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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. 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.
First, he looks like a buffoon around the Queen...now this. What next, he calls the Dalai Lama "dude"?
12 Comments:
George W. Bush is a complete GOOF! And a horse's ass to boot. Remember what he said when he campaigned in 2000? "I will restore honor and dignity to the White House". I guess "honor and dignity" are different when they're done "Texas-style". ;-)
posted by Anonymous, at
6/09/2007 12:06 PM
Truly a national embarrassment, probably the most inarticulate president we've ever had or will have. How an average C student managed to get elected or selected is mind-boggling, but then we have the American electorate to blame for that, dumber and dumber every four years. Nobody reads any more, all they want are Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, American Idol, ball games and other superficial distractions in their lives. They don't care about universal health care as long as they have jobs and employer based health insurance. I find the triumvirate Clinton, Obama and Edwards pretty mediocre and if they are our best chance at restoring democracy, I'll hold my breath. I'm not expecting much from them, they're way too entrenched in the politics as usual syndrome, out of touch with reality and "we" the people. Ending DADT as an election ploy to secure our votes doesn't work for me. They've not delivered on anything before Bush jr. came to the White House and they're not going to deliver much more than that. Just watch, wait and see.
If Bush meets the Dalai Lama, he will probably say "Hello Dalai!"
posted by Anonymous, at
6/09/2007 12:49 PM
God, even as a JEW I would know the proper way to greet the Pope. I mean, I'd probably be too star-struck to call him anything else BUT "your holiness." I'd be scared of screwing up! I mean, whatever your feelings about the Catholic Church, it's the POPE.
posted by Emily K, at
6/09/2007 9:00 PM
I would prefer that a representative of my government not refer to a religious leader as 'your holiness'. 'Sir' should be the proper way to address the Pope. US Government and Religion should not mix.
That said, 'How ya doin' is not an acceptable greeting unless you are Joey Tribiani.
posted by Anonymous, at
6/09/2007 9:15 PM
As far as Bush's tenure is concerned, it's a little late for him to start separating State and Church now. He did it because he screwed up. He made a blunder. Let's make no mistake.
posted by Emily K, at
6/09/2007 11:55 PM
Etiquette aside, yes Bush should have known better. Does not the White House familiarize itself with protocols of other countries. What an ignoramous!
As far as the pope's "holiness" is concerned, he's hardly that, but what can you expect from a former Hitler youth member? A nazi is a nazi is a nazi!!!
Come on guys (and gals!). . .if the White House got the Iraq WMD's wrong - - - do you think they would pay attention to what their etiquette consultant says, assuming they have one? If ever the book entitled The Ugly American needs to be updated, now is the time! richard schillen
posted by Anonymous, at
6/11/2007 8:40 AM
Richard, Bush indeed is the epitomy of the "the ugly American", in more ways than one.
To digress, did anyone read about Sam "the redneck" Brownback's commentary that nations where same-sex marriage is allowed are conducting socially bad experiment with bad results. I'd like to ask him where is the evidence of that? Has he or the republican party done any scientific research to find out if marriage equality in Holland, Belgium, Spain, Canada or South Africa has had any negative impact on marriage or society? Why aren't the Democrats and others asking these questions and why aren't we holding them accountable? Its the same old desperate mantra they continue to use just to stir up hatred, fear and ignite the marriage debate again in 2008.
He would probably call the Dalai Lama Hiya Monkie. And i agree with all of you, i have NEVER in my life (50 years) been so ASHAMED of being an American as I am now! Red V
posted by Anonymous, at
6/11/2007 1:58 PM
If only he'd said to Maledict, uh, I mean Benedict, "Hey! That white dress of yours is shore purty."
posted by Anonymous, at
6/13/2007 5:47 PM
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