# The latest Mister Gropeyhands? Bush 41. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 26, 2017, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891 "2017-10-26T14:48:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/41 "2017-10-26T21:36:40Z")
Wow you’re a nit wit. You still believe your twisted interpretation is correct? I thought you were a weasel. Now I know you’re just really fucking dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/42 "2017-10-26T21:44:32Z")
OK. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pippers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5a626/32.png) [@Pippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pippers)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/43 "2017-10-26T22:21:38Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I don’t know the man, of course, but this is my presumption as well. Look back at movies from the 40s and 50s. An older man pinching a woman’s butt was a common gag. I’ll assume (until shown otherwise) that the middle-aged, in-possession-of-all-faculties George Bush would not have pinched a woman and made a lewd joke. But elderly George Bush, with his filter and impulse control getting weaker and weaker, is acting like the “comical” dirty old man of prior generations > > If so, his handlers deserve some blame for not keeping him out of trouble. One of the articles said Barbara said “Not again!” in one incident. So it sounds like this has been a somewhat common occurrence lately. Maybe it’s time to organize his public appearances so he’s not within arm’s reach of random women. I’m not speaking for women but, I think there is a big difference in an old man copping a feel (not cool) and someone that has power over you demanding favors. Cosby, Weinstein, trump, and crowd are dirty bastards. Keep the old guy out of the reach of candy. Hang the others. By their balls. If they even have balls. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/44 "2017-10-26T22:32:34Z")
> [@Pippers](#): > > I’m not speaking for women but, I think there is a big difference in an old man copping a feel (not cool) and someone that has power over you demanding favors. Cosby, Weinstein, trump, and crowd are dirty bastards. > > Keep the old guy out of the reach of candy. Hang the others. By their balls. If they even have balls. Note, your forgot Clinton. Also, it appears that Bush was trying to make a joke with the ‘David Cop-A-Feel’ bit. Not a funny joke but a joke none the less. Compared to Clinton, Weinstein, Trump and Cosby whose intent was sexual. This is no way makes what Bush did OK. You don’t grab other peoples asses unless you have permission. Slee ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/45 "2017-10-26T23:02:51Z")
And so it begins… ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/46 "2017-10-27T00:28:51Z")
I’m curious about the “groping with approval” And “grab people’s asses if you have permission.” I admit to being a dirty 56-year-old man, filled with dirty and filthy thoughts about attractive women I pass on the street, although I do not indulge in groping or fondling, because I am also a dirty old gentleman. How does one go about getting this “approval?” “Pardon me, young lady, may I place the palms of my hands upon your tightly-encased superb buttcheeks, and perhaps give them a squeeze?” Asking for a friend! ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/47 "2017-10-27T00:54:23Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Jimmy Carter might be that famous person. He did a Playboy interview where he said: “I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” > [Jimmy Carter - Top 10 Unfortunate Political One-Liners - TIME](http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1859513_1859526_1859518,00.html) And that piece ends with “It was an uncomfortable moment for America.” My, my, how far we’ve fallen. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/48 "2017-10-27T00:59:14Z")
This makes me sad. I lost some respect for Poppy after seeing what twits he raised, but he used to be a pretty personable public figure, and I liked him at one time. When he’d embarrass himself in public it was usually at least more novel than this. I think behaving this way in public may be a matter of his age and deterioration. But I wonder if he was always more crude than I realized and the culture just went along with it. And if Poppy was like this back then, I wonder, did Ross Perot know? I bet Ross Perot didn’t go around groping young girls; he seems like the sort that would really disapprove of those who do. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/49 "2017-10-27T01:51:43Z")
There’s a third woman. [http://www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/national/woman-accuses-george-h-w-bush-groping-photo-op-article-1.3592023](http://www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/national/woman-accuses-george-h-w-bush-groping-photo-op-article-1.3592023) ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/50 "2017-10-27T02:25:40Z")
This reminds me of stories of an ex-girlfriend who was a nurse dealing with dementia patients. Apparently it was pretty common for them to do this kind of thing. Although I don’t know if HW Bush has dementia. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/51 "2017-10-27T02:26:25Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > There’s a third woman. > > [http://www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/national/woman-accuses-george-h-w-bush-groping-photo-op-article-1.3592023](http://www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/national/woman-accuses-george-h-w-bush-groping-photo-op-article-1.3592023) And he made the same “David Cop-a-feel” joke each time. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/52 "2017-10-27T02:32:25Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I’m curious about the “groping with approval” And “grab people’s asses if you have permission.” > … > > How does one go about getting this “approval?” “Pardon me, young lady, may I place the palms of my hands upon your tightly-encased superb buttcheeks, and perhaps give them a squeeze?” > > Asking for a friend! Need answer fast? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/53 "2017-10-27T12:14:47Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > You’re confusing two things. Those things being 1) changing one’s argument and pretending that it’s the same as what you’ve been saying all along, and 2) simply dropping a discussion. (If you can’t make elementary distinctions like this, it’s hardly surprising that you might have been unable to follow that other discussion.) > > It’s a matter of forum rules. As I understand it, once someone says “I meant X” you can’t keep arguing that he meant Y even if you still believe it to be true, because you’d be effectively accusing a poster of lying in the Election forum, where this is against the rules. So at that point the conversation has to end, if it happens to be in the Election or GD forum. Dude, this is the Pit. You’re giving an excuse that doesn’t even apply here. You are harping on a single word. That’s called a semantic argument. These have very little value, as you discussing form, not substance. You have to argue with what the full meaning of what someone says. If you don’t, you will misunderstand and make stupid arguments. When everyone else understood what the guy said, and you are the lone person who thinks he changed what he said, then chances are you are the one who made the mistake. What is wrong with accepting that? And, yes, I’m preaching to myself, too. Generally I forget this when I’m angry. Anger bring out my desire to “win” instead of caring about the truth. I apologize, and hope that I do not come of as lecturing anyone. I’m just passionate about this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/54 "2017-10-27T12:15:06Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > And he made the same “David Cop-a-feel” joke each time. It’s a solid joke. Fillmore used to make it too, about the novel. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/55 "2017-10-27T12:30:35Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > It’s a solid joke. Fillmore used to make it too, about the novel. Commodus used to do the same joke, except it was his favorite Roman Emperor – Julius _Sieze-her_. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/56 "2017-10-27T12:36:55Z")
