January 1, 2020

Pope slap.



I approve. The Pope — and anyone else who's doing personal, physical contact with a crowd— gets to decide where he stops. He kept going until he got to a child, and, yes, that's disappointing to the last person who would have been touched if the toucher had not stopped exactly where he did.

(That happened to me once. Not with the Pope. With Ray Davies, who I'm sure was more important to me than he was to the last person he touched.)

Now, that woman not only reached out and touched him, she grabbed him. And she not only grabbed him, she yanked him. That was completely wrong, criminally wrong. She got slapped. Lucky her! A quick chastisement, firmly delivered, absolutely justified.

She was still holding on when he slapped. It was a let-go-of-me slap, not a swift-vengeance-punishment sort of slap... which would have been more interesting!

ADDED: When we watched that video yesterday, Meade said, "Thanks, I needed that," which set off a search for the old TV commercial. And here it is (did you know the actor, back in 1979, was John Goodman?):



AND: The Pope responded (after the video went viral): "So many times we lose our patience; me too, and I apologize for yesterday’s bad example."

I like that he apologized because he didn't want to be a bad example. It's because it was seen and others might do it that he apologized.

PLUS: I happen to think he set a good example. If someone has grabbed you and is aggressively pulling on you, you have a right to use force to free yourself. It's interesting that he used the words "me too." I think of the #MeToo movement and the many stories of women who don't have a well developed fight or flee response. Kindness is not free.

148 comments:

R C Belaire said...

11th Commandment : Violence in the Vatican shall not be tolerated!

Wilbur said...

I got slapped on the cheek by the Bishop of Peoria at my confirmation. I got over it.

rehajm said...

This pope doesn’t like people blowing his whistle ring either...

whitney said...

Anti-pope

Masscon said...

While I agree she pulled him quite hard and as an old man he could have fallen easily, what stood out for me was the angry look on his face in the last frame. He was really pissed off! Not a very holy look for a supposed holy man.

DUSTER said...

Red Francis was simply preforming a On the Fly exorcism .

Sydney said...

He did look like he was in pain at the moment she pulled him forcefully toward him. Then he reacted in anger by slapping her. And he stayed angry as he walked away, judging by the look on his face. I very much doubt he heard anything she said. She looks Chinese. I’d like to know what she said that was so important to her to make that move.

ndspinelli said...

Two Popes is a pretty good flick. Any movie w/ Anthony Hopkins is interesting. The actor who plays Francis looks remarkably like him.

Beasts of England said...

A new Episcopalian is minted. ;)

rhhardin said...

Pope-a-dope

rhhardin said...

A scowl is a hooded cloak worn by smonks.

Sydney said...

Pope Francis earlier that day:
It is an act of love to spend time with others, to listen to them and their needs, and to try to see them as Christ sees them, Pope Francis said on New Year’s Eve.

“We are called to meet others and listen to their life, their cry for help,” he said Dec. 31. “Listening is already an act of love!”

AllenS said...

That woman will have to do about 5 to 10 years in Purgatory for that grabby thing. That probably will be added on to her earlier transgressions against others.

Fernandinande said...

Rope a Pope.
+

The Pope walks into a bar and the bartender says, "Slap me five!"

PJ said...

Ray would have been justified in slapping Ann like that if Ann had presumed to grab him so. But I don’t think Ray would have behaved that way (at least when sober) even if justified. Perhaps it’s unfair to hold the Pope to such a high standard.

Sydney said...

This pope made a deal with the Chinese government that left many Chinese Catholics feeling betrayed. One of the consequences of his deal:

Last month, Chinese authorities demolished a Catholic Church after they claimed the building lacked proper permits. During protests by Catholics at the church, it was reported that Chinese officials claimed that “the Vatican was on our side” and would support them tearing down the churches.

Beasts of England said...

What would Father Guido Sarducci have done?

Sally327 said...

He's already apologized, said he lost his patience and that he'd set a bad example. If the translation is correct he actually said "me too" but about losing patience, not about being a victim.

I think people who get catered to a lot probably lose the ability to anticipate situations and so tend to over-react when something unexpected happens.

Sydney said...

It is because she appears to be Chinese that I would like to know more about her and what she said to the pope. I read that he apologized, but not personally to her. He only apologized for setting a bad example. More background on this pope and China:

https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2018/12/a-grand-betrayal

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/12/07/extremely-high-stakes-china-vatican-deal

William said...

The woman made a fervent sign of the cross just before reaching out for the Pope. It was an impetuous gesture of devotion and not an act of impiety. The Pope reacted in the moment to an invasion of his personal space...I forgive them both.

