Bush curses Hezbollah on live microphone

[jnettie]

Bush curses Hezbollah on live microphone (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060718/ap_on_re_eu/g8_summit_bush_overheard;_ylt=AklMV6gnI4uQ08y0kmOZ cEis0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--)

By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer 11 minutes ago

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - It wasn't meant to be overheard. Private luncheon conversations among world leaders, picked up by a microphone, provided a rare window into both banter and substance — including President Bush cursing Hezbollah's attacks against Israel.

Bush expressed his frustration with the United Nations and his disgust with the militant Islamic group and its backers in Syria as he talked to British Prime Minister Tony Blair during the closing lunch at the Group of Eight summit.

"See the irony is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s--- and it's over," Bush told Blair as he chewed on a buttered roll.

He told Blair he felt like telling U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who visited the gathered leaders, to get on the phone with Syrian President Bashar Assad to "make something happen." He suggested Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice might visit the region soon.

The unscripted comments came during a photo opportunity at the lunch. The leaders clearly did not realize that a live microphone was picking up their discussion.

Asked about the microphone mishap during his final briefing of the summit, Blair quipped that it was "all about transparent government." He smiled and tapped the microphone in front of him.

Bush "sort of rolled his eyes and laughed" when told the comments had been audible and a copy had been made, said Press Secretary Tony Snow. "Actually his reaction first was, 'What did it say?' So we showed him the transcript, then he rolled his eyes and laughed."

Discuss.

[sea74]

I don't see what the big deal is.
It was ALL over CNN's home page today like it was important news. It wasn't.

[KK812]

I don't see what the big deal is.
It was ALL over CNN's home page today like it was important news. It wasn't.


My thoughts exactly. Woohoo, the president said a four letter word.:cool:

[amd1005]

This was the part that made me laugh...
“You eight hours? Me too. Russia’s a big country and you’re a big country. Takes him eight hours to fly home. Not Coke, diet Coke. ... Russia’s big and so is China. Yo Blair, what’re you doing? Are you leaving,” Bush said.

I don't know why, but I found it weird..
:)

[MLA]

Actually, I thought what was more telling was how he just kept talking over Tony Blair. He didn't seem to be paying any attention to what he was saying.

And really, you'd think that by now these guys would have figured out the mike thing -- so many politicians have been caught saying stupid crap when they think they're not on mike. Hello? Do we not learn from the mistakes of others? :rolleyes:

[MLA]

This was the part that made me laugh...


I don't know why, but I found it weird..
:)

I know why . . . because "Yo Blair" is funny.

[colz85]

Woohoo, the president said a four letter word.

The same president who signed a bill allowing the FCC to aggressively go after broadcasters for "profanity", to the degree of LOOKING AT SPECTATORS at live sporting events.

It actually has bigger significance than his poor table manners and use of profanity. It caught Bush and Blair unguarded, w/o their usual diplomatic spin in play.

[amd1005]

Well, yeah. But it wouldn't be quite so bad coming from Joe Schmo....;)

[tenofcups]

Not a Bush fan, but I do find this all kind of amusing--just two guys talking the way normal people speak (tho, YES, they should be aware of how to use mics by now). And the article title is extremely misleading--he didn't curse Hezbollah; he used a curse when talking about Hezbellolah. Two very different things.

[udsweetpea]

"See the irony is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s--- and it's over," Bush told Blair as he chewed on a buttered roll.

It's funny he cursed, but does this sentence even make sense? How is there irony in that?

[BTB]

And the article title is extremely misleading--he didn't curse Hezbollah; he used a curse when talking about Hezbollah.

Agreed. IMO, that's a bigger "oops" than what Bush did.

[KarenS]

I don't see what the big deal is.
It was ALL over CNN's home page today like it was important news. It wasn't.And the article title is extremely misleading--he didn't curse Hezbollah; he used a curse when talking about Hezbollah.I agree with both of these. I knew as soon as I saw the CNN blurb where this would go. It's just so juvenile to me. There are so many other things to worry about than the fact that GWB said "shit" in a private aside to someone.

K.

[jnettie]

I laughed when he said shit. That was amusing.

But, I just found it more telling of his attitude toward diplomacy. He's just so flipant, not what I want to hear my president say, even if it's a private conversation. What's going on is very serious, and his comments make light.

