George Jr. Doesn't Visit Mother in Hospital; Poppy says "It's No Place for Children"

[Stephanie]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090305/ap_on_re_us/barbara_bush_surgery_19

==snip==

Mrs. Bush, 83, was expected to be released from the intensive care unit at The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center on Saturday, Dr. Gerald Lawrie told reporters.

He said Mrs. Bush awakened earlier than most elderly patients do after undergoing the "very routine procedure" and started joking with the doctors.

"She recognized all of us immediately and then she started cheering us up with some humorous comments as soon as we took that tube out," Lawrie said, referring to the intubation tube in her throat, noting that she gently cajoled him for having "misled" her about post-operative pain.

"She continued to do very well," he said.

Her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, said "she looks well to me, and beautiful," as he choked back tears, describing the operation as one of the most stressful days of his life.

He said Mrs. Bush discouraged any of her five children, including former President George W. Bush, from visiting her during her hospital stay, and that the intensive care unit was no place for "children, even if they are 45 to 60 years old."

Bush said he spoke to President Barack Obama and former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and his son.

Rob Saliterman, a spokesman for George W. Bush in Dallas, said he was "in close communication with family members in Houston, is glad Mrs. Bush is recovering quickly and is grateful to everyone keeping her in their thoughts and prayers."

[Captain Hilts]

1. Nice that the Dem prez's were 'there' for him, as they say on the Lifetime Network. nt

[hlthe2b]

2. There are no words for this incredibly dysfunctional family...

:eyes:

[Bluebear]

5. Just when you think they've topped themselves, out comes another beaut. nt

[Ishoutandscream2]

6. No kidding. This is just so fucking insane

How many time do we see "normal people" going to the hospital to be with loved ones and friends. A decent family would attempt to be together during a situation like this. The Bush's are one screwed up family.

[Stephanie]

9. Remember when his daughter had emergency appendectomy he went on vacation

It was during the 2000 recount. I think it was Jenna who had emergency surgery, her mother stayed in TX with her, but George Jr. went ahead with their planned vacation. Left his daughter in the hospital and went on vacation! Can you imagine?!

[rurallib]

15. "She's a big girl" Bush said at the time

Not even too sure he'd have gone to her funeral if she'd died.

[rvablue]

3. Can't go where some DUers are going with this, but that quote is downright bizarre!

:crazy:

[madaboutharry]

4. The Bushes are really weird people.

n/t

[Stephanie]

13. This interview is one of my favorites >

The Bush family cook:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/30/magazine/30questions.html

[merh]

20. Did you read the Vanity Fair article by one of the twins drinking buddies

My Dinners with Dubya

When a college drinking buddy invited C. Brian Smith to hang out with her parents, he tried not to sweat the fact that they lived in the White House. He even had fun—until 9/11 made watching bad movies with the president feel like a guilty pleasure America couldn’t afford.

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2009/01/dubya-and-me200901

[Stephanie]

30. Yes

As soon as George finished eating everyone's plates were cleared. At a family dinner!

[merh]

32. they are a very bizarre family

[dixiegrrrrl]

26. When he asks for a vodka on the rocks...........

Full Quote from the cook:

"When he asks for a vodka on the rocks, it's our guys who mix it from our own supply that we have to bring all the way around the world with us. Nobody knows that."

NO body knows that?

Nobody knows that the Bushie was drinking?
That was one of the worst kept secrets on the planet.

[Stephanie]

31. he's talking about Senior

[Hekate]

47. The author of the article isn't too helpful distinguishing between Junior and Senior...

Although it certainly seems as though that disgusting veg casserole is a 1940s-1950s dish that would belong to the elder Mrs Bush -- She Who Must Be Obeyed in the matter of "securing the kitchen" after dessert.

Ew.

Hekate

[dixiegrrrrl]

50. Ohhhhhh...ty for the clarification.

Hmmmmm.....family drinking issues?
Makes sense.

[EFerrari]

7. I don't think I'd want my kids there. My cousin just had surgery

and she told her kids she'd see them at home. :shrug:

[Stephanie]

10. The "kid" is 60 years old!

[buff2]

12. The idiot is 62

Same age as Clinton.Those people are so screwed up it's pathetic.What mother other than Babs wouldn't want their adult children with them at a time like this? Bazaar,really bazaar. :puke:

[EFerrari]

16. I understand -- that's the punchline. Mine are in their 30s.

My cousin's are in their 20s.

[Bluebear]

8. 'she started cheering us up with some humorous comments as soon as we took that tube out'....I bet.

"Turn off the goddamn lights, what do you think, I'm on display here, you idiots? Honestly. Incompetent boobs, what in the @@77*#()@@!9)#"

[EFerrari]

19. Lol. How they ever manage any family activities at ALL is a mystery

to me. There's not one of them that I would want to see, ever, for any reason. Yikes.

[closeupready]

11. Seems weird to me that GHWB would talk with other former presidents.

Notably, the article does not say he spoke with Nancy Reagan. Hmmmm....