Ann Althouse said...

"Ray would have been justified in slapping Ann like that if Ann had presumed to grab him so."

I would never grab anyone (unless I needed to save them from falling or something).

whitney said...

Ann Althouse said...
I would never grab anyone (unless I needed to save them from falling or something).

Bergoglio definitely needs saving

mockturtle said...

This pope is a joke and the video is hilarious.

tim maguire said...

I'm with Masscon. There are three parts here—the yanking, the holding on to ending in a slap, and the walking away.

1) The woman’s grab looks like an impetuous gesture, she lost control of herself for a moment.
2) But then she hangs on to him and he slaps her to get her to let go. I could go either way here—his moment of surprise has past. When he slaps her, it’s either fear or anger.
3) Then he walks away angry. Why is he angry at this point?

I could overlook or excuse the moment of anger or fear that led to the slap if not for the anger that was still there as he walked away. He just brought great shame to this woman who went to some lengths and probably some sacrifice to be in that line. This was supposed to be one of the great moments of her life, the moment she met the pope. Good that he apologized, but this was a character test that he failed.

Wince said...

Slap Happy Papist (colorized intro)

madAsHell said...

I’ve had an audience with the pope. It’s like a kindergarten of the under-gratified seeking their M-n-M for pooping in the training potty.

It really puts John Lennon’s comment about being more popular than Christ in perspective.

traditionalguy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
traditionalguy said...

Another Francis of Assisi he ain't. Jorge Mario Bergoglio is more like the Moslem husbands at the Isalmic wedding ceremony who slaps their new brides instead of kissing them. It's an obedience training thing.

gspencer said...

Pope Frankie's mask slips. The slapping is at base what every totalitarian will do.

Ann Althouse said...

"Then he walks away angry. Why is he angry at this point?"

He's thinking, oh, fuck, now they won't say I'm a saint. And then it's prolonged with, and a saint wouldn't think that.

TJM said...

Pope Libtard the First! Why didn’t he show the mercy he is always yammering about?

mockturtle said...

Althouse speculates: He's thinking, oh, fuck, now they won't say I'm a saint.

Yes, he just saw his chance at canonization fly out the window in one impetuous moment. LOL!

Drago said...

In the Pope's defense, I don't know of any communists who enjoy being grabbed.

Bay Area Guy said...

Don't grab and yank the Pope!

Curious George said...

What did she say? What did they Pope say. That's far more telling than a slap and a grab. Surely this has been translated.

jaydub said...

Chinese tourists are notoriously rude, crude and socially inept, especially by Western standards. This is primarily a reflection of their culture and China's general isolation from the rest of the world for so many years, compounded by the fact that so many millions have suddenly been catapulted from the rice paddy to modernity. Most simply do not know how to act in Western society, which is why the Chinese government, through their growing tourist bureaucracy, puts out "don't" lists for their citizens when they go abroad - like don't urinate in fountains, don't spit in elevators, don't jump lines, don't push and shove, etc. Apparently, "don't grab the Pope" had not come up before but will likely be covered in the next tourist guidance. I suspect the look on the Pope's face is more one of disgust than hatred. In my experience, that disgust is shared by many Europeans who have seen this type of behavior from the Chinese before.

Howard said...

If Trump were the Pope in this instance, you people would be all high fives and booyahs.

Francisco D said...

So much for papal infallibility.

Birches said...

I don't really care for this Pope, but I didn't really see anything wrong with his reaction either. I'm not Catholic though and I think that matters. If someone grabbed me like that I'd be worried about them trying to do me harm, not that they were overzealous. It takes a minute to calm down from a possible assassination attempt. The Pope is still a human, right?

Martha said...

Agree with Tim Maguire. Good that he apologized upon reflection, but the Pope’s true character was revealed and saintly he ain’t.
And the Pope’s slap is another blow damaging the image of the Catholic Church.

jaydub said...

If the Pope had met Howard before he would have been a lot more tolerant of the Chinese woman.

Bilwick said...

"Slap my hand, white soul man!"--the Festrunk brothers visiting the Vatican.

traditionalguy said...

If Trump were the Pope the Catholic Church's swamp would be draining fast and Rome would be winning again.

mockturtle said...

A swift uppercut to the chops would have been even more dramatic.

Narr said...

"POPE HUMAN! DETAILS AT 10!"

Jaydub may have a point, but this woman looked like a nun (?) and presumably more familiar with Western ways (?)