[KarenS]

So do you hold Tony Blair to an equal standard? By taking part in the conversation do you consider him to be equally flippant and uncaring?

Karen

[Dally]

I don't think it's any big deal that he said "shit." We've heard him curse before (calling that one reporter an "asshole") and many of us swear, too.

But, ITA with MLA about what did annoy me:
Actually, I thought what was more telling was how he just kept talking over Tony Blair. He didn't seem to be paying any attention to what he was saying.

I got that same impression.

[ejs]

How was his remark flippant? He was telling Blair what he thinks needs to be done.

I think it's ridiculous that this even made the news. If he would have said something like, "I'm glad this is all taking place because it takes the attention off of me" or "I hope those people all kill each other" or a racist comment, I could understand those being news.

Bush-bashers are going to be so excited about this. Just as those who always side with the Republicans would be thrilled if a Democratic president was heard saying the same thing.

[tenofcups]

Bush-bashers are going to be so excited about this. Just as those who always side with the Republicans would be thrilled if a Democratic president was heard saying the same thing.

I don't think so, at least not based on my own response and those I've spoken to. I'm perfectly happy to bash him when he deserves it, which is most of the time in my opinion, but I still think this is a total non-story -- except that it's just slightly amusing.

[ejs]

I don't think so, at least not based on my own response and those I've spoken to. I'm perfectly happy to bash him when he deserves it, which is most of the time in my opinion, but I still think this is a total non-story -- except that it's just slightly amusing.
I should have been clearer. Not everyone who dislikes Bush will jump all over this. But many will.

[Asha]

i don't think its such a big deal. pres. bush hasn't been secretive about his feelings about this at all. it didn't seem like he was revealing any purple monsters under the bed. his speech is never really refined, anyways, so this isn't too much different than his public speech, imo.

[cosmic]

I laughed when he said shit. That was amusing.

But, I just found it more telling of his attitude toward diplomacy. He's just so flipant, not what I want to hear my president say, even if it's a private conversation. What's going on is very serious, and his comments make light.

I agree. And in that sense, it isn't the worst thing he's ever done-- BY FAR-- but it's very telling of his attitude.

[ginadc]

The thing that cracked me up was the "Russia's a big country. China's a big country. ... Russia's big and so is China," interlude. "Hi, my name is George W. Bush and this is my fourth-grade geography report."

That and his disgusting table manners. Dude, didn't Barbara teach you not to talk with your mouth full at international diplomatic events?

[IrisHope]

The same president who signed a bill allowing the FCC to aggressively go after broadcasters for "profanity", to the degree of LOOKING AT SPECTATORS at live sporting events.

It actually has bigger significance than his poor table manners and use of profanity. It caught Bush and Blair unguarded, w/o their usual diplomatic spin in play.

Good point!!

[MLA]

That and his disgusting table manners. Dude, didn't Barbara teach you not to talk with your mouth full at international diplomatic events?

I noticed that, too. The talking over Blair and with his mouth full was more what I picked up on than the use of an expletive.

[LyLMyssChaos]

To be honest, I'm not so sure it really was an "accident." I mean, what Bush said, needed to be said, and this was a great way to get it out there. Let the press think that they are getting some juicy gossip, when in all reality they wanted it to get out. I for one am glad that this was "overheard."

[IrisHope]

LMC, why would the president of the United States need to play a trick as to make believe he was being overheard. Shouldn't he be able to say it outloud with pride? Isn't that a cowardly way to get your point across from such a leader of the free world?

[MLA]

To be honest, I'm not so sure it really was an "accident." I mean, what Bush said, needed to be said, and this was a great way to get it out there. Let the press think that they are getting some juicy gossip, when in all reality they wanted it to get out. I for one am glad that this was "overheard."


I think that sort of childishness is below even this president. I really do think it was a stupid mistake. Not a horrible mistake, but stupid.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

I agree that it's a non-story. There are a lot of things Bush could legitimately be reamed for, but this is not one of them, IMO. ;)

[msnicolea]

It's ridiculous, but not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I'm completely unsurprised--I suspect this is how he talks/eats most of the time. And I'm quite sure he has no idea what "irony" is.

Tony Blair is such a little "yes" man-I can't believe he was re-elected, quite frankly.

