Bush in a Box? President Makes Light of UK Protest

[Whoa_Nelly]

LONDON (Reuters) - President Bush acknowledged protests against his visit to London Wednesday, joking that some might have wanted to see him locked in a box, like the American magician David Blaine.
In the keynote address of his three-day visit, Bush quipped: "It was pointed out to me that the last noted American to visit London stayed in a glass box dangling over the Thames.

"A few might have been happy to provide similar arrangements for me. I thank Her Majesty the Queen for interceding. We are honored to be staying at her house."

<snip>
"I notice the tradition of free speech exercised with enthusiasm is alive and well here in London," Bush said, to loud laughter. "We have that at home too. They now have that right in Baghdad as well."

more...
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3852990

[Socialist Christian]

1. Was that an attempt at a joke by bush? damn hes lame. <nt>

[lefty_mcduff]

2. The RW media will play this as Bush 'knockin' the Brits dead'

with his humor and good-ol-boy mannerisms. This may turn out to be a good photo-op for the rethugs after all.

[FuseONE]

3. .

"They now have that right in Baghdad as well."

They also have depleted uranium and the inability to walk around outside at night. But hey, freedom of speech is cool, too.

[henslee]

4. Just me? I find it shocking that Bush travels by copter in GB.

It seems so vulnerable with the shoulnder launched missles that seem to be popular with our foes.

[DemoTex]

26. Probably safer than travel by motorcade ...

There are always a number of decoy helicopters up when the POTUS is in "Marine-One." But, having said that, it is more risky now than ever. That's what happens when the US, Europe, Russia, and China arm the world. Reap what you sow, etc., etc.

[DeathvadeR]

5. Ya, a Box at the Hague. n/t

[DUreader]

6. "We are honored to be staying at her house."

Is W* using the Royal We now?

[catzies]

9. No, he did mean himself and Pickles, after all.

n/t

[xchrom]

7. they let anti-american protests go on in baghdad?

yes as long as they are surronded by a battalion of tanks, anybody can say what they want.

[Zhade]

8. I can't post what kind of box millions of people would like to see him in.

That would get me a visit from the SS.

(Is it just me, or is it really funny how the Secret Service can be referred to as the SS?)

[Wendigo]

12. It's not just you

The German SS started out small as Hitler's bodyguards.

Makes one wonder what qualifications the American version are really looking for.

[KansDem]

17. How about that “box” from Cool Hand Luke?

I can't post what kind of box millions of people would like to see him in.

Just imagine this scene: “Karl” the floor walker gives Bush “the rules:”

“You can-not steal the Pre-si-den-cy. If you steal the Pre-si-den-cy, you spend a night in The Box…”

“You can-not wage illegal war. If you wage illegal war, you spend a night in The Box…”

“You can-not in-vade so-ve-reign nations. If you in-vade so-ve-reign nations you spend a night in The Box…”

“You can-not lie about the rea-sons for war. If you lie about the rea-sons for war, you spend a night in The Box…”

Then Bush strips and dawns that scratchy-looking nightshirt, takes his piss-pot, and enters The Box…

While Strother Martin looks on a chimes in with “What we have here, is failure to certificate!”

[Emboldened Chimp]

10. Ever notice that * is NEVER funny?

The guy has zero sense of humor. He can't even crack a scripted joke without sounding like an arrogant frat boy. Why do people find this guy 'likeable'? I don't get it.

[chookie]

19. Manco, I don't get it either

I don't *reflexively* hate Bush. I sincerely state that I try to understand his appeal, and comprehend his policies on a daily basis. I try to be aware of my prejudices and biases when I do so. But every time I hold him up to scrutiny, he fails.

I have yet to meet an intelligent person who could articulate Bush's appeal. I would LOVE to meet such a person, because I truly wish to understand what is for me utterly incomprehensible.

[E_Zapata]

11. ahhhh, I think the HATE is getting to him.......

If he is resorting to lame humor. Good.

[PaDUer]

15. He's too stupid..

to know the difference...they probably didn't want pickles to see ALL the hate for him! How in hell can she be married to it!!