At any rate, all Popes are also secular leaders (whatever other powers are attributed to them for good or ill) and have to make secular deals with criminals like the ChiComs all the time--and IIRC this guy was pretty cozy with the Argentine military too.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a member of the club, or any of its offshoots or name-brand rivals, just a student of history and politics. (Married an RC girl, by her parish priest, to please parents/grandparents and because I was only required to go through two(?) hours of "how to be a proper heathen in our Church" indoctrination . . .)

Narr
As close to Rome as I'll ever go

rcocean said...

Should Pope's be shaking hands Like some 2-bit Politician "working the crowd"? I don't see how this benefits anyone. Especially if you believe the Pope infallible on matters of theology. Pope's should be seen, but not shaken hands with. What ever happened to a nice crowd wave?

JAORE said...

As noted above the Pope is a potential target for assassination. Being grabbed and pulled towards the assailant must have been a shock.

Next up, the Swiss Guard ninjas invade her home.

rcocean said...

And i found this more funny than off-putting. Yeah, stop yanking the Pope lady! He doesn't belong to you.

Darrell said...

Pope Karl let the mask slip for a few seconds.

I invite him to convert to Islam. As long as he moves to Mecca.

rcocean said...

I remember when the communists tried to kill the Pope in the 1980s. Bulgarian assassin. IRC. So why go around shaking hands? She could've knifed him.

rcocean said...

"This is primarily a reflection of their culture and China's general isolation from the rest of the world"

Yeah talk about extrapolation. One woman represents 1.2 Billion Chinese. Here's another way of looking at it. If you have 1.2 Billion Chinese, and 1 out of 100 is rude, that's 12 million rude people.

rcocean said...

I didn't know that was John Goodman, till he spoke at the end.

Drago said...

rcocean: "I remember when the communists tried to kill the Pope in the 1980s. Bulgarian assassin. IRC. So why go around shaking hands?"

The Pope is a communist, so why would communists try to kill him?

Chuck said...

Michelle Fields could not be reached for comment.

Corey Lewandowski, who was reached for comment, said, "I never touched her, and she is delusional if she thinks I did. Wait; what video?"

narciso said...

well he did marinate in leftwing politics, but he's not militant enough, somewhat like lopez obrador, I was surprised to hear that the Zapatistas were not a fan,

Ryan said...

It's telling that the woman is Chinese. They have no manners.

PJ said...

I would never grab anyone (unless I needed to save them from falling or something).

Of course not, and I did not mean to suggest you would. It was a hypothetical.

narciso said...

that kerfluffle is how you ended up with manafort, how did that work out,

Foose said...

Luke 8:46: And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

Foose said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ANoKneedMouse said...

Is the the pope Catholic? Google's auto capitalization seems indifferent.

narciso said...

it's no longer a rhetorical question?

Lydia said...

The pope suffers from sciatica, for which he receives steroid injections. The way the woman jerked his arm, causing him to almost lose his balance like that, may have been extremely painful.

Curious George said...

"Chuck said...
Michelle Fields could not be reached for comment.

Corey Lewandowski, who was reached for comment, said, "I never touched her, and she is delusional if she thinks I did. Wait; what video?"

Is the incident that led to you wanting to titty twist Greta Van Susteren?

jaydub said...

rocean: "Yeah talk about extrapolation. One woman represents 1.2 Billion Chinese. Here's another way of looking at it. If you have 1.2 Billion Chinese, and 1 out of 100 is rude, that's 12 million rude people."

No, 12 million tourists in Europe represent 1.2 billion Chinese and 90% of those tourists are rude and obnoxious, which is why the Chinese government is trying to educate them before they leave. This woman precisely fits the pattern. If you had any experience with hordes of Chinese tourists in Europe, or merely educated yourself on the issue before commenting, you'd probably understand. In that regard, here is some educational material for you. You're welcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9kgfvXW9HE

http://www.chinahush.com/2016/06/25/top-10-chinese-tourist-bad-behaviors/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2016/10/07/commentary/world-commentary/chinese-tourists-badly-behaved/

https://medium.com/lovesong/why-chinese-tourists-behave-badly-a102b40bb589

Nichevo said...

Howard said...
If Trump were the Pope in this instance, you people would be all high fives and booyahs.

Happy New Year! As usual, you've got the other way round.

Limited blogger said...

Get back in the Pope-mobile

mockturtle said...

Manners are culturally defined. People who have never visited Japan have no idea how many things we do are considered rude in Japan. Like blowing your nose in public. Loud conversations on the train.

jaydub said...