[mili04]

There are plenty of things in be upset with Bush for, IMO, but cursing? Not a big deal.

[LyLMyssChaos]

LMC, why would the president of the United States need to play a trick as to make believe he was being overheard. Shouldn't he be able to say it outloud with pride? Isn't that a cowardly way to get your point across from such a leader of the free world?

I agree it is a cowardly way to go about things if it was in fact intentional. I mean, I have a strong belief in saying what you believe and owning it. I totally despise "political correctness" and I think that if you feel something, you should just say it and not try to sugarcoat it. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of people that feel that way and as much as his approval ratings have dropped, perhaps he was trying to "please everyone" with this manuever. For example, someone like my DH who was happy to hear him speak like this. As he put it, "Now that's the Bush I voted for!" And for those that might be offended that he would speak like that, he could play it off as an "oopsie." I'm just trying to look at it from all angles because although I believe Bush could be so stupid, I'm not so sure that Blair would be.

[Witty Username]

Ahhh, so you're saying it's all part of his "statergy". ;)

[msnicolea]

Or his "strategery" ;->

[LyLMyssChaos]

Ahhh, so you're saying it's all part of his "statergy". ;)

LOL
Ya know? My DH always uses "Strategery" and I just want to smack him! I'm like "IT IS STRATEGY!!!" LOL :D

[MaineBelle]

I found the peek into behind the scenes international relations somewhat fascinating. It was sort of a "World Leaders - they're just like us": they talk with a mouth full, they order diet coke...

[isign]

I think it's silly that the press played this up. So what he said a 'bad word'. Big deal.

[Witty Username]

LOL
Ya know? My DH always uses "Strategery" and I just want to smack him! I'm like "IT IS STRATEGY!!!" LOL :D

LOL - I didn't even get the misspelling correct. :o

You don't even want to know how many Google returns there are for "stratergy and "strategery", that have nothing to do with Bush.

As far as what he said, it isn't any big deal. I thought the whole thing was amusing, I was grossed out by him talking with his mouth full. And he certainly was not the only one doing that, there was a lot of open mouth chewing.

Who agreed to that photo op?

[ThreeYell]

I couldn't care less about his language but I do think it's a legitimate news story. It gives a nice glimpse into our president's primitive understanding of an enormously complex situation. His comment makes no sense. Does he really think that Damascus can make a phone call and all of this will stop?

[KarenS]

It gives a nice glimpse into our president's primitive understanding of an enormously complex situation. His comment makes no sense. Does he really think that Damascus can make a phone call and all of this will stop?Oh give me a break.

Just the other day as we were watching the news I said to my husband something along the lines of "Can't they just ... I dunno ... play a game of poker or something and get this over with before they kill everyone?" It doesn't mean I'm naive enough to think that a phone call and a game of cards over a beer is going to solve the whole Middle Eastern problem. It's an expression of frustration.

I'm so freaking sick of people making every eye blink and nose pick and mumbled aside into some kind of earth shattering revelation of someone's intelligence or understanding. And I don't care if we're talking about Bush, Clinton, the Repubs, the Dems, anyone.

Not everything is fraught with meaning.

Karen

[ysolde]

Karen:

I think we are married to the same guy. Mine suggested a David v. Goliath slingshot duel. Or a "Lucha Libre" wrestling match. I think it's an odd, male sense of humor.

[PG-rated]

I also think this is a non-story, but I'm still annoyed at the idiocy of Bush and Blair "blowing off steam" in front of a live mic. Like it or not, when you're the leader of a major world power, what you say carries weight, and you'd think that six years in office would be enough time for you to figure that out. Is it dumb that this is leading on CNN? Sure. But it's also dumb that they allowed it to happen.

ETA: Just read the whole story, and as the conversation is described, it seems that Bush was the one making more lighthearted comments, while Blair was trying to talk more seriously about bringing in international peacekeepers. If that's really the case, then IMHO it does say something about Bush's leadership.

[diam124]

ETA: Just read the whole story, and as the conversation is described, it seems that Bush was the one making more lighthearted comments, while Blair was trying to talk more seriously about bringing in international peacekeepers. If that's really the case, then IMHO it does say something about Bush's leadership.

