Bush's visit to Britain

[Sandman]

Yes, there's already a thread about this, but it's pretty incoherent, so I'd thought I'd start another one.

What are your feelings about Bush's visit to Britain?

I, like most other Brits, don't want him here. This visit is nothing but a PR stunt for Bush, with no purpose other than to raise his opinion polls back home. It's going to cause chaos and cost money. He should stay at home.

Thankfully, some of the Americans' more insane requests have been turned down, including diplomatic immunity for Bush's bodyguard, closing down the London Underground, fighter aircraft over London and the right to deploy miniguns to defend the President's convoy.

To add insult to injury, it's a state visit. The last US President to get one was Woodrow Wilson after the First World War. The idea that Bush is anything like Woodrow is laughable. The complete lack of cheering crowds should give that away.

[Whaleboy]

I'm going to protest on Wednesday and Thursday in Parliament sq.

[DaShi]

Keep Bush in America!

[The Viceroy]

I like MOST other brits are happy to see him here

Its a state visit for gods sake .. We are entertaining the head of a foreign government, just because the president of the US happens to be somebody you personally don't agree with, doesn't mean the United States should not come on a State Visit.

If your not happy, go and vote Lib Dem at the next election, and then we'll see who's in the majority ??

Truth is, those opposed to Bush's visit, and the war in general will make a lot of noise .. but the majority will be silent, and happy to greet our allies. Long may the US and UK fight for freedom along side each other, the world is a much safer place when we act together to defend our common values.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

If you want to protest against anyone, protest against Blair. Otherwise I really can't see the point.

[Evil Knevil]

Originally posted by The Viceroy
I like MOST other brits are happy to see him here

Its a state visit for gods sake .. We are entertaining the head of a foreign government, just because the president of the US happens to be somebody you personally don't agree with, doesn't mean the United States should not come on a State Visit.

If your not happy, go and vote Lib Dem at the next election, and then we'll see who's in the majority ??

Truth is, those opposed to Bush's visit, and the war in general will make a lot of noise .. but the majority will be silent, and happy to greet our allies. Long may the US and UK fight for freedom along side each other, the world is a much safer place when we act together to defend our common values.

They're not my values.

[Sandman]

The fact that he and his entourage dictate a series of ridiculous demands is good enough reason to not allow him over here. What sort of idiot demands his bodyguards have the right to kill anybody they want? Why should London's economy be damaged so that he can get some nice PR shots of him with the Queen?

[The Viceroy]

Evil Knevil .. what do you propose are the common value's that you don't share ??

[The Viceroy]

Sandman, I believe some of the American's wishes have not been given to them.

I saw Clinton when I was at Portsmouth Uni back in 1994, and his entrance was nothing short of a military campaign .. the Americans have always been security concious, its part of the US Gov culture, especially since Sep11th .. They are on a state visit, and im perfectly happy that we will not suffer economically for this.

We invited them !!

[Ned]

I find it interesting that no president since Woodrow Wilson has visited England. How many times since has the British monarch visited the United States?

I wonder if these demostrations are going to affect the attitude of many Americans towards England. I suspect, that many would like a complete disruption of our alliance.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Originally posted by Sandman
What sort of idiot demands his bodyguards have the right to kill anybody they want?

Just about every head of state. Next time you watch the Trooping of the Colour, take a look up at the rooftops and see how many rifle barrels you can see.

[The Viceroy]

Ned, they are a small and very loud minority.

The American president knows that , and most of the British people do also.

The American's will continue to be our closest allies, regardless of what a few thousand people out of 60 million think.

[Drogue]

I can't wait to have Bush here. I want to see what happens when he sees jeering crowds of people protesting his war. I think if there's an incident, like him being hit by a tomato or an egg, that's reported back in America, it could damage his election prospects more than the pictures with the Queen could help. The US got to see Tony Blair preaching about standing shoulder to shoulder before the war, I think it could cause some small damage if they realise that that was Blair, not England speaking, and that it wasn't as unified a statement as it sounded.

[Sandman]

We invited them !!

At their suggestion. This was all their idea.

I find it interesting that no president since Woodrow Wilson has visited England. How many times since has the British monarch visited the United States?

State visits are different from normal visits.

Just about every head of state. Next time you watch the Trooping of the Colour, take a look up at the rooftops and see how many rifle barrels you can see.

Ok, fair enough.

[oedo]

Ned, they are a small and very loud minority.

The American president knows that , and most of the British people do also.

as I remember two million (!) Brits were peacefully protesting against the Gulf war last february. what makes you believe that they all turned into Bush supporters now? how many Brits were demonstrating for the Gulf war and the alliance of the willing?