Bush Prematurely Closes News Conference

[Rose Siding]

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- President Bush jumped the gun Tuesday, closing a news conference before his podium partner had a chance to speak his fill.
...
Bush had just finished a lengthy answer to a question about how he would improve trans-Atlantic relations in his second term. "Thank you all very much," Bush concluded, turning as if to leave the podium.

But NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer wasn't quite ready to wrap things up -- especially since the reporter had specifically directed a question to him. "Let me ..." he started to say.

"I'm sorry," Bush said -- twice -- then turned to humor to get himself out of the jam.

He pretended the NATO leader had flashed a universal hand motion signaling he didn't want to answer.

"You don't know what this means?" Bush joked to reporters, giving his ear lobe a quick tug. "That means 'end the press conference.'"

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-charming-bush,0,4705316.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[phusion]

1. Quite a statesman... n/t

[ailsagirl]

55. Oh yeah-- he pulled some BS manuevering in Canada too

But then-- why are we surprised?? He's such a pathetic excuse, not only for a "president," but for a human being.

"Junior," as Malloy calls him.

God, I'm mortified that he supposedly represents us. Wonder if the Europeans know how many people here loathe him??

[tavalon]

63. Quite an asshole, too....n/t

[zann725]

85. He's soooo narcistic. Thinks he's the only one they came to hear.

His needs are the only ones that matter. Right!

And if they believe what he said about not wanting to attack Iran...

[Eloriel]

2. It must be great fun to be such a flaming narcissist (sociopath) --

never EVER thinking about how your behavior affects others.

[DoYouEverWonder]

73. Or how they are going to write about you

in the history books. We're all going to be dead anyway.

[nashville_brook]

111. subconsciously, if he has narcissistic personality disorder

he will beat himself with his stupid acts which then become fuel for his continued out-of-proportion behavior.

NPDs have no foundation for their identity that's why they fuck up so much, like bush.

[Pirate Smile]

3. God, he is an embarrassment.

"Speaking of charm, Bush was a master at spinning a question about lingering European doubts about him into the conclusion he is being warmly received on his continental tour.

"Thank you. I appreciate it. First time I've been called charming in a while," Bush said to laughter.

Problem is, the reporter had said just the opposite.

"The wider European audience -- it won't be a surprise for you -- is still skeptical about the policies of your administration, often being considered as being dictating or unilateral," the reporter said, continuing to ask Bush how those policies might change after his "major charm offensive." '

[Rose Siding]

12. How do people around him keep from rolling their eyes,

which is the most polite response I can imagine?

[oasis]

33. Adoring Condi Rice and yesman Andy Card are obedient robots who

thrive on Chimpy's every word.

[applegrove]

54. rovbots - the word is Rovbots not robots.

[knitter4democracy]

39. That's what I want to know! nt

[Dudley_DUright]

86. The bigger mystery is how they stop themselves from doing this

and then walk out the door.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. Embarrassment isn't strong enough

He shames us in the eyes of the world.

"But Bush persisted in seeing the question -- and Europe's views of him -- his way."

All that matters to him is how he perceives things. Yes, I'm ashamed and I didn't even vote for him.

[glitch]

20. There's a word for "offensive charm". It is "bore". nt

[maxsolomon]

23. it is "boor"

-the word police

[glitch]

27. Thank you - I always do that. Although sometimes I make "boar" the mistake

sigh.

[MADem]

29. Well, the boar is quite a boor, when you think of it

He spends all his time on a pig farm, I suppose it's about what we might expect!

[Auntie Bush]

36. Bush is a bore, is a boar, is a boor.

[Chancellor Burr]

41. Not To Mention A Corporate WH*RE

Sorry

[Algomas]

48. As well as rotten to the core...

[DS1]

61. quoteth the raven, "Nevermore!"

