Sadist on a Bulldozer: Bush threatens to run over reporters, others at Peoria factory

[BurtWorm]

From Majikthise:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Majikthise/~3/84513218/bush_nearly_fla.html


Newsweek blogger Holly Bailey reports on a bizarre and troubling incident involving the president of the United States, the media, and heavy machinery:

Does President Bush have it in for the press corps? Touring a Caterpillar factory in Peoria, Ill., the Commander in Chief got behind the wheel of a giant tractor and played chicken with a few wayward reporters. Wearing a pair of stylish safety glasses--at least more stylish than most safety glasses--Bush got a mini-tour of the factory before delivering remarks on the economy. "I would suggest moving back," Bush said as he climbed into the cab of a massive D-10 tractor. "I'm about to crank this sucker up." As the engine roared to life, White House staffers tried to steer the press corps to safety, but when the tractor lurched forward, they too were forced to scramble for safety."Get out of the way!" a news photographer yelled. "I think he might run us over!" said another. White House aides tried to herd the reporters the right way without getting run over themselves. Even the Secret Service got involved, as one agent began yelling at reporters to get clear of the tractor. Watching the chaos below, Bush looked out the tractor's window and laughed, steering the massive machine into the spot where most of the press corps had been positioned.

I presume that Bailey was at the plant and saw the incident first-hand. She doesn't cite any other sources. The AP confirms that Bush told people to back up because he was about to "crank this sucker up." So far, I can't find a major media report of Bush's visit to the tractor plant that mentions the chaos the president's joyride caused on the ground. If reporters scurried away from Bush's tractor and didn't report the incident, they would be taking self-censorship to a whole new level.

[Ian David]

1. Dupe: Bush Accused Of Nearly Hitting Reporters With D-10 Tractor (Newsweek via HuffPost)

Duplicate:

Bush Accused Of Nearly Hitting Reporters With D-10 Tractor (Newsweek via HuffPost)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x90532

[blogslut]

2. spreading the word

I love this story. It shows the jerk for what he is and pisses off the press to boot.

[Ian David]

4. If Helen Thomas had yelled, "Palomino!" then Bush would have stopped, yes? n/t

[blogslut]

7. I'll yell it

Palamino!

[Ian David]

3. Nobody beside Newsweek reported Deathbush 2000

"Nobody scores my press pool and gets away with it!"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=90532&mesg_id=91250

[meldroc]

5. This reminds me of the Granby Killdozer.

There's a scary thought... Bush at the wheel of the armored bulldozer that was used to wreak revenge upon the town of Granby, CO...

[Tim4319]

6. Laura run someone over!

So, I guess George feels a little left out.

[durtee librul]

8. To me this just proves

he has more screws loose than a hardware store.