NEWS: Who Watches the Watch, Man?

POLITICS: Who Watches the Watch, Man?

Subrosa had a lovely, thoughtful explication of the surprising love the Albanian people showed for President Bush during his recent visit. No doubt much, if not all, of what my SG newswire colleague wrote was correct, but due to recent news I'm wondering if there might be a simpler reason for the Albanian love.



Maybe the people of Albania know an easy mark when they see one.



A video taken of a Bush press the flesh event seems to indicate that some smooth-ass hustler in the adoring Albanian crowd might have lifted the Preznit's watch. The video, which was apparently taken offline for some reason, isn't exactly conclusive, but the watch does seem to disappear at some point in the proceedings.



The White House and the U.S. embassy in Albania have strenuously denied that the theft occurred. Tony Snow even got all snotty about it.

I know - thank God the watch is OK. The question that remains is why Bush would stash the watch while going into the crowd. Doesn't he trust these people, who apparently represent one of the few remaining pockets of support he has? It's sort of like rolling up your windows when you drive through a bad part of town.



The story of the disappearing watch is negligible in the grand scheme of things, but gratifying nonetheless. Bush can't catch a single break anymore, can he? He has one good day of happy crowds and then the next day he's an alleged victim of a Eurotrash pickpocket.



Also, the White House missed out on a golden opportunity to say he was wearing a watch that could turn invisible, then have Tony Snow turn to the camera and say "That's right, terrorists. We've got invisible watches. Watch your backs, bitches."



Either that or make a sweet Pulp Fiction reference.

This was entertaining.

The people that like him don't even really like him enough not to steal from him. What have we become.

I was really hoping that this would be an update on a Watchmen movie.

Here's another clip
I dunno
There is a moment where he could have conceivably pocketed but I dunno.

I'm about to puke from watching this back and forth frame by frame for so long.
You decide.

Sneaky bastards!

I'll bet he feels so betrayed.

Watch for it on Ebay.ie!

Same here

If you look closely you can see that he and at least one of the bodyguards look down at the ground. Unless my eyes are deceiving me, it looks like it drops from his arm onto the ground.
I read somewhere that it did fall off and a bodyguard picked it up for the Prez, but I can't see anyone literally bending over near GWB.

If he actually hid his watch in his pocket during the event, I find it absolutely and incredibly disturbing that he would think that is an acceptable way for a President to behave during a diplomatic event.

Alternatively, if it was an awesome Albanian hustler that took it, then more power to them. I don't suppose they could take away his control of the United States while they're at it?

I agree this is a missed opportunity to make up an elaborate ruse about a technology we don't have....

Bah! It's bullshit, you mean he should just sit back while everyones watching (obviously because there were cameras there), as someone is highly visible trying to reach in and strip something from his body? I think that only proves he's a sucker (as if he wasn't already), it's not like he's a rockstar!

I just can't believe that in that whole mass of nameless, faceless people waving their arms right near Bush's face there was nobody who wanted to take a pot shot and slap him.
What's the statistical possibility of there being nobody who wanted to do that in such a large group of people?
Opportunity lost.

In a completely unrelated story, I have a watch for sale. Gently used, with slight oil and near-beer stains. 500 leks or best offer.

I give you my sister Anxhela. Fifteen, almost-virgin.

Yes, I saw your ad on eBay.