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Was it REALLY a pretzel?

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Was it REALLY a pretzel?
(How do you spell that word?!)

My wife works with a number of medical people and they find the story of the pretzel incident questionable. In their thinking, if he was alone and choked to the point that he fainted, he would have required the Heimlich 'remover.' Either he wasn't alone, or something else happened.
stumpsitter
12:27:50 PM
1/17/02

It's a little headlamp that revolutionized lightweight backpacking.....:)
thinair
12:36:58 PM
1/17/02

I am surprised nobody has mentioned this in the media, but the explanation is very plausible.

There is a thing called a vasovagal reflex. It is what makes strong Marines pass out when they donate blood or see a needle. It can be triggered by other stimuli, including irritation of the airways. When people have a procedure to look at the lungs and airways, the scope can cause a vasovagal reaction. What happens is the reflex causes the heart rate to slow, less blood flow to the brain, and fainting. I think that is exactly what happened to Bush, only precipitated by pretzel crumbs and the coughing that resulted.
Pathman
12:40:11 PM
1/17/02

he was wearing it when he fell after trying out new gear. He didn't want to look like an environmentalist headlamp wearer so he made up the football pretzel story.
thinair
12:41:11 PM
1/17/02

It wasn't a pretzel
Being from N.E. Ohio I often get sick and nauseous if I happen to see the ravens on T.V. Prez. Bush just probally feels the same way about the ravens and just couldn't stand watching the whole game and passed out.
jmz
12:48:53 PM
1/17/02

Fasten your seat belts, and prepare to take a quantum leap into awareness, LIKE IT OR NOT.

I KNOW what REALLY happened because Spotty and Barney TOLD ME.
Marvin Gardens
12:49:26 PM
1/17/02

World still chewing on Bush's pretzel – international press can't swallow it, either

By Marjorie Miller
Los Angeles Times

LONDON — Was it an al-Qaida plot? An Enron end run? Or was it as President Bush said, just a wayward pretzel that briefly felled the leader of the free world?

The international press has been left to speculate about the presidential fainting — and whether Bush can watch TV and chew pretzels at the same time.

"George Bush attempted to taste the biscuit with his attention focused on a football game — a combination of actions that, it appears, proved difficult," said the Greek daily To Vima.

The media responded to the pretzel pratfall with jokes, queries about Bush's mental and physical health, and detailed explanations of the American-style pretzel.

The incident proved Bush is "a man of the people," London's Daily Telegraph said in an editorial. "This is exactly the sort of accident that befalls Homer Simpson, night after night."

The conservative paper was cheered by the fact that the leader of the international war on terrorism still has time for Sunday football. "He has shown himself, once again, to be completely in tune with the tastes and instincts of the people he leads," the editorial said.

"Was he poisoned perhaps?" asked The Independent of London. "Has the stress of fighting the war on terrorism while fending off inquiries about the collapse of his friend Ken Lay's Enron overwhelmed him? Was there maybe some family tiff?" the paper asked in an editorial. It concluded that "the vanquisher of al-Qaida may have met his match."

Germany's mass-circulation Bild, the daily of choice for blue-collar Germans, also asked if there wasn't more to the story: "Has the president's alcohol problem been taken up again?"
kleetn
12:53:22 PM
1/17/02

At least he didn't spew pretzles on the Japanese Prime Minister.
bacpac
12:54:29 PM
1/17/02

A vast right wing conspiracy I'm sure...
rockbuck
1:10:45 PM
1/17/02

Pretzel 14 is an INTELLIGENT, alien life-form whose spaceship crashed in Montana. The alien, a four or five hundred year old entity charged with ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY; he has QUADRAPHONIC HEARING, RADAR EYES, and is PSYCHIC.

I'll leave it to YOU to FIGURE OUT the rest.
Marvin Gardens
1:39:22 PM
1/17/02

I did'nt think it was a pretzel either. he was watching the game probably he just got drunk an passed out! LOL
centavo
2:59:23 PM
1/17/02

The FAA just ordered all airline passengers and baggage searched for snack foods prior to boarding.

Three companies have already announced development of a handheld pretzel detector that could be immediately deployed by airport security personnel.

In the meantime, the Office of Homeland Security has requested Congress enact a three-day waiting period before purchasing "any pretzel, chip, or other salty snack food."
gordon
3:24:12 PM
1/17/02

Mr. Salty has crossed over to The Dark Side.
Tilt
4:48:46 PM
1/17/02

"I did not have sex with that pretzel"

-George W. Bush
gordon
5:13:24 PM
1/17/02

Mr. Salty, Deep Throat? Where is Bob Woodward when you need him?
Pathman
5:17:49 PM
1/17/02

o nooooooo


So, unlike Linda Lovelace, GW has something in his throat that turns him off?
Tilt
6:26:07 PM
1/17/02

I am glad I am not President
I could not live under the microscope of public scrutiny. What if YOU were the President?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"President Bacpac? Why are you on crutches?"