:D

[blue neen]

72. He shames us from shore to shore.

[Lilith Velkor]

94. You don't want him to mind the store.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

105. because he wantonly kills the worlds poor

[elsiesummers]

106. When poll numbers go down, Bush declares "WAR!"

n/t

[Art_from_Ark]

115. Always ready to bomb some more

[tblue37]

107. Quoth.

(Word police.)

[DS1]

108. poetic license

:P

[tblue37]

109. DPL: take a number.

(DPL = Department of Poetic License--right next door to the DMV)

[tavalon]

65. Wow, he's the trifecta! n/t

[lonestarnot]

30. No SHIT! I just cringe every time he leaves the country.

[reprobate]

34. I cringe every time he returns to the country.

[PartyPooper]

51. So, why do they keep INVITING him? n/t

[ailsagirl]

62. I assumed the jackass just decided he wanted to go and went

Did they really invite him???

[tavalon]

66. Why do we keep LETTING him come back? n/t

[Ms_Mary]

89. That's the 64,000 dollar question. nt

n

[DBoon]

76. So why do they keep letting him come back?

eom

[ailsagirl]

60. God what an moron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:puke:

[Sannum]

4. Jesus

I am so sick of this inconsiderate moron. He does not know a thing about protocol. He doesn't even think he should follow it, because goshdurnit, he has a mandate!:eyes:

[Streetdoc270]

5. arrogent ass....

[maxsolomon]

6. who cares what you think?

i create reality!

[NVMojo]

7. this is a stubborn chicken shit!!

[rzemanfl]

8. Maybe the batteries in his receiver were running down. n/t

[nolabels]

87. Shame on you, the NYT executive editor said that wasn't a valid story

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1255001

[rzemanfl]

114. But this is about batteries, not cheating in a debate. That, of

course would not be a valid story because it would make the "President" look like the lying moronic piece of crap that he is.

[cornermouse]

9. The village idiot strikes again.

More seriously, he appears to be very self-centered.

[Career Prole]

10. He's such a jerk.

Listened a bit this A.M. and was embarrassed to the point of turning the channel.

[murray hill farm]

11. He is a bully with

...the more is see...and i know we have put forth a lot of guesses...but i believe in is now a form of early Alzheimer's that he has and continues to deal with..and it just shows more and more as time goes on.

[despairing optimist]

13. If his karma was for sale on eBay, he'd have to pay the bidders

to unload it.

[Rose Siding]

Poppy told Pickles to parachute into the base- make a grand entrance

This kind of "humor" can ONLY develop in those who surround themselves with sycophants.

snip>
First lady Laura Bush went ahead of her husband to Germany but declined her father-in-law's recommendation she make a dramatic entrance that certainly would have upstaged President Bush's Brussels appearances.

Speaking to troops and their families from an aircraft hangar at Ramstein Air Base, Mrs. Bush said she was delighted to be at the home of the 435th Air Base Wing, the 86th Airlift Wing and the 38th Combat Support Wing.

"I told my father-in-law that I was coming here today and he suggested that I make a grand entrance by parachute," she said, drawing laughs. "I told him I thought I'd wait for my 80th birthday."

[Emboldened Chimp]

14. How did this man-child ever be in the position to be presuident...

let alone get elected?

[BrklynLiberal]

15. I cannot believe how humiliated I am that that schmuck goes around

the world representing my country. :puke:

He is such a spoiled, self-centered, narcissistic, bullying asshole, it is past pathetic. It is truly nauseating.

[Mandate My Ass]

17. Well after getting punked all day long

maybe it was the perfect time to wrap things up.

Europe, we're sorry, but be glad he's only there for a few days, we have to live with the moron.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

18. what did he forget that he is NOT in charge when he is the guest ?

what an ignorant asshole!

[sonicx]

19. wake me when the nightmare is over...

[cloud75]

21. ADHD MAYBE?

[ElectroPrincess]

42. Nope! IMHO those Dx with ADHD have creativity and a sharp wit ...

The pResident does NOT! Also, IMO he's not intelligent enough to be a truly successful Sociopath. Good thing he has "the name" and "handlers."

