Posted on 06/14/2006 1:19:13 PM PDT by churchillbuff
At his press conference this morning, President Bush, who often makes inside jokes when familiar reporters pose questions, asked Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten, who was wearing sunglasses outside, “Are you going to ask that question with shades on?” Bush noted that there was "no sun" but added, “I’m interested in the shade look, seriously.”
Turns out Wallsten is legally blind and wears the sunglasses due to a rare genetic disorder called Stargardt’s Disease.
But Wallsten later told the ThinkProgress web site that Bush’s comments did not offend him at all. “I never advertise it to him. I’ve never told him,” he explained, according to the site.
Someone posted a pic of him earlier today and he wasn't wearing shades.
I guess he only removes them when something important is happening.
Liberal victim alert: Get ready for endless bitching about Bush attacking blind people.
Good for Wallsten -- a reporter in that pack with a sense of humor and who isn't using an innocent mistake as a slam against the President. I guarantee a nice gesture from Dubya is forthcoming.
This will be twisted around that Bush is insensitive to the handicapped community. Wait and see.
It's Bush's fault that he is blind.
So, he is. Or, he isn't.
Presuming Wallsten is being honest -- and I have no reason to doubt him, as opposed to the Kos Krowd -- he deserves credit for taking the high road, and not feeding BDS.
I once had a guy behind a counter ask me, "What are you, deaf or something?"
I got to turn and show him the hearing aids in both ears. Boy, did he feel stupid.
Oh wait, that was black people. /sarc
Whether or not that means he is "legally blind", I don't know.
Does he have a driver's license? Should completly answer question as to "how blind" the guy actually is. I know of someone who is considered "legally blind" yet they have a driver's license with a glasses requirement.
I agree. I'm stunned he didn't immediately label himself a victim. Wait til his bosses at the LA Slimes get hold of him...he'll be on talk shows lamenting Bush's insensitivity.
My daughter is legally blind and has no restrictions.
I just finished listening to that portion of the audio when I clicked on this page -- there was nothing the president said that could be taken as offensive.
his mother warned him if he kept doing that,he'd go blind.
I fail to see Bush's insensitivity here. I think it's intimidating to address someone with your sunglasses on.
This reporter does not usually wear his sunglasses. I bush noticed this and naturally asked the question.
I'm going to have to see documentation on what would ordinarily be just another liberal MSM act of boorish presumption and bad breeding.
I'm sure Wallsten is being honest and that he is legally blind - but actual blindness and legal blindness are two different things.
You have to play it backwards. George W Bush said that all blind people should be jailed.
I am legally blind without correction. I have extreme light sensitivity, as one of the small percent of people who have that side effect from dyslexia. I would never think ill of anyone who wears sunglasses when the rest of a group isn't.
That's interesting, but I just find it odd that he's been in other pics without sunglasses on, and frankly, if I were going to be in a press conference I would have told the WH that I would be wearing sunglasses but it's not a sign of disrespect, it's for medical reasons. That has nothing to do with the guy playing victim, it's a sign of courtesy to your host.
Wallsten is not blind. He's just an obnoxious little jerk and someone is providing cover for this jerk.
You know I thought that Kayne Wests' statement was funny until my 5 year old daughter heard it, and asked me "Why does George Bush hate black people?" I know she's only 5 but there are probably some people out there who would believe it if someone on TV says it.
Well I'm sure they'll provide it for you.
But that's because you have that situation. If one person in a crowd is wearing sunglasses, they stick out, and it's not going out on a limb to make the connection with someone having a star trip.
As a member of the press it wouldn't be a big deal to mention, while getting credentials, "BTW I need these for my medical condition," so the President doesn't think someone in the crowd is showing a lack of respect for the office.
After 3 corneal transplants and a recent cataract surgery I know exactly where this guy is at. There are times I have to wear dark glasses inside just because light, any light, hurts too much.
I get pissed at people who know about my eyes who give me grief about it, make some "snappy" comment. I do NOT take offense with someone who makes a comment when I haven't told them what's going.
I'm on board with those that applaud this guys approach and comments on this "incident" so far. I would like to have a very long talk with the clowns who are trying to drum up a problem for Bush out of this, however... preferably in a quiet alley someplace...
If you don't believe me, you hate blind people.
Another reason to impeach Bush! /sarc
I've done the same thing - TWICE!!
I gave a form to a client once and when he didn't appear to be reading it I said, "What are you, blind?" He replied, "Yes, I am".
I proceeded to shrink to a 2" height.
A couple of years later we went into a restaurant in Northern Michigan while on vacation. We were seated by a young man and then waited and waited.
I finally went up to the behind -the-counter cook and complained about the long wait.
He told me that most of the staff had called in that day and they were extremely short staffed. He said they had no one to take our order.
I told them that someone had seated us and why couldn't he take our order.
The cook replied, "He isn't able to".
I said, "What is he - retarded?"
The cook replied, "Yes sir, he is". (the guy did not have Down's Syndrome and looked perfectly normal)
This time I shrank down to a 1 1/2" height.
I might be a slow learner - but twice was enough. I never make statements like that anymore!
More importantly, what does Ann Coulter have to say about this!?
I can appreciate the reporter not wanting to make a statement about it. Bush just happens to speak directly to things that seem out of the ordinary to him. The exchange was very civil. By now, W probably knows "the rest of the story."
Legally blind does NOT = blind. I suspect it's a liberal inspired scale for victimhood. I know several people who are legally blind......they can see some, but not enough to live a normal life. NO driving, they use walking sticks.....but with one lady I know if I stand to either her right or left side she CAN see me just fine. She manages to get out and about daily......God bless her.
What a douche.
If he's blind I guess he is writing in Braille on that pad?
When I was in college I saw a very scruffy and badly dressed man mowing the lawn at a house where I was renting a room. I told my landlady that she didn't need to hire a bum to mow the lawn and that I'd do it for free.
She replied "That's my boyfriend."
1.23" tall.
Sure. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I find the amount of humiliation you suffered rather startling.
God bless.
I wish the judge I had felt the same way.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing ping list
with interests in health and society
What did the President Know and When did he know it?
SHADEGATE... It's all Bush's fault coming to a theater near you...
Jeez.. Louise.
I have a legally-blind friend in his fifties who couldn't get a driver's license until a couple years ago. He can see "shapes." He uses an eyepiece to read roadsigns (when he needs to). If I'm standing more than 12" away from him, he has no idea who I am until I speak; then, he can ID my voice.
To put it mildly, riding in his car is a real trip. I consented to it only once.
I'm 20/180 without my glasses. He's worse than 20/200 with his. If I ever get behind the wheel of a car without my glasses on, it will have to be a life-and-death situation (both the cause and the effect).
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