"Well I was naked and crouched behind the refrigerator, waiting to scare my wife when the cat came around the corner and attacked the Presidential Stoop. In my hasty retreat I slipped and banged my knee on the linoleum causing a hairline fracture."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I never thought of myself as Executive Material, but after Clinton, I look pretty Presidential.
bacpac
8:04:03 PM
1/17/02

Heck, after Bush II, EVERYone looks more presidential.
Tilt
8:51:06 PM
1/17/02

Linda Lovelace? No I was thinking of the Watergate secret informant. Remember, the guy in the parking garage?
Pathman
9:02:08 PM
1/17/02

centavo, That was my thought.
stumpsitter
11:46:02 PM
1/17/02

You fecks....I'd like to see you spend one day in his shoes...you'd be quivering masses of sludge..farking wankers...
wsdavies
2:09:30 AM
1/18/02

Heck-after Cinton 1 ANYTHING looks more Presidential.
JOSH MAN
9:21:35 AM
1/18/02

Compared to reagan, pretzels look presidential.
gordon
10:53:18 AM
1/18/02

I'm a farking wanker! Wooo Hoooo!

I guess what Ari Fleischer said is true. We better be careful what we say, LOL
Tilt
11:37:09 AM
1/18/02

I never said I wanted the job, but the spin that comes out of the West Wing is really weird at times.
stumpsitter
11:38:35 PM
1/18/02

Cheer for the death of W.
lagtis
1:06:54 PM
1/19/02

"A lone pretzel?" Consiracy? Cover up?

Is it possible that there may have been a second pretzel
Hodgeman of BC
10:39:19 AM
1/20/02

They ought to have a warning label on those pretzel packages with a message from the Surgeon General. That's the real issue here.
Phil
10:45:52 AM
1/20/02

Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis!
Violin
10:01:32 AM
1/21/02

I mean:
Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis! Ban lagtis!
Violin
10:02:22 AM
1/21/02

Sorry, Violin, "I'll bite." HUH?
stumpsitter
6:37:08 PM
1/21/02

lagtis is not laqtis.

lagtis is Spock.
Violin
8:22:29 AM
1/22/02

(to the tune of Rawhide) Torllin torllin torllin, he just keeps on torllin....torllin torllin torllin, ye-hah!

Yawn.
skullcap
8:28:56 AM
1/22/02

What's the deal with Pokemon? I mean, is that little yellow thing called Pikachu or Pokemon or what? And how exactly can I catch them all? I don't even know what in the heck they are! Someone, help!
militiaboy
9:06:21 AM
1/22/02

======================================
Congratulations on purchasing a bag of "Mr Salty" Pretzels. Correctly
used, these salty snacks should provide minutes of healthy enjoyment,
if the following procedure is studied and followed.

YOU WILL NEED:
1 x comfortable chair
1 x bag of pretzels (contents approximately 24 pretzels)
1 x television receiving equipment, tuned to the sporting event
of your choice

Up to 3 dogs: cats or other pets are NOT RECOMMENDED and could
be DANGEROUS

*** STEP 1. OPENING THE BAG ***
This is a relatively simple procedure, but care needs to be taken
nonetheless, so follow the steps carefully.

1. Take hold of the TOP of the bag at EITHER SIDE between FOREFINGER
AND THUMB, taking care not to slash your wrists open on the surprisingly
sharp plastic edges.

2. Draw the edges of the bag apart with a smooth firm motion.

3. If you SHOULD LOSE YOUR GRIP on the bag, take extreme care not to
smack yourself in the face with your flailing hand as this can result
in OBVIOUS BRUISING. Instead, you are advised to throw yourself into
the safe haven of the COMFORTABLE CHAIR until the hand-danger is passed.

On NO ACCOUNT throw yourself into the safe haven of THE FLOOR, THE
TELEVISION, THE DOGS, THE WINDOW, THE OVEN, THE LIGHT FITTINGS or THE
ROTATING BLADES OF A NEARBY HELICOPTER as severe injury and
embarrassment may result. If you have an open bag of pretzels before
you, you may now proceed to step 2. Otherwise, simply repeat step 1
until full openness is achieved.

*** STEP 2. REMOVING PRETZEL FROM BAG ***
1. Set the bag upon your lap, making sure it is reasonably stable.

2. GENTLY insert one hand into the bag. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO WITHDRAW
EYES FROM TELEVISION IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS SAFELY. You may prefer
to wait until a commercial break or other interval in the action. You
should also ensure that you are not over-excited by the sporting events
in progress before attempting this manoeuvre.

