POLITICS: Bush Commits Diplomatic Faux Pas Shaking Hands In Slovakia

U.S. President George Bush committed a diplomatic faux pas in Slovakia when he apparently did not remove his gloves before shaking hands with officials there. An expert in Slovakian protocol said that it was unheard of to not remove your glove before shaking hands. The temperature at the airport was a few degrees above freezing and during his departure, the gloves were off.




You would have thought that the protocol officer or adviser would have been aware of this. However, having been in some very cold regions, I always took off my gloves to shake hands. No doubt the Bush bashers will be out in legion with this one as usual.

[edit on 2/25/05 by FredT]

No big deal. Send a nice letter, perhaps a gift, and a picture of the president's advisor failed to warn him being slapped. No need to fire or impeach anyone, let's just make sure that it's not a big deal.

Does anybody else remember some of what was said when Bill Clinton wore a Arkansas Razorback sweater while meeting with Yasser Arafat? Some were screaming zionist conspiracy over that. It's a two way street, and everybody traveling on it is hopelessly lost.
Politics...

There will be people who will find fault in this. I find fault in the monkey's trainer, not the monkey. His coach should have better prepared him, obviously his etiquette is not the best. It's not like he vomited in the guys lap though, that's a plus.

This would be an insult comparable to bowing too little when meeting a japanese dignitary, or bowing too much for that matter. People from other countries understand our lack of sense, and are generally, in my experience anyway, rather forgiving of it. Still, he should have known better.

Mistakes happen, and then again, insults are not uncommon in the political realm. Perhaps this was a subtle affront, akin to some of the jabs Putin has delivered "..we must be vigilant against extremism of ALL kinds..". Jib jab, tit for tat, that's all it would be if it were intentional. Not exactly an act of war anyway.

What is the consensus on this? Was it an intentional insult or purely accidental?

A bit of political humor here, so chill everyone....

Well, talking from a european perpective I can only say that we totaly expected this. Bush is always good for a laugh. We do not see it as insult, more like he can't help who he is

This democracy quest or whatever cheesy name they gave it, the visit of president of USA in Europe is refered to as "Oh, circus is in town!"

I would think that folks who are terribly offended by the non-removal of gloves need to be given their prescription drugs and put back in their room.

I’m sorry if people make light of this, I consider my self a gentlemen

One always takes their glove off to shake a mans hand, it is considered an insult if you don’t dropped your gauntlet; when a man takes his glove off it means that they wish no harm. It doesn’t surprise me proper etiquette is just another of bush’s downfalls.





[edit on 25/2/2005 by Sauron]

Oh come on now, you think we are going to bash Bush for this, we got too much good stuff on him like some of the statements he made on his trip to worry about this.

When In Slovakia, Do As The Slovakians Do

Dateline Earth: Wednesday, February 23, 2005. A day which will live in infamy.

On that day, President Bush of the United States of America did not remove his gloves before shaking hands with Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda of Slovakia.

Scholars unamimously agree that it was this deliberate insult which led directly to the Ten Thousand Year War, a war which resulted in the extinction of the human race.

As primate specialist Rt'ptfhhm Kul't'pak put it, "It's not like it was even all that cold. At the time, reported temperatures were not even low enough to freeze methane."

Culture Examiner Ig'war Prin'khaplt'ik was more succinct. "As everyone has known all along, it was All Bush's Fault."

Originally posted by Majic
Scholars unamimously agree that it was this deliberate insult which led directly to the Ten Thousand Year War, a war which resulted in the extinction of the human race.

You never can tell. You know those Slovokians- master diplomats. No doubt the world will rush to their side and war will ensue shortly.

Seriously it's not the end of the world (well actually this is the end of the world, but it has nothing to do with this handshake). Never the less, it was a minor mistake and we can't have these sort of things happen constantly because it will create prejudices in cultures which place a high value on public displays of respect. We aren't entirely an unrefined culture are we? (no comments from the peanut gallery!)
So why give occasion for foreign rhetoric mongers to play on these minor mistakes. We Americans know a lot about how stupid politics can get. Can't you just see the campaign commercials already?

The administration has dirtied our national identity so badly that foreign heads of state will not offer a handshake! Vote for the other guy, or America will invade us.

OK, maybe not, but it would be funny as heck.

Originally posted by Majic
As primate specialist Rt'ptfhhm Kul't'pak put it, "It's not like it was even all that cold. At the time, reported temperatures were not even low enough to freeze methane."

