Comments on: Bush, Merkel, and the quickie neck rub http://whosane.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/bush-merkel-and-the-quickie-neck-rub/ “At 20 years of age the will reigns; at 30 the wit; at 40 the judgement.” - Benjamin Franklin Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:59:17 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: TheBadLibrarian http://whosane.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/bush-merkel-and-the-quickie-neck-rub/#comment-40 TheBadLibrarian Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:00:29 +0000 http://whosane.wordpress.com/?p=4#comment-40 He didn't do it to any of the male heads of state. Not one. Because it would have been viewed as an aggressive attempt at domination and patronage. I think that's all that needs to be said to make a conclusion about his motivation. Treating it as 'sexual' harrassment clouds the issue: it was a harrassing powerplay, done because he could get away with it as the 'sexual' aspect would cloud and divert debate. I believe this motivation was unconscious, by the way: it's not as if he's smart enough to work it out beforehand, or to understand his own motivations. Like most barely-evolved creatures, a lot of his functions are instinctive, not learned. He didn’t do it to any of the male heads of state. Not one. Because it would have been viewed as an aggressive attempt at domination and patronage. I think that’s all that needs to be said to make a conclusion about his motivation. Treating it as ’sexual’ harrassment clouds the issue: it was a harrassing powerplay, done because he could get away with it as the ’sexual’ aspect would cloud and divert debate.

I believe this motivation was unconscious, by the way: it’s not as if he’s smart enough to work it out beforehand, or to understand his own motivations. Like most barely-evolved creatures, a lot of his functions are instinctive, not learned.

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