On US radio’s Garrison show today, I was asked for my reaction as a true born Englishman to President Obama’s double insult – first the sending back of the Winston Churchill bust, then his snub to Gordon Brown. “Tough one. Really tough one,” I said, torn – as most of surely are – between delight at seeing Brown roundly humiliated, and dismay at having the special relationship so peremptorily, cruelly and bafflingly ruptured.
Iain Martin is quite right here: no matter how utterly rubbish we have become as a nation in the Blair/Brown years, Britain’s friendship is something Obama will come to regret having dispensed with so lightly. This was not the act of a global statesman, but of a hormonal teenager dismissing her bestest of best BFs for no other reason than that she felt like it and she can, so there.
What was the guy thinking? In researching my new book Welcome to Obamaland, I discovered that Obama’s judgment is pretty dreadful – but this? My favourite theory so far – suggested by presenter Greg Garrison – was that it was a move calculated to please his Lady Macbeth. At the moment in Britain, we’re still in the “Doesn’t she look fabulous in a designer frock” stage of understanding of Michelle Obama. Gradually, though, we’ll begin to realise that she is every bit the terrifying executive’s wife that Hillary Clinton was. Or, shudder, Cherie Blair.
We may just LURVE Michelle’s fashion sense. But Michelle doesn’t reciprocate our affection, one bit. Her broad-brush view of history associates Brits with the wicked white global hegemony responsible for the slave trade.
Found by Joe Carlson.
#33–echeola==yes, beyond weak. But not so weak the drooling dittohead class won’t feel emboldened.
Whats it all about Alfie?
Is it only for the moment you drool contempt?
HAR!!!!!!!!
dittoheads. Just pat them on the head and keep walking.
#34–contempt for dry lips====pat, pat.
There was no snub. This is all being made up as a snub by the conservatives in Britain and in the US to tarnish Obama.
Why did he return the bust? There is no tax liability. In the past, presidents just accept it on behalf of the U.S. and it goes into White House inventory. I don’t get why he’d do this? Anyone have a logical explanation?
#39–Alfie== pat, pat.
#38, Cow-Paddy, Ignorant Shit Talking Sociopath, Retired Mall Rent-A-Cop, Pretend Constitutional Scholar, Fake California Labor Law Expert, Pseudo Military Historian, Phony Climate Scientist, Leading Troll Extraordinare, and Asstrologist
Why did he return the bust? There is no tax liability. In the past, presidents just accept it on behalf of the U.S. and it goes into White House inventory. I don’t get why he’d do this? Anyone have a logical explanation?
He returned it because Obama did not want a bust of Winston Churchill sitting in his office. It was replaced by a bust of someone Obama, and most Americans, truly admire, an American President, Abraham Lincoln.
Tax liability is irrelevant, it belonged to the British Government. It was accepted as a loan.
# 41 Mr. Fusion said, “He returned it because Obama did not want a bust of Winston Churchill sitting in his office.”
Thanks for the clarification. I didn’t know it was because O’Mama was an ingrate.
Canceling a full-court press conference (eats up about three hours of potus’ day) in favor of a lesser photo op plus q and a is a truly heinous body slam to the US/UK relationship.
Suddenly they are the enemy. Besides, the WC bust had listening devices in it.
What are we going to do next? Nuke the Tower Bridge?
#39, Alphie,
There you go again, opening your mouth only to change feet…I got a life, things to do, and can’t wait hours for you to compose a reply…
If you have better things to do, then go do them. Your schedule is NOT Bobbo’s responsibility. In fact, what happened to the right wing nut edict about personal responsibility?
The market has tanked, dropping almost 60% from its high, impoverishing many Americans…What Does our Partying President do?…
Well, due to the State of the Union left Obama by the departing Administration, there is a lot for Obama to do. Other than a few obligatory State dinners, Obama has not been partying. In fact he even went to bed after the Governor’s Dinner only to find out later that several drunk Republican Governors had formed a conga line and were prancing inebriated around the East Wing.
… and parties every night with his buds…
Actually no. Obama is not a partier. He is a responsible, father type who only drinks for formal occasions.
Your beloved Emperor either is stuck on stupid…or, is so pathological, reality, facts on the ground, simply doesn’t register…
WHOA !!! Are you sure you don’t have Obama confused with the previous White House inhabitant?
Like being unable to acknowledge the surge worked, in November 08…
If the surge was such a great idea, why was it not done during the invasion. Instead, General Shinsaki (sp) was retired when he dared suggest more troops were needed.
No wonder Obama requires a teleprompter…he doesn’t know what to say…he can’t keep the lies straight and has no core beliefs about anything.
Every President since Lyndon Johnson has used a teleprompter. Well Bush II didn’t, simply because he didn’t know how they worked.
I once had an employee who did the same, couldn’t tell the truth even when discussing the weather. It was amazing, he would lie even when he didn’t have to, even when he would clearly be caught…
Sounds like a major contender for a Republican leadership position or maybe a right wing nut radio pundit.
So Obama about earmarks…going line by line to delete wasteful programs…post bills online 5 days before voting…etc etc
Grow a pair will you? Phuk that is weak.
Alphie, get a life. Your whining is annoying. Your complaints are either ridiculous or asinine. Why do you hate America?
# 44 Mr. Fusion said, “Every President since Lyndon Johnson has used a teleprompter. Well Bush II didn’t, simply because he didn’t know how they worked.”
That was funny!
Curry, a man of letters.
None of you guys listen to the broadcasts or it doesn’t show. Interesting.
Her name is not Michelle – it’s Aunt Esther
#48, Hitler,
I think you have a pigs feet stain on your hood.
The UK tortured Obama’s Grandpappy (that happened while Churchill was PM). With that in consideration I think his response to the UK was most restrained.
It’s not like he declared war on the UK like his predecessor did on a country who had tried to hurt his father. The UK actually DID hurt Obama’s Grandfather. Therefore there is more justification for Obama to go to war with Britain than there ever was for Bush to go to war with Iraq.