Barack Obama sends bust of Winston Churchill on its way back to Britain

[arcadian]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/4623148/Barack-Obama-sends-bust-of-Winston-Churchill-on-its-way-back-to-Britain.html

Barack Obama sends bust of Winston Churchill on its way back to Britain

By Tim Shipman in Washington
Last Updated: 5:41PM GMT 14 Feb 2009

Barack Obama has sent Sir Winston Churchill packing and pulse rates soaring among anxious British diplomats.

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."

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[FARAFIELD]

1. Remember the MSNBC.com Headline

BUSH AND BLAIR AS FDR AND CHURCHILL---and the article went on about how their (bush and blair) war correspondance would be looked on as "awesome" to all the future readers... as if I needed anymore convincing, but that was the jump the shark moment for the media and the war.

[CitizenPatriot]

2. And this has been taken so out of context by the loonies

already got into a fight with a birther on Digg over this -- she, who was praying for Obama's death yesterday (duly reported but she is still on digg), today suggested Obama sent this back so he could put Stalin's statue up.

Crazy crazy crazy

Still waiting for her to define Marxism, Fascism, and Socialism:-)

for diggers:

http://digg.com/world_news/Barack_Obama_sends_bust_of_Winston_Churchill_back_to_UK

[hedgehog]

3. And people thought I'd gone around the bend when I suggested that Obama might

hold the British at arm's length. Not that he considers them an enemy or even unfriendly, just that he will bear in mind that the British, rightfully so, put their interests ahead of ours!

"It was during Churchill's second premiership that Britain suppressed Kenya's Mau Mau rebellion. Among Kenyans allegedly tortured by the colonial regime included one Hussein Onyango Obama, the President's grandfather. "

What a coincidence! It was during Churchill's stint as Colonial Secretary that Britain attempted to suppress the Irish Rebellion. Among Irishmen tortured by the colonial regime was Martin Murtaugh, my grand uncle.

[catnhatnh]

4. So they prefer Americans with an Anglophile bent??? OK,

President Obama, Good on you,Mate!

[Pirate Smile]

5. There was an article stating that President Obama's grandfather had been imprisoned and tortured by

the British Military in Kenya. I'll find the article. I don't think the Prez is going to have a problem with the British. The bust was a Bush thing. Obama will pick his own decor.


http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1315648,CST-NWS-Obama05.article

British tortured Obama's grandfather
KENYA | Paternal grandfather abused by colonial troops during uprising after WWII, stepgrandmother tells paper

December 5, 2008

BY STEFANO ESPOSITO Staff Reporter/[e-mail]
President-elect Barack Obama's grandfather endured horrific torture by the British during the Kenyan uprising against colonial rule more than 50 years ago, Obama's stepgrandmother has told the Times of London.

That violent strand of Obama's complicated family history has left some in Britain wondering how it might affect relations between America and, traditionally, one of its closest allies.

[hedgehog]

6. There is a place between "having a problems the British" and

bending over and taking it whenever Her Majesty's government says so. I consider what I perceive to be Obama's attitude as a long needed correction. Just do a little research about how Maggy got us into the First Gulf War and you'll understand better where I'm coming from.

[arcadian]

7. There is a book out by the former British Ambassador to the U.S.

During Clinton and Bush I think. He wrote a tell all, behind the scenes book to insider's Washington D.C. I don't think it painted a pretty picture. It's on my, "must read" list.

[peacetalksforall]

8. Churchill. hmmmmmm. It's unfortuante that a sculpture of him sat in Bush's office for eight

years - the worst edight years in our modern history. Doors away from the room hosting the WHIG meetings - which was all about invasion, plunder, lies, theft, torture, death and the reversal of progress dating all the way back to the Magna Carta. Very unfortunate.

I must remember that they're original intent was innocent if it turns out that 9-11 wasn't allowed or planned with help from the U.K.

[hedgehog]

9. Mygrandpa used to refer to Churchill as a mad dog - you kept him around and let

him loose if you were attacked, otherwise you kept him locked up.