[tavalon]

67. Well, he may not be a successful sociopath

but he is a sociopath. I think someone further uplist has the right diagnosis though, early alzheimers. He was always a spoiled fratboy sociopath, now he's a forgetful, slightly lost sociopath surrounded by puppetmasters and syncophants.

[NNN0LHI]

22. People actually voted for this clown

Tells you a lot about those people.

Don

[Peace Patriot]

26. Well, some did, although we don't really know how many.

See

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=331151&mesg_id=331151

...for a quick, useful summary re: the 4 to 8 million votes for Kerry that got 'disappeared' on Nov. 2.

[Supersedeas]

112. but some DID and the debates made clear what THEY were getting

[fooj]

24. No Shrub! They won't KISS YOUR ASS in Europe!

They don't think that you are funny, either! What a jerk! He's rude, insulting AND an IDIOT! Look! Another Shrub Trifecta! Ughhh!

[AlCzervik]

25. omg he's such an empty suit.

[Algomas]

50. Molly Ivins: "All hat and no cattle"

[Just Me]

28. I just cannot express how embarassing it is to have a spoiled, selfish,...

,...stupid, destructive brat as a pResident.

*blush*

Bush would NEVER make it in the real world. He'd end up in an alley pukin' his guts from alcohol abuse.

[ginnyinWI]

31. Please forgive us, Europe!

We tried, we really tried to get rid of this scourge. I mean we really, really, really tried. :cry:

[lonestarnot]

32. Shit for brain does not know how to feel the emotion of humiliation.

Such a fucking freak show!

[Supersedeas]

59. and "that" is the value's President--gawd!!!

[tavalon]

68. His "values"

not our values, thank goodness.

[98geoduck]

35. Couldn't have asked for a better representative of the GOP. ..

The spinmasters of the universe...


Speaking of charm, Bush was a master at spinning a question about lingering European doubts about him into the conclusion he is being warmly received on his continental tour.

"Thank you. I appreciate it. First time I've been called charming in a while," Bush said to laughter.

Problem is, the reporter had said just the opposite.

"The wider European audience -- it won't be a surprise for you -- is still skeptical about the policies of your administration, often being considered as being dictating or unilateral," the reporter said, continuing to ask Bush how those policies might change after his "major charm offensive."

But Bush persisted in seeing the question -- and Europe's views of him -- his way.

"Now is the time to unify for the sake of peace," he said. "And I believe that message -- forget the charm part -- I believe that message is a message that people can understand. And they're beginning to see that the strategy is working."

[thecrow]

37. "You don't know what this means?", said * tugging earlobe....

It means that my receiver has been cut off so this news conference is at an end....
Oops! no....wait......... :WTF:

[reprobate]

38. George W. Bush--You have to stand in line to hate him

Ordinarily he's insane. But he has lucid moments when he's only stupid.
--Heinrich Heine

He's so narrow minded he could see thru a keyhole with both eyes--Molly Ivans

Failure has gone to his head--Wilson Mizner

He has dilusions of adequacy--Walter Kerr

He made enemies as naturally as soap makes suds--Percival Wilde

He was as great as a man can be without morality--Alexis de Tocqueville

His smile is like silver plate on a coffin--John P Curran

The man has much in common with Hitler, only no Mustache--Noel Coward

A brain of feathers, and a heart of lead--Alexander Pope

____________________________________________________________________

All the above are quotations from public people that should be applied to our Great Uniter.

[CBHagman]

56. You should do a compilation with quotes about Bush.

By now there must be enough material, given that he's been a bull in the global china shop for four years.

[reprobate]

80. Thanks for the idea. I just might do that.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

113. "George W. Bush--You have to stand in line to hate him"wow a bumpersticker

i'm serious...i LOVE it!!!

