The embarrassment never ends

[peaches2003]

Bush in holy gaffe
09/06/2007 14:10 - (SA)


Vatican City - US President George W Bush drew gasps at the Vatican on Saturday by referring to Pope Benedict XVI as "sir" instead of the expected "His Holiness", pool reporters said.

They could clearly hear the US leader say "Yes, sir" when the pope asked him if he was going to meet with officials of the lay Catholic Sant'Egidio community at the US embassy later during his visit.

A handful of pool reporters were on hand as Benedict greeted Bush at the door of his private library ahead of a private audience of about half an hour.

On his way to see the 80-year-old pontiff, the US leader apparently recognised someone he knew, and could be heard greeting the person with a casual "How ya doin'?"

The pool reporters also noted Bush's relaxed posture, crossing his legs "Texan style" while facing the pope across his desk in the private study of the apostolic palace.


(I saw him on tv when he saw someone he knew. He was supposed to be walking with the Pope and went wandering off waving to someone. He has absolutely no sense of decorum. And, by the way, where was Laura? I remember her sitting with the Chimp talking to Pope John.)

[liberal N proud]

1. The really stupid part is they coach everyone before they have an audience

They tell everyone about to have an audience with the Pope how they should stand, sit gesture and speak.
This dumb fuck couldn't even remember for a few minutes how to act? GEEESH!

[WiseButAngrySara]

3. It is amazing isn't it since liars have to constantly act. ....n/t

[WiseButAngrySara]

2. Now THIS is funny! A B* gaffe that is entirely appropriate. There

have undoubtably been a few popes who could have been properly addressed as "His Holiness", IMHO, but this pope is not one of the few.

[TahitiNut]

16. Agreed. We supposedly eschewed 'Titles' in 1776.

I eschew all of these inflated titles - and entitlements. One can be civil without mouthing these mantras of feudalism and monarchy.

[LiberalHeart]

24. Agreed.

Reminds me of the scene in The Queen where tradition and protocol are spelled out -- and for what purpose? Bowing just so, backing out of the room, blah blah blah.

[TahitiNut]

26. COURTship and COURTesy ... by COURTiers

The function of a 'court' was to blow sunshine up the skirts of the 'royal' ... a narcissistic supply for people incapable of dealing with the truth and the real world of ordinary people. All the supposed 'rules' of COURTesy are derived from such protocols ... form without substance, words without underlying truth. If we merely treated each other with respect and compassion, there'd be absolutely no need for 'court'esy.

The 'Honorable' ... since when??
His 'Holiness' ... in a pig's eye.
His 'Excellency' ... for the pathetically mundane.
Her 'Majesty' ... in what fevered mind?

[WiseButAngrySara]

29. LOL! Sounds like our current media and the present B*

administration. I choke every time I hear the phrase: 'I serve at the Pleasure of the pPresident..'

Why not just say what they mean? 'I serve at the Pleasure of His Royal HighNass..'

[treestar]

4. Well, that pontiff should be doing things the Amurkan way!

We can't let him tell Americans what to do!

:rofl:

[Amonester]

5. one can only wish pickles should be hiding behind the curtain and feel this way:

:blush:

[leftofthedial]

6. he's an arrogant buffoon

utterly insensitive to anyone but himself

utterly amoral

Personally, I don't care if he called that old catholic fuckwad nazi "your buttholiness," but king george is an unmitigated asshole.

[Orsino]

11. Given...but is this little incident important?

I'm uncomfortable with religious titles for heads of state anyway, and as long as * mostly remembers "Holiness," what's the big deal with an occasional "sir" thrown in? "Sir" is at least a respectful address, and I don't think its offhand use, especially away from a microphone, should be considered scandalous.

"Sir" is a hell of a lot better than "Pooty-Poot," and a title like "His Holiness" seems to me the height of arrogance.

[MUAD_DIB]

13. They have a wor for Bush's actions: Sociopthy. n/t

[Double T]

7. At least bush didn't ask the pontiff for a snack, "Ponti, you got any sacramental wafers......

I could munch on and oh, yeah, how 'bout a little wine to wash it down".

[spanone]

8. stupid is as stupid does

[Mythsaje]

9. This is SUCH a non-issue for me...

In short, screw decorum. If I were someday to meet the Pope, he'd damn well better be happy to rate a "sir" from me. Male customers at work, male judges, and male cops get a "sir" from me. Maybe certain politicians would as well. I suppose I could grant the Pope the same amount of respect. But no more. "Holiness" my ass.

Puh-leeze. One of the things about being an American is that we're not required to bend a knee to anyone, least of all the Popenfurher. Just because a significant number of the world's population thinks he's got a direct line to God doesn't mean he's entitled to any stronger honorific than "sir" in my book.

[terrya]

17. No kidding.

If I were to meet him, I'd have to refrain from spitting on him, never mind getting a "sir" out of me. I'm gay and this man and his church has declared war on gays and lesbians. To address someone as "sir" infers that that person is deserving of some respect. This man is not deserving of any kind of respect. At least from me.

[krispos42]

18. That is a tough call

I certainly won't be bowing and scraping to anybody, regardless of the altitude of his hat. Plenty of Catholics in the world to do that for me.

