home

Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Accident

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 11:12:57 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

The Scotsman has obtained a previously unreleased copy of the police report of President Bush's bicycle accident in Scotland when attending the G-8 summit -- the one where he hit a cop. Aside from demonstrating he can't talk, pedal and wave at the same time, here's what it shows (Note that Bush is referred to in the report as a "moving/falling object."

It was "about 1800 hours on Wednesday, 6 July, 2005" that a detachment of Strathclyde police constables, in "Level 2 public order dress [anti-riot gear]," formed a protective line at the gate at the hotel's rear entrance, in case demonstrators penetrated the biggest-ever security operation on Scottish soil.

The official police incident report states: "[The unit] was requested to cover the road junction on the Auchterarder to Braco Road as the President of the USA, George Bush, was cycling through." The report goes on: "[At] about 1800 hours the President approached the junction at speed on the bicycle. The road was damp at the time. As the President passed the junction at speed he raised his left arm from the handlebars to wave to the police officers present while shouting 'thanks, you guys, for coming'.

"As he did this he lost control of the cycle, falling to the ground, causing both himself and his bicycle to strike [the officer] on the lower legs. [The officer] fell to the ground, striking his head. The President continued along the ground for approximately five metres, causing himself a number of abrasions. The officers... then assisted both injured parties."

The injured officer, who was not named, was whisked to Perth Royal Infirmary. The report adds: "While en-route President Bush phoned [the officer], enquiring after his wellbeing and apologising for the accident." At hospital, a doctor examined the constable and diagnosed damage to his ankle ligaments and issued him with crutches. The cause was officially recorded as: "Hit by moving/falling object."

Here's one reaction to the report:

Jim McDermott, a Democrat Congressman, last night quipped: "Not only does he break the law over here on eavesdropping and spying on our own citizens, but it seems he can't even keep to your law when it comes to riding a bike. It's another example of how he can't keep his mind on the things he should be thinking about."

Some legal experts believe Bush got special treatment and could have been prosecuted:

Legal experts also suggested lesser mortals could have ended up with a fixed penalty fine, prosecution, or at least a good ticking-off from officers. John Scott, a human rights lawyer, said: "There's certainly enough in this account for a charge of careless driving. Anyone else would have been warned for dangerous driving.

"I have had clients who have been charged with assaulting a police officer for less than this. The issue of how long the police officer was out of action for is also important. He was away from work for 14 weeks, and that would normally be very significant in a case like this."

Of course, this is not Bush's first mishap:

In May 2004, he fell off his mountain bike, grazing his chin, upper lip, nose, both knees, and his right hand, while riding on his ranch in Texas. In June 2003, he fell off his hi-tech Segway scooter.

[hat tip Patriot Daily.]

< Fletcher Chooses His Own Judges | Iraq: The Bloodshed Continues >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Accident | 18 comments (18 topical)
    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#1)
    by squeaky on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 11:35:02 AM EST
    Good thing the police officer apologized for getting in the way of the Predisnt. It was the right thing to do. No pretzels were involved, although it was reported that he had one beer several hours before he mounted the "moving object". Of course the customary cocktail was imbibed shortly after the accident and right before our codpiece in chief began clearing some very fine Scottish Brush.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#2)
    by aw on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 11:37:32 AM EST
    Mr. Magoo's evil twin?

