WP: Texan on the Thames: Bush* Treated Royally

[kskiska]

By Dana Milbank

(snip)

Queen Elizabeth did indeed provide the president and his entourage with superior accommodations at Buckingham Palace. But although the royal hospitality gave Bush a comfortable distance from the madding crowd, it introduced a new problem: Bush, a man with little patience for ceremony, had to endure the very pinnacle of pomp and pageantry -- a state visit to the United Kingdom.

Wednesday night's state dinner alone presented numerous quandaries for Bush. As did the 168 other guests, Bush had seven different 50-year-old crystal wine glasses before him -- and he doesn't even drink. Then there were his three forks, three knives and two spoons, not counting the two itty-bitty spoons for the mustard and the salt (or is it sugar?). How was a man whose own official menus feature comfort food such as brisket and cornbread to know that a menu of "Delice de Fletan Roti aux Herbes" is nothing more dangerous than halibut?

In two interviews with British journalists before the trip, Bush joked that he rented his tails for the white-tie dinner. In one interview, he recalled with fondness his pub-crawling days in London before he gave up the drink.

But here he was, seated next to the Queen of England, amid Corinthian columns and gold-enriched pilasters, before a red velvet throne used for the coronation of King Edward VII. The Yeomen of the Guard, with their red robes and long spears, stood at attention. The Puligny-Montrachet '96 was flowing. And the president was having trouble with the toasts.

The queen gave her toast, noting that, unlike presidents, she was not term-limited. The president smiled, Prince Charles did not. When the queen finished, the president raised his glass, but Her Majesty did not return the gesture, instead waiting for the American national anthem to begin. Hearing the music, Bush put down his glass and placed his hand on his heart, then took it off, then put it on again. "The Star-Spangled Banner" over, he clinked glasses with the queen, then turned to clink glasses with Princess Anne, who was already sipping from hers.

The awkwardness continued after Bush's toast, when he again picked up his glass to clink with the queen, who stood motionless, waiting for her own national anthem. Bush put his glass back down and, as the orchestra played "God Save the Queen," winked at somebody in the audience. Finally, the anthem finished, president and queen consummated their clinks.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63581-2003Nov19.html

[Tansy_Gold]

1. oh gawd.

I think I will die of embarrassment.

words fail.

[karlschneider]

2. "consummated their clinks" Well, there's a well-turned phrase.

Did Bunnypants turn to Her Majesty and inquire, "Do you eat your boogers?"

Stop this fucking planet, I really need to find some sanity somewhere.

[Catch22Dem]

3. Christ

What a moron!!! I'm sorry, a MORAN!

[fortyfeetunder]

4. Just another ugly Murkan

The chimp as usual was clueless. Didn't his mama teach him any manners?

But the funny part had to Queen's Remark that unlike presidents, she didn't have term limits -- but her son wouldn't smile...LOL The way he's been carrying on, I hope she reigns until she's 100 years old!

[PeakOil2008]

13. Isn't that akin to damning with faint praise?

Sounds like she was implying that Bush should be fortunate that his time as (P)resident is limited. As he has undoubtedly proved once again, much to our national embarrasment, the shoes he wears are way too big for his feeble feet.

[dweller]

5. ah geez, thanks...

:puke:

i've scraped more intelligent life from the bottom of my boots.

if only they'd keep him.
dp

[Fleshdancer]

6. We really shouldn't allow our stupid out of the country. n/t

[cosmicdot]

7. his pub-crawling days

I thought he hadn't done much travelling overseas ... pub-crawling days, at least, sounds frequent

[cosmicdot]

8. Milbank: "On a day when some vulgar Britons..."

Mr. Milbank certainly is taking liberty with words here, isn't he?

[Holly]

9. Am I wrong

because I'm sure that I remember reading that he never travelled abroad before he was appointed President. Either I'm wrong or he lied....again.

[kskiska]

12. I don't think he literally meant "pubs"

I think he's referring to bar-hopping in the U.S. He did travel abroad, but very little, I read, and not of his own volition. He visited his parents when they were living in China, but was bored. He also went to the Holy Land, I believe, at the behest of family members. I doubt he had a good time anywhere. Anyone who brings his own pillow…

[Sick of Bullshit]

15. The article refers to "his pub crawling says *in London*"

He either spent an extended time in London, or he's fantasizing about it like he fantasized about his 9-11 experience

[Lisa]

18. good point -- does he mention this in his "autobiography"?

I thought the only time he'd been to the UK was for someone's wedding in Scotland (the story about him being mistaken for a shepherd!).

[Raenelle]

10. I'm suffering from Clinton nostalgia again--he would have handled

this all with poise and assurance.

[PartyPooper]

11. I can not recall ever before being so embarrassed by my 'head of state'.

But, considering the source, I just have to shrug it off.

And, it's times like these, that I just want to go and crawl into a hole and not come out until 2005.

Wake me when this nightmare is over. Please!

[PaDUer]

14. He's one

ROYAL IDIOT!! Remember the pix of the queen on the other threads, explains it all...I bet pickles didn't even realize what was going on either! What an embarrassment! Oh gawd!!!

[Holly]

16. On the bright side

he didn't burp or pick his nose...or did he? The Queen has eaten dinner with some pretty despicable characters before.

[lumpy]

17. That winking thing really gets to me.

He does that to try and cover the numerous gaffs he makes. Cute? Not.

[politicat]

19. Which is worse, Poppy tossing cookies in Japan or THIS?!?

Am I the only one who finds it insulting to other world leaders that he takes 'em down the ranch?

To me, it seems that is a gross violation of the dictates of good manners.

Maybe that's why they're willing to embargo, tariff, bomb and ignore us to death.....

Politicat

[area51]

20. What an fscking moron (Shrub)

Did Shrub ignore everything that the protocol advisor(s) taught him? Geez.