Bush Sexually Harasses German Leader

In a move that could be construed as sexual harassment in the workplace, President Bush showed his lack of tack and diplomatic savvy by giving German Chancellor Merkle an uninvited shoulder rub. Though this kind of activity may seem harmless, it sends a clear message to other countries. The United States considers you under our care. When you’re tired from all that diplomatic work, we can sooth you. Far from a comforting message it tells other leaders and countries the patriarchic attitude President Bush has toward them. He is "daddy" and they are in effect "children".

That is not the kind of message that builds coalitions or confidence in our leadership and attitude toward other countries. The patriarchal attitude is one that permeated US foreign policy for decades and pretty much ended after the Spanish American War. It is an attitude born of the old European colonial days where white people brought "civilization" to the "lesser races." It is the same attitude that the current administration has and demonstrates so well in the Middle East. And we wonder why other countries hate us?