Bush forgets reporter is blind, jokingly insults him

[BobcatJH]

First, it was President Bush saying to a man in a wheelchair, "You look mighty comfortable." Today, there was this exchange at a presidential press conference:

Bush: You gonna ask your question with shades on?

Wallsten: Yes ...

Bush: But there's no sun out here.

Wallsten: It depends on your perspective.

Bush: Touché.

It should be noted that Peter Wallsten is legally blind.

[madrchsod]

1. and people think the contestants on jerry springer

have no class....

[durrrty libby]

4. He is a buffoon. Our country is chock full

of buffoons. Hence the simpatico.

[Chomp]

2. Disgusting shitbag of a man. n/t

[Orrex]

3. I'd trust Wallsten's vision more than Dubya's

But here's the question: did Bush say "too-shay" or did he say "touchy" instead?

[Nimrod2005]

6. lol

[Vickers]

5. What a dickhead.

:eyes:

[poctob7]

7. Pattern of behavior

Bush seems to think he is the center of the universe, widely respected for wise decisions and deserving of personal deference for the public office he holds. Does he forget that respect is earned? Besides, THE MAN IS LEGALLY BLIND! Lay off the coke!

[hpot]

8. Bush waves at Stevie Wonder

"From the Washington Post:

Here's a vignette we're dying to see on the ABC broadcast of Sunday's Ford's Theatre Presidential Gala: When Stevie Wonder sat down at the keyboard center stage, President Bush in the front row got very excited. He smiled and started waving at Wonder, who understandably did not respond. After a moment Bush realized his mistake and slowly dropped the errant hand back to his lap. "I know I shouldn't have," a witness told us yesterday, "but I started laughing."

http://www.commonplacebook.com/current_events/politics/from_the_washin.shtm

"There was an attempted Republican spin job after this that claimed it wasn't true, but then a half dozen other witnesses came forward and said that it was."

edit:corrected link

[Starbucks Anarchist]

29. He probably yelled out, "Ray Charles! Over here!"

[grasswire]

9. remember, * waved at Stevie Wonder

It was at Ford's Theater, I believe. W got real excited at seeing Stevie's performance and waved at him.

[wicket]

10. What an f'n prick

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[KoKo]

11. I saw that exchange. Are you serious...the reporter is legally blind?

Who does he report for? How does he get around? :shrug:

This is pretty dreadful...if the guy is legally blind.

[rox63]

13. Just because someone is blind

that doesn't mean they can't write or think or ask questions. And I know blind people who get around just fine, with the help of a cane or an assistance dog.

I guess by those standards, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles would've been pretty useless individuals.

[KoKo]

14. I wasn't dissing the reporter or those who are blind...btw. I wondered

how he got around because I didn't see a cane or dog...he was standing up and I hadn't seen him in the reporter pool before.

Sheesh...you think I don't know that the blind can get around? And, legally blind could mean that he has slight vision and doesn't need a dog or cane. I thought the OP might have more info since there wasn't a link about the reporter...

[rox63]

15. Sorry I snapped at you

My Mom is legally blind, and she whizzes around town on the bus system, using her cane to help her deal with steps and curbs. She's has just a little bit of sight left, and manages to stay very active.

[pnwmom]

12. What the White House says they said

For what it's worth . . . I'd love to see the actual video.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060614.html

Yes, Peter. Are you going to ask that question with shades on?

Q I can take them off.

THE PRESIDENT: I'm interested in the shade look, seriously.

Q All right, I'll keep it, then.

THE PRESIDENT: For the viewers, there's no sun. (Laughter.)

Q I guess it depends on your perspective. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Touch . (Laughter.)

[BobcatJH]

17. Think Progress has the video n/t

[pnwmom]

27. Thanks bobcat!

[glitch]

16. Jackass. nt

[Quantess]

18. What a dumbass. (no text)

[klook]

19. Bush to prostrate guy dying of thirst in the desert:

"Hey, nice tan!"

[olaus]

20. When

did he go blind, I thought I saw a picture of him recently and he was wearing regular glasses outside.

[tanyev]

28. Understanding Stargardt's Disease

by
Richard L. Windsor, O.D.
Laura K. Windsor, O.D.
The Low Vision Centers of Indiana

Stargardt's Disease is a form of macular dystrophy that begins early in life. Dr. Stargardt first described this condition in 1909 giving it its name. It is one of the most common forms of a juvenile macular degeneration. Stargardt's disease may occur in one of every 20,000 children over the age of 6 and is usually diagnosed before the age of 20. Boys and girls are equally affected by this condition. Over 25,000 Americans have Stargardt's disease.

The Good News:

Stargardt's never causes total vision loss. Peripheral vision is left intact. Central vision is usually in the range of 20/100 to 20/400 with younger patients usually showing less loss. Low vision care can help Stargardt's patients lead very normal lives. Following diagnosis every Stargardt's patient should have a low vision examination by a doctor skilled in low vision rehabilitation.

Low Vision Care:

Stargardt's patients respond well to magnification. Simple bifocals may be used in the early stages. In later stages, CCTV systems are helpful. It is important to maintain good cosmetic appearance for young patients. Mobility is usually minimally affected. Some Stargardt's patients can become bioptic drivers, but it may be for a limited time.
http://www.visionww.org/drswindsor-stargardt.htm

[partylessinOhio]

21. I saw that and had no idea the reporter was blind, none at all.

* made a big joke of the reporter wearing sunglasses and asked him if he was going to take them off because there was "no sun out here." The reporter responded by saying that depends on your perspective. And then said he would keep them on. * was being cocky and acted like he was such a funny comedian. I didn't think he was funny at the time but now I feel he was gross.

BTW, the reporter was very well groomed, nice looking and dignified. I hope he wasn't offended by the Decider.

[EVDebs]

22. Wallsten is legally blind, Bush is willfully blind

The irony is just too much to bear !

[young_at_heart]

23. He's in a cocky mood because of his "success" in Iraq yesterday

His light was really shining when he was cheered by the troops....I can tell he just loves to get in front of them and their loud cheering. I wish he'd come to my city....there'd be a bunch of us jeering rather than cheering!

[DesertRat]

24. I really wish the reporter had said

Yes, I always wear them because I'm blind. I would have loved to have seen Chimpy's response then.
Probably something stupid like, well let me go get Barney for ya then. he he he

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. I would have loved it even more if he said.

"Hey, I'm blind you asshole. You don't hear me joking about the mentally retarded. Do you?" I can always dream, I guess.

[Recursion]

26. I don't know, his response was pretty good

Especially given that it was improv. Funny, cutting without being directly insulting. In a word, classy.