This man has a wife at his side and numerous handlers, always with him. Shame on them too. It’s time for them to keep him at home, if they won’t be observant enough to prevent this, and he’s so far gone he’s not responsible. I gotta say, he seems to be owning this action, so I’m not understanding the whole he’s not responsible thing, to be honest. Are we to override his OWN language? I don’t think so. His public appearances need to cease, in light of this revelation and the lack of his handler’s awareness, or ability to run interference. Anyone really believe this is the only young woman he’s done this to? I sure don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/57 "2017-10-27T13:02:57Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > It’s a solid joke. Fillmore used to make it too, about the novel. Mallard Fillmore is probably working it into an upcoming strip. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/58 "2017-10-27T13:10:34Z")
Good thing he didn’t pull down his pants or else he could have been charged with assault with a dead weapon. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/59 "2017-10-27T13:26:51Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I gotta say, he seems to be owning this action, so I’m not understanding the whole he’s not responsible thing, to be honest. Are we to override his OWN language? I don’t think so. Well, _someone_ is _saying for him_ that he takes responsibility for the behavior. Two bits of my personal history that shape my viewpoint: When I was a H.S. junior (cute young thing, ah, the really old days) I took a summer job as an aide at a retirement home. I learned within the first couple days who not to be standing near, especially if you had to bend over. Decades later I was the primary caretaker for my Mother, who had moderately advanced AD. I utterly believe that these women are telling the truth. I also completely accept that President Bush may have lost/be losing the ability to self-censor his words and actions appropriately. And that his ‘handlers’ are aware of this, and think they are in control, but really aren’t to an adequate degree. But I cut both him and his helpers a lot of slack. And, yes, that means to a degree I’m saying the recipients of his groping should also cut him some slack. His handlers should also be more forthcoming about forewarning women – if they knew ahead of time that they might have their asses touched, and that it’s happening because he can’t control his behavior any longer, well, you won’t be as shocked or upset by it if it happens. I mean, it’s not like having your ass gently squeezed (I’m assuming his grip isn’t really strong enough to physical bruise or harm them) causes physical damage – it’s a mental and emotional impact. Having your personhood invaded or feeling threatened by potentially worse to come. Without that aspect, well, I bet virtually everyone has been ‘assaulted’ by a toddler at one time or another. A kid flailing in a tantrum, or a tyke not appreciating that grabbing your breast isn’t to be done. We shrug that kind of thing off. Dementias are advancing conditions, and such a horrible disease you don’t want to see it happening to someone you love. Likely the people caring for Bush hadn’t fully admitting to themselves how much his condition has advanced. Some have posted here that they shouldn’t allow him out and about, to keep him out of reach of pretty young women. That seems obvious, but the thing is, there are horrible tradeoffs and decisions to make for caretakers. He is clearly not yet fully demented, or even badly. Apparently he still knows what is going on and can carry on social conversations, it’s just social judgment of what is appropriate and ability to control his urges that is badly failing. Restricting his social encounters will have bad effects for his mood and level of happiness and might even accelerate how fast he deteriorates. Since he doesn’t know what he is doing is inappropriate, he won’t understand why he should be “punished” by suddenly being restricted to his own home. No doubt the attention and praise he receives at these events makes him happy. I bet the idea that he still can play a role, still be able to help worthy causes by making these appearances is wonderful for him mentally. Reporters, and people seeking to use him to publicize their causes will continue to seek him out. Having to explain over and over why he can’t help will be awkward and painful for Barbara Bush, or whoever the task falls to. Not explaining is equally awkward. What, you’re going to claim he’s too busy to lend a hand to your charity? It would be much easier if he had a purely physical condition they could use as an excuse. Say, a heart condition a doctor could say would be too stressed if he traveled. Actually, now that this has become generally known, it wouldn’t surprise me if his encounters outside his family/in the know acquaintances basically drop off sharply. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891/60 "2017-10-27T14:00:08Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Dude, this is the Pit. You’re giving an excuse that doesn’t even apply here. One difference between me and many other posters here is that while many others primarily think of you as an annoying sanctimonious scold, I think your defining characteristic is your incredible stupidity. You really stand out in this regard, which is saying a lot considering the competition. If you reread the exchange that you’re commenting on, and ponder it deeply, and possibly go upstairs and ask your mother to help you a bit, you might begin to understand that the “excuse” was in reference to a thread in the Elections forum. Someone compared what I accused another poster of in this thread to what I myself had done in the Elections forum, and this led to a bit of discussion about what I had done in the Elections forum. In that context, the rules of that forum are what’s relevant. > [@](#): > > You have to argue with what the full meaning of what someone says. If you don’t, you will misunderstand and make stupid arguments. This is something that you would do well to take to heart, although frankly I think it’s probably beyond your ability to do on a regular basis. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-mister-gropeyhands-bush-41/799891.md?page=4)