[opiate69]

40. Press conferences are a bitch

when your puppet-master's boy-toy isn't allowed in to toss you softballs, don't ya know...

[Pirate Smile]

43. They are Hard Work

[Extend a Hand]

46. LOL

*really* hard work

[natrat]

44. why cant the repubs at least field someone who can speak

[tavalon]

69. Because that person might also be able to think

and that would make it hard on the puppetmasters.

[llmart]

45. Oh, isn't he just a friggen' laugh a minute?

NOT!

I can't take the embarrassment any more. I just want anyone from another country who comes to this site to know that we did not vote for this idiot. There are intelligent people in this country who actually care about our image abroad. Please don't judge all of America by the idiots who voted for him.

[tavalon]

70. No, just judge it by the almost half

who voted for him. I'm sorry but our reputation has always been that of the spoiled adolescent. It's gotten much more blatant and mean, but it's not like our reputation has taken a 180 degree turn or anything.

Bush has just made sure to confirm everything that the rest of the civilized world suspected.

[NYC]

47. Perhaps that is the signal to Bush.

..."You don't know what this means?" Bush joked to reporters, giving his ear lobe a quick tug. "That means 'end the press conference.'"...

That may be the signal Bush's handlers use to indicate to him that he should terminate a press conference.

[rocktivity]

52. DING DING DING! NYC, you're our grand prize winnerW

That may be the signal Bush's handlers use to indicate to him that he should terminate a press conference.
Maybe he a wardrobe malfunction--as in UNDER-the-wardrobe malfunction. Did anyone notice a square shape on his back?

:headbang:
rocknation

[DoYouEverWonder]

74. I bet if you check Condi's ear lobes

one is longer than the other.

[saltpoint]

49. My aunt, in her mid 80s now, called about 45 minutes ago --

-- to say she just felt completely embarrassed by Bush's performance in Belgium.

"I don't want to be represented by someone like that," she said.

[CBHagman]

53. Europe, I am so sorry.

For any and all Europeans on this thread, my most sincere apologies to you for being subjected to this lout. People like me tried to ensure that Bush would be back in Crawford for good, only creeping out to annoy the occasional storekeeper. We're sorry we didn't succeed.

Oh, for the love of God, Bush is such a lout! What a disgusting show he put on.

[ailsagirl]

64. Wow! The "sorry everybody" website now has over 8000 pix

http://www.sorryeverybody.com/

And they just keep on coming!!

[aneerkoinos]

90. Nope

Apology not accepted... ;)

We do pity you, the subjects of this lout, and sympathise with the few Americans that are not yet totally insane. But there's a saying, people do get the kind of leaders they deserve. And don't think that all the positive things Bush is doing to hasten the ruin the US empire go totally unpreciated. :)

And yep, fuck Kerry. In the long run, not being totally inept imperialist, he would have been much more dangerous to the future of the world...

[NewYorkerfromMass]

92. Kerry would have been much more dangerous to the future of the world?

I suggest you adjust your vision please.

[aneerkoinos]

102. I suggest the same

US empire and consumerism, the Murican Way of Life, is the greatest threat to the world, Kerry would have done a better job protecting them and postponint the inevitable collapse of the empire.

Sorry if this souds harsh, but the reality is that day by day the humanity sinks deeper and deeper into shit and it's essential that US ability to play the obstructionist role efficiently is removed ASAP.

[applegrove]

57. You control the story if nobody else is allowed to answer questions.

Whoever is responsible for him getting into power should pay for it the rest of their lives.

[arwalden]

58. B.U.F.F.O.O.N.

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=dictionary&va=buffoon
One entry found for buffoon.


Main Entry: buf·foon
Pronunciation: (")b&-'fün
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French bouffon, from Old Italian buffone
1 : a ludicrous figure : CLOWN
2 : a gross and usually ill-educated or stupid person
- buf·foon·ish /-'fü-nish/ adjective

[4_Legs_Good]

71. I *so* cannot stand that man

gah!

david

[Melynn]

75. What a dolt

Bush goes to Belgium and shows his ass to the Euros. God only knows what they were thinking.