Chuck: "Corey Lewandowski, who was reached for comment, said, "I never touched her, and she is delusional if she thinks I did. Wait; what video?"

This video. In Slow motion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgdXFQfKhq0


This is suppose to be a big deal? You TDS buffoons have zero credibility because in your zeal to tarnish Trump you pick the most picyune issues to blow out of proportion.

Narr said...

Pope jerks his hand back and slaps in pain and frustration.

Trump would have pulled her through the barricade and posed with her.

Putin would have judoed her over the barricade and put his foot on her throat.

As a longtime confirmed male, I let other guys decide how much their wives, daughters, and groupies meed to be slapped around.

Narr
Does that make me a bad person, or just a(n) rhhardinite?

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Lol. "Criminally wrong."

Should it have been unexpected. He tells everyone he's the divine representative on earth, so these believers are going to grab him. Do you really think a desperate leper wouldn't have grabbed Jesus? The fact that he's celibate gives him strange notions about touching. He can do and not do or touch what he wants, but let's not pretend that things like this are unexpected or that he's not setting them/him up for them.

Narr said...

OK, I apologize. At first I thought the groupie was a nun.

Narr
Wrong once already, and the year has just begun

Drago said...

When you're the Pope the women let you slap them.

traditionalguy said...

Makes good sense that the the opiate of the people drug cartel abuses the addicts who being determined to get their fix don’t show the dealer proper respect . Sole Fides sets addicts free.

Drago said...

Btw, anyone else catch LLR-lefty Chuck-approved Joey Biden just tell the entire energy sector employees to start learning how to code if he is elected?

Hey Chuckie, tell your boy he is supposed to be pretending to be a moderate in the same way you pretend to be a conservative republican! Of course, your facade has collapsed just like his so perhaps you arent the best messenger.

Molly said...

(eaglebeak)

Matthew 5:38-40. The Pope, of all people, should turn the other cheek.

Anything else is utter nonsense, but this pope is perhaps not as well schooled in Christian teachings as JP II and Benny.

I'm sure the slap made a great impression on Chinese Christians, whom the Pope is selling out all over the place.

Marc in Eugene said...

I too wonder if perhaps the poor woman was begging the Roman Pontiff to re-consider his China policy but I suspect we won't ever know one way or the other. Nobody lives forever, however-- some small consolation in the new year, maybe.

At that moment Jesus felt power go out from him.
He turned to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
His disciples said to him, “Look at all these people crowding around you! How can you ask who touched you?”
But Jesus turned and saw the woman. and slapped her.


@BruvverEccles, on Twitter, just after the news of this was available (from the fifth chapter of the Gospel according to St Mark, verses 30 sqq... except for that last bit).

Otto said...

" He's thinking, oh, fuck, now they won't say I'm a saint. And then it's prolonged with, and a saint wouldn't think that."
So much for your New Year resolutions.As usual your 60s liberal Christian bashing is on ugly display.
Very unbecoming, especially for a 67 year old woman. Thank goodness you don't have grandchildren.

Yancey Ward said...

"I would never grab anyone (unless I needed to save them from falling or something)."

This is Joe Biden's line.

Yancey Ward said...

They were both in the wrong. Had she grabbed me that way, I might well have punched her.

rcocean said...

"Corey Lewandowski, who was reached for comment, said, "I never touched her, and she is delusional if she thinks I did. Wait; what video?"

Michelle Fields, Ben Shapiro and now YOU are lying about the incident. Fields and her buddies claimed Lewandowski pulled her the Ground, she had to medical treatment, it was a VICIOUS assault!

The video showed it was all lies. Lewandoski walked by her at full speed in a crowd, and or didn't touch her -or might have "grazed her" for one milesecond. There was NO Fields "falling to the ground" or suffering a "Yanked arm".

Total Lies.

rcocean said...

Never trumpers are like Liberals.

Liars.

Yancey Ward said...

Ah, the Pecan Pie Detective is back to investigating the Killing Fields incident.

mockturtle said...

Very unbecoming, especially for a 67 year old woman.

Both sexist and ageist, Otto. Nice going. /s

Drago said...

Yancey Ward: "Ah, the Pecan Pie Detective is back to investigating the Killing Fields incident."

Corey should have slammed a Sanders-baked Pecan Pie in Fields face and then have Trump retweet it.

LLR-lefty heads go all "-splodey"...

Sebastian said...

"She got slapped. Lucky her! A quick chastisement"

As you could tell by her prior actions, she was a pious conservative. The pope can smell those a mile away. They deserve to be chastised.

tim maguire said...

