Patterico's Pontifications

11/13/2017

New Groping Allegation Against George H.W. Bush Is Different from the Others in a Disturbing Way

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 9:00 am



Yet another woman has come forward to accuse George H.W. Bush of groping her buttocks in a photo op. But this one is different: the girl was sixteen years old at the time. Fake News Time Magazine reports:

Roslyn Corrigan was sixteen years old when she got a chance to meet George H.W. Bush, excited to be introduced to a former president having grown up dreaming of going into politics.

But Corrigan was crushed by her encounter: Bush, then 79 years old, groped her buttocks at a November 2003 event in The Woodlands, Texas, office of the Central Intelligence Agency where Corrigan’s father gathered with fellow intelligence officers and family members to meet Bush, Corrigan said. Corrigan is the sixth woman since Oct. 24 to accuse Bush publicly of grabbing her buttocks without consent.

“My initial reaction was absolute horror. I was really, really confused,” Corrigan told TIME, speaking publicly for the first time about the encounter. “The first thing I did was look at my mom and, while he was still standing there, I didn’t say anything. What does a teenager say to the ex-president of the United States? Like, ‘Hey dude, you shouldn’t have touched me like that?’”

This is the sixth such allegation against Bush. But the girl’s young age makes this one more shocking than the others. Sixteen years old is one year younger than my daughter. What’s more, Inflatable Pub Price the previous “wheelchair excuse” Bush has used to defend against most of the other groping allegations doesn’t fly this time:

Previously, McGrath said Bush “has patted women’s rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner,” additionally attributing the act to his diminished height after being confined to a wheelchair since 2012. Bush was standing upright in 2003 when he met Corrigan.

One other alleged victim says she was groped by a standing H.W., in 2006.

Let’s be clear: this is not on the level of getting a hummer in the Oval Office, or using an intern as a humidor. If Democrats are going to fly into a rage about this, let them finally disavow Bill Clinton once and for all. His misdeeds were far worse, and were carried out while he was President, and he lied under oath and tried to intimidate witnesses over it. Yet he has been a welcome and favored speaker at Democrat events for ages, and was wildly cheered at the 2012 Democrat convention.

That said, just don’t touch women on the buttocks without their consent. This is not hard. What’s more, this was more than a grandfatherly pat on the rear. Corrigan describes it as a “nice, ripe squeeze.” That is disgusting.

While less serious than the Roy Moore allegations, the story bears some similarities to the Moore story. It’s an old allegation (here 14 years old instead of 38, but still old). There is no video proof and no admission. It’s one person’s word against that of another (or would be if Bush were denying it, which he doesn’t really seem to be doing). The word of the accuser is supported by several witnesses who say she told the story in the past, and by several other accusers whose stories describe similar (if arguably slightly less indefensible) behavior, establishing a pattern into which this story fits.

There are dissimilarities as well, of course — the most glaring of which is that George H.W. Bush is not currently running for any office. So his accuser here will face far less scrutiny (and scrutiny is appropriate) and smearing (inappropriate) than Moore’s accusers have faced. But many of the same arguments apply: why in the world would someone wait to come forward? and also let’s pick apart her life and repeat badly sourced rumors about her!

I’ve always liked H.W., but this is gross. The story is totally believable. In the post-Weinstein era, old accusations are more likely than ever to pop up. Some might be phony. Most probably aren’t. You have to look at each one on its merits, evaluate the accuser for bias, look for corroboration in the form of contemporaneous statements, other behavior, and the reaction of the accused, among other things. Looking at those factors, I believe the stories about H.W., and I tend to believe the ones about Moore as well.

Ultimately, for 98% of people, their reaction to this story (and the Roy Moore stories) revolves entirely around the letter that appears (or used to appear) after the person’s name: R or D? Nothing else really matters.

[Cross-posted at RedState and The Jury Talks Back.]

58 Responses to “New Groping Allegation Against George H.W. Bush Is Different from the Others in a Disturbing Way”

  1. it’s easy to believe this about dirty old George cause i don’t think him and Barbara are very romantic together you know what i mean

    plus dirty old George isn’t running for anything

    but the Roy Moore story’s way different

    It’s hard to see his honey boo boos as having a lot of credibility and furthermore the man’s lived a very disciplined life governed by a committed adherence to a moral code, and Leigh Cronkmeister’s allegations are a jarringly discordant departure from everything else that’s known of this gentleman over the past 40 years.

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  2. Gloria Allred has no credibility btw plus she has a weird dog nose

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  3. I’ve always liked H.W., but this is gross.

    Agreed. Very disappointing to hear this about a man I have long respected and admired.

    If true, President Bush needs to do the right thing and acknowledge his mistake(s).

