I believe Bush is deficient in judgment because his faculties, I’d have no problem shaking the hand of a man with Down syndrome either.
I had the opportunity to meet (ie, shake hands with) George Bush last year when he came through Eastern Europe. There was a reception at the American Embassy and, being the fancy high roller that I am (hahaha) I was invited.
I didn’t go. So…no, I wouldn’t.
I’d like to imagine I would shake his hand just because it would position me nicely to tell him how much harm he has done to our nation. I think I would get more satisfaction out of saying something like that to him, than avoiding shaking his hand.
While holding his hand firmly, maybe even holding his right arm with your left hand, smiling all the while, not letting him go and talking low enough that he has to lean in to hear you. I’d hold him to me as long as humanely possible before the Secret Service intervened…
I wouldn’t cross the street to do it, but I was right there and someone introduced us, why not?
The hatred doesn’t go nearly as deep as some people here have it. I just don’t respect the guy much at all, don’t like his policies and think he’s a moron.
I have precedence here too. There’s a politician here in Illinois, a severe right wing jerkoff that also runs a family dairy. Four times he’s run for public office, the last to finish the last of Denny Hastert’s term. At our town’s summer parade last year, he was walking the route, walked right up to me smiling and holding out his hand.
I looked from his hand to his face and said “no thank you” not even lifting my hand. He stood there with the stupidest look on his face for a second (no real trick, as that’s his natural expression), then wandered away.
I would not shake the hand of either Bush specifically, nor of any Pope. The best they’d get from me would be a steely glare. Not that any of them would care in the slightest, nor is there likely to be an opportunity for such a meeting.
Bush 1, and most of all Bush 2 have done more real harm to the US and humanity in general than any fictional ‘evil superhero’. The Pope(s), throughout history, have caused more suffering and destruction of humanity than any other single figure.
I definitely would. But than again, I genuinely like the guy.