Blogger Ann Althouse said...He's thinking, oh, fuck, now they won't say I'm a saint.

I certainly hope that’s not what the he’s thinking. Though it would be funny if he’s casual with his obscenities.

rcocean said...

The Pope is a communist, so why would communists try to kill him?

Good point.

rcocean said...

The archbishop of Canterbury doesn't have this problem. Noddy cares, even in England.

robother said...

Ann, this woman sensed she was falling, and she grabbed for the only infallible thing close.

William said...

I forgive the woman for her fervent gesture, the Pope for his impolitic response, and I forgive you all for your harsh judgments on the Pope and the woman. I just hope that in the coming year the Pope, the faithful, and the commenters here will make an effort to reach my moral plane, but, if you fail in that effort, I still forgive you.

Mark said...

And we all forgive you, William, for presuming to think that it is your place to judge and thereby be the one to forgive (or not).

Mark said...

Sorry, but this is not the first time that Francis has publicly expressed anger (or the second or third). In fact, he has long had the reputation for being a scold. His Christmas messages to the Vatican officials in recent years, for example, have been filled with personal attacks on those he disagrees with.

Mark said...

After someone confronted him at one of these audiences a few years ago about some abuse allegations concerning a certain bishop, Francis responded with a finger wag, a la Bill Clinton, telling her not to spread rumors.

Mark said...

And, as Ritmo rightly points out (!), people reaching out to touch or grab the pope are frequent occurrences and to be expected. And if you are near the front, watch out for those infamous Italian nuns who will knock you over to get to the pope.

When I was there a few years ago, I didn't need to grab, but as he was passing Pope Benedict did give my outstretched hand a shake.

Narr said...

Well, I see William's forgiveness and Mark's corrective, and play absolution for both of them (you) and everyone else (y'all) involved in this discussion, especially me.

Narr
(it's one of my attributes, like +1 on saving rolls in hard cover)

walter said...

This pope is punchy. Especially when playing the dozens.

Friedrich Engels' Barber said...

As all here have been too tactful to say, this incident is another version of "Grab them by the pussy." Some women just lose control around powerful men; some of those men are more or less able to handle (!) the situation.

Drago said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drago said...

LLR-lefty and President of the Midwest Chapter of the Obama Adoration Society Chuck: "It's the lying, with Trump. The reckless lies. The pointless lies. The little lies and the massive, consequential lies. The relentless lies and the laughable lies. The psychotic, sociopathic lies. And then, the way that Trump's lies are ignored and/or covered by his cult members."

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Yep. Just another leftist smearing Trump to cover for his failed dem candidates.

Better get some updated talking points from Media Matters there soy boy.

narciso said...

one might well argue, that there not being such a kerfluffle over lewandowski, there would have had no need to hire manafort, which allowed this snipe hunt to continue a while longer, now the coup plotters would not have been discouraged, as the stone and page and general Flynn cases show,

walter said...

Drago,
Chuck Sykes is writing them.

mockturtle said...

Walter observes: This pope is punchy. Especially when playing the dozens.

Wow, maybe this gal called his mamma a ho!

walter said...

Mock,
It might have been a language disconnect ;)

jaydub said...

Chuck,
"If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor" is a lie.
"Bengazi was caused by an internet video" is a lie.
"Trump colluded with the Russians" is a lie.
"Trump equated White Nationalists with peaceful protesters at Charlottesville" is a lie.
"Trump obstructed congress" is a lie.
"Carter Page was a Russian agent" is a lie.
"Trump and his campaign weren't targeted by the FBI and CIA" is a lie.

"I didn't touch her" is not a lie. At most it describes Lewandowski's intent, and from the video there is no indication that he did anything other than brush past her. In fact, it's not clear that she, herself, didn't accidentally initiate any contact that might have occurred. This entire ridiculous episode, and your desperate reach for it, says so much more about your character than it does about Lewandowski's or Trump's honesty. Moreover, it's a perfect example of why you have no credibility. Face it Chuck, you are just a pissant who can't help himself when it comes to smearing Trump.

Bob Boyd said...

Ok Francis.

FullMoon said...


Chuck, you devil..! Nice to see you in a good mood today. This is for the new people. unfamiliar with the back story. Cannot recall if this is first or second or third day of meltdownChuck argues, cusses, and threatens to abuse Greta van Sustern


Blogger Chuck said...

Michael I am not the slightest bit concerned about Michelle Fields or her victimhood status. I am interested in showing what shameless fuckheads are inside the Trump campaign.

