Diplomatic and Human Relations 101, George Bush - F

The New York Times is delivered to my happy little abode every Sunday. This is a wonderful time for my partner and myself because it is associated with sipping good coffee, perusing the Times and relaxing for a few hours clad in our favorite jammies; it is a day of relaxation and no expectations. A recent article outlined President Bush's tour of Vietnam. Apparently it was at whirlwind speed. The president stopped five minutes here and eighteen minutes there, delivered a lame speech that failed to impress, and continued on his way. But that was okay, remarked his aide who said that President Bush was "in touch" with the Vietnamese people because he "waved to them from his car and they waved back". In touch? Apparently the aide - never mind Bush - has never had a Human Relations class, an anthropology or sociology class, or common sense; "in touch" is meeting, greeting, and getting a feel for the people. I read on, amused by this President's continued display of arrogance; thereby, further solidifying my impression of him as an arrogant, self-centered, imbecile who has no regard for anyone or anything other than what benefits himself - whether it strokes his ego or lines his pocketbook.

Not only did he deliver a speech that failed to impress the locals; a local man made the comment that it sounded just like a comment made by Bush Sr., but apparently Laura Bush also made a visitation faux pas by failing to visit a famous silk shop. This silk shop has pictures of wives of dignitaries and country figureheads - doing what? Buying silk and having outfits made. It's called Diplomatic Relations 101. No show for Laura Bush. Am I surprised? No.

Throughout the article, a comparison was made between the Clinton presidency and the current Bush administration as to how the Vietnam Tour was conducted. Where Bush spent minutes pretending to peruse, Clinton spent hours. And while Laura Bush failed to make an appearance in the silk shop, Hillary bought herself a couple outfits and 10 silk shirts for Bill. The store was so pleased by her visit that they renamed the collar on the shirt the Bill Clinton Collar. I don't think it's much of a "brainer" to guess which president has better human and diplomatic relation skills.

President George Bush's human and diplomatic relation skills grade - F.