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July 14, 2006

Pig Humor

Why is it okay for comics to have a sense of humor about really seriously bad occurrences but not okay for the President to have fun while a war is raging? No doubt, that is the question indignant Republicans are asking this morning in response to outrage over the President's light-hearted treatment yesterday of the escalating violence in the Middle East.

Following the President's meeting yesterday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, German chef Olaf Micheel served a barbecued wild pig for President Bush. And pretty much as soon as Bush heard what was on the menu he couldn't stop talking about it.

"I understand I may have the honor of slicing the pig," Bush said at a news conference earlier in the day punctuated with questions about spreading violence in the Middle East and an intensifying standoff with Iran about nuclear power.

The president's host, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, started a serious ball rolling at this news conference …But Bush seemed more focused on "the feast" promised later.

"Thanks for having me," Bush told the chancellor. "I'm looking forward to that pig tonight."…

"Apart from the pig, Mr. President, what sort of insights have you been able to gain as regards East Germany?" a German reporter asked.

"I haven't seen the pig yet," Bush said, sidestepping the question about insights gained from his two-day visit to this rural seaside region that once rested behind the Iron Curtain.

And when an American reporter asked whether Bush is concerned about the Israeli bombing of the Beirut airport and about Iran's failure to respond to an offer for negotiations, Bush replied with more boar jokes before delving into the substance of the questions.

"I thought you were going to ask about the pig," said the president. "I'll tell you about the pig tomorrow."

I was able to watch a bit of this press conference on TV last night and I've got to say that even though I enjoy a joke as much as the next person, when the Middle East is exploding and the fear on everyone's mind is nuclear war I had a really hard time with the pig jokes. It is appropriate for comedians to relieve our tension with jokes at a time like this, but we look to our President for thoughtful leadership, not nonchalant comedy.

Posted by Becky at July 14, 2006 08:55 AM