EL DORADO, Ark. April 6 � President Bush has a
penchant for dishing out good-natured insults, and usually the victim
laughs along. But Sammie Briery didn't seem much amused when Bush fired
one at her Tuesday. Bush was wrapping up a town hall-style appearance
at South Arkansas Community College when he let the jest fly. It was a
mother joke, a blonde joke and an insult all in one.
"You and my mother go to the same hair-dye person," Bush said to
Briery, whose blondish bob bore little resemblance to Barbara Bush's
shock of white hair.
The audience in the gymnasium laughed, and Briery smiled, but replied
firmly: "President Bush, I'm a natural blonde."
"Oh, yes," Bush agreed.
"I'm just a natural blonde," she repeated.
"I couldn't help myself, sorry," Bush shrugged.