March 5, 2009 12:03 PM
Obama treatment of Brown: insulting and humiliating
The Obama Regime is looking more and more like a Banana Republic.
The disses of Britain - traditionally our strongest ally - continue:
First up - the return of the Churchill bust. While presented during Bush's term in office, it was a gift to the American People and not Obama's to give back. What a rude gesture!
Barack Obama sends bust of Winston Churchill on its way back to Britain
Barack Obama has sent Sir Winston Churchill packing and pulse rates soaring among anxious British diplomats.
By Tim Shipman in Washington
A bust of the former prime minister once voted the greatest Briton in history, which was loaned to George W Bush from the Government's art collection after the September 11 attacks, has now been formally handed back.The bronze by Sir Jacob Epstein, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds if it were ever sold on the open market, enjoyed pride of place in the Oval Office during President Bush's tenure.
But when British officials offered to let Mr Obama to hang onto the bust for a further four years, the White House said: "Thanks, but no thanks."
Read entire article here.
Second: the humiliating treatment of Brown, with press conference, meeting of the couples, or state dinner - shuffling him in and out as though he were a nobody.
President Obama just plain rude to Britain. Don't call us in the future
Iain MartinWhy couldn't President Obama have put on more of a show for his British guests? He looked like he simply couldn't be bothered.
Number 10 may be content that they just about got away with the visit to the Oval Office yesterday, as Andrew Porter reports from Washington.
But on this side of the Atlantic the whole business looked pretty demeaning. The morning papers and TV last night featured plenty of comment focused on the White House's very odd and, frankly, exceptionally rude treatment of a British PM. Squeezing in a meeting, denying him a full press conference with flags etc. The British press corps, left outside for an hour in the cold, can take it and their privations are of limited concern to the public.
Read article here.
Third: In a world of culture and politics when gifts between national leaders are carefully planned to reflect meaning and dignity, Barack and Michelle struck an insulting low:
How does this effect us everyday Americans? After years of the carefully-cultivated relationship we've enjoyed with Britain as allies - Reagan/Thatcher, Bush/Blair - we will not be surprised if Britain seems not so quick to help us next time we need it.Obama's blockbuster gift for Brown to reaffirm the 'special relationship': 25 DVDs
Gordon Brown has been given a collection of 25 classic American films on DVD as his official gift from Barack Obama.
The Prime Minister flew home from his successful trip to Washington this morning with the 'special collector's box' of films hidden in his luggage.
No 10 had tried to keep the present a secret, refusing to answer reporters who asked what President Obama had given to mark the reaffirmation of the special relationship.
Marking the special relationship: The Browns put a lot of thought into their gifts for the Obamas - but the gesture did not seem to be reciprocated
However, the London Evening Standard reported, the prime minister received the collection of DVDs as his gift.
It is not known which DVDs were included, but one is thought to be the Dreamworks film Toy Story.
One reason for the secrecy might be that the gift seems markedly less generous and thoughtful than the presents taken to Washington by the Prime Minister.
Mr Brown's gifts included an ornamental desk pen holder made from the oak timbers of Victorian anti-slaver HMS Gannet, once named HMS President.
Mr Obama was so delighted he has already put it in pride of place in the Oval Office on the Resolute desk which was carved from timbers of Gannet's sister ship, HMS Resolute.
Another treasure given to the U.S. President was the framed commission for HMS Resolute, a vessel that came to symbolize Anglo-US peace when it was saved from ice packs by Americans and given to Queen Victoria.
Finally, Mr Brown gave a first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.
The White House issued a press briefing today that put on record how much Mr Obama had appreciated the gifts.
The Prime Minister's reaction to getting DVDs is not known. Mr Brown is not noted for his love of cinema, although he once claimed on a trip to India that he was an admirer of Bollywood.
The Browns showered gifts on the Obama children too, using the occasion to promote British exports.
Mrs Brown has been praised for her well-chosen gifts for the Obama children - but Mrs Obama's gift to the Brown children appeared less thoughtful
Sarah Brown gave Sasha and Malia Obama an outfit each from Topshop, which has just opened its first American store in New York.
