BUSH 'WIPED HAND' AFTER SHAKING WITH HAITIAN

DID FORMER US PRESIDENT BUSH
WIPE HAND AFTER SHAKING HAITIAN'S?

BEIJING, (Xinhuanet) - A controversial video is widely circulated on various websites, showing former U.S. President George W. Bush wiping his hand on his counterpart Bill Clinton's shirtsleeve after shaking hands with a man during their humanitarian visit to Haiti. On March 22, the two former U.S. presidents went to visit the survivors, who suffered from strong earthquake in January, at a large homeless camp in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund has raised 37 million U.S. dollars from 200,000 donors, including American president Barack Obama, who donated money from his Nobel Peace Prize award. But Bush seems to be very careful about his personal hygiene, the video shows that after shaking hands with a member of the crowd, he seemingly rubbed his hand on Clinton's shirtsleeve.

BBC footage shows the pair visiting a homeless camp in Port-au-Prince, where they greeted people displaced by the earthquake. While Mr Clinton's back is turned, Mr Bush appears to shake hands with one man before wiping his hand on his predecessor's arm. George W Bush has been accused of insensitivity by his gesture, whether intentional or accidental, it was criticised as insulting to the disaster-stricken country. The footage has prompted tweets and blogs accusing the former president of insulting Haiti and, as the shirt belonged to Bill Clinton, it was also suggested that Bush was demeaning him. Others web sites have suggested he was just being affectionate with his fellow former president. However, the truth is not easy to judge.

During the Vedic age, the Kings were methodically trained to become magnanimous and to perform sacrifices for the development of society and prosperity of the subjects. The rulers were interested in the happiness of their people and looked after their spiritual realization, but this does not happen in Kali Yuga.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

A responsible king was always approachable by his citizens. Generally the citizens, great and common, all had an aspiration to see the king and take benediction from him. The king knew this, and therefore whenever he met the citizens he immediately fulfilled their desires or mitigated their grievances. ... In a responsible monarchy the citizens had no grievances against the government, and even if they did, they could approach the king directly for immediate satisfaction.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam”
Purport in Canto 4 - Chapter 21 - Verse 6.