[bearfan454]

77. They were going to ask him something his handlers

didn't give him the answer to.

[paineinthearse]

78. transcript

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050222-3.html

President and Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer Discuss NATO Meeting
Joseph Luns Press Theatre
NATO Headquarters
Belgium, Brussels

2:45 P.M. (Local)

<snip>

Q But the question is, what are you going to do really differently in your second term to improve transatlantic relations?

And for the Secretary General, the question is, what should the Europeans do to improve transatlantic relations?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, our bilateral relations are very strong with many countries, like your country. We've had four years, great relations. And -- matter of fact, last night, my dinner with President Chirac reminded me that except for one major issue, and that being Iraq, we've done a lot together in my first four years. If you think about it, we've participated in Afghanistan together, we've participated in Haiti, we're working on the Global Fund to battle AIDS. I mean, there's a lot we have done together.

The major issue that irritated a lot of Europeans was Iraq. I understand that. I can figure it out. And the key now is to put that behind us, and to focus on helping the new democracy succeed. It's in our interests. It's in your country's interests, it's in my country's interests that democracy take hold in the greater Middle East.

The policy in the past used to be, let's just accept tyranny, for the sake of -- well, you know, cheap oil, or whatever it may be, and just hope everything would be okay. Well, that changed on September the 11th for our nation. Everything wasn't okay. Beneath what appeared to be a placid surface lurked an ideology based upon hatred. And the way to defeat that ideology is to spread freedom and democracy. That's what NATO understands, see. That's one of the reasons why -- NATO is one of the reasons why Europe is whole and free and at peace, because democracies defeat hatred and suspicion.

And so I will explain -- continue to explain as best I can to skeptical people about my policy, that it's based on the concept that we all share, no matter your views on Iraq or not. And that is: Every human being deserves to be free, and that human dignity is vital, and that free societies are peaceful societies. And I will make a commitment again to you, just like I made yesterday and will continue to make, that I'll take those values into the Middle Eastern peace process. As I said in my State of the Union, peace is within reach. That's right about here. And we've got to work together to achieve that.

And so my message is, is that the past is -- I made some hard decisions -- as did other leaders, by the way, in Europe -- about how to enforce 17 different United Nations resolutions on Iraq. Not one resolution, but 17 different resolutions. And we liberated Iraq and that decision has been made, it's over with, and now it's time to unify for the sake of peace.

And I believe that message -- I believe -- forget the charm part; I believe that message is a message that people can understand. And they're beginning to see that the strategy is working. Millions of people of voted in Afghanistan. I doubt many of you here were writing articles about, "Oh, gosh, the elections in Afghanistan are going to be incredibly successful." It didn't seem like it was possible, did it? But, yet, there's something in everybody's soul, in my judgment, that desires to be free. And the people of Afghanistan showed that, by the millions -- not by the handfuls, but by the millions -- when given a chance to vote. Same in Iraq. And there was an election in Ukraine -- two elections in Ukraine. And then there was the election in the Palestinian Territory. Freedom is on the march, is the way I like to put it. And the world is better off for it. And I look forward to continue to articulate how we can work together to keep freedom on the march.

Thank you all very much.

SECRETARY GENERAL DE HOOP SCHEFFER: Let me --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Oh, I'm sorry.

SECRETARY GENERAL DE HOOP SCHEFFER: No, no, no --

PRESIDENT BUSH: He gave me a hand signal that said he didn't want to answer. (Laughter.) You don't know what this means. (Laughter.) That means "end the press conference." (Laughter.)

SECRETARY GENERAL DE HOOP SCHEFFER: I signaled to the President this was too difficult a question, but I, nevertheless, answer very briefly.