She also picked six children's books by British authors which are shortly to be published in America.
But the British press has already accused the Obamas of gaffing over the gifts they gave in return.
The Obamas gave the Browns two models of the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to take home to sons Fraser and John.
Though Mrs Brown's choice of gifts was praised as thoughtful, Mrs Obama's choice of gifts for Fraser and John was 'solipsistic'.
'Mrs Brown may have two boys but she certainly knows the way to a little girl's heart,' columnist Sarah Vine wrote in the Times. 'These were gifts chosen in the true spirit of present-giving: to please the recipient, not the giver.'
Giving the Browns' two young boys a helicopter was 'fair enough', she said.
But she added: 'Marine One? It's not as though anyone needs reminding that Barack Obama is President or that he has his own helicopter.
'Short of giving the boys Action Man models of her own husband smiting the evil forces of neoconservatism, Mrs Obama's gesture could not have been more solipsistic or more inherently dismissive of Mrs Brown.
'Not only did she demonstrate that she spent approximately three seconds contemplating the needs of the Brown boys (having an aide pop to the White House gift shop for a piece of merchandising does not imply a great deal of thought), she appeared to show a most uncharacteristic lapse of judgement.'
President Obama telephoned Mr Brown on board his plane last night to thank him for a productive visit.
Posted in Obama Nation | Permalink
Comments
This incident -- combined with the secret letter to Russia, Obama giving his first TV interview as president to Al-Arabiya, and Hilary Clinton promising millions to the Palestinians -- makes me think our new president is going out of his way to alienate our allies and cozy up to those who have been less than friendly toward us.
Posted by: Wendy in VA | March 5, 2009 1:22 PM
Incredible. Just...incredible.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | March 5, 2009 2:24 PM
Clearly, I am not President of the United States, but wouldn't it be more important to "cozy up" to those who have alienated us in the past? I agree it is very important to keep our allies, OUR allies, but isn't there something to say about trying to bridge the gap between the US and our hostile counterparts. I do think the gift exchange and Prime Minister reception was a little sloppily done by President Obama's Public Affairs professionals, but I am embarrassed it has garnished this much media attention when there are more pressing issues at hand. I found a video site that incorporates global perspectives about this issue. It's interesting to see what others think about Obama snubbery.
http://www.newsy.com/videos/no_party_for_uk/
Posted by: Kelsey | March 5, 2009 5:30 PM
Way to go "O"! Keep it up! I seem to recall that with his election our tarnished national image would be restored among the international community. He is off to a fine start.
Posted by: Amelia | March 6, 2009 7:45 AM
Kelsey, we're just saying that this is a strong indication of Obama's judgement and extreme elitist arrogance. With this, he is prepared to lead the country? Yikes!
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | March 6, 2009 9:06 AM
This is so embarrassing. Our President and the First Lady represent all Americans. Maybe they need to be reminded of this fact, in addition to remembering that the White House is 'our' house and not exclusively theirs. Some people attempt to excuse their appalling lack of manners and grace by stating that they have 'more important things to do.' I will hold back on comments about appearing on late night talk shows and posing for magazine covers. There have always been people in the State Department and experts in protocol available to advise the President in these matters, and who can do the requisite footwork to ensure the President and his wife do not commit such gross social errors. It appears that the Pres and Mrs. Obama feel they are above taking such advice. How cheap and arrogant they come off, which again reflects on each and every one of us. Their behaviors in this instance show utter disregard for the most basic of good manners, for international protocol and demonstrate not even a semblance of recognition of our special relationship with the good people of Great Britain -- because when they insult foreign leaders in this manner, they also insult the people of that country. See how thoughtful and gracious the Browns were in the gifts they brought. It is Amateur Hour at its worst at the White House these days. Shocking and humiliating. My six-year-old would know better how to treat guests.
Posted by: denny | April 12, 2009 12:24 AM