I am also quite interested (at 6' and 190 lbs.) in performing the exact same move on Greta Van Susteren, to see how harmless she thinks it is. She could never make a credible claim for prosecution.

4/14/16, 4:41 PM

FullMoon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
FullMoon said...

Jim Acosta karate chops woman at Trump presser

whitney said...

I guess you don't use your tags for the comments thread otherwise this post would have a TDS tag. It really is amazing how all roads lead to Trump. I was actually talking to a never Trumper the other day about something just totally random non-political and all the sudden she's talking about Trump. And I said " why are you talking about Trump? That's Trump derangement syndrome!" She tried to deny it but it was so blatant. And then she gets claimed it was only that one time. Nutty.

Crazy World said...

Looks like Chuck is going to have another rough year with Trump obsession, did you pay him your rent yet??

Chuck said...

"If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor" is a lie.

"If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor" is not a lie. At most it describes Obama's intent, and from the text of the Affordable Care Act there is no indication that forces anyone to switch doctors and only indirectly did anyone find themselves having to switch physicians. Not that Trump ever would have understood it. "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."

"Bengazi was caused by an internet video" is a lie.

Not my lie. None of us Never Trump Republicans are responsible for that idiocy. We fought against it. Steve Hayes actually LED the fight on that subject.

"Trump colluded with the Russians" is a lie.

Again, not my lie. And it isn't a lie like, "I will release copies of all of my tax returns as soon as my current audit is done." That is about three lies in one. An audit wouldn't prevent Trump's making public the returns that he filed; if he really is under audit; and three years later, wassup with that audit?

"Trump equated White Nationalists with peaceful protesters at Charlottesville" is a lie.

Yeah, that one is a lie. "The Charlottesville Hoax Hoax." Trump later tried to clean it up, in his own uniquely incompetent and ham-fisted way. But among his four-plus attemepts at butchering his way through a reckoning with the incident, Trump really did equate white supremacists with peaceful citizens hoping to protect civil war memorials.

"Trump obstructed congress" is a lie.

Yeah, that too is a lie. Trump withheld documents and instructed senior staff to not testify or cooperate with the House investigation.

"Carter Page was a Russian agent" is a lie.

Again, not my lie. Not even my concern.

"Trump and his campaign weren't targeted by the FBI and CIA" is a lie.

Well I hope so! Turns out there were about two dozen felonies going on in that campaign. "Individual 1" remains at large.

Curious George said...

Chuck: "I am also quite interested (at 6' and 190 lbs.) in performing the exact same move on Greta Van Susteren, to see how harmless she thinks it is. She could never make a credible claim for prosecution."

I'd bet bet a dollar to a doughnut that Chuck's not 6'. He's probably a close 5'-11". Just an insecure manlet.

Chuck said...

Full Moon, that wouldn't be any abuse of Greta. Greta declared on national television that Lewandowski's grab of Michelle was trivial. So if I did the same to her, it would be equally trivial. According to Greta herself.


Chuck said...

Curious George said...
Chuck: "I am also quite interested (at 6' and 190 lbs.) in performing the exact same move on Greta Van Susteren, to see how harmless she thinks it is. She could never make a credible claim for prosecution."

I'd bet bet a dollar to a doughnut that Chuck's not 6'. He's probably a close 5'-11". Just an insecure manlet.


Even at 5'11", I'd be equal to about 2 Corey Lewandowskis, right?

Paco Wové said...

Oh, great. It's All Chuck, All The Time again at Althouse.

LOOK, CHUCK IS JUST A STUPID ASSHOLE TROLL. HE'S ALREADY BEEN ASKED TO LEAVE. JUST IGNORE HIM.

He's probably wanking furiously to every response here.

JUST FUCKING IGNORE HIM.

Jeesus, people.

walter said...

"Carter Page was a Russian agent" is a lie.

Again, not my lie. Not even my concern.
--
Of course not. Because Trump...and "conserving conservatism"

Chuck said...
"I am afraid you are mistaking me for someone who has an interest in fair treatment of Donald Trump. I'm not your guy. I am interested in smearing him, hurting him and prejudicing people against him."
3/4/16, 4:46 PM

walter said...

So true, Paco.
2020
Meet the new Chuck. Same as the old Chuck.

FullMoon said...


Blogger Chuck said...

Full Moon, that wouldn't be any abuse of Greta. Greta declared on national television that Lewandowski's grab of Michelle was trivial. So if I did the same to her, it would be equally trivial. According to Greta herself.


On the other hand, you considered it felonious assault so, ipso facto, you wanted to commit assault on her at 4'11" 110 lbs. Naughty boy!