[no_hypocrisy]

14. She discouraged her children from visiting her in the hospital after traumatic surgery.

Reminder: This is the same mother who went golfing with her husband the same day her four year old daughter, Robin, was buried.

Nuff said.

[goclark]

44. That was the end of her for me, anyone that would do that

on such a day is beyond my ability to respect.

[bdamomma]

56. weird people. I think George is messed up because of his mother.

[spanone]

17. if my mom was in the hosp for 7 to 10 days and i didn't visit her, she would have kicked my ass

[a la izquierda]

24. Mine too...

she'd give me a few days to get there if the surgery was an emergency. But after that, I'd get an ass-kicking through the phone.

[Bluebear]

39. you said it

[damntexdem]

18. LOL! Unfortunately, so is the White House.

Or the Florida governor's office.

[Lars39]

21. "gently cajoled him for having "misled" her about post-operative pain"= turned air blue

You know she did.

[Faygo Kid]

22. Ma Barker doesn't want her boys upset. "Made it, Ma! Top of the World!"

Every time I think of Babs, I think of Cagney's relationship with his mother in White Heat.

Scary stuff. It fits.

[lame54]

23. Imagine being her nurse?

[Bluebear]

34. ----

:scared:

[DeepBlueC]

25. GWB left on vacation as his daughter went for surgery

There's consistency there. :shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

27. Well, I won't be a hypocrite.

I don't care if the old hag bites it, and I won't criticize Dubya for feeling the same way.

[EmilyAnne]

28. Mrs. Bush is privileged enough to have access to health care. How nice for her.

On a side note, I never did see a copy of George W. Bush's birth certificate.
He must have something to hide.

How can we be sure that she Babs is truly his mother?
I never saw her marriage license, so I came only conclude that she and Daddy George were living in sin in the White House.
I can't wait til I tell the girls in my prayer circle about this.
They'll be outraged!

[Occam Bandage]

29. Being President is not job for a child, either. nt

[LynnTheDem]

33. Did he go golfing?

Just as his mummy and daddy did the day his sister was buried?

Yeah he's a MFing sociopath, George jr is. But he gets it the old-fashioned way.

He inherited it.

[spanone]

35. well, we've never had a more 'childish' president imo

[DemBones DemBones]

36. Some people don't want visitors after surgery,

not even family members. She does have five kids, after all, so that's a crowd. I'm not a Bush family fan by any means ("Didn't Vote for His Daddy Either") but I don't think this is worth talking about.

[havocmom]

37. would any of us want to see any of Bab's kids after surgery?

The woman is trying to heal. Why would she want aggravation on top of that?

[DemBones DemBones]

40. I certainly wouldn't. nt

[DemBones DemBones]

41. I certainly wouldn't. nt

[BostonMa]

38. then move on and dont talk about it?

[DemBones DemBones]

43. I just don't see any good reason to talk about it, don't

think that her telling the kids to stay home has any great psychological meaning beyond her not wanting a crowd of people around. If she let the "kids" come visit, she could be surrounded by daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, etc., as well. She's a tough old bird but I doubt her doctors want a swarm of people around her.

[Dappleganger]

42. I'm sorry but that is sick!

What if something horrible had happened?? Wouldn't a normal son or daughter want to be there for their parents?? What kind of cold hearted people are these?

[Ilsa]

49. Typical behavior for people pretending to be royalty, I guess. nt

[Maru Kitteh]

45. As bad as I want to go for the snark here, I won't. I felt sorry for poppy today.

I actually find him MUCH more tolerable than her - by a long shot. I felt sorry for an old man who must know in his heart that he is watching the beginning of the end. There is some truth to what he said as well about the hospital being no place for children. As one who has done so, I have to say that holding the hand of your mom and seeing the fear in her eyes as she's being wheeled away to major, risky, life-changing surgery is HARD, and I can tell you from experience theirs is not the first family to handle the emotionality of the situation by limiting contact at the hospital.


I don't feel sorry for her, or Jr, but today in the fight for my soul I choose to let compassion win. I wish those who genuinely care for her well.

(Except for W. - he can rot in hell)

[Jennicut]

46. Shrub cannot handle it????? Will he EVER grow up? Sheesh.

[Ilsa]

48. What? Is she afraid she is going to fart in front of her grown kids?

What a weird deal. I'd want encouragement and well-wishes in person from the people I love if i was in her shoes. You feel better sooner.

[Gin]

51. I understand not wanting a crowd even if it is your kids...but they seem to be

afraid of emotional situations....and the "kids" could have stayed in the waiting room while the operation was happening to support the dad......strange family!

[Ilsa]

53. Exactly. They don't seem "close". I would want to be there for

a sis or bro or parent while they are anxious. help them take their mind off of stuff.

[seabeyond]

52. i dont like people around me, even loved ones, when i am sick or in pain

rather be left alone and just lay there

i think i will leave it alone since i dont know much about circumstance

[8 track mind]

54. man what a strange family. n/t

[myrna minx]

55. They are very strange people. n/t

[omega minimo]

57. and they never spoke of W's sister who died when he was a boy.