I don't want my blog to be about politics, but occasionally, I cannot help it.
Our new president is inept. Are we surprised?
The following blogpost is cut and paste info from several news sites along with some of my comments:
First, his "people" returned the bust of Winston Churchill that had been in the Oval Office to the British Embassy. The bust had been given to our country from PM Tony Blair via President Bush. Insulting. Ouch. The Times of London immediately traced Obama's "disdain" for Churchill to Kenya where Obama's grandfather was caught up in the Churchill-led suppression of the 1950s Mau Mau Rebellion that left thousands of Kenyans dead.
That offensive act without explanation gave substance to an unconfirmed story making the rounds in D.C. that, when President Obama walked into the Oval Office for the first time and saw the Churchill piece, he said, “Get that goddamn thing out of here.”
It's common for the heads of countries to exchange official gifts, especially the first time they meet. The prime minister of Britain brought Pres. Obama some gifts that had significance - Brown gave Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the oak timber of the first anti-slave ship HMS Gannet.
Another treasure presented to the U.S. president was the framed commission for HMS Resolute from whose timbers the Oval Office desk is fashioned — a gift from Queen Victoria to President Hayes. A third was a signed first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.
Our president gave the prime minister a set of 25 DVDs of classic American films. Wow. No thought put into it - Brown is blind in one eye, and does not watch TV much. And our DVDs don't work in players in England - the format is different. Duh. But here's the list of DVDs Obama had put into a Presidential package:
* Citizen Kane* The Godfather* Casablanca* Raging Bull* Singin' in the Rain* Gone with the Wind* Lawrence of Arabia* Schindler’s List* Vertigo* The Wizard of Oz* City Lights* The Searchers* Star Wars: Episode IV* Psycho* 2001: A Space Odyssey* Sunset Boulevard* The Graduate* The General* On the Waterfront* It's a Wonderful Life* Chinatown* Some Like It Hot* The Grapes of Wrath* ET: The Extra-Terrestrial* To Kill a Mockingbird
Thrilling.
The Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, brought gifts for the Obama daughters - outfits in correct sizes from a trendy London store, and a set of children's books that aren't available outside of Britain. Michelle Obama gave the PMs sons each a toy helicopter model of Marine One.
Then sources close to the White House say Mr Obama and his staff have been "overwhelmed" by the economic meltdown and have voiced concerns that the new president is not getting enough rest. Maybe instead of trying to undo everything President Bush put into motion, Obama should concentrate on figuring out what the heck he is expected to do. Or even better, hire staffers who know what THEY are doing so they can advise him.
The real views of many in Obama administration were laid bare by a State Department official involved in planning the Brown visit, who reacted with fury when questioned by The Sunday Telegraph about why the event was so low-key. The official dismissed any notion of the special relationship, saying: "There's nothing special about Britain. You're just the same as the other 190 countries in the world. You shouldn't expect special treatment."
Gasp. Did they say that? Did they just offend the most loyal ally the US has had for decades? (My husband is writing a letter of apology to the British Embassador.)
No wonder Obama's average approval rating is at 61%. Bush's approval rating after his first 50 days? 73%.
2012, people. That's all I can hope for.
Our new president is inept. Are we surprised?
The following blogpost is cut and paste info from several news sites along with some of my comments:
First, his "people" returned the bust of Winston Churchill that had been in the Oval Office to the British Embassy. The bust had been given to our country from PM Tony Blair via President Bush. Insulting. Ouch. The Times of London immediately traced Obama's "disdain" for Churchill to Kenya where Obama's grandfather was caught up in the Churchill-led suppression of the 1950s Mau Mau Rebellion that left thousands of Kenyans dead.
That offensive act without explanation gave substance to an unconfirmed story making the rounds in D.C. that, when President Obama walked into the Oval Office for the first time and saw the Churchill piece, he said, “Get that goddamn thing out of here.”
It's common for the heads of countries to exchange official gifts, especially the first time they meet. The prime minister of Britain brought Pres. Obama some gifts that had significance - Brown gave Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the oak timber of the first anti-slave ship HMS Gannet.
Another treasure presented to the U.S. president was the framed commission for HMS Resolute from whose timbers the Oval Office desk is fashioned — a gift from Queen Victoria to President Hayes. A third was a signed first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.
Our president gave the prime minister a set of 25 DVDs of classic American films. Wow. No thought put into it - Brown is blind in one eye, and does not watch TV much. And our DVDs don't work in players in England - the format is different. Duh. But here's the list of DVDs Obama had put into a Presidential package:
* Citizen Kane* The Godfather* Casablanca* Raging Bull* Singin' in the Rain* Gone with the Wind* Lawrence of Arabia* Schindler’s List* Vertigo* The Wizard of Oz* City Lights* The Searchers* Star Wars: Episode IV* Psycho* 2001: A Space Odyssey* Sunset Boulevard* The Graduate* The General* On the Waterfront* It's a Wonderful Life* Chinatown* Some Like It Hot* The Grapes of Wrath* ET: The Extra-Terrestrial* To Kill a Mockingbird
Thrilling.
The Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, brought gifts for the Obama daughters - outfits in correct sizes from a trendy London store, and a set of children's books that aren't available outside of Britain. Michelle Obama gave the PMs sons each a toy helicopter model of Marine One.
Then sources close to the White House say Mr Obama and his staff have been "overwhelmed" by the economic meltdown and have voiced concerns that the new president is not getting enough rest. Maybe instead of trying to undo everything President Bush put into motion, Obama should concentrate on figuring out what the heck he is expected to do. Or even better, hire staffers who know what THEY are doing so they can advise him.
The real views of many in Obama administration were laid bare by a State Department official involved in planning the Brown visit, who reacted with fury when questioned by The Sunday Telegraph about why the event was so low-key. The official dismissed any notion of the special relationship, saying: "There's nothing special about Britain. You're just the same as the other 190 countries in the world. You shouldn't expect special treatment."
Gasp. Did they say that? Did they just offend the most loyal ally the US has had for decades? (My husband is writing a letter of apology to the British Embassador.)
No wonder Obama's average approval rating is at 61%. Bush's approval rating after his first 50 days? 73%.
2012, people. That's all I can hope for.
4 comments:
WOW! THAT is embarrassing... especially the returning of the Churchill bust. I can't believe Obama's would be that cheap and thoughtless with their gifts either!!! That's horrible! They certainly weren't cheapskates when it came to all of their fancy inaugural parties and balls. That's HORRIBLE!!! and giving the Prime Minister a DVD set? What poor taste.
I will continue to say "we'll see" when people still think that Obama's going to perform all these miracles for our economy and country... I have my doubts... and he sure is starting out on the right foot, NOT!
Ugh. Makes me sick.
And yet, you know what's really ironic? During the election, the rest of the world favored Obama by far over McCain. They thought he was so suave, and charming, and ... well, continental. They got what they asked for too.
I'm with you - I really doubt he'll be re-elected. As much as I detest the whole political process, I'm looking forward to the next election too.
2010 we need to reverse the Democratic majority in Congress, and then 2012 we need to get that embarrassing crew out of the White House.
Don't wait until 2012 -- the House of Representatives can be switched out in 2010. That should be our fixed goal! This embarrassment is only one among many more to come. To insult World War II leaders means they are not understood. To hold to angers of the past means their lessons go unlearned. This man needs serious prayer. On the lines of:
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV)
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