Bush Offers 'Blind' Quote -- But Reporter Says He's Not Offended

editorandpublisher ^ | June 14 06 | Editor and Publisher

[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.

[Darkwolf377]

"Legally blind" or blind?

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.

[JennysCool]

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.

[Dilbert San Diego]

This will be twisted around that Bush is insensitive to the handicapped community. Wait and see.

[AppyPappy]

It's Bush's fault that he is blind.

[newgeezer]

Over here, they're convinced he's not blind.

So, he is. Or, he isn't.

[L.N. Smithee]

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.

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.

[Owl558]

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.

[DTogo]

George Bush doesn't care about blind people...

Oh wait, that was black people. /sarc

[wideawake]

Legal blindness isn't blindness and people with Stargardt's sometimes prefer to wear sunglasses because Stargardt's sufferers take longer than others to adjust their vision from bright environments to dark environments and vice versa.

[frogjerk]

He wears UV protective sunglasses to slow the degenerative effect of Stargardt's Disease.

Whether or not that means he is "legally blind", I don't know.

[zerosix]

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.

[Recovering_Democrat]

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.

[Raycpa]

My daughter is legally blind and has no restrictions.

[frogjerk]

Current research also shows that patients with Stargardt's disease could slow its progression by wearing UV-protective sunglasses and avoiding exposure to bright light. Researchers have observed that mice which had a mutation of the ABCA4 gene, and which were reared in dark environments had virtually no lipofuscin deposits.

From http://www.mdsupport.org/library/stargrdt.html

[GretchenM]

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.

[Rakkasan1]

his mother warned him if he kept doing that,he'd go blind.

[AppyPappy]

[nikos1121]

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.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

I'm going to have to see documentation on what would ordinarily be just another liberal MSM act of boorish presumption and bad breeding.