Charlie Eklund said...

A Certain Commenter Who Must Not Be Named doesn’t really believe in the things he lectures the rest of us about. Except for hating Donald Trump.

The Lawgiver Who Must Not Be Named’s Second Law perhaps?

FullMoon said...

Chuck said:
Even at 5'11", I'd be equal to about 2 Corey Lewandowskis, right?


And yet, given the choice, you decided to attack the woman instead of Lewandowski. Very telling

walter said...

Michelle Fields Retweeted
Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
15 Dec 2019

Approval Rating in Republican Party = 95%, a Record! Overall Approval Rating = 51%. Think of where I’d be without the never ending, 24 hour a day, phony Witch Hunt, that started 3 years ago!

narciso said...

it's ironic a bounder like boris Johnson, has to expound on the responsibilities of people of faith, and the pontiff engages in cheap polemics, that really only make sense to the bbc and france 24,

Chuck said...

"... Think of where I’d be without the never ending, 24 hour a day, phony Witch Hunt, that started 3 years ago!..."


Think of where a normal Republican President would be, with this wonderful economy and without a major international crisis (so far). A non-idiotic Republican would have an approval rating 10 or 20 points higher than Trump. Oh, and wouldn't be impeached.

And where does "51% Overall Approval" come from? The 538 summary of all polling has seen Trump in the low 40's throughout the last two years.
51% approval is a complete outlier.

Drago said...

narciso: "it's ironic a bounder like boris Johnson, has to expound on the responsibilities of people of faith, and the pontiff engages in cheap polemics, that really only make sense to the bbc and france 24,"

It is interesting to note that the entire British left and "lifelong Tory-leftists" are claiming Johnson is a misogynistic racist liar moron who was put into power by Putin and is destroying British democracy.

I will say this for LLR-lefty Chuck and his lefty allies in the US and elsewhere, they are certainly consistent.

walter said...

"Think of where a normal Republican President would be, with this wonderful economy and without a major international crisis "
Day one of 2020 and you already step on a rake.
Ah well.

Drago said...

LLR-lefty Chuck: "Think of where a normal Republican President would be, with this wonderful economy and without a major international crisis (so far)."

LOL

Its important to remember LLR-lefty Chuck literally gave complete credit for this economy to Obama and Biden and has complained repeatedly that "magnificent" obamacare is being sabotaged by republicans.

FullMoon said...

Think of where a normal Republican President would be,

Think of where the economy, employment and stock market would be a normal Republican President (like Jeb or Mitt or McCain) would be,

Chuck said...

Its important to remember LLR-lefty Chuck literally gave complete credit for this economy to Obama and Biden and has complained repeatedly that "magnificent" obamacare is being sabotaged by republicans.


This is a lie.

My position on this great economy is that it STARTED just before Obama's second term. The facts are that the improved stock market, GDP growth, employment growth, etc., all began their rise around that time. And that the Trump years have continued the trend, albeit slowing a bit. Wage growth is better under Trump than it was under Obama. Federal deficit spending is ghastly under Trump; unimaginably worse even than the gross spending under Obama. Those are all the facts and you can look it up.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/08/20/trump-v-obama-economy-charts/

As for health care; yes, Republicans have vandalized (my word, not yours) Obamacare. They have not repealed it. They have not repealed it because they did not have the votes to repeal it. And they did not have the votes to repeal it because Trump never led the way with any sort of "Replacement" for Obamacare. Nothing like the "Replacement" that Trump promised during the campaign. Remember Trump's promises? Trump promised reduced costs, reduced co-pays and reduced premiums; with better care; and that he would "cover everybody, because we have to cover everybody." Trump promised all of that, and promised that it would be "easy," because he is such a powerful and effective negotiator. Every word of it a lie.

mockturtle said...

Paco Wové @ 4:24: Well said. It's a shame that it needs saying at all.

Drago said...

Now that LLR-lefty Chuck is once again lying about his praise of obama and Biden for ALL of our current economic good fortune, as you knew he would, it would be appropriate to remind everyone how viciously angry LLR-lefty Chuck became in Nov 2016 when republicans swept the House, Senate and the Presidency. Thus also guaranteeing further conservative appointments to the courts.

As you may recall, LLR-lefty Chuck, ni doubt in a gin-soaked rage, termed that development, and I quote, a "disaster".

In 2018 after it was clear the dems had won the House, LLR-lefty Chuck was rapturously giddy with excitement and glee.

These are just 2 interesting data points to ponder regarding our now fully exposed FakeCon LLR-lefty Chuck.