I disagree with this because this luncheon was on the very tail end of the meetings (literally right before they were all leaving). So, why is it so bad to make "chit-chat" during lunch when they've probably been discussing all of this throughout their meetings. It's not like Blair can't pick up the phone and talk to Bush if he wants to have a serious discussion. I just don't see why it's a big deal that while they were eating lunch they weren't having super-serious policy discussions (and yes, I realize this is a super-serious problem in the Middle East).

[wendalah]

Just as those who always side with the Republicans would be thrilled if a Democratic president was heard saying the same thing.


Nah, in the case of a private conversation that clearly wasn't meant to be overheard, the use of "shit" wouldn't make me bat an eye.

[dionysia]

I'm with you, PG-Rated.

Though I am more horrifed at Bush's 'neck fondling' of Chancellor Merkel. :eek:

Di

[Delta]

I found their conversation amusing, and not just the shit part - but the Yo Blair and the sweater teasing.

It also strikes me that their staffs and cabinet members really are doing most of the legwork and negotiation here based on the substance of their conversation.

And the chewing and talking like that was kind of yucky.

[cosmic]

I'm with you, PG-Rated.

Though I am more horrifed at Bush's 'neck fondling' of Chancellor Merkel. :eek:

Di

Yes! What was up with that??? She gave a vary visible reaction, too. Did he forget who she was???

[MLA]

Though I am more horrifed at Bush's 'neck fondling' of Chancellor Merkel. :eek:

Di

I must have missed that part. When did that happen?

[cosmic]

http://sfgate.com/c/pictures/2006/07/19/mn_bush_merkel.jpg

Video framegrab of President George W. Bush giving impromptu neck massage to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. ZDF, German Television

San Francisco Chronicle
July 18, 2006

It's not exactly "Presidents Gone Wild!" but for the normally staid Group of Eight Summit, a video of President George W. Bush sidling behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel and delivering an impromptu neck rub is, well, as wild as it gets.

The scene, captured by a Russian TV camera, hit the Internet like a summer wildfire Tuesday, and it may be most memorable for the German chancellor's reaction. Bush applies his hands to Merkel's shoulders and neck while she's speaking with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi; the chancellor hunches her shoulders, then throws her hands up to stop the unexpected massage with a wan smile -- and an expression which can best be translated as "Ewwww."

While the incident didn't get a lot of play on major TV media, it was just one of the Bush G-8 gaffes that garnered considerable space in the blogosphere from London to Los Angeles.

Bloggers on sites like truthdig.com expounded at length on the U.S. president's now-famed open mike incident in which Bush let slip the "s-word" while talking with British Prime Minister Tony Blair; it wasn't so much the potty mouth as the president speaking with his mouth full that horrified many international critics.

But it was the massage for Merkel -- notably the only female at the G-8 table -- which earned Bush the title of "Groper in Chief" on some Web sites.

One German tabloid, BILD-Zeitung, which posted the link to the video and headlined it: "Bush: Love Attack on Merkel!"

And Dialog International, a Web site that specializes in German-American politics and culture, said Bush's behavior raised questions about the American president and his profile abroad.

"When he is away from his script and his handlers, his true lack of intelligence and emotional maturity surfaces for all to see. The dangerous situation in Lebanon ... requires true leadership. Don't look for it from the world's uberpower."

The G-8 dust-up prompted Bush fans and Republican insiders to say that the critiques were much ado about a back rub.

GOP commentator and Fox News political analyst Karen Hanretty said the outraged reaction shows how "President Bush just can't win."

"Aren't these the same women who have been angry about cowboy diplomacy?" she asked. "Do they want a kinder, more sensitive Bush -- or a cowboy? Once again, there's no pleasing women," she said. "Give them the cowboy and they want Alan Alda.''

Hanretty went on to say that "these women who would criticize the prez for making a friendly gesture are the same women who refused to say anything about Bill Clinton when he was accused of sexually harassing Paula Jones. Where were they when Katherine Willey was grieving for her dead husband and Bill Clinton was rubbing them in all the wrong places?''

Hoover Institution research fellow Bill Whalen, a former adviser to former Gov. Pete Wilson, says the generous coverage of Bush's backrub and his open mike comments fully illustrates the power -- and occasional "goofiness" of the Internet in its ability to turn quotes and images into major events for what he calls the "get-a-life contingent.''