3. CLOSE YOUR FINGER AND THUMB over a single pretzel. DO NOT attempt
to select MULTIPLE PRETZELS. Not only is this an extremely advanced
manoeuvre and highly risky in itself, but it will unnecessarily
complicate step 3 and will almost certainly lead to brain injury, death
and further embarrassment. If you FAIL to secure a pretzel, open the
finger and thumb, then close again in a different position - although
STILL WITHIN THE BAG - until a pretzel is secured.

4. WITHDRAW HAND FROM BAG taking care not to break pretzel, drop
pretzel, lacerate hand on edges of bag, grind pretzel into own eye,
smack head on door jamb, press thigh against red-hot coals, or drive
meat skewers through fleshy parts of upper arm. With the pretzel now
secured in the hand, the operation is nearly complete. However, you
cannot afford to let your guard down.

*** STEP 3. TRANSPORTING PRETZEL TO MOUTH ***

1. Delicate hand-eye co-ordination is required. KEEPING YOUR EYES FIXED
ON THE PRETZEL, first WITHDRAW your hand. Should the pretzel DROP at
this point, you will have to repeat step 2.

2. RAISE PRETZEL TOWARDS face - avoiding eyes, ears, nostrils, hotline
to Moscow and Nuclear Button in the process.

3. OPEN MOUTH - this step is vital and EASILY FORGOTTEN IN THE HEAT OF
THE MOMENT.

4. PLACE PRETZEL JUST INSIDE MOUTH. Do not attempt to force pretzel in.
Pretzel should fit easily inside, and need not be entirely encased in
mouth orifice. If pretzel does not fit easily, check that mouth is open
and that pretzel is in mouth, rather than ear. A small mirror may be
helpful.

5. RELEASE PRETZEL AND WITHDRAW FINGERS FROM MOUTH. Failure to perform
this easily-overlooked step can lead to crippling injuries. If you are
in any doubt, consult mirror once more. Pretzel will probably be just
visible inside mouth and FINGERS SHOULD BE WELL CLEAR before step 4
commences.

You are nearly ready to enjoy your pretzel - however the last step is
by far the most dangerous, and EXTREME CARE should be taken.
Inexperienced eaters of pretzels may care to practice without pretzels
in order to have confidence in steps 1 to 3 before proceeding to the
pretzel "fire fight" which is step 4.

*** STEP 4. EATING THE PRETZEL ***

1. Begin to move jaws up and down in a rhythmic fashion. AT LEAST 20
ITERATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED. "MR SALTY" CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR
INJURY, WOUNDING, DEATH, INTERNATIONAL INCIDENTS OR WARFARE RESULTING
FROM FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS DIRECTIVE.

2. As pretzel structure begins to break down, guide resulting substance
to rear of mouth. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BREATHE - BUT DO NOT LINGER AT THIS
POINT EITHER. All your concentration must now be brought to bear on
guiding the pretzel safely down the esophagus, without inhaling and
without passing out due to lack of oxygen.

3. As pretzel remnants reach back of throat, swallow quickly THEN
RE-COMMENCE BREATHING. Congratulations - you may now repeat from step
1, until bag is empty or belly is full.

*** TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ***

1. PRETZELS TASTE "PLASTICKY" - You are eating the bag.

2. PRETZELS TASTE "FURRY" AND DOGS ARE YELPING - You are eating the dogs.

3. PRETZELS TASTE REVOLTING - This is normal.

4. FINGERS CANNOT GRASP PRETZEL - Bag is closed or is empty.

5. PRETZELS ARE ALL OVER FLOOR. Bag is upside down, or has been opened
with undue force. Deploy dogs and request fresh bag.

6. PRETZELS CANNOT BE SEEN - Light is off or eyes are closed.

7. PRETZELS ARE TASTELESS AND EYES ARE FULL OF GRIT - You have placed
pretzel in eye instead of mouth.

8. PRETZELS ARE TASTELESS AND I AM DEAF - You have placed pretzel in
ear instead of mouth.

9. I AM LYING ON THE FLOOR AND DOGS ARE STARING AT ME - You have
attempted to breathe while chewing and/or have failed to chew pretzel
thoroughly.

10. SIRENS ARE GOING OFF, MR RUMSFELD IS SHOUTING, AND MR CHENEY IS
CLUTCHING AT HIS CHEST - You have confused bag of pretzels with nuclear
alert. Go back to watching television.

NB: If you are not President of the United States of America, the most
powerful individual in the Western World and controller of the World's
largest nuclear arsenal you can safely ignore these instructions.
Violin
10:36:03 AM
1/25/02

I say Dubya and Ken Lay were talking on how to keep Enron and Dubya separate, Dubya got nervous, then started freaking out and Lay b!tch slapped him! Now people are killing themselves
donman
3:04:22 PM
1/25/02

Q: What's the differece between Bush and Clinton?


A: Bush inhaled!
Violin
3:19:43 PM
1/25/02

Wrong assumption Violin
That is the only thing they have in common.
bacpac
4:47:53 PM
1/25/02

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