Bush Visits Diner, Recieves Frosty Response From Patrons

[ariesgem]

snip////


On Tuesday, President Bush popped in for a surprise visit to the Sterling Family Restaurant, a homey diner in Peoria, Ill. It’s a scene that has been played out many times before by this White House and others: a president mingling among regular Americans, who, no matter what they might think of his policies, are usually humbled and shocked to see the leader of the free world standing 10 feet in front of them.

But on Tuesday, the surprise was on Bush. In town to deliver remarks on the economy, the president walked into the diner, where he was greeted with what can only be described as a sedate reception. No one rushed to shake his hand. There were no audible gasps or yelps of excitement that usually accompany visits like this. Last summer, a woman nearly fainted when Bush made an unscheduled visit for some donut holes at the legendary Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago. In Peoria this week, many patrons found their pancakes more interesting. Except for the click of news cameras and the clang of a dish from the kitchen, the quiet was deafening.

“Sorry to interrupt you,” Bush said to a group of women, who were sitting in a booth with their young kids. “How’s the service?” As Bush signed a few autographs and shook hands, a man sitting at the counter lit a cigarette and asked for more coffee. Another woman, eyeing Bush and his entourage, sighed heavily and went back to her paper. She was reading the obituaries. “Sorry to interrupt your breakfast,” a White House aide told her. “No problem,” she huffed, in a not-so-friendly way. “Life goes on, I guess.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16908975/site/newsweek/

[wakeme2008]

1. picture here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=100303&mesg_id=100303

[uppityperson]

28. I thought that was a photoshopped picture. It's real? Too funny

It's not just that he is a lame duck though.

[Bluebear]

2. “How’s the service?” Bush asked? bwahahaha

As if he'd know.

[bdamomma]

18. I would have said they are in shambles no thanks to you!!!

[Turbineguy]

3. "Whatchall doin' here.. lookin

fer a second job?"

[xchrom]

4. peoria???!!!?!?! is that you?

republican stronghold through my youth{it was home to me} -- conservative to your bones -- you gave bush! the cold shoulder?!?!?!!

don't toy with my affections -- you know i'm easy.

[Arugula Latte]

10. This is a cliche come to life -- he ain't playing in Peoria.

He'll be the most hated U.S. president in modern (and maybe all) U.S. history.

[xchrom]

14. i hope so -- but don't let peoria fool ya.

they are in the heart and soul of the midwestern bible belt --

but still -- i didn't get a little faint at this description -- he ain't playing well in peoria.

[durtee librul]

26. I have been in AR, KS, MS and TN

in the last month and let me tell you, he ain't liked there either. I was amazed at the blatant hatred for him and his cronies. I don't even think they could find enough people to screen to fill a small diner to make goo goo eyes at him anymore.

From what I have seen, I think MSM has doubled the 28% 'approval' just to mask the fact he is hated so much...I think it's more like 10%.

The folks I have spoken to (and I didn't start the conversation either) just want him out of office and the sooner the better. I don't know how any congress person could ignore what is so obvious and that is that the simple truth is that people want him gone.

[Arkansas Granny]

35. As an Arkansan, I can tell you that I don't hear people stand up

for Bush like I used to. All of the "W" stickers seem to have disappeared from cars and trucks.

[Tuesday_Morning]

33. Hey - I'm a former Peorian too!

I noticed when you get past the Peoria Journal Star's glowy front pages, there are lots of interesting commentary.

[xchrom]

36. a little reality slipping in there.

the news gave the trip to caterpillar SUCH a rosy glow.

followed up by the trip to wall street.

did you go to school in peoria?

[Tuesday_Morning]

Rolling Acres Elementary

Richwoods HS

[xchrom]

40. glen oak elementary

woodruff high

[Tuesday_Morning]

42. I love that part of town

Well, pleased to meet you, xchrom, xpeorian.

[xchrom]

48. and pleased to meetchya maself -- tuesday!

[malaise]

5. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I'm loving it

I live for there day when that criminal hides somewhere in a basement afraid of the reception from the people he led into this criminal invasion.

[SeattleGirl]

6. This made my morning!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Hissyspit]

7. Bush doesn't play in Peoria??? LOL

[Maddy McCall]

23. Ha!

:spray:

:rofl:

Am I the only one who got this? :D

[Hissyspit]

29. Explanation for everyone here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=102224&mesg_id=102224

[Bluebear]

8. 'many patrons found their pancakes more interesting'

:rofl:

[BreweryYardRat]

37. The pancakes are probably smarter, too.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

39. That deserves a "LOL". :-) (n/t)

[WorseBeforeBetter]

9. C'mon down to Raleigh, Commander Flightsuit!

To the Irregardless - we'll give you a welcome that would be anything but "sedate"!

[bluemarkers]

22. for real!

A bright blue in a sea of purple, North Carolina, she's a changing

good food too

[WorseBeforeBetter]

34. I've yet to have really good French toast (er, Freedom toast)...

down here (like Long Island-diner style...oh man), but Irregardless is close! People are pouring in to the state and I'm hoping the red is diluted more and more. There are folks like me, but also The McMansion People who I think tend to vote Republican (gotta preserve the wealth, ya know...). Plenty of people gobbling up $800K waterfront condos, and my guess is W is their hero. Should be interesting to watch this play out.

