This story is completely hearsay. You can believe it or not as you see fit.
A party of us went to see the American Civil Liberties Union honoring Harry Belafonte at at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. I was wearing my “Bush Lied, Thousands Died, ImpeachBush.org” T-Shirt that I had been wearing at every political event I attended for many years, or whenever I thought I would be seen by lots of people—for example, at airports and getting on and off airplanes. The T-Shirt always gets a lot of attention because of the bright yellow lettering on the black background. Most people give me some sort of positive sign, like a proudly raised fist, but a few people glower at me.
This day the lobby of the St. Francis was packed with people going in every direction, and I was worried that we were going to be late because we were right on time and the hotel was so big, and I couldn't find a directory or any signs. I guess the expression on my face clearly said we were lost and worried because suddenly a woman pulled me to the side and said, “I see your T-Shirt; you want to go to the Third Floor.”
Ha! She knew from my T-Shirt that we were there for the ACLU event.
Harry Belafonte was, as always, wonderful. And after the applause our party of four went back downstairs and were threading our way through the throngs of people still milling about the lobby when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find a goodlooking, well-dressed man of about 55 who said to me, “I see your T-Shirt. I am one of the managers here at the St. Francis...”
And I could actually feel my back stiffen as I thought to myself, “You're not going to try to throw me out of this hotel because of my T-Shirt!”
But he went on with a smile: “...I'd like to tell you a story. Many years ago my mother and my older brother were in a Mothers-and-Sons golf tournament in Kennebunkport and they were playing against Barbara Bush and her son, George W. Mrs. Bush said to my mother, pointing at George W., 'Be careful of him; he cheats.' My mother laughed. Mrs. Bush had begun turning away, but she turned back and repeated, 'No. He cheats.'&rdquo
Great story. I have the distinct feeling, not only from this hotel manager's demeanor but from the actual story itself and what I now know about George W. Bush, that it is completely true. Much to the sadness of our country.
Copyright © 2008 Robert Locke
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