"We have this perception that presidents are like Quakers or Amish; they don't say any dirty words,'' he said. "But occasionally an s-bomb will slip in there."

As for that neck rub, Whalen quipped: "There are those who say the President should be more Clintonesque ... maybe he misunderstood what they meant."

But commentator and author Steve Young's blog on the Huffington Post Web site says Bush looks like the "Lounge Lizard in Chief'' -- so he advises Democrats to seize the moment and make use of "the irony of a president who's supposed to represent our best, giving the Chancellor of Germany an inappropriate and unrequested backrub.''

Even some veteran White House insiders say the incident is a hair-raiser.

"I mean, did Reagan do that to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher? He's not giving massages to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin -- and he's the one who thinks he has a great relationship with Putin," said Martha Whetstone, former political director for the Northern California Democratic National Committee and a longtime Arkansas-born friend of former President Bill Clinton -- who certainly made news of his own on the women front.

"You could use this video for sexual harassment training. It's something you'd show and say, "No one in a boss's position should be doing that," Whetstone said.

"This is a guy whose favorite quote is, "I'm a leader," said Whetstone. "Leadership is knowing protocol, knowing you don't diminish other leaders. Diplomacy is about respect. Leaders should not act that way.''

Janette Gitler, a Marin County-based media and strategic planning consultant, says that Americans can "add it to the long list of embarrassing moments for our president.''

She said that if Bush were a media training client, she'd be "horrified that someone of his stature would behave in such undignified and inappropriate.''

"Obviously, the president isn't included in any kind of sensitivity training at the White House ... because it's clear from the video that (Merkel) didn't appreciate it,'' Gitler said. "I'm sure she didn't want to humiliate him, but you don't give her many options.''

San Francisco Chronicle reader Christine Curtis was outraged and wrote in to say the video was a scary look into Bush.

Merkel "recoiled as I would also do if someone came up from behind me and started touching me,'' Curtis said. She wondered if the president was "drunk or on something," adding "he is a frat boy gone wild in a grown up, very scary and dangerous world."

Whetstone said the moment echoes something Bush's likes to brag about: "He says he's going to be me -- because that's what people like. But sometimes "me" isn't a good thing.'''

[cosmic]

I must have missed that part. When did that happen?

You can just enter "president bush" and "angela merkel" in Google News. There's PLENTY.

[Asha]

aacccckkkk!!! no wonder she looks horrified. there is no way i would want bush giving me a massage. from the looks of it, he doesn't give very good ones either.

[MLA]

That's just so wrong. I would be totally skeeved out if I were in her position. And I'd be PISSED.

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

That's just so wrong. I would be totally skeeved out if I were in her position. And I'd be PISSED.
Agreed. Even if it's not intended, it's a move that undermines the "massagee's" position. Especially when the massagee is a woman.

[wine_o_girlie]

Good God, he's an idiot and an embarassment.

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Someone needs to learn to keep their hands to themself!

[PG-rated]

I disagree with this because this luncheon was on the very tail end of the meetings (literally right before they were all leaving). So, why is it so bad to make "chit-chat" during lunch when they've probably been discussing all of this throughout their meetings. It's not like Blair can't pick up the phone and talk to Bush if he wants to have a serious discussion. I just don't see why it's a big deal that while they were eating lunch they weren't having super-serious policy discussions (and yes, I realize this is a super-serious problem in the Middle East).
Well, you're assuming that they were making small talk at the end of the lunch, and Blair was trying to force a serious discussion. I'm assuming that they had been having a serious discussion, and Bush was derailing it with small talk towards the end. I'm not sure which version is true, since I haven't seen video clips in context. But if my version is true, then I have problems with it. And even if your version is correct, I'm still not totally OK with it. There's some serious shit (joke intended) going down right now, and when you're somebody who can do something about it, and somebody else who can do something about it wants to talk to you about it, you listen to them.

Oh, and the Merkel thing? Ick, ick, ick.

[kimbyj]

Good God, he's an idiot and an embarassment.


I feel this way on so many occassions! Please get the man a dictionary so he can understand the words he knows nothing about but insists on using!:confused:

I don't care about him cursing, although it does set a bad example and I would hope that the President of the USA could express himself intelligently without using profanity. What he and Blair had was NOT a private conversation. If it were private we would not have heard it. If it were meant to be private they should have gone to a sound proof or more secure location where what was being discussed could not be overheard; even by accident. As educated people and leaders who deal with the press everyday neither one of them can or should say they had any expectation of privacy while sitting/standing in front of microphones that they had been using. I mean really.