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 11:43:17 AM EST
    Yeah, obviously, Lance Armstrong would not only seek this yutz out as someone to bike with by choice for the caliber of the competition shrub provides and to raise the level of his own game but he'd blow off Sheryl Crow to do it. Just ask newsmax.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 12:18:12 PM EST
    I was biking up a 2' wide trail and I got to a sticking point and stalled out. I proceeded to fall backwards off the trail, sliding down into a bush. A week ago I was hiking up a steep narrow ridge with fresh snow. A yucca was in the middle of the ridge and I needed to traverse around it onto the side of the ridge. I couldn't find purchase for either my boots or my hiking poles in the two inch deep slush covering hard ground, and I slid down the side of the ridge. These things happen. Of course, if I become a "liberal", I would be guaranteed never to fall off my bike.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 12:29:31 PM EST
    If you say so.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#6)
    by Darryl Pearce on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 02:06:40 PM EST
    As the President passed the junction at speed he raised his left arm from the handlebars to wave to the police officers present while shouting 'thanks, you guys, for coming'. As he did this he lost control of the cycle, falling to the ground, causing both himself and his bicycle to strike [the officer] on the lower legs. [The officer] fell to the ground, striking his head. The President continued along the ground for approximately five metres, causing himself a number of abrasions.
    Seems like the only law he can't workaround is gravity.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 02:15:33 PM EST
    So now we will hear the new joke: If given the choice of Hunting with Cheney, Driving with Kennedy, Canoeing with Carter, or Biking with Bush, what would you do? I would golf with Ford, myself.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#8)
    by Sailor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 02:48:45 PM EST
    Wow, Sailor's Law invoked in just 7 posts!
    I was biking up a 2' wide trail and I got to a sticking point and stalled out. I proceeded to fall backwards off the trail, sliding down into a bush.
    Of course, that's exactly the same as being on a level paved road.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#9)
    by scarshapedstar on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 03:06:45 PM EST
    moving/falling object.
    Good thing he and Cheney are never in the same place. With both of them hammered, Dick might have mistaken him for a quail.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 04:30:26 PM EST
    Did anyone catch in Time how the late patriarch of the armstrong clan started the armstrong ranch with $4K reward money he got for turnin' in John Wesley Harding, who, according to the song, "was never known to hurt an honest man."? Why am I not surprised that Cheney would enjoy hangin' out with other folks who enjoy hangin' out at a place bought with blood money like that? Gee, too bad Snidely Whiplash didn't figure in the story, it would've been a Cheney dream come true.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 04:49:13 PM EST
    Posted by Sailor February 26, 2006 03:48 PM Wow, Sailor's Law invoked in just 7 posts! Yeah, that was a gem, eh, Sailor? I was climbing the north face of Everest one afternoon, backwards, in my bare feet, in shorts and a tee-shirt, just killin' time, because I'd already finished War and Peace, so I know how hard it is for shrub to sit on the sofa, watch the tube and eat a pretzel at the same time and people shouldn't criticize him.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#12)
    by scarshapedstar on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 05:27:34 PM EST
    It's well-known that 90% of pilots killed in aerial engagements never see their attacker, so I can totally understand how Cheney spun around and shot his friend in the face.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#13)
    by Sailor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 05:36:58 PM EST
    Sailor's Law: The index of desperation of the wrongwingers is the square of the number of times they invoke clinton or kennedy.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#14)
    by jimcee on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 06:43:47 PM EST
    As a less frequent off-road biker and more serious roadie I'd have to say that if Georgie skidded for 50' he had to be going great balls on! If a riot officer didn't perceive him coming at that speed, out of control, then perhaps the officer isn't as observant as riot police need to be. That said I wouldn't let go of my handle bars at that speed. Hey as far as presidential physical fitness is concerned at least Bush jr actually rides a bicycle as well as plays golf. If Bush takes a 'trip to McDonald's' and the cameras don't record it, it is probably because no one in the media wants him to appear to be more macho than Pres Clinton. Honestly, if a bike accident subsitutes for the usual litany of conspiracies here at TL then the menu of effective episodes has become pretty short. As a cyclist I find it amazing that Bush not only wiped out big time but was able to give a speech afterward. I'd love to see Pres Carter do that. (That last comment was for Sailor's nonsensical whatever rule.)

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 06:59:24 PM EST
    Yeah, we wouldn't want the business of being President to interfere with his workout schedule. We really wouldn't. He's so macho. We can't wait to see his new tattoo. I mean tattoos. Let's send him to Outer Mongolia to take on every male over the age of 5. Make it best out of 100 for every single one of 'em. That'll show 'em just how macho our shrub is. You can be his corner man. Drop us a line when you're done. Better yet, send us a telegram. Yeah, that's the ticket.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 26, 2006 at 08:25:05 PM EST
    Jimcee @ 7:43: As a less frequent off-road biker and more serious roadie I'd have to say that if Georgie skidded for 50' he had to be going great balls on! Look again, Jimcee. "The President continued along the ground for approximately five metres . . " As any "serious roadie" knows, five meters is approx. fifteen feet (16.4 feet, to be more exact). One needn't be going too fast, especially on damp roads to slide fifteen feet. In addition, a crash on wet pavement usually results in fewer abrasions than one might get when it is dry. Oh, and what's up with picking on an 81 year old ex-president? Weird.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#17)
    by Jlvngstn on Mon Feb 27, 2006 at 08:54:29 AM EST
    I don't get the point of this story. Is this an example of disparity in prosecuting those who have accidents involving police officers or that elected officials live a different life? Because I had a neighbor once who had parties every weekend and every weekend we had to call the police because our 6 year old and 6 month old were awakened at 2-3 in the morning by loud music and talking. We called every weekend for nearly 4 months and nothing changed. I often wonder if our mayor or governor or police chief lived next door how many calls it would have taken to rectify the problem. My guess is after the first weekend, it would not have happened again.

    Re: Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Acci (none / 0) (#18)
    by scarshapedstar on Mon Feb 27, 2006 at 09:32:32 AM EST
    Jimcee was probably thinking in cubits or some other Republica-approved unit, not the sissy French metric system, laws, no. Personally, I'd rather compare Bush to the corpse of Mother Teresa. I'd like to see her go biking! Ha, ha, ha! Compassion.

    Details Emerge of Bush's Scotland Bicycle Accident | 18 comments (18 topical)