Bush to keep distance from protests on London trip

[UpInArms]

http://www.forbes.com/work/newswire/2003/11/16/rtr1149618.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush, who leaves Tuesday for a state visit to Britain where he is deeply unpopular, may hear few of the shouts of anti-war protesters who will pour into London's streets to vent anger at his policies.

<snip>

Nor will Bush address Parliament. To do so might have invited a public relations disaster as Bush likely would have faced a similar spectacle to the one he endured in Australia when his speech to parliament was twice interrupted by heckling.

<snip>

But analysts said the bubble in which Bush travels will serve him well politically.

It will spare him from such embarrassments as being photographed in the same frame as placards protesting his policies and demonstrators tearing down his effigy in imitation of the toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad.

...more...

he not only travels in a "bubble" - that is all the occupies his cranium area :mad:

[J B]

1. I read Tony had a secret plan for Bush to do Parliament after all

Guess we'll see.

[opihimoimoi]

2. Incredible the Dufus would dare travel to GB

[gristy]

4. I just don't see it.

British Parliament would destroy bush, would they not? No way would they be able to keep quiet during any speech from that clown.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

3. This is news?

It's standard op for Bush's entire sorted "presidential" career.

[Skittles]

5. The Bubble Boy

that's what the London tabloids should call him.

[Cooley Hurd]

6. "It was the MOOPS! That's what the card says!"

Shrub is George Constanza and Bubble Boy, all wrapped into one...

[saigon68]

10. HE LOOKS LIKE A GORILLA

And I only thought, he was the CHIMPANZEE

[opihimoimoi]

17. George CONSTANZA Bush!!!! I Fuckin Luv it.

sending fish. lobsters, and beer.

[baby_bear]

7. What's up with all this Al-Qaeda talk?

<snip>
Amid warnings of a possible al Qaeda attack, the White House is said to have insisted on extremely careful precautions and such events as the traditional horse-drawn carriage ride with Queen Elizabeth will not be part of the trip.
</snip>

Another article says something similar.
http://www.sundayherald.com/38076

<snip>
The UK's security services have now been put on the second highest possible state of alert amid intelligence of a possible al-Qaeda attack.
</snip>

Sounds like Karl Rove's intelligence, which says that it's better to fake some terrorist threat than to admit that W is afraid to be seen amidst protestors.

More from the same article, on the subject of U.S. Secret Service running wild and armed in London:

<snip>
Tensions are running high between the USSS and the Metropolitan Police. Although the Met is technically in charge of the security operation, the USSS is sticking to its decision to maintain its standard "rules of engagement", which means it will be in total control of all presidential protection regardless of the fact that it is operating in the UK. This has effectively sidelined the Met.

Senior Met officers fear a protester could be killed, particularly if an exclusion zone is put in place around the president as many in the USSS wish. The Met believes that if a demonstrator were to break through, the USSS "rules of engagement" could interpret this as a threat to Bush and result in a secret service agent shooting a civilian dead.

</snip>

All of this is, I hope, drawing attention to the fact that W is a coward.

s_m

[0007]

8. Who's fucking chain does junior think he's pulling?

The only ones I can see eating his shit are the freepers and a few money lords.

[0rganism]

9. He's just doing this to stir the anthill, as far as I can tell

There's no other reason to go to London. The people don't want him. The royalty don't want him. Parliament doesn't want him. He won't be raising any election money.

This is all about egomaniac "in-your-face" crap. I do believe he enjoys the hatred he inspires.

[Gin]

11. With the terror alert elevated..."THAT'S" his cover...it wasn't that the

English people didn't want him...it was... they uncovered a serious terror threat...over the weekend. Sooooo...they have to be extra carefull and be keep hizgrace from the eyes of the general public.

I bet money that's the excuse.

[Nevernose]

13. That's all true

And American media will be playing up *'s "triumphant visit to the adoring British Isles" until election day. Remember how he was so amazingly well liked after his first visit to Europe (at least according to Faux)?

[truthisfreedom]

12. the man, by his own admission, has no attention span.

Asked about his lack of popularity abroad, Bush said he had not paid much attention to it.

he only notices praise... he's like a one-way ego-feeding valve. he doesn't care what anyone thinks, which explains why he is so totally inhuman. elitist slime.

[jamesinca]

21. Wesley Clark described him well on MTP sunday

He said that Bush seems to forget the words of Harry Truman, the buck stops here. He wants all the credit, but none of the responsibility of the President.

I do believe with those two comments that Gen. Clark described Bush very well. He was responding to a question about 9/11 being more of a Clinton fault or a Bush fault. I think it can be applied to all of the Bush administration, he wants the credit when it goes right, but none of the responsibility when it goes wrong. He did it last week with the economic news being so good, prior to that he was even putting into his campaign speeches that the recession was inherited from Clinton.

[cliss]

14. Jeez, what a horrible photo. Animal.

At this point, I don't really think it matters whether Bush sees central London filled with protesters. His people may whisk him away before he gets a chance to really see it up close, but chances are pretty good he'll see SOME protesters. Bush's people will most certainly see plenty, and they'll feel like crap about it.

What really matters is that European TV stations will be covering this, and they'll know the scoop. The protesters will be extremely invigorated by their own numbers and overwhelming support.

Here in the US, we might get a little coverage. Can't hide the truth forever, though.

[joeybee12]

15. Coward!

Pretty much sums the bastard up.

[Cronus Protagonist]

16. I have a pic of that bubble

http://bushspeaks.com/home.asp?did=147



Click Here To See Fair & Balanced Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[lostnfound]

18. KPFT News: US requested structural changes to Buckingham Palace for W

to defend against an aerial attack. They were turned down. Amazing!!

I'm searching for a source, but I heard it on the KPFT (Pacifica) Sunday Monitor which is progressive news.

[opihimoimoi]

19. I kinda think if he had his way, there won't be a trip. But its TOO LATE

to pull out without looking cowardly and wimpy. He has no choice but to put on a FACE and attempt to pull it off.

If I was him, I would be wondering how in the world I seem to always get myself in these predicaments. "Am I listening to the right people?"

Is he that blind? That LOLO?

[lostnfound]

23. Queen rejected request for 'bomb and airborne assault proofing’ at Palace

"New details emerged of the extraordinary security that will surround the visit. The presidential limo, Cadillac One, has been shipped to London for motorcade duties. It is the safest, heaviest Cadillac ever built and can protect occupants from rocket-propelled grenades. The ‘rolling fortress’ has five-inch thick military-grade armour and night vision cameras.

It was also reported that the Queen had rejected a request from Bush's security advisers to bolster Buckingham Palace's structural defences against a terrorist attack during his visit. Courtiers said the Queen was not willing to countenance ‘bomb and airborne assault proofing’ that would have involved substantial building work at her home, where Bush will stay for three nights."

http://www.news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1266582003 (Yesterday)

[Kinkistyle]

20. The uglier this gets, the worse it is for Blair

Bush's trip is driving Britain further away from the U.S. If Blair takes the fall, that leaves "us" with no friends save for Israel. Bush will truly make the U.S. a pariah.

[hussar]

22. Unbelievable

<They will not be granted diplomatic immunity, and will by subject to the British legal system if they shoot anybody, the Home Office has promised.>

I have never heard this kind of talk before in the UK.