[faithnotgreed]

31. hey friend - i havent been to the irregardless in probably 10 years

but i adored it the many times i was there

give it a big hello from me - there isnt much i miss about raleigh but the irregardless and rathskeller are a couple places i wish i could be more often

and yeah i imagine irregardless or readers corner wouldnt give the warmest reception to bush

[WorseBeforeBetter]

38. Hey there.

I'm pretty new to Raleigh and can't say there's too much I absolutely love, but I do have those moments (Neomonde, Duke Chapel, dive bars for live music, Umstead (so close to home!)) in which I'm wowed. I Googled the Rathskeller in Raleigh and I think it's closed. :-( Or were you referring to the one in Chapel Hill? Chapel Hill and Carrboro are definitely two reasons to love NC!

[faithnotgreed]

41. the rathskellar at nc state actually and yeah i had heard it closed

from the places you describe you would have loved it
as a vegetarian it was fantastic to have a place to get tofu or tahini (wow they were good) + a beer or two
thick wooden booths and the whole thing

its been a while ago but i lived in raleigh area for about 10 years and lived in chapel hill for several
and yeah carrboro is great

have you been to the rose garden or the botanical gardens which are both very near state
very small but a nice area

i also loved the rialto theatre and previously mentioned readers corner - again both near state (can you tell i attended school there)

where are you from if i may ask

[WorseBeforeBetter]

45. I'm on the NCSU campus right now.

I almost mentioned JC Raulston Arboretum which is wonderful - love the Japanese gardens. Rialto and The Colony are wonderful to have. Never been to Reader's Corner, but will check it out.

I'm originally from PA but grew up in the DC/MD/VA area. Are you in DC? I moved from there not too long ago - a bit of an adjustment! :-)

[npincus]

11. The Frat Party's over, Chimpy

no one likes you anymore. Quit and go home.

[DemoTex]

16. Corroboration that npincus is correct (from BartCop):

[npincus]

20. LOL

[specimenfred1984]

12. Headline should read: War Criminal Ruins Breakfast

Did any patron say "I'm surprised you're not in jail yet"?

[butterfly77]

13. Is this his base...

I wonder what his reception will be after the 2008 elections...

[Double T]

15. WH aides forgot to handpick and screen the patrons of the diner........

to get the ass kissing desired affect.

[Divernan]

19. Maybe they tried but no one would cooperate.

nt

[Divernan]

17. Article tries to attribute cold reception to fact Bush is now lame duck president. NOT SO!

Bill Clinton still generates enthusiastic mobs of smiling people wherever he goes. It's not that Bush is a Lame Duck - it's that he is loathed and despised as a man who has squandered America's treasure - our military, our international good will, and decades of our tax dollars - not to mention all the lost opportunities which those tax dollars COULD have paid for in terms of health care, education, medical research, a good high speed rail system, highways, reduction of oil dependence, etc., etc., and so forth.

This cold response is just a taste of how he will be loathed for the rest of his life. Right now, no one will speak up to him for fear of being grabbed by the Secret Service and renditioned. Once he's out of office, there will be a lot of people spitting in his general direction. I feel sorry for the Secret Service people who will have to guard him for the rest of his days.

[BlueStorm]

21. Hee hee hee ha haaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Really, does Bush think that there is anyone now in the world that still likes him. War Criminal should just quit the game and go home, at least his family still likes him.

Welcome to the real world Bushie, it hurts doesn't it?

Blue

[Maddy McCall]

24. "lit a cigarette and ordered coffee" and "No problem...Life goes on."

I've never been big on the "DU Treatment," but if we could get the names of these two people....

:rofl:

[Buddyblazon]

25. If I had been one of those patrons...

I would've loudly made it clear that either he be removed from the eatery or I want my meal for free. If something disgusting occurs in a restaurant during my meal...it better be free...as I will have most likely lost my appetite.

And this situation...it's not only likely...it's assured.

"GET THIS ASS-HAT OUT OF HERE OR I WANT MY MEAL COMPED!!!"

That would've gotten some attention....eh?

[Divernan]

27. Right - next stop Guantanamo. However, once he's out of office,

I think that would be a great response. He walks into a restaurant and everyone gets up and leaves and tells the maitre'd - just give the check to Bush.

[EVDebs]

30. Wall St cheered yesterday, Main St gives a well-deserved Bronx Cheer !

It's certainly not playing well in Peoria !!!! Bwha-hahahahahahahahahahah !!!

[Lasher]

32. The weenie thinks those carefully screened zombies are what Americans are like

What I wouldn't give to have been there. What would you have said to him?

How about, "Get out of my face you useless jackass. You're the worst excuse for a leader that any nation has ever had in all recorded history." Followed of course by the loudest fart I could have summoned at the time. Der SS probably would have kicked my ass but it would have been worth it.

Lasher

[SidDithers]

43. K&R...

Bush - he's such a knob.

Sid

[Marnieworld]

44. Proud to be American

Despite the MSM propoganda citizens are seeing through it all. :patriot: Awesome.

[speedoo]

46. Oh that's sweet!!

The tide has permanently, irrevocably turned.

shrub and his evil cabal may somehow endure the next two years, but there is no doubt about it: they are finished.

[WinkyDink]

47. How does being a pariah FEEL, Chimpy?