Bush makes fun of legally blind man's shades! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Steve M. · 06-15-2006, 09:09 AM

Bush Apologizes to L.A. Times Reporter
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jun 14, 8:22 PM

WASHINGTON - President Bush, who often teases members of the White House press corps, apologized Wednesday after he poked fun at a reporter for wearing sunglasses without realizing they were needed for vision loss.

The exchange occurred at a news conference in the Rose Garden.

Bush called on Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten and asked if he was going to ask his question with his "shades" on.

"For the viewers, there's no sun," Bush said to the television cameras.

But even though the sun was behind the clouds, Wallsten still needs the sunglasses because he has Stargardt's disease, a form of macular degeneration that causes progressive vision loss. The condition causes Wallsten to be sensitive to glare and even on a cloudy day, can cause pain and increase the loss of sight.

Wallsten said Bush called his cell phone later in the day to apologize and tell him that he didn't know he had the disease. Wallsten said he interrupted and told the president that no apology was necessary and that he didn't feel offended since he hadn't told anyone at the White House about his condition.

"He said, `I needle you guys out of affection,'" Wallsten said. "I said, 'I understand that, but I don't want you to treat me any differently because of this.'"

Wallsten said the president said he would not treat him differently, so Wallsten encouraged him to "needle away."

"He said, `I will. Next time I'll just use a different needle,'" Wallsten said.

Wallsten said he thought that was a pretty good line. And his only complaint is that the president didn't answer his question at the news conference.

Wallsten, who is also author of a book coming out next month titled "One Party Country: The Republican Plan for Dominance in the 21st Century," had asked about White House credibility now in the aftermath of top aide Karl Rove having been cleared in the CIA leak investigation. But Bush said he wouldn't comment with another top White House aide still facing prosecution in the case.

(Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

MsOrange · 06-15-2006, 10:27 AM

the guy made a mistake and apologized for it. It was meant to be a joke, it was just his luck the guy happened to have a condition. Obviously Walston isn't all upset about it, why should anyone else be? The title of this thread is completely mis leading... Bush didn't stand up there, point nad laugh, and make jokes about a man he knew was blind.

Auntie · 06-15-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

the guy made a mistake and apologized for it. It was meant to be a joke, it was just his luck the guy happened to have a condition. Obviously Walston isn't all upset about it, why should anyone else be? The title of this thread is completely mis leading... Bush didn't stand up there, point nad laugh, and make jokes about a man he knew was blind.

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip. Secondly, if there is any truth to it, at least he didn't bold face lie in front of the entire world about having an affair with one of his interns (like some past ex president) I can name

MsOrange · 06-15-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip. Secondly, if there is any truth to it, at least he didn't bold face lie in front of the entire world about having an affair with one of his interns (like some past ex president) I can name

what the hell kind of argument is that?

Janice · 06-15-2006, 11:01 AM

SHADEGATE!!

Reporter Peter Wallsten, who was very gracious, has an eye condition where his eyes are sensitive to light and glare. He can see. He's pictured below, wearing glasses. Notice he's writing on a pad of paper.

James"Thunder"Early · 06-15-2006, 11:08 AM

It never fails for him to make a mistake in some capacity

James"Thunder"Early · 06-15-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip. Secondly, if there is any truth to it, at least he didn't bold face lie in front of the entire world about having an affair with one of his interns (like some past ex president) I can name

More obsession with Bill Clinton.

Mister Show · 06-15-2006, 11:14 AM

I'm no fan of the Bush administration but there is nothing really to be made of this considering everything else thats going on with this country.

What caught my attention and really disturbs me was this...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip.

Did you type this with a straight face?

JT · 06-15-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip. Secondly, if there is any truth to it, at least he didn't bold face lie in front of the entire world about having an affair with one of his interns (like some past ex president) I can name

What does that have to do with ANYTHING?

MsOrange · 06-15-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

SHADEGATE!!

Reporter Peter Wallsten, who was very gracious, has an eye condition where his eyes are sensitive to light and glare. He can see. He's pictured below, wearing glasses. Notice he's writing on a pad of paper.

serioulsy, the article never even said he was blind, So therefore Bush didn't do anything to a "legally blind person"

Steve M. · 06-15-2006, 02:46 PM

I originally got the information that he was legally blind from the most trusted name in television news - Jon Stewart.