However, his job title is "Your Holiness", and I don't see any problem, particulary, with calling him that. If he's looking for reverence and awe from me and my tone of voice, though, I'm afraid he'll be disappointed. I'll try not to smirk when I say it, out of politness... :-)

[shanti]

19. but the irony of this story

is that bushitler requires that people address him specifically as well! "mr. president", hah! screw that - he'd be lucky to get a mr. from me!

[slowry]

28. Yeah, was gonna say the same... "who am I supposed to side with here"?? n/t

[Captain Hilts]

31. I generally agree with you, but when you are in Cardinal Rat's house...

it's polite to follow his rules.

Otherwise, 'sir' is adequate, especially since GWB is not an RC.

[ljm2002]

40. As a happily lapsed Catholic...

...I would agree with you, except for one thing. The Pope is not just the head of the Catholic Church, he is the head of state of the Vatican, which is a recognized nation. When you visit a head of state in their own country, you follow the rules of protocol in that country, typically. To not do so is a sign of disrespect.

Of course Bush knows that, and he does it on purpose. And he knowingly plays to the folks back home, counting on most Americans to find it more amusing than embarrassing, and knowing that his fundie base will love it.

It would be very interesting to have a list of all the titles of heads of states where he has visited, and whether he did or did not address them by those titles.

[stellanoir]

10. at least he didn't wink at him

[OHdem10]

12. Typical Journalist--All style --No Substance

The Holy Father is not going to be concerned with whether
inadvertantly says Sir. He recognizes Cultural Differences.

What did they discuss?? The Last time Bush met with the
Pope---very curiously, Some Bishops in this country did
all they could to give the Republicans the election.

Is this why Liberals are acused of Style over Substance.

I am a Liberal Catholic, Catholic Liberal and I want
to know about what really matters.

[karlrschneider]

33. There's nothing holy about that old bastard.

Or the other one either.

[rug]

14. Odd he's meeting Sant'Egidio: "War is the mother of poverty," Mr Marazziti said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6733713.stm

[tanyev]

15. Obviously, Pope Benedict should be thrilled that Our Most Exalted Leader

deigned to spare a few minutes of his time visiting the Pope. Maybe the old guy will get a Bush neck massage or a slap on the back. Then he'll truly be blessed.

[Turbineguy]

20. And I was so proud of him

for not groping Chancellor Merkel. And now this. Oh well....

[flyarm]

21. i believe that the * neo con opus dei people picked this pope so they get what

they deserve ..at the vatican...they allowed the idiot to pick the ope..now they can live with the idiot!!

fly

[Grandrose]

22. Not between buddies!

Did not this Pope conspire with the Repubs to torpedo the 2006 election and Democrats who were pro-choice?

The only embarrassment is they are probably at it again and plotting something more sinister!!!:yoiks:

[iamahaingttta]

23. I personally don't give a shit.

I would never call another human being "Your Holiness" even if that is what he wants to be called. Frankly, I'm glad that Frat Boy Deciderer brought the old goat down a notch or two. Maybe he IS good for something afterall...

[peaches2003]

25. A huge difference in you and Bush with the Pope

Bush (unfortunately) is representing the US and not himself when he has an audience with the Pope. There are certain protocols that any head of state should meet when visiting the Pope or any other world figure. Not to mention that he is also representing millions of Catholics in the US (of which I am not one). You would be meeting the Pope as a private citizen and can do as you please.

[WiseButAngrySara]

32. Wasn't it Mother Teresa that refused to don the appropriate

robes of protocol when visiting the pope, and said something to the effect of 'If my simple habit is sufficient for God it should suffice for the papacy' ?

[iamahaingttta]

41. Thank you.

That was a sensible response!

[symbolman]

27. Since they're both NAZIS

They probably feel pretty well at home with each other.

[Jed Dilligan]

30. Seems like he's doing it on purpose

Protestants of his stripe are none too fond of Catholics, are they?

[karlrschneider]

34. And vice versa...

:grr:

[Jed Dilligan]

35. Maybe he actually thinks he will go to hell

for acknowledging the pope's "holiness."

[Retrograde]

36. remember a few months ago when the queen

of the UKoGBaNI* was visiting the White House? Back then the protocol wonks were tripping over themselves to make sure Our Esteemed Leader followed proper British court protocol with her, even though she was the visitor.

I'll say again what I said then: if you are a guest in someone's house or country, you follow their way of doing things, or don't go. Saying "sir" instead of "holiness" is a minor slip: it's a politeness so I'd ignore it if I were Benedict. Calling out to friends and crossing your legs is, however, IMHO a sign of either poor upbringing, profound ignorance, or just plain rudeness. I lean towards the latter two, especially since the pope doesn't seem to be of much further use to Bush's plans.


*there are other queens, you know.

[lies and propaganda]

37. This doesnt bother me.

Because the Pope guarded over people dying in Nazi Germany, so I would refer to him as Asshole.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

38. They must travel with a cargo plane full of Milk Bones for the gaggle of simps

posing as reporters.

'The pool reporters also noted Bush's relaxed posture, crossing his legs "Texan style" '

Woof.

[RedCappedBandit]

39. I wouldn't call the dude "his holiness" either.

[Warren DeMontague]

42. By all means, treat the man in the funny hat with the history of covering up for pedophile priests

whose oft-hypocritical organization sees fit to lecture billions of humans about their consenting adult sex lives and birth control practices...

...with the "decorum" he deserves.

Sorry, I don't give a shit.