This reporter is really blind

President Bush jokes with a reporter about if he is going to keep his sunglasses on during the interview...The reporter is actually Blind. Posted on Think Progress.org June 14th 2006.

At a press conference this morning, President Bush needled Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten after he stood up to ask a question wearing sunglasses. "Are you going to ask that question with shades on?" Bush said, telling Wallsten, "I'm interested in the shade look, seriously."

But as Wonkette first noted, and which ThinkProgress subsquently confirmed, Wallsten is legally blind. Wallsten tells us he has a rare genetic disorder called Stargardt's Disease. The disease is a form of macular degeneration that can be slowed "by wearing UV-protective sunglasses and avoiding exposure to bright light."

Wallsten said Bush's comments did not offend him at all. "I never advertise it to him. I've never told him."

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Presidend
• Bush
• Blind
• Reporter
• Mistake

[Mastermind8908]

Peter knew where to reach for the microphone being handed to him. Im confused. The title says "really blind". I dont know this reporter, but Im sure others do and can verify to me that he is.

[bakedpajamas]

@Mastermind8908 This is Los Angeles Times reporter Peter Wallsten. From Think Progress.org June 14th2006 But as Wonkette first noted, and which ThinkProgress subsquently confirmed, Wallsten is legally blind. Wallsten tells us he has a rare genetic disorder called Stargardt’s Disease. The disease is a form of macular degeneration that can be slowed “by wearing UV-protective sunglasses and avoiding exposure to bright light.”

It is also in the description. Hope this helps

[Artfryne]

one of the funniest comedians in the world..

[rbsadler]

@omid145 There are different kinds of blindness. Some people cannot see anything, some people have no depth perception or lack the ability to control eye movement (hence the glasses). A lot of people who have degenerative eye diseases become legally blind; they can still see shapes, but their vision is deteriorating.

[Facuu7]

because he es "LEGALY" Blind, for more information google "Stargardt Disease"

[stephyvaz]

WOW seriuosly? I also have Stargardt's disease, and am also legally blind. Legal blindness means we have vision that is BEST corrected to 20/200, OR have a visual field less than 20 degrees. Stargardts attacks central vision but we keep our peripheral (how much of it depends), I can see shapes, light etc as someone mentioned total black blindness is rare. We have to protect the little vision we have so we wear sunglasses. We are blind NOT Stupid, im sure he knew who had the microphone and where

[jeapiat]

Unless youre blind, it's impolite to talk to someone while wearing sunglasses

[KaitlinChristel]

-Claps- you've really outdone yourself this time bush......... lol

[OmsoiTekken]

@omid145 MEANS YOU HAVE A LICENSE TO BE BLIND

[ifeelallright]

@smittty1911 good answer cumbucket

[dagothwit]

@omid145 He might be only partially sighted as in 10% vision. He can still see a little, but not enough to where he can do things that require sight.

[mockingbird187]

@omid145 it means you take the bus to the news conferences.

[sarkhaniscool]

"Tooo Shay" I loled when he said that.