KissMyGrits · 06-15-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip. Secondly, if there is any truth to it, at least he didn't bold face lie in front of the entire world about having an affair with one of his interns (like some past ex president) I can name

And she's off and running!!

Forgive her, she can't help herself......

Seriously though, my father was legally blind in one eye for years and had many instances where he was made fun of. Not intentionally but it is hard to know if a person is blind or not. Not everyone shows it. They want to be treated like a normal person so they don't call attention to themselves. My dad actually like it when someone would do something like this. Made him feel good about himself....

MsOrange · 06-15-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve M.

I originally got the information that he was legally blind from the most trusted name in television news - Jon Stewart.

well , if that's the case...

Ireneparalegal · 06-15-2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip. Secondly, if there is any truth to it, at least he didn't bold face lie in front of the entire world about having an affair with one of his interns (like some past ex president) I can name

Moonlight Lady · 06-15-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie

First of all, i didn't hear anything about this, so unless I see it (or hear about it on Fox news(cable) it's just gossip.

So let me get this straight, because You didn't hear about it, It's gossip.
To me, that's rather self-centered.

06-15-2006, 09:09 AM	#1
Steve M. Forum Veteran Holding the compass Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 20,488	Bush makes fun of legally blind man's shades! Bush Apologizes to L.A. Times Reporter By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer Wed Jun 14, 8:22 PM WASHINGTON - President Bush, who often teases members of the White House press corps, apologized Wednesday after he poked fun at a reporter for wearing sunglasses without realizing they were needed for vision loss. The exchange occurred at a news conference in the Rose Garden. Bush called on Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten and asked if he was going to ask his question with his "shades" on. "For the viewers, there's no sun," Bush said to the television cameras. But even though the sun was behind the clouds, Wallsten still needs the sunglasses because he has Stargardt's disease, a form of macular degeneration that causes progressive vision loss. The condition causes Wallsten to be sensitive to glare and even on a cloudy day, can cause pain and increase the loss of sight. Wallsten said Bush called his cell phone later in the day to apologize and tell him that he didn't know he had the disease. Wallsten said he interrupted and told the president that no apology was necessary and that he didn't feel offended since he hadn't told anyone at the White House about his condition. "He said, `I needle you guys out of affection,'" Wallsten said. "I said, 'I understand that, but I don't want you to treat me any differently because of this.'" Wallsten said the president said he would not treat him differently, so Wallsten encouraged him to "needle away." "He said, `I will. Next time I'll just use a different needle,'" Wallsten said. Wallsten said he thought that was a pretty good line. And his only complaint is that the president didn't answer his question at the news conference. Wallsten, who is also author of a book coming out next month titled "One Party Country: The Republican Plan for Dominance in the 21st Century," had asked about White House credibility now in the aftermath of top aide Karl Rove having been cleared in the CIA leak investigation. But Bush said he wouldn't comment with another top White House aide still facing prosecution in the case. (Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

06-15-2006, 11:01 AM	#5
Janice Administrator Forum Celebrity Hollywood Swingin' Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 34,527	VERY misleading headline SHADEGATE!! Reporter Peter Wallsten, who was very gracious, has an eye condition where his eyes are sensitive to light and glare. He can see. He's pictured below, wearing glasses. Notice he's writing on a pad of paper. __________________ God Bless Our Troops

06-15-2006, 11:08 AM	#6
James"Thunder"Early Moderator Whoever's In New England Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 6,909	It never fails for him to make a mistake in some capacity __________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

06-15-2006, 02:46 PM	#11
Steve M. Forum Veteran Holding the compass Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 20,488	I originally got the information that he was legally blind from the most trusted name in television news - Jon Stewart. __________________ My blogs: Miscellaneous Musings Pictures of Beautiful Women WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE: REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS CHRIS CHRISTIE - SCOTT WALKER - RICK SNYDER - JOHN KASICH - RICK SCOTT - PAUL LEPAGE ON THE CHARGE OF IMPERSONATING AN OFFICE!!

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06-15-2006, 10:27 AM	#2
MsOrange Senior Member Bringin' Sexy Back Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,088	the guy made a mistake and apologized for it. It was meant to be a joke, it was just his luck the guy happened to have a condition. Obviously Walston isn't all upset about it, why should anyone else be? The title of this thread is completely mis leading... Bush didn't stand up there, point nad laugh, and make jokes about a man he knew was blind.