British officials rebuffed?

[Canceled2]

After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the British government loaned a famous bronze bust of Winston Churchill, once voted the greatest Briton in history, to President George W. Bush. It continued to occupy a place of prominence in the Oval Office through Bush’s second term. But when British officials offered to let President Obama continue to keep Churchill’s likeness, they were rebuffed.

The official statement from the British Embassy reads as follows: “The bust of Sir Winston Churchill by Sir Jacob Epstein was uniquely lent to a foreign head of state, President George W. Bush, from the Government Art Collection in the wake of 9/11 as a signal of the strong transatlantic relationship…The new President has decided not to continue this loan and the bust has now been returned.”

The Telegraph , a British newspaper, reports that the rejection of the bust has left some British officials nervous about the future relationship between the two countries.

 

[charver]

British Ambassador: So just to clarify, Mr President, that thing we lent you. Can we have it back or do you want to keep it for a bit?

President Obama: Thanks for the loan but you can have it back now.

British Ambassador: I'll just put it in the car. To tell you the truth we've been wanting it back for ages but the last twat kept forgetting about it.

I can see how this would be regarded as a snub but one should keep in mind that President Reagan borrowed Maggie Thatcher's lawnmower, back in 1983, and until that is returned i think we'll continue to frolic, hand in hand, through the torture chambers of Kabul for some time to come.

 

[Damocles]

You think Obama would prefer the visage of Tony Blairs peering over his shoulder?

 

[charver]

You think Obama would prefer the visage of Tony Blairs peering over his shoulder?

If my sources are correct, Blairs has already invested in a brand new pair of knee pads and a large crate of Listerine. Make of that what you will.

 

[Damocles]

If my sources are correct, Blairs has already invested in a brand new pair of knee pads and a large crate of Listerine. Make of that what you will.

So you are saying they are going to loan us Tony Blairs?

 

[charver]

So you are saying they are going to loan us Tony Blairs?

Well you did pay for him didn't you? Besides, he's fully hypo-allergenic, is completely house trained and has a great temperament around children.

 

[blackascoal]

Perhaps they want to appear more global and open to relationships from all countries.

Perhaps they want to break the connection to a British/US colonialist past.

Perhaps they don't want the ghosts of the Blair/Bush era still floating around the Halls.

Perhaps the bust scares the kids.

Much ado about nothing .. and anyone who would worry about US/UK relationships based on this would be ignorant of the fact that the British rebuff the US quite often on a range of real issues .. usually rightfully so.

 

[charver]

Perhaps they want to appear more global and open to relationships from all countries.

Perhaps they want to break the connection to a British/US colonialist past.

Perhaps they don't want the ghosts of the Blair/Bush era still floating around the Halls.

Perhaps the bust scares the kids.

Much ado about nothing .. and anyone who would worry about US/UK relationships based on this would be ignorant of the fact that the British rebuff the US quite often on a range of real issues .. usually rightfully so.

There's not been nearly enough of that in recent years though.

I don't think anyone is under any illusion that Obama and Gordon aren't going to be the best of friends and for that you have to commend Obama's good taste. The return of some Churchillian bust is neither here nor there.

We are like a pair of old lovers, who live together in an uneasy relationship for the sake of our many bastard children - Capitalism, Arrogance, Intolerance, Imperialism, and not forgetting the twins Greed and Torture - deep down we still love each other deeply, despite our many flirtations with younger more attractive suitors. And, of course, there aren't many girls who'll raise no objections when you ask us to let you stick it right up our arse.

 

[SmarterthanYou]

winston churchill is a symbol of individual freedom, something that britain has thrown away for its people and something the obama admin doesn't want looked at here.

 

[charver]

winston churchill is a symbol of individual freedom, something that britain has thrown away for its people and something the obama admin doesn't want looked at here.

Oh yeah, that'll be it then.

 

[Bonestorm]

winston churchill is a symbol of individual freedom, something that britain has thrown away for its people and something the obama admin doesn't want looked at here.

Totally. And replacing it with a bust of Lincoln like totally seals the deal on that one. Lincoln was symbol of individual enslavement, not individual freedom like Churchill.