    Dave (445e97)

  4. What say you mitt romney.

    narciso (d1f714)

  5. For me it is not about whether the accused has a (D) or (R) by his name, it’s whether the rule is applied equitably. If Bush is to be rebuked, then so is Biden. If Bush is forgiven, then so is Biden.

    Same with Hollywood celebrities. If Mel Gibson is to be rebuked for drunken remarks, then so are many others. If we excuse remarks on the grounds the idiot making them was (a) drunk and (b) an idiot and (c) ON MY SIDE, POLITICALLY, then those of us on my side are expected to forgive Mel Gibson.

    That’s what rule of law means — it applies to all without fear or favor. Rule of tribal custom ditto, lest the rule-breaker be cast out of the tribe. One rule for all, or rules mean nothing.

    pouncer (915d55)

  6. Yes, but can he do it while parachuting?!?!

    Colonel Haiku (993483)

  7. [Clinton’s] misdeeds were far worse,

    While it makes me uncomfortable to say anything in Bill Clinton’s defense, to be fair, the misdeeds that have been verified beyond any doubt did not involve non-consensual acts, despite being totally inappropriate and disgusting.

    Of course, he has been accused of much worse.

    Dave (445e97)

  8. Maybe Kevin spacey will play him:
    http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/lindsey-graham-calling-moore-step-aside-one-week-went-nj-testify-dem-bob-menendez

    Except for party affiliation, he much resembles underwood.

    narciso (d1f714)

  9. who *are* these people though what are so enthusiastic about becoming nationally recognized victims of grope grope and what have you, especially when all the bad touch happened years and decades before

    i think it’s very weird

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  10. Lindsey Graham was a character witness FOR Bob Menendez. That’s all I need to say.

    NJRob (b00189)

  11. Sad and believable. Power and lack of character make a bad combination.

    DRJ (15874d)

  12. The wheelchair explanation never made much sense. (it would be that he really wanted to pinch her arm, but only could do the bttocks)

    Therefore, this is somewhat credible, given the later reports.

    None of these accusations go back to the time when he was president, or vice president, and more in the public eye.

    The question would be: When did he start doing this? When did he get the idea for this “joke?” When did he think he was old enough to do this safely? There’s a beginning to this, and it’s not in 1945. Or 1960. Or maybe any date in the Twentieth Century.

    Sammy Finkelman (02a146)

  13. “Ultimately, for 98% of people, their reaction to this story (and the Roy Moore stories) revolves entirely around the letter that appears (or used to appear) after the person’s name: R or D? Nothing else really matters”

    Actually, for 98% of the people, the reaction is: YAWN.

    If she wants to sue GHWB, then go ahead. If not, the guy is on his way out, and not running for office. It matters very little to most people.

    Bored Lawyer (998177)

  14. “Nothing else really matters,” if you’re looking for a convient straw man to prop-up half-baked nostrums.

    Independent and reasonable commenters are often going to disagree with our honored host, especially when he gets testy over opinions that fail to coincide with approved expectations.

    ropelight (3dc687)

  15. Disappointing about Bush. We should keep this in mind if this guy decides to run in 2020:

    Former Vice President Joe Biden hasn’t made up his mind about whether to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, but he is “not closing the door,” he said today.

    “I’m not closing the door. I’ve been around too long,” he said on NBC News’ “Today” show. “I’m a great respecter of fate.”

    Biden added, “But who knows what the situation is going to be a year and a half from now? I don’t have any idea.”

    Dana (023079)

  16. is this inane hysteria about oh my goodness someone grabbed my ass ten years ago really sustainable to where it will be a factor in 2020?

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  17. Biden should stay with family. Fresh blood lines needed…apply within.

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  18. Judge Roy Moore @MooreSenate

    The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp
    11:40 AM – Nov 13, 2017

    yes yes this is why everyone loves good ole Roy

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  19. 13, at about the time he looked at his watch at the 1992 town hall debate, perhaps finding a silver lining in impending defeat.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  20. It’s really weird how eager happyfeet is to minimize the impact of sexualizing children and of sexual misconduct involving children.

    Leviticus (7bd68e)

  21. that’s was a really dick thing to say

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  22. If they were sincere, clearly they nave shown that accusations are just an alinski tool.

    narciso (d1f714)

  23. oops *that* was a really dick thing to say brb my bim bim bap is here

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  24. yay they nailed the “extra spicy” – here in chicago that’s really a roll of the dice pretty much every time

    clearly they have shown that accusations are just an Alinsky tool

    yes yes these years-after-the-fact allegations are completely lacking in credibility but worse than that they’re just so tacky

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  25. The Bush family is like the gift just keeps on giving.

    crazy (d99a88)

  26. Hopefully this will be the last perverted move by “The Last Republican”, as so called in the never trump herd.

    mg (60b0f7)

  27. How much press has Roy Moore’s accusations received? How much has Bob Menendez’s trial and rape allegations received?