Let's develop an official Bush Bashing game in honor of this stupendous occasion (and to while away the 10,000 years war).

Ala shades of Kevin Bacon's degrees of seperation, only much more complicated with exponentially involved conspiracal requirements (and supportive links) as the game progresses.

This news story is just such an excellent start. (Check BTS within the hour)

Should we have any success at all (doubtful) we'll market the companion game, Bush Sycophant.

Edit: Amateur edition is up. www.belowtopsecret.com...

[edit on 25-2-2005 by RANT]

Good thing it wasn't the slovaks doing in the US. They'd probably end up being sued
I'm surprised the gay rights movement haven't picked up on this.. They seem to be so eager to get angry over everything else and feeling discriminated..

An Idea Behind Its Time?

Originally posted by RANT

Let's develop an official Bush Bashing game in honor of this stupendous occasion (and to while away the 10,000 years war). [...]

Should we have any success at all (doubtful) we'll market the companion game, Bush Sycophant.

RANT, I would suggest patenting or copyrighting the game concepts, but plenty of people have beat you to it.

They've been playing those games on ATS for a very long time already.

However, if you act now, you may be able to reserve the rights to the "Bash Hillary" and "Hillary Sycophant" games in time for her presidency.

People it seems that Bush may just be tired of the "cold" welcoming in the EU nations so far, and he decided to be his arrogant self.

Or, perhaps he regards Slovakia Leader as insignificant

Or, he may not want to catch any "viruses"

Or, He just forgot to take them off.

Whatever the problem may be is going to make some interesting debate between the pros and cons.

The blunders of George W. Bush continualy provides ongoing evidence that you simply cannot be born into a Presidency..

Governors turned Presidents over night converts into white house disasters.. Republicans would agree if you were to mention Clinton..

President's are elected, not born into...
Whereas, Kings are not elected, they are breed and born to be kings.




seekerof

Originally posted by Majic
However, if you act now, you may be able to reserve the rights to the "Bash Hillary" and "Hillary Sycophant" games in time for her presidency.

Oh Oh can I play???????????
Ill take Whitewater for 100 no no make that Vince Foster for 200

and

Edit: Amateur edition is up. www.belowtopsecret.com...

Much like John Edwards RANT has too much time on his hands

[edit on 2/25/05 by FredT]

Originally posted by Majic
However, if you act now, you may be able to reserve the rights to the "Bash Hillary" and "Hillary Sycophant" games in time for her presidency.

Presidency of what? Hillary would do a WONDERFUL job of getting out the vote, but for the wrong side.
The democrats have to devise some legal ploy whereby the have Bill Clinton declared Schizophrenic then run him for president as a different person. That's the best bet for another Clinton administration, and I'm all for it because just as long as the congress hates the president nobody can pass anything to make matters worse for this country.

Besides, I think it would be hillarious to see how fast and on what grounds they impeached Clinton if he somehow got back into office again- the way things are going, the Repubs just might have it in their power one of these days.... scarry. As a matter of fact- just on that consideration I'm going to vote for Hillary if she runs.
I want to see if the Republicans accuse her of recieving fellatio from an intern. (And don't correct me, I know and I mean it that way).

Originally posted by FredT
Much like John Edwards RANT has too much time on his hands

Quite true. That obvious huh?

It's all Bush's fault though.

I'm part of an advance envoy of influential Dharma bums and societal dropouts that strike under Republican rule.

I represent the poppies local in my region. POP's being "part of the problem" and all that.

I'm surprised actually the POS'es haven't taken us out and shot us yet, but single handedly supporting Sweden's economy via Volvo purchases does afford some protections. As does the NASCAR opiate we provide with our tiny little cell phones.

Possies of course being "part of the solution" (among other things)... Roving angry gangs advancing the final solution actually.

Much unintentionally savant word play above I must say.

[edit on 26-2-2005 by RANT]

Even though I don't like Bush, getting worked up about this little protocol infraction is really absurd. Stuff like that happens all the time during visits between heads of state. A simple apology is all that is required.

I do agree that Bush should probably tear a strip off his protocol advisor, but to blame Bush for it is pushing it.

It is funny though.

This has been a great thread, but from here forth you will all be leaving it alone in order to free up time to play the Conspiracy game... OR ELSE!
It's all fun and games- this is Bipartisan Bush-bashing. And no, Bi-partisan is not James McGreevey's nickname. It means when both parties get together for a good cause.