Basically everything President Bush does is subject to intense ridicule, but nothing seems to bring out the political bile like an image of Dubya engaging in *gasp* human contact.

There was the time Bush held hands with the elderly Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah during a visit to the 1st Ranch, which caused a minor storm on both sides of the fence.

Another time, Slate magazine decided the President had made a “Bushism” by shaking hands with Iraqis — victims of Saddam Hussein — who had benefited from prosthetic hand surgery and medical care in the U.S.

Of course, who could forget the time President Bush had the audacity to visit with and encourage the heroes of 9/11 following the collapse of the Twin Towers? Critcs still complain that he was standing on the graves of the victims, as if their charred remains hadn’t become a blanket of ash covering the entire city.

Now folks like those at Peskyfly are enraged because the President did the unthinkable and offered an unexpected, brief shoulder rub to the new leader of Germany. Even the AP is calling it a “gaffe.”

In fact, those Pesky fellows don’t want him to affectionately touch anybody, and are even critical of non-verbal communication such as simple hand gestures and, I’m sure, his characteristic “smirk.”

Do we notice a pattern, here?

What is it about physical intimacy that so unnerves the Left?

Little touches of kindness — that’s just part of the President’s personality, something that endears him to regular Americans.

I think what our liberal friends need is a big hug, don’t you? Physical contact is known to produce a healing effect, and personal warmth is a trait some Democrats desperately lack.

So as a public service to liberals, I’ve provided some therapeutic images below. Maybe you can only look at one or two before feeling nauseous, but just view them at your own pace. In time, you may learn to accept human contact or even start to enjoy it. After a while, you may want to try this at home, among family and friends. With a little practice, you’ll be giving handshakes to complete strangers in no-time. If you start having a strange new feeling many of us conservatives call “happiness,” don’t worry, that’s a perfectly normal side-effect!