# I call BS on Bush bathroom note **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2005, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765 "2005-09-15T12:13:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/21 "2005-09-15T14:00:47Z")
I’m inclined to believe it’s real. Howevermuch I despise Bush, though, I don’t think the note really can be used to demonstrate anything about him. I’m sure notes like this have been written by scores of public officials at thousands of long meetings. These meetings are public events and I’m sure plenty of photographers have had opportunities to take pictures like this (ever notice how many times Henry Kissinger has been caught picking his nose in public?) So, no big deal that he wrote the note; no big deal that it was photographed; no big deal that it was printed. No big whoop overall. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/22 "2005-09-15T14:03:54Z")
Yea, c’mon people. Despite the devout belief of some of our posters, he _is_ a human being, which means he’s got the same biological functions as the rest of us. So what do you expect him to do when he gets the urge to go? Jump up, raise his hand, and go, “Oooh, ooh, Mister Secretary-General Sir, may I go to the bathroom?” Or write a note that says, “Damn but I’ve got the runs something serious. If I don’t get outta here in about two minutes I’m gonna have a ‘terrorist attack’!!”? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/23 "2005-09-15T14:12:12Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Howevermuch I despise Bush, though, I don’t think the note really can be used to demonstrate anything about him. Yeah it can. If it’s real, it tells us that he can’t punctuate any better than he can speak. And therein should lie the embarassment of the note. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/24 "2005-09-15T15:07:45Z")
…this morning, on the subway, I see a sign that normally reads as follows: “PRIORITY SEATING FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED” Someone, however, had carefully scratched out certain letters so that instead, it read: “PRIORITY EATING OF ELDERLY AND DIC” My first instict was not to shake my head and bemoan the juvenile prank, nor was it to giggle at it. No, my first thought was, “Hmm, I probably would have scratched out the ‘and’ as well so that it read a little better.” I know this is completely random, and I was planning to post this under MPSIMS, but I figured I’d ask the rest of you if you’d had similar experiences with your thought patterns, whatever “similar” means in this case. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/25 "2005-09-15T15:12:35Z")
Oh, crap. Can someone please delete the above post and this one? That was supposed to be a new thread. :smack: Figured I’d screw that up one of these days… ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/26 "2005-09-15T15:12:43Z")
Meh, pretty innocuous language there… still aways from being an eyebrow raiser. _“Condi, Weapon of ass destruction is turtleheadin’ the brown silo. Back in 20. W.” Condi, Daddy’s gotta shit like he ain’t never shat before. W._ Those I could get behind. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/27 "2005-09-15T15:20:18Z")
What exactly is the point here? I’m no fan of Bush but I’ll concede the man the right to use the toilet. If I were President and I felt the need, I’d probably slip a similar note asking for a break. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/28 "2005-09-15T15:28:01Z")
I’m sure it’s real, but so what? Think about it. The guy is human. He’ll occasionally have to relieve himself. (From a jury experience I had: no one goes over what the proper protocol is when you have to take a tinkle. You don’t even think about it until you’re in the jury box trying your darnedest not to think about Niagara Falls.) So, W is there in the UN. He has to drain the snake. He knows he can’t just leave in the middle of someone’s speech. There is no way that’s gonna look good. He can’t raise his hand and say, “I have to go pee-pee.” What does he do? He gives a note to his right hand person in the UN. She can quietly make arrangements for a five minute recess. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/29 "2005-09-15T15:29:50Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Yeah it can. If it’s real, it tells us that he can’t punctuate any better than he can speak. And therein should lie the embarassment of the note. Oh come on. It’s a quick note, not a typed statement. People: Please stop making me defend him. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/30 "2005-09-15T15:30:07Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Can any handwriting analysists on the board explain the changing of the cases? [Cecil says graphology is worthless in determining personality](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/031024.html) I’m not sure whether changing case means anything, however. It’s sloppy, that’s for sure, and I don’t do it myself. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/31 "2005-09-15T15:33:45Z")
Also, the handwriting seems to change after the question mark. Look at the I. It is in cursive, after the two Is earlier which are printed. This blog points out that it was probably a note given to Bush which he is replying to. Makes more sense to me. [http://hammeroftruth.com/2005/09/14](http://hammeroftruth.com/2005/09/14) ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/32 "2005-09-15T15:52:57Z")
I’d be more impressed if the note said, “I think I may need to drop the Cosby kids off at the pool”. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/33 "2005-09-15T16:14:48Z")
I have no idea whether it’s real or not. But I’m inclined to believe it’s true. The reason is this. Everyone knows the picture was taken by Rick Wilking. It says as much at the caption’s end. Even if it didn’t, it would be a simple matter to determine either 1) who submitted this picture to Rueters and other major news outlets. 2) who was in a position to take that picture. This was taken at the UN. They don’t just let any schmoe with a press pass into the place to snap shots of the President. Even IF the guy wanted to remain anonymous I doubt he could do so for very long. But he clearly didn’t. We know Rick Wilking took this photo. My rambling point is this: if the photo is doctored, the guy is FINISHED as a photographer. Gone. Why would a guy wish to throw his career away over something stupid like this? ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/34 "2005-09-15T16:31:10Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > Maybe George and Condoleezza = Bill and Monica?? The first theory which was much more credible was George and Katherine Hughes. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/35 "2005-09-15T17:00:57Z")
> [@Elysian](#): > > Also, the handwriting seems to change after the question mark. Look at the I. It is in cursive, after the two Is earlier which are printed. This blog points out that it was probably a note given to Bush which he is replying to. So the implication is that _someone_ is asking the President for a bathroom break? What does he/she expect Bush to do, reply and say “yes, you may take a break”? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/36 "2005-09-15T17:07:26Z")
[Here](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/images/20040628-9_sovereignty062804-515h.html)’s another sample of Bush’s handwriting, if that helps. The real debate on this sample, though, is should his quote be marked with a [sic] or not? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/37 "2005-09-15T17:18:13Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > [They’re working on it](http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/bushnote.asp) but no decision as yet. Well, they actually say that they “don’t doubt the authenticity of the photograph.” The only reason they have left the status as “Undetermined” is “to allow for the possibility that the President was merely responding to or adding comments to a note written by someone else.” This could, of course, explain the two rather different styles of handwriting on the note. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/38 "2005-09-15T18:44:55Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > So the implication is that _someone_ is asking the President for a bathroom break? What does he/she expect Bush to do, reply and say “yes, you may take a break”? > 😕 Why is this confusing? Have you ever been to a large, formal meeting that is attended by various delegations (as opposed to individuals)? It’s pretty common for a member of a delegation to pass on mundane requests like this to the head of the delegation, who can then pass the word along (to the chairman or some functionary) to ask for a coffee break or a bathroom break or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/39 "2005-09-15T18:49:12Z")
Just to add to that … … The implication is that whoever is making the request doesn’t want to just get up and walk out of a meeting that’s in session, either because it would violate protocol or because the discussion is too important to miss or because the person who’s feeling the urge is an expert in the area currently under discussion. Such a problem is solved if a break is called for everyone at once. ---
**Author:** ![The\_New\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@The\_New\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_New_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765/40 "2005-09-15T19:09:30Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > As for the note, if it is genuine, why do they need to publish stuff like this? I’m no GWB fan, but sheesh, give the guy a little privacy. Yeah, like they did for Clinton. 😃 Seriously, though - it’s funny, but other than that, I don’t see any significance to it. Even presidents have to go to the bathroom. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bs-on-bush-bathroom-note/321765.md?page=3)