What would you have said ?

[nevergiveup]

I needed to purchase some hanging baskets and as I walked into this greenhouse in Geneva Illinois there was this really huge guy in front of me and I thought to myself, "damn, this guy is as big as Denny Hastert". I never gave it another thought until a few minutes later when I turned around and there he stood, facing me. It was for sure Denny and he was sweating like a pig. He was debating about Geraniums with his wife. I never made eye contact with him but his wife gave me this "leave us alone" look. Anyway, the site of him along with the 100 degree heat in the greenhouse made me nauseas so I left. In retrospect I wished I had introduced myself and then said "damn, these greenhouse gases are a pain, aren't they?"
So the question is: what would you have said or done if you came face to face with Speaker Hastert in a greenhouse?

[Fuzz]

1. Wanna wrestle?

:)

[bahrbearian]

5. LOL

2 out of 3 falls

[zeemike]

2. Can't think of a better one than you did n/t

[pinto]

3. Dunno. But sitting here, I think I'd be polite and ask about

his recent concerns over separation of powers and how that impacts his views on Congressional oversight responsibilities. Easy to say from here, though...

[CTyankee]

4. Wish you had said that!! Served him right. I love Stephanie Miller's

routine on him. Her voice guy Jim Ward has him saying "I've got a brat in my left ventricle." Cracks me up every time.

[Jim Lane]

6. "Mr. Speaker, I hope you're President by the end of the summer" (n/t)

[LA lady]

7. Left him alone

It has to be terrible to be well known and not be able to go anywhere without recognition. I have run into several celebrities and politicians in public and tried to politely nod acknowledgement and move on. Unless they are making a public appearance, it shows couth to mind your own business. You did fine!

Are you feeling OK now? I get queasy in fabric stores with all the dyes!

[Xeric]

9. Oh poor him

I'd have told him exactly what I think of his lying criminal bullshit just like I'd tell any politician I run into. If he doesn't want to hear from the public then let him get into his SUV and drive away. He decided to go into public life so he can just put up with the downside. I'm real tired of hearing celebrities and politicians whining about their privacy except when they are looking for free publicity.

[LA lady]

11. Ben?

[nevergiveup]

10. Thanks

What I found really interesting is that he is an institution in this heavily Republican district, the greenhouse was packed and not one person (while I was there) gave him a glance. It was definitely him. His black jumbo SUV was parked outside with a driver and another guy riding shotgun who was probably secret service.

[rurallib]

15. I disagree. Hastert is a public personna. As such I feel we have a right

to ask him questions if we get a chance. I'd have been polite, introduced myself and asked why no one in congress is doing anything about Bush's unconstitutional conduct.
Look if they don't hear from anything but handpicked constituents, how they ever going to know how really fucking mad we are?

[tives12]

8. If you ever do meet him again

please record audio or video or something. That would be priceless to hear. But I think that is by far the best thing you could have asked him in that scenario.

[primative1]

12. Hmm ...

Any way you could have cut in front of him in line?

[nevergiveup]

13. Well

You have to realize how wide isles are in a greenhouse. I am not making fun of the Speaker's size but when he stands in the isle of a greenhouse there isn't a lot of room to pass......so cutting in front him would have meant climbing over him and this would have likely caused a scene. I am not sure of this, but I suspect that physically "climbing a Congressman" might be a felony. It might also have sexual connotations but I would rather not go there.

[primative1]

14. Nah ...

Not worth the hassle. Too bad though. Rather than verbal confrontations its sometimes better just to do what they least expect and refuse any deference to their obvious superior status.