Bush Blind Guy

"The only security of all is in a free press" --- Thomas Jefferson

Sometimes it seems as if President Bush can't catch a break. He takes a PR junket to visit the troops to generate some positive press, and about a day later he inadvertently pokes fun at a reporter wearing sunglasses only to find out the journalist requires them for macular degeneration.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wonkette/20060615/en_wonkette/breakingpresidentbushapologizestopeterwallsten

Bush sorry for teasing reporter

Chicago Tribune, June 15, 2006

WASHINGTON -- President Bush, who often teases members of the White House press corps, apologized Wednesday after he poked fun at a reporter for wearing sunglasses without realizing they were needed for vision loss.

Bush called on Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten at a press conference and asked if he was going to ask his question with his ''shades'' on.

''For the viewers, there's no sun,'' Bush said to TV cameras.

But even though the sun was behind the clouds, Wallsten still needs the sunglasses because he has Stargardt's disease, a form of macular degeneration.

Wallsten said Bush called him later to apologize. Wallsten said he interrupted and told the president that no apology was necessary as he hadn't told anyone at the White House about his condition.