President Bush unknowingly poked fun at a blind LA Times reporter during a press conference yesterday (June 14) when he requested that the journalist remove his sunglasses before proceeding with his question. “Are you going to ask the question with shades on?” Bush joked before adding, “I’m interested in the shade look, seriously.” Reporter Peter Wallsten suffers from a genetic eye disorder that causes degeneration of ocular muscles, a process that can be slowed by wearing UV-protective sunglasses. The journalist reportedly said he’s not offended by Bush’s needling and added that when the President called to apologize, he replied, “I don’t want you to treat me any differently because of this.”
Now watch this:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=YZ2cLnuGrhA
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Here’s what the people are saying:
“One kind of has to feel sorry for Bush here. Kind of classy of the reporter not to throw it in Bush’s face though. Bravo Wallsten.” — Bruce Gorton, thinkprogress.org
“If Bush can admit to making a mistake here, maybe he can apologize to the American public for Iraq, not caring about black people, raising interest rates for the college student loan programs, stealing an election, being an ass…and on and on and on.” — RyanAdams, wonkette.com
“Really, anyone would make the same mistake. A guy wearing sunglasses — do YOU immediately assume he’s blind?” — Xbot, thinkprogress.org
“Well, if he ever bothered to establish any sort of relationship with the WH press corps in six and a half years, like getting to know who sits in the front row.” — Swordfish, gawker.com
“It’s a dumb comment, but if Wallsten takes no offense, I don’t see why we should.” — Lex, thinkprogress.org
Talk: Should President Bush be better informed about the journalists attending his press conferences? COMMENT
On the web: latimes.com