Drago said...

walter: "Drago, Chuck Sykes is writing them.
1/1/20, 2:38 PM"

Quite so walter.

Funny story: did you know that not only did Deadbeat Dad Charlie Sykes refuse to pay child support for his child (during one of his many affairs over 3 marriages) but also David Frum had an affair with one of his assistants?

Anyway, its interesting.

Chuck said...

mockturtle said...
Paco Wové @ 4:24: Well said. It's a shame that it needs saying at all.


I'd be happy, and Althouse would be happy, and the blog's comments pages would be far better, if Drago and Full Moon and a handful of others never again mentioned my name or anything about me. Everyone would be better off if the handful of obsessive Trump-cult freaks ignored me. I really wish they would. It's weird, how much space I occupy in their heads, and how much time they devote to me.

Drago said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drago said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Drago said...

Banned Commenter LLR-lefty Chuck: "..and how much time they devote to me."

Always happy to point out and keep pointing out your endless lies and smears and far left talking points.

I really do think its for your own good.

Drago said...

Banned Commenter LLR-lefty Chuck: "I'd be happy, and Althouse would be happy, and the blog's comments pages would be far better, if Drago and Full Moon and a handful of others never again mentioned my name or anything about me."

Remember, this was written by someone banned from the blog by Althouse and Meade for his repeated lies, vulgarity and dishonest posting.

Discuss.

William said...

I'm saddened to see that none here are responding to the example of moral grandeur I have set in previous posts. Instead, here on the first day of the new year, malicious comments abound. Please remain assured that I forgive you all for your moral deficits, but you should make greater efforts to be more like me.

narciso said...

words fail, how he could misapprehend reality so significantly, now Charles Sykes I was impressed by Prof Scam, but that was in college, he endorses this thalosian web of legal limbo, well if Omidyar pays the bill,

Drago said...

narciso: "...well if Omidyar pays the bill,..."

Omidyar/Soros/Hoffman/Bezos/Sulzberger/Lawfare etc pay the bills for ALL of Banned Commenter LLR-lefty Chuck's heroes.

jnseward said...

I beg to differ, Ann. Neither John Paul II nor President Trump would have ever reacted that way, and if they had we would have never heard the end of it. It's not the worst sin in the world, but it is very bush league for a Pope.

MayBee said...

I agree with Syndey and Marc- the Chinese woman is trying to say something to him. I almost think I hear her say "Chinese Students" but I could be hearing things. She could be Falon Gong (they show up to protest a lot of places), but she could be asking him for help with the China policy.

I don't like the way he got mad and slapped her hand. I can't imagine myself doing that - but it looks to be a very natural response for him.

James K said...

My position on this great economy is that it STARTED just before Obama's second term. The facts are that the improved stock market, GDP growth, employment growth, etc., all began their rise around that time. And that the Trump years have continued the trend, albeit slowing a bit.

This betrays economic ignorance. It's no great feat to grow out of a deep recession. To have strong sustained growth 7-10 years out of a recession is a much bigger accomplishment. It's also obvious that the stock market accelerated post-election 2016, which is clearly not attributable at all to Obama.

Charles said...

The term "pope" is not capitalized EXCEPT when it is used as a title for a particular pope, as in Pope Francis. A small point, of course, but one of interest, still.

Known Unknown said...

Who needs a pope?

Nichevo said...

William said...
I'm saddened to see that none here are responding to the example of moral grandeur I have set in previous posts. Instead, here on the first day of the new year, malicious comments abound. Please remain assured that I forgive you all for your moral deficits, but you should make greater efforts to be more like me.


Oh, you can be proud of me, Bill. I just almost launched on somebody on the next thread, but deleted it in precisely that spirit of charity you prescribe. So, I'm almost as wonderful as you! Almost. Let's not get crazy.

Unknown said...

Sometimes I get arthritis in my hands. Swung a hammer too long I guess. If someone grabbed my hand, I would react with pain and anger. Not because I wanted to, but if you grabbed my arthritic hand, I would react negatively. However, I don't call myself God's representative on this earth. Maybe I would expect the pope to say, "I felt power go out from me". That would be pretty cool. The thing is, the woman was Chinese. China is brutalizing Chinese Christians. The pope granted the Communist dictatorship the authority to assign catholic 'priests' to the the undying church, to kill that pesky Church. I'm not Catholic, but Catholics know their church was built upon a rock. The pope has failed them.

William said...

I'd just like to say thank you to the Pope. It isn't every day I get to feel holier than the Pope, so I'm starting the New Year off right.