Accidental Blogger

George W. Bush has wrapped up his G-8 Summit meeting in Germany where he had an interesting encounter with his erstwhile "soul mate" Vladimir Putin and was greeted by demonstrators. He also dropped by in Italy (where he was booed by protesters) and Albania for a short time. For a pleasant change, in the latter country Bush received a hero’s welcome. Albania is touchingly grateful to him for his stance on Kosovo’s independence and for supporting Tirana’s aspirations of joining NATO and the EU – so much so that it has vowed to keep all  one hundred and twenty Albanian soldiers (part of Bush’s Coalition of the Willing) fighting in Iraq, as long as the US remains there. This is the first time that a sitting US president has visited the impoverished (and mostly Muslim) country. I am sure Bush wishes that he could have bottled some of that enthusiastic welcome and loving reception to bring with him back to the US where he will be greeted by a sour faced Congress and an even surlier American public.

My opinion of Bush is not a secret. But there are times when I find myself on his side. We know that the man is not exactly Emily Post and is given to making frequent verbal gaffes and uttering malapropisms. When Bush misspeaks or makes a social faux pas, I find it more funny than embarrassing. (It is what he does with seriousness and determination that is truly scary and contemptible.) For example, when he was welcoming Queen Elizabeth II at the White House, he stumbled over the date of a past visit by the queen in 1976 and nearly said "1796!"  When the startled queen at his side exclaimed, "Oh dear!", Bush recovered, turned to her and winked conspiratorially. Appalled by the frivolity, British newspapers harrumphed and gave Bush failing grades in royal courtesy. I found the scene totally hilarious. Now it seems that G.W.B. drew gasps of disbelief by ignoring Vatican protocol during his recent visit with Pope Benedict by addressing the Pontiff as "Sir" instead of the customary "Your Holiness!"  Also, he "crossed his legs in a relaxed Texas style" while sitting opposite "His Holiness" in his study! The members of the Vatican press pool apparently had their knickers in a knot over Bush’s uncouth cow-boyish gaffes. What gaffe?  What a bunch of stuffed shirts! "Sir" is a perfectly formal and respectable term of address.