NATO is 26 -- not 25 plus one or 24 plus two. NATO showed today that these 26 allies in Europe or the United States of America or Canada will, and must, strengthen this alliance, this very successful alliance, which is doing with the West and European participation, all the things I started to discuss in my introduction.

Second remark would be that European integration, including in security and defense matters, is important, but in that area, it's of the utmost importance that also that process takes place in complementarity with NATO and without duplication. That's important for NATO, it's important for European Union. That's why I want this wide NATO-EU agenda that's relevant. European integration is a great process, and I always say I'm an Atlantasist and I'm European. But here is the point. Where we are now standing in NATO Headquarters, where we see the primary forum for transatlantic security cooperation, and we'll do that at 26, and not at 24 plus two, or 25 plus one.

Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Now we're finished. (Laughter.)

END 3:07 P.M. (Local)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

DUH!

[aneerkoinos]

91. Fuck General de Hoop Scheffer

Fuck General de Hoop Scheffer.

From the bottom of my non-NATO pro-EU heart, fuck you General de Hoop Scheffer.

Out of 25 EU members, 6 have chosen to stay out of NATO. I'm proud to live in one such country.

[Egalitarian]

79. "Now is the time to unify for the sake of peace," he said.

Peace must come first, then unity may follow. There is no way to escape this. Peace must come first.

[GetTheRightVote]

81. Good recovery * while tugging at my ear, is he gone yet ???

:kick:

[cosmicdot]

82. "flashed a universal hand motion"

kinda hoping for something else

:evilgrin:


he's the center of his own media creation ... was there someone else in the room?

[Fovea]

83. That means 'end the press conference.

Cause we have a fattie, a line of blow, and a couple of rentboyz waiting for us in the ante room with everclear martinis.
NATO.... Whatever.

[burrowowl]

84. What an arrogant, vacuous,

delibrately ignorant, socio-psychopath, etc. physical body.
May he be tried for war crimes, crimes against humanity, etc. and be jailed for LIFE without PAROLE! And may he eat gruel without CHILI, no Tex-Mex for him!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

88. He's a first class ass. nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

93. What a fool. *sigh* n/t

[Lilith Velkor]

95. If only he's prematurely close his Presidency...

and take all his ghoulish minions with him!

[GoSolar]

96. Bush is a moron.

[Blue_Tires]

97. ladies and gentlemen and the transgendered

this is the face of america which is representing us to the rest of the world

[Postman]

98. He's used to tugging things, I'm surprised he didn't reach for his crotch.

asshole.

[Buns_of_Fire]

99. I guess this isn't a good time...

...to renew my oft-repeated offer to any country blessed with a visit by Our Glorious Leader -- but I'll try anyway:

Yo, countries of the world! I've got US$28.53 here that ain't doin' nothin'. It's yours. You've only to do one thing in return: Next time Our Glorious Leader visits your country, KEEP HIM! I'm serious. I don't care how you do it. I don't want to know how you do it. Just keep him, and at least half the U.S. will thank you -- and don't forget that US$28.53 in cold, hard cash!

AND, as a special offer, we're even going to throw in Air Force One! Hurry! Operators are standing by!

(Okay, I tried. If this doesn't work, on to Plan B: Bribing the FAA to deny AF1 permission to re-enter US airspace...)

[formerrepuke]

100. Maybe he had to go poo-poo...n/t

[Catchawave]

101. He's not my president.....

I didn't vote for him :+

[callous taoboy]

103. Number one cock-sucker. n/t

[DuaneBidoux]

104. Diplomatic skills of my plumber

[adarling]

110. hahaha

I hate him with the passion of my heart, that is horrible to say, but man you guys, i have put up with this jackass since he was "elected" governor in texas...man like almost 10 years ago now. I remember he came to our town for our McKinney education foundation thing and if they raised enough money, he would come and speak. My mother said it was one of the worst speakers she had ever heard, even members in the GOP of Collin County were disappointed. Too bad none of them remember it, cause now he is in the white house for another 4 years.