Did any other president behave this way with the Saudis?

[tuvor]

Colour me curious.

[neuvocat]

1. They didn't liplock but they didn't hold hands either.

[chelaque liberal]

2. That's photo-shopped, isn't it?

[Djinn]

3. every single one

[tuvor]

5. If that's true, who cares if bush is kidding a Saudi royal?

You're implying that the Democratic presidents do it, too, so is this just high school fingerpointing at cultural differences we aren't familiar with?

[Djinn]

14. I certainly don't care

I care STRONGLY about the ties with an authoritarian reactionary regime but those ties existed under every Dem president too - whether they kiss and hug is irrelevant window dressing, maybe Georgie's just more of a touchy feely guy when it comes to other blokes???

[City Lights]

12. Got pictures?

I've been looking for pictures of former US presidents kissing or hand-holding Middle Eastern leaders and have come up empty. Junior appears to be the only president who's into this. Here he is getting cozy with Hosni Mubarak:



edited for typo

[Djinn]

13. so you think when the Pres was a Dem

the Saudi's weren't a close ally????

[City Lights]

17. The question by the OP was whether any other presidents behaved this way,

not whether or not the US was a close ally of the Saudis under Dems.

[Djinn]

19. well who cares?

what does it matter if George is touchy feely? maybe he's got a crush on the Prince? it's as relevant as the qwuestion of whether any other President's liked strawberry ice-cream

[Djinn]

15. here's a couple that pissed off many Israeli's

I've got zero problem slagging of the BUsh's but not over whether they smooch Saudi Prince's. Yes the relationship between Saudi and America is worrying but it wouldn't be any less so had Bush just given the usual handshake.

Some of the comments on this are nothing more than thinly veiled homophobia

[City Lights]

20. You had more success than I did with pictures of Clinton.

IMO, these aren't the same as holding hands while strolling the flower gardens, but maybe that's just me. As for thinly veiled homophobia, you're probably right about some of the comments made about these pictures, but please don't include me in that group. I couldn't give a shit who george kisses or holds hands with - cultural or otherwise. Considering that homophobia is one of the rallying cries of his base, I think it's odd to see him walking hand in hand with another man.

[Djinn]

21. wasn't directing that at you

not even so much this thread, just various comments I've seen on this board and others which basically seem to say "eeeuwww he's holding hands with a man!!"

personally I havwe no drama's with the Clinton photo's (or those of Hillary kissing Suha Arafat) either - people should be looking at the CONTEXT of the relationship rather than any outward signs

[pnutchuck]

4. No photos, but didn't the Saudi Prince stay over at papa Bush's? eom

[benddem]

6. Clinton never did but Bush 1

might have. This is ridiculous. Arabs kiss each other on each cheek..more like an air kiss. This looks like Bush is kissing him on the lips. It really is obnoxious. Yes it is common for Eastern and Middle eastern men to walk holding hands IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.
Bush looks like the ass....he is.

[salib]

7. He is such a wannabe

Probably thinks this is how a king behaves.

[FloridaPat]

8. I've never met anyone from the Middle East that kissed another

like that. It's always the cheeks. Maybe the prince got so turned on about thinking what Gannon was doing in the White House he couldn't control himself.

[uppityperson]

9. Photoshopped

[orpupilofnature57]

10. Bhandar bush = shrub Rove

[Lindacooks]

11. I would like to know if any other president held hands with the Saudis.

I don't think President Clinton did; what about poppy and reagan?

[FrenchieCat]

16. In public Bush holds hands and kisses cheeks

In private, he kisses asses and who knows what else!

[Jacobin]

18. They are life long business partners, fer cryin out loud

He bailed Smirky out of one of his failed businesses. The family trust money is invested with these butchers in the Carlyle Group. Michael Moore made a movie about it. Everyone else ignores it.