This is an actual newspaper article, not a joke. But I found it amusing.
QUOTE |
October 28, 2006 In Clean Politics, Flesh Is Pressed, Then Sanitized By MARK LEIBOVICH WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 - Campaigns are filthy. Not only in terms of last-minute smears and dirty tricks. But also as in germs, parasites and all the bacterial unpleasantness that is spread around through so much glad-handing and flesh-pressing. "You can't always get to a sink to wash your hands," said Anne Ryun, wife of Representative Jim Ryun, Republican of Kansas. Hands would be the untidy appendages that transmit infectious disease. Like so many other people involved in politics these days, Mrs. Ryun has become obsessive about using hand sanitizer and ensuring that others do, too. She squirted Purell, the antiseptic goop of choice on the stump and self-proclaimed killer of "99.99 percent of most common germs that may cause illness," on people lined up to meet Vice President Dick Cheney this month at a fund-raiser in Topeka. When Mr. Cheney was done meeting and greeting, he, too, rubbed his hands vigorously with the stuff, dispensed in dollops by an aide when the vice president was out of public view. That has become routine in this peak season of handshaking, practiced by everyone from the most powerful leaders to the lowliest hopefuls. Politics is personal at all levels, and germs do not discriminate. Like chicken dinners and lobbyists, they afflict Democrats and Republicans alike. It would be difficult to find an entourage that does not have at least one aide packing Purell. |
International Level: Ambassador / Political Participation: 595 59.5%
It definitely is a laugh! Makes me wonder what laundry detergent that they use to get the smell of the "un-washed masses" out of their clothes after a flesh-press-athon!
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
I know most of you think is weird but I do not see anything wrong with it. If you think about it, political campaigns *are* dirty (and no...I don't mean in that sense). They are always shaking hands with hundreds of people, it is not hygienic at all. I have seen people digging their noses and then offer you a handshake...YUCK! I think it is great they are doing that.
Rather off topic, but... I am not a politician but I do carry a hand sanitizer with me at all times, specially while I go to Church. |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%
Yeah Political Campaigns have become a mud slinging, poop thowing mess, these are grown men and women I would have to say more so the men who resort to childlike behavior in order to get their points accoss as well as discredit their opponent, wheather or not you enjoy the drama and the name calling, it is the right message and is it the right platform for such unscrupulous behavior, a message which to me seems like win at all cost, at what points we as human beings say this has gone way to far.
In my opinion It becomes a problem with the Campaign, because talk has become way too cheap and Action is lacking. Promises are made and not fulfiled, we don't hold any politicians responsible for talking about certain issues and not following through. So in essence we have the possiblity, strong possiblity to elect a loud mouth rather than a man of action. The world is full of talkers and I am one of them...
I think it's a great idea - why would I want to shake hands with a thousand people and not have a way to sanitize? I've seen those nose-pickers, too, and it's creepy. I just thought the article was presented in a funny way.
International Level: Ambassador / Political Participation: 595 59.5%
I have children, I keep that stuff in the house by the gallons! Germ-X is my favorite, and it definitely reduces colds and such in the house. My wife uses it more than me and rarely catches the kids colds. I think that using the hand sanitizer was a stroke of genius, and the people who shook his hand should be grateful!