Today's MOZEN: Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.

F LoBuono

Recently, two women have come forward accusing former President George H.W. Bush of inappropriate sexual contact. President Bush, who is 93 years-old, released a statement from a spokesperson basically acknowledging the recent incidents but also qualified them by saying that Mr. Bush, who is confined to a wheelchair, patted the women on their backsides in a friendly and humorous way, never intending any harm. He also apologized, saying through his spokesperson: To anyone he has offended, President Bush apologizes.

Of course, these incidents and the corresponding statement by President Bush are bound to be controversial. On one hand, there will be those who will not entertain ANY type of excuse (or, explanation) for that type of behavior. And, they would be mostly right. However, there will be others who will be more understanding of Mr. Bush's age and condition, arguing that he comes from a different era when patting a woman's backside, under certain circumstances, was considered harmless hi jinks. After all, we are products of the social morals under which we were raised.

It reminds me of an elderly gentleman who was once very much a part of the fabric of the Village of Nyack, NY.  John "Butch" Logue was a fixture at O'Donoghue's Tavern in the heart of the town. He was so entrenched there that the owners even had a barber's chair installed with a name plate on it reserved for his use only. When I met him, this ex-WWI Marine was already into his 90's. He was always smiling and laughing making him extremely popular among the other bar patrons. One thing that I remember in particular with Butch (who always wore his Marine issue hat) was that whenever any women bent down to kiss him on the cheek while he was sitting on his "throne", they always placed their hands over his. It made me curious, so I asked one why she did that. She explained, "oh, we all do that to keep Butch from coping a free feel"! And, she said without any hint of fear, malice, or disgust in her voice. They expected it and then dealt with it. There was no malice.

Now, again, there may be some who will say "what filthy old men". I get it. Inappropriate touching is never ultimately OK. However, in the cases of President Bush and Butch Logue, one should certainly take into account their ages and how that effected their behavior. And, I don't mean because they are senile. They are men who are (were) products of the environment in which they were raised. So, should this be seen as TRULY abhorrent behavior? I think that, perhaps, not. Because, sometimes, a cigar is simply a cigar.