My concerns are *limited* to resolving this battle, his plan for resolution, his thoughts on Kofi, his talking with his mouth full and his massaging Merkel. The Merkel situation...hmmm...does he massage Blair like that? In public? In front of all of his collegues? In front of cameras? I dunno (shaking my head)!

[KarenS]

What he and Blair had was NOT a private conversation. If it were private we would not have heard it. If it were meant to be private they should have gone to a sound proof or more secure location where what was being discussed could not be overheard; even by accident.I disagree with this. Over the past 10 years the technology allowing people to hear and record private conversations has grown at an amazing rate. Having people be "mic'd" on a casual basis is a relatively new thing as far as these types of events go. And it's only going to get "worse" as technology takes leaps and bounds. Things that one might reasonably expect to be "private" in the past are not going to be private any more and that's going to cause more and more incidents like this.

It used to be that someone could make an aside and it wouldn't be broadcast to the world at large. Technology has changed that. Saying "if it were private it wouldn't be broadcast" is somewhat naive and, IMO, misleading. One shouldn't have to step into a soundproof room to exchange a casual comment with a "coworker" (or political peer, as the case may be).

karen

[kimbyj]

Just returned from dinner with friends and we had a lively discussion about this topic. Our friend's in laws are visiting the USA and I tried to explain the private conversation issue to them as I see it. After struggling to explain it to them in their langauge (Farsi) I finally gave them the *dummied down* version in English. This they understood perfectly and as a matter of fact all of the dinner guests agreed; even the ones who vehemently disagreed at the beginning of the conversation.

Basically I explained that one can not have a "private" conversation in a room full of people - especially reporters. That defies the meaning of private especially in a legal sense. When there are cameras and reporters in a room anything & everything is up for grabs.

Then we got into a discussion about how despite having every available "spying" resource Bush some how thinks that the "spying" might not apply to him. It's so funny though - Has our President not learned even one thing from all the celebrities we have worldwide being *stalked* (with long range cameras, garbage diggers, sound equipment, photographers on motorcycles etc.) by the tabloids? Better yet as the person who has allowed wire tapping without warrants and who has access to spy on countries around the world (you know, the ones with weapons of mass destruction) he should know better.

Well, I had some good belly aching laughs tonight.

[diam124]

[QUOTE=PG-rated]Well, you're assuming that they were making small talk at the end of the lunch, and Blair was trying to force a serious discussion. I'm assuming that they had been having a serious discussion, and Bush was derailing it with small talk towards the end. I'm not sure which version is true, since I haven't seen video clips in context. But if my version is true, then I have problems with it. And even if your version is correct, I'm still not totally OK with it. There's some serious shit (joke intended) going down right now, and when you're somebody who can do something about it, and somebody else who can do something about it wants to talk to you about it, you listen to them.QUOTE]

Ok, here's another scenario though - do you really think that Bush and Blair are going to have a serious discussion about the issues when they are sitting with leaders from a variety of countries and a roomful of press? That just doesn't seem to be to be an appropriate place to hammer out and debate policies. I don't think they would want other leaders (who may or may not be allies in this issue) and random press around while they plan their strategy. I imagine that such discussions take place behind closed doors.

I totally agree that the Merkel thing was bizarre. I wonder why that wasn't discussed in the mainstream press as much as the other comments? (maybe it was and I just didn't see it, but it wasn't featured prominently)

[Asha]

totally agree that the Merkel thing was bizarre. I wonder why that wasn't discussed in the mainstream press as much as the other comments?

maybe massages btwn the world leaders are more common than we think. :D

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Ok, here's another scenario though - do you really think that Bush and Blair are going to have a serious discussion about the issues when they are sitting with leaders from a variety of countries and a roomful of press? That just doesn't seem to be to be an appropriate place to hammer out and debate policies. I don't think they would want other leaders (who may or may not be allies in this issue) and random press around while they plan their strategy. I imagine that such discussions take place behind closed doors.
OTOH, it also doesn't seem like an appropriate place to be talking s*it. I wouldn't think they'd want other leaders and random press around for that either.