From today's Australian:
"US President George W. Bush, who raised eyebrows with an impromptu neck massage of German Chancellor Angela Merkel last year, promised today not to repeat it. "No back rubs," he told her with a smile at the end of a joint news conference after White House talks. The German chancellor smiled sheepishly in response. Ms Merkel had raised her shoulders in surprise last July at a Group of Eight summit in St Petersburg when Mr Bush, in a gesture of friendliness, approached her from behind and put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. Videotape of the massage was posted on websites around the world."
You can see the original YouTube below.
Saturday addition: Comedy Central on the back-rub
Ok, this is a bit of a fun thing, and welcome as such, but why, as there is space for whimsy like the above, is there no listing on ConservativeHome regarding the Daily Telegraph front-page headline about THE PLANNED DESTRUCTION OF HALF OUR NAVY.... Surely the major item of the day. Surely Cameron & Fox have something to say about it? Do they?
Posted by: Tam Large | January 05, 2007 at 16:43
I was wondering exactly the same. This story has not been picked by anyone else as far as I can see.Have the Telegraph got this story right?
Posted by: malcolm | January 05, 2007 at 16:51
I always thought Bush was trying to strangle Merkel.
Not unlike New Labour and the Royal Navy - so, in typically post-modern ironic oblique fashion, the Editor did cover that story after all.
Posted by: William Norton | January 05, 2007 at 17:04
On reflection, this is the Big Story in today's news:
Thief steals urinal from city pub
Posted by: William Norton | January 05, 2007 at 17:22
Sorry Tam. I'll find a way of giving the Navy story proper prominence next week...
Posted by: Editor | January 05, 2007 at 17:39
That video is HOT.
Posted by: Derek Bonkers | January 05, 2007 at 19:01
That video makes a change. Isn't it normally George Bush getting it in the neck from the Europeans?
Posted by: Daniel VA | January 05, 2007 at 19:11
Thanks Editor - this Navy slashing is one of NuLab's greatest iniquities so far, and needs hitting hard!
Posted by: Tam Large | January 05, 2007 at 19:37
With everything going on in the world this blog seems to be becoming more and more trivial/superficial.
Is it connected to the unfortunate failure of 18 Doughty Street, the collapse of the viewing figures, and the consequent distraction of the ConHome staff?
Hopefully ConHome will not be dragged down by 18DS.
Posted by: getagrip | January 06, 2007 at 01:36
Wir brauchen keinen Europäischen Verfassungsvertrag, denn wir haben die Charta der Grundrechten, um das Deutsche Unrecht zurückzuschlagen.
Posted by: praesidentin.de | January 24, 2007 at 07:17
Merkel. Oh yes I remember her. Supposed to be a kind of German Thatcher wasn't she? And of course a real Conservative
Now she's busy trying to ressurect the obnoxious EU constitution. Seems she's proved as totally unreliable as a few other so-called "Conservatives" I could mention.
Posted by: Mark McCartney | January 24, 2007 at 07:28