Former President George W. Bush cracked jokes about how he scoops up after his dog on neighborhood walks and then turned to more serious subjects like terrorism and the financial crisis Saturday during his first overseas trip since leaving office.
Bush — in China for the Boao Forum — also shared some of his most unusual moments with leaders, including the time he listened to former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sing "Hound Dog" while visiting Graceland mansion, home to the late Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee.
The stories drew laughter and applause from the audience in a huge banquet hall at the forum, an annual conference where executives hobnob with global leaders at a resort on China's southern tropical island province of Hainan. Security was tight and there were no protests.
Bush said after he left the White House and moved into his new home in Dallas, Texas, he decided to take his Scottish terrier Barney for a walk. To be a good neighbor, he said he carried a plastic bag so he could clean up his dog's droppings. The task seemed ironic to him, he said.
"I was picking up what I had been dodging for eight years," Bush said.
The former president said after he left the presidency in January, he plopped down on the couch and said, "Free at last."
The former president said after he left the presidency in January, he plopped down on the couch and said, "Free at last."
But his wife, Laura, piped in: "You're free to do the dishes," he said.
After a few other jokes, Bush shifted to more serious topics. Although this was his first trip overseas since leaving office, it was his second speech in a foreign country. Last month, Bush spoke in Calgary, Canada.
After a few other jokes, Bush shifted to more serious topics. Although this was his first trip overseas since leaving office, it was his second speech in a foreign country. Last month, Bush spoke in Calgary, Canada.
On Saturday, he said he would not criticize Barack Obama and wished his successor all the best.
"He was not my first choice, but now that this election was made, it speaks volumes about the United States of America," Bush said.
He recalled that when the financial crisis began hitting America, he accused Wall Street of getting drunk and giving the country a hangover. Bush said he hoped a more sober economic order would emerge from the global slump.
3 comments:
HAHA What wit, what charm. Gawd I'm glad he's GONE.
Comparing the banks to drinking, hanover etc, terms he knows so well/
You can bet their laughing at him as they know he's over there to ask for money for his Library. Now you also notice he's on a small island because mainland would have had protesters. Obama has put the UN in a corner now that they have to charge the Bush Administration with War Crimes or no other charges for the same conduct can be brought against any other country that does the same.
Post a Comment