[Zero Gravitas]

13. "We have that at home too."

We do? I thought protestor were restricted to "Free Speech Zones" far out of sight and hearing of the Imperial Presence. Prior to 12/12/2000 we did have that right when the ENTIRE FRIGGIN COUNTRY was a Free Speech Zone.

[LizW]

20. Yep, we should ask the citizens rounded up at Pershing Park

during the IMF protests in September, 2002. I hear getting strip searched and told to "squat and cough" makes one feel free.

And the citizens shot in the face and back with wooden plugs and rubber bullets in Oakland while protesting the attack on Iraq? Very free.

Those folks could tell Bush* a thing or two about what "free speech" we have at home.

[PaDUer]

14. He didn't mention

that he's trying to throw the protestors in the slammer, did he..

[R Hickey]

16. Another Bush Lie - "They now have that right in Baghdad as well"

Your house will be blown up if you speak out against the invaders. Or, if you speak out against the 'terrorists' they will shoot you.

Bush just lied to the whole world, right to their faces, and nobody got it.

[chookie]

18. Pull the other one, George!

Yeah -- the monkey has been trained well by Condi to "praise free speech" -- and he drags this line out a lot, as do the Republican Guard.

But who are they kidding?

The reality is that he deeply resents protest against His Chimperial Highness. They resent any accurate portrayal of events, and want to impose the vision of some kind of happy Disney World "Valhalla Land" theme park feel.

Notice the strain on his face, and in his voice, when he makes these jocular remarks. He cannot disguise his utter insincerity and hypocrisy. We *know* that what he is *really* thinking is not how "lucky" we are that we can criticize our governments, but how lucky Saddam Hussein was that he could have his critics slaughtered. Repression Envy, isn't it, George?

Free Speech in Bagdad now? Talk about Faith Based Foreign Policy -- like George is going to put up with "free speech" about American imperialism and anti-Israeli platforms? Burying it under 1 ton bombs they're dropping this week, more likely.

It disturbs me to say so, but I have a gut feeling that George would just LOVE to mow us down. I do not perceive that he has any genuine respect for Democracy and America -- he's just the biggest con man in history pulling off the Biggest Store Con in history, and I believe he is capable of turning the guns on us.

[TexasPatriot]

21. they have that right in baghdad too...

http://electroniciraq.net/news/1204.shtml

...and if they dont disperse, they get arrested

Hey George, if Iraq is so great why dont you move there - and leave the rest of us alone.

[Thor_MN]

22. If he's touched a book by any of the authors he cited...

it was because a prof chucked it at him and said "Do you EVER read, you freaking idiot?"

[moondust]

23. No, George, like Saddam-In-A-Box.

Some people need adult supervision.

[kskiska]

24. He was obviously tutored in the pronounciation of Thames

He would never have known otherwise.

[lumpy]

25. Briefly watched the banquet at Buckingham.

Was struck by how solemn Elizabeth and the rest of the party was. Was waiting for George to let ;oose with a lame joke. He seemed very nervous and tried hard to keep a straight face, his mouth twitching almost uncontrollably. Clearly out of his league. He did get a fleeting smile from the queen at some forgettable attempt to liven up the party. Really lame that he had to read from his prepared speech. Princess Anne didn't appear to be the least interested in what George had to say and the queen stared straight ahead with a most grim set to her mouth during George's kowtowing. The royals have met with many world leaders, the good, the bad and the evil. It is her duty to meet with these people and I have a big hunch she wasn't charmed by Mr. Bush.

[xxqqqzme]

28. he was uncomfortable cuz

there R 2 many rules 2 remember when meeting the Queen - he probably had a cheat sheet written on his cuff.

'her house'. I guess it's that 'aw shucks, Ahm jist folks BS' act he is so N2. Like saying 'we're gonna get the folks who did this' on 9/11. I would guess the queen calls it her home. There is no way in hell Buckingham Palace is a house.

haoli. (I think that's how U spell it, it's been a while)

[pinniped]

27. Box, cell no matter.

Must keep killer from running loose.

[roguevalley]

29. the boy is wearing a bullet proof vest.