Reply #22: Signs and symbols ... [View All]

[Pale_Rider]

Amorous Elephants Highlight Bush Safari
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/6274346.htm

As the yellow pickup truck carrying the president, the first lady and their daughter, Barbara, rolled up, two of the elephants became engaged in some decidedly amorous activities.

The mating scene created an awkward dilemma for the White House advance team, charged with setting up perfect shots and events.

But Bush took it in stride, leaning over and whispering an aside into his wife's ear - to which she laughed and slapped him on the leg.

Romance over, Bush emerged from the truck and patted one of the elephants on its tusk.

... now the kicker, prior to this, eh, chance encounter ...

Still, Bush seemed to appreciate the scenery, if only for its similarity to the Texas town where his ranch is located.

"Looks a lot like Crawford," he remarked at one point.

Bush's entourage did have at least one unplanned encounter with the animal kingdom. On the way to the reserve, a stray donkey crossed the road between two cars in Bush's motorcade.

The animal caused some of the cars to slam on their brakes - and, as the mascot of the Democratic party, provided a symbolic counterpart to the elephant show that would come later.

Stunned silence! Ye Gods! Divine sign?

BTW: Didn't know Powell was afflicted with a fear of large animals ..
"Hey, I'm from the South Bronx," Powell said at the time, "and I don't care what you say, those cows look dangerous."