Well chalk up Britain as another country where Bush can't really go without fear of protest. I get this morning's Chronicle. Front page headline 'Thousands protest in Philipines as Bush Visits". Well he is making us hated everywhere. In our own country it has reached the point where he can't even speak, if it isn't in front of the American Legion, Republican contributors or some dittohead audience. Is it propaganda to only have Dubya appear where everyone cheers, it can be controlled and he doesn't have to answer unplanned questions? ********** No palace parade for Bush as Blair gets cold feet By Tim Walker (Filed: 19/10/2003) Plans for the Queen and George W Bush to make a triumphant procession along the Mall during the president's state visit next month have been abandoned because of fears of anti-war protests. The decision, taken by Downing Street after consultations with Buckingham Palace, the White House and Scotland Yard, has disappointed the president and his senior aides. The procession is traditionally the public high point of a state visit. A senior Palace official said yesterday that detailed plans had been made. "But Downing Street, anxious about possible anti-war protests from the start, has now decided to pull the plug on it," said the official. "We are liaising with the White House and they have made no attempt to hide their disappointment. They saw it, obviously, as a great photo opportunity." President Bush's trip is the first full state visit of an American president since the Queen came to the throne 52 years ago. He will travel by helicopter to avoid protesters who line road routes. Other proposed events have also been curtailed or cancelled, and he will not address Parliament because of fears of a boycott by MPs. With anti-war campaigners, including militant Muslims, determined to make a protest during the visit, Downing Street has decided to stage photo events that they can control. The President and the Queen are expected to be photographed together during tea at Buckingham Palace and inspecting the guard. link
Photo ops and l;ocations for public speeches have been manipulated by politicians and political parties for many decades now. The fact that you think this is news is disturbing.
Yes it is disturbing… Disturbing in the fact that this president has the largest security detail in the history of the US. Disturbing that his security will do ANYTHING to shield him from the masses. Disturbing in the fact that whereever he goes, that country has to employee thousands of security detail just to keep their citizens "in-line". Disturbing in the fact that he only speaks to the choir (military/republicans).
Well heaven forbid that they would do their damned job. How dare they. These are the same countries where their citizens create havoc and injury over a soccer game. Clearly, many of these folks are not the picture of stability. Really? Was it as disturbing when Clinton spoke so frequently in front of labor unions?
Is it also disturbing that his approval ratings are higher than those of Billy Boi at the same stage in his presidency?
Well within the context of a state visit, this is actually exactly what always happens. State visits are always meant to be largely ceremonial, that's the whole point. We do the same thing for controversial foreign leaders when they come to DC as well on official state visits. We have all sorts of pomp and circumstance in ceremonies on the South Lawn of the White House to avoid any protests being visible. The protestors are kept far away, away from the cameras and the public eye. Welcome to the world of diplomacy. On a side note, I absolutely love your sig Refman . . .
who's Billy Boi? Come on Refman. I know you're smarter than that. The point being that Bush is not being very welcome anywhere he goes. And this little episode in Britain is just one example.