    Compare and contrast.

    NJRob (b00189)

  28. You know the fact the author was the head of landslide Lyndons library should have been of note.

    narciso (48ecae)

  29. The White House may soon advise President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees not to cooperate with the American Bar Association’s independent vetting process, further weakening the dominant role the interest group has played for decades in judicial confirmations.

    beautiful Mr. narciso

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  30. where’s the live feed on Allred

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  31. Ah yes, stock photography sites, the thinking man’s porn.

    urbanleftbehind (5eecdb)

  32. here this is a good one

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  33. Nutjob..trials in Jersey are similar to other states. You don’t want publicity during a trial and Moore hasn’t even been indicted.

    EWARK — Seven of the 16 jurors and alternates in the trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez raised their hands when U.S. District Judge William Walls on Monday morning asked whether they’d heard or read anything about the case, prompting the judge to take them into his chambers individually to get more details.

    The inquiry came after defense attorneys in the trial noted that widespread news coverage of an excused juror’s public statements may have tainted the remaining members of the panel.

    http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/11/judge_questions_menendez_jury_over_dismissed_juror.html

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  34. Once a Navy man, always a Navy man.

    nk (dbc370)

  35. What does Gloria Allsleaze have to do with this?

    nk (dbc370)

  36. Never mind.

    nk (dbc370)

  37. bait clicker

    mg (60b0f7)

  38. ugh another bama chick with no evidence with another story from decades ago where there’s no conceivable way for Mr. Moore to defend himself

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  39. That said, just don’t touch women on the buttocks without their consent. This is not hard.

    Neither was he. But he was just living up to what they always said about him: “George, you’re an ass, man!”

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  40. Let me put it this way: If I’m on the jury, and Gloria Allsleaze is the lawyer, her client will lose.

    nk (dbc370)

  41. New Moore accuser – Beverly Young Nelson.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  42. He’s a serial rapist if true and that means legions of victims will emerge like a newly- minted Cosby Show.

    Ben burn (b3d5ab)

  43. no her silly story doesn’t add up

    the tell is where she says she left the restaurant at 10 when her shift ended and the restaurant closed and her boyfriend was late

    why wouldn’t she wait inside for her bf

    it makes no sense

    i know restaurants real good from working when i was little and we’d never all go home and let a waitress of *any* age wait in a dark parking lot all by herself

    that’s not even a thing

    so when she specifies that the restaurant was closed she’s trying to paper over a major hole in her yarn

    she’s such a liar

    her choice wasn’t to wait in the cold or get in a car with some guy

    her choice was to wait inside til her bf came (which he did very soon after according to her own story) … or leave with Mr. Moore knowing her bf was gonna show up and have no idea where she’d gone

    this makes no sense at all

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  44. Let’s be clear: this is not on the level of getting a hummer in the Oval Office, or using an intern as a humidor.

    Except one is another in a pattern of unsolicited assaults on young women- in this case a 16 year old girl by a 79 year old man and the other acts between two consenting adults- a 22 year old woman and a 49 year old man.

    If Pappy was a raincoated crosswalk guard at a high school pulling this stunt he’d be arrested.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  45. i don’t understand how it matters about the raincoat Mr. DCSCA

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  46. Mrs. Moore says they’re assembling evidence that the accusers were paid cash for their stories. Not sure where it’s going, but it would certainly be disappointing if true, right, guys?

    Richard Aubrey (0d7df4)

  47. If this is all true it sounds like RM and GHWB have the makings of a 4×4 man rape relay team.

    Pinandpuller (9a7f02)

  48. Is it possible a GHWB copycat has been operating in the Pacific Northwest? This UNSUB would be incredibly charming and intelligent.

    Excuse me miss, I need some help getting my yacht in the water.

    Pinandpuller (9a7f02)

  49. @52 The guy who tweeted that claim has now deleted his entire twitter history.

    Davethulhu (fab944)

  50. Why’d you grope me today?

    Why’d you grope me today?

    Why’d you grope me, Mr President?

    Why’d you grope me today?

    Taylor Swift GHWB’s 100th birthday gala

    Pinandpuller (9a7f02)

  51. Mrs. Moore says they’re assembling evidence that the accusers were paid cash for their stories. Not sure where it’s going, but it would certainly be disappointing if true, right, guys?

    Richard Aubrey (0d7df4) — 11/13/2017 @ 3:27 pm

    It would be disappointing if these women lied for money but it would not be politically disappointing to me.

    DRJ (15874d)

  52. It would not be disappointing — it would be a relief. You know where you stand with a woman who does something for money and not from whim or spite.

    nk (dbc370)


Powered by WordPress.

Page loaded in: 0.1070 secs.