No such luck this time.
Shit. We've been 'punked'.

[europegirl4jfk]

10. I totally agree with you

My mom saw it on German TV and was shocked about his behavior. But Merkel brought it upon herself. She shouldn't have been so nice to invite him to her hometown and this pig roast. Now he treats her like a "Kumpel". The BILD newspaper's title was too funny: "Bush: Love Attack on Merkel! - US President has a crush on our chancellor" :evilgrin:
Link: http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/aktuell/2006/07/18/merkel-bush-liebes-attacke/merkel-bush-liebes-attacke.html

GV, LevensonK is right. German people will not hold you accountable for Bush's behavior. You didn't choose this stupid idiot. I'm not happy with Merkel in Germany and Chirac here in France either. At least we have an election in France next year. Let's hope for the best - and in the US in 2008 as well.

[TayTay]

2. He really is the village idiot

Now if only that had been someone else as President, I don't think the reaction would have been like that from Merkel. Maybe someone tall, with really, really big hands. Hmmmmm,

What was I saying?

[globalvillage]

4. Even if

it were a tall, handsome and incredibly charming man rather than a drunken moron, a state dinner is not a frat party. This guy needs to be locked in the basement of the WH until '09.
Who let him out of his cage? He has made at least one seriously embarrassing gaffe a day since the G8 started.
Swearing, talking with his mouth full, hitting on the chancellor...he is an absolute disaster. I know this pales in comparison to the horrific mess he's made in Iraq and at home, but we're a LAUGHING STOCK.
I'm hiding. Call me when it's Nov '08.

[ProSense]

3. Yikes!

Her gesture implies: Get the eff off me!

[Blaukraut]

8. By the way, a tip in case you still want to visit Germany

For the trip, slap a couple of 'I hate Bush' stickers on your luggage, and when you get over there, tell them you're Canadian ;-)
Just kidding, GV. The people over there actually feel pretty badly for us and will welcome you with open arms as long as you say you voted for John Kerry :-)

[globalvillage]

12. So, I pack three pair of pants, two skirts

and my entire collection of John Kerry t-shirts. Will that do it? I can wear my I *heart* John Kerry button which, IMO, goes with everything including the little black cocktail dress.
Maybe I'll just wait till '09. That way, I can either be a proud American tourist or a fleeing ex-pat.

[Blaukraut]

14. Heh, you COULD wait til '09, true

But what if by then we'll have Mittens for prez? :rofl:
There goes the idea of being a proud American tourist. I kid, I kid. Romney wouldn't embarrass us for at least 6 months, I would think ;-)
Seriously, though, I think it'll be safe to go in '09!

[TayTay]

15. Nooooooo!

Don't even think it! We cannot elect someone like Romney and then claim tht he came from Massachusetts. I should have to go around with a bag on my head for years. (Oh the horror! the horror!) He is not from Massachusetts, hell he doesn't even like us.

There is only one person from MA who can credibly run for Pres and it is not Mittens. That person actually likes his home state and defends us (and our accents) whenever necessary.

[Blaukraut]

16. No doubt! If Mittens were to run, we'd disavow any connection

And who says we'll elect him? It's been a long time since a republican's been elected for president. Appointed, sure, helped himself to the cookie jar, certainly. But elected? Nah.
You're absolutely correct, though. If we Massholes sendanybody, it'll be our esteemed Junior Senator :-)

[zann725]

17. I lived in Germany for about 2 yrs...in my youth. And if I were you, I'd

keep it on your "short list" of places to see LAST,if at all. Seriously, not to be detrimental to the Germans (good food aside)...I lived in Bavaria (which is lovely architecturally and geographically)...but countries like Amsterdam, France, portions of Italy, Scotland would still be at the top of my list...if I were to do it all over.

If you want to see Germany, watch a History Channel re-run...seriously. A pall still hangs over the country...even with the passage of time.

[Blaukraut]

18. A pall still hangs over Germany?

Would you be so kind and explain what you are talking about? I've lived there all my life up until my early 20s and I noticed no such thing. I suppose it all depends on the attitude you choose to adopt when you visit another country - even live there as a foreigner for two years. You will be able to find a 'pall'just about anywhere if you choose to.
I sincerely hope GV doesn't take your advice and sees Germany through a history channel re-run.
In 'trying not to be detrimental', you were precisely that.

[whometense]

19. I'm not sure I agree with that.

I haven't been to Germany myself, but my daughter was there a few years ago, touring with a music group, and she loved it. I'm not sure what you're referring to; your remark is pretty vague. But she found the people there warm and hospitable.

[Island Blue]

9. In a large corporate setting,

couldn't this be considered sexual harassment? Did he also feel compelled to give Pottie and the other male leaders massages? (My guess is, no.) My workplace is fairly casual, but I honestly can't imagine anyone (male or female) feeling that this is would be appropriate workplace behavior.

This man is just a total pig, and he's living proof that money can't buy you class.

[karynnj]

13. I'm not sure about his restraint around the male leaders

In a recent NYT article, the title wondered if Lieberman's political fate might not be :sealed with a kiss." Lieberman is quoted as saying, it was just a hug - but conceded the footage might be interepted differently. The McCain photos are also pretty sickening.

In both cases, I think it is simply very aggressive behavior. Bush really is a very obnoxious bully - just as he was in college. I agree with you - this behavior would have been enough to make him unacceptable in the workplace.

[rox63]

11. Total lack of boundaries and respect

What a jackass he is! x(