Cozying up to the queen (MUST READ!)

[UpInArms]

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Editorials/200311196/

HOW ironic. In 1776, the United States broke away from England to form a new kind of democracy, free from the whims of royalty. In 2003, the U.S. president spurns an appearance before Britain’s democratically chosen representatives to hide behind the skirts of the queen.

The original plan for his British trip, in keeping with tradition for visiting heads of state, was for President Bush to address Parliament. But that rowdy institution contains plenty of members who are unhappy with the American president and his policies, and who aren’t afraid to say so. Knowing this, and probably still stung by the verbal bashing he took from Australian parliamentarians last month, Bush wound up instead addressing a more restrained, hand-picked crowd at Whitehall, on the turf of the royals.

It’s woefully appropriate. Despite differences in style, Bush and Mrs. Windsor (AKA “Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith”) have quite a bit in common. Both like dogs and horses, both come from wealthy families and neither is known for intellectual curiosity. Both are indebted to family connections, rather than personal accomplishment, for their positions in the world.

...more...

and I had to leave all the good stuff out (because of copyright protection :D )

[american_punk]

1. God bless Britain....

ya, God bless those british cahps, crappy teeth and all

[Maine-i-acs]

2. Killed by a 'fan' ...

because she refused to talk to him. http://www.starletsdatabase.com/spages/x_S9E009JX1.asp

[kskiska]

3. "Both like dogs and horses"

Where do they get the idea that * is a horseman?

[MasonJar]

4. and he dropped his poor little Scottie n/t

[JohnLocke]

5. Great stuff

[Sheila Samples]

6. To Upinarms

Great article. There's NO way RoveCo is gonna send Dubbie into the "lion's den" of the robust British parliament. As an aside, you might get a grin out of a March 8, 2003 BBC item on this subject. BBC has a feature, "Ten Things We Didn't Know This Time Last Week." Here is Item 7 (emphasis mine):

7. The White House asked if President Bush could address the European Parliament, Baroness Williams revealed on BBC One's This Week show on Thursday. But, she said, Euro-MPs were told there was a condition attached to him making the speech: a standing ovation should be guaranteed. The speech has never taken place.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2830585.stm