George W. Bush or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bottle

About a month ago, I saw this video of Bush and the Prime Minister of the Philippines.  For some reason, our ever-tactful President decided that the best way to compliment an entire nation and its leader was to mention how much he loves Philippino cooking.  It’s pretty terrible:

The first time I saw the video, I got this sneaking suspicion that Bush could have been a little tipsy.  Nothing specific – just a “thin slice” sort of feeling based mostly on my experiences at college frat parties and New York bars.

Even the possibility of a relapse for the leader of the free world is pretty scary, and Bush doesn’t strike me as a functional, Churchill style drunk.  I think he’s more of a hit on his best friend’s girlfriend, get in a fight, and then trip, fall, and pass out on the street kind of drunk.  Definitely not they guy who should have his finger on the red button.

Needless to say, I’ve been watching out for more info.  I still haven’t found any conclusive indications that he’s off the wagon, but, after the jump, I’ve got clear evidence that the wheels are a wobbling.

Looks like it’s got to be either a Becks or a Heineken…

And don’t worry, I checked non-alcoholic labels for both brands and they’re different colors (Becks is close – but the circle around the label is Blue).

Don’t get me wrong – I have no issue with our President having a beer with some friends but, I mean, come on: a stomach ailment the next day?  You’ve got to be kidding me.  Anyone who’s skipped work after a late night knows what that means.  At least if I’m a little sluggish on a Saturday morning, I’m not missing important talks with African Leaders.

***EDIT***

Just did some more research, and it turns out that it is actually a non-alcoholic beer – sorry – I guess you may have gotten out of this one, Bush.  Still doesn’t explain the stomach ailment the next day though.

See here for pictures of the bottle.

This video was taken in 2007 at last year’s G8 – so it definitely predates the Philippines visit by quite a bit – more investigations will be forthcoming, but for now, you can continue reading even though my rant is now somewhat less topical:

***EDIT***

And this isn’t just a beer.  Bush is a self-professed alcoholic who supposedly quit drinking on his 40th Birthday.  We’re talking AA type stuff here, and for that kind of drinker, there is no such thing as a casual beer.  He’s been arrested for drunk driving.  He was on cocaine.  This is serious shit.

I firmly believe in forgiveness and recovery for substance abusers, but any alcoholic will tell you that when you’ve got the disease, you’re incapable of dabbling.  And the man is clearly dabbling.

Plus, his administration is in the toilet, his party is in shambles, and he’s widely viewed as one of the worst Presidents in history.  I’d be drinking too after the last seven years he’s had.  Unfortunately, he still runs the most powerful military in the world, and he’s still got 5 months to do whatever the hell he wants with it.   This is not good.

BONUS VIDEO:  Also at the G8 summit – Bush might be drunk in this one too, or maybe he’s just being annoying.  It’s funny either way…