Allan´s Weblog

I could say something, but sometimes less is more.

Well he's over there on vital state business... oh, wait. He's actually over there lobbying for his hometown in hopes they'lll be chosen to host the Olympics.

That's not a bad painting.

BTW ... that meeting will, as I have heard, be attended by all four of the concerned heads-of-state. I reckon it must be important.

"activities in Denmark in the near future, you should do that on Friday between 7am to 3pm due to the fact that the entire Danish police force will be gathered in Copenhagen at that time."

nothing like scheduled crime !

I DO like that painting too! Very much the style I would paint.

A couple of times when Bush visited my city, the traffic was horrid. Both times I was trying to make my way back home from the University. The highway passes by the airport so I tried going side streets to no avail. Each trip took me three hours to get home. Normally, it would be only 30 to 45 mins.

I have a preference for Rio, myself.

Hmmmmm......I'm not familiar with Rio.

Oh, I do apologize dear Allan. I recall the President's visit to Los Angeles. It passed a couple blocks from my house but the commotion was unbelievable. Main thoroughfares shut down at the height of rush hour.

But secretly, I'm happy -- The President of the United States at the beginning of the last century would have rarely traveled from Washington. Though, I'm not sure you can count it as traveling when he's so insulated from the world around him.

Yum

I'm booking my flight now. Which are the best neighborhoods to steal from in Copenhagen? I'd like to add to my Danish furniture collection.

Last time the president of the United States visited Denmark was for like 7 seconds. Seems unecessary to air a Boeing 747 and God knows how many jet fighters and security helicopters just for the sake of having one's picture taken. He's bringing his own armored limousines as well, and I don't suppose he has them in the trunk of the plane. Must be expensive.

Well, last time he visited the UK, he gave the Queen an iPod loaded with American showtunes. Wonder what he'll give Rasmussen -- a collection of American cartoons, sans Mohamed?

Lars Løkke Rasmussen would prefer a six-pack of Budweiser, I guess. Word has it, he likes beer. A lot of it. The thing is, beer makes you forget. I guess he discovered that.

Originally posted by rickwiedeman:

he gave the Queen an iPod loaded with American showtunes.

He also returned a bronze bust of Winston Churchill that was on loan to the White House from British government; apparently he's not a fan.

Originally posted by debplatt:

He also returned a bronze bust of Winston Churchill that was on loan to the White House from British government; apparently he's not a fan.

No way. That's terrible! What a jackass -- both him, and Kanye West.

Churchill rocked.

Originally posted by ricewood:

Will, I just wonder why all the fuss about this particular person.

My American two cents worth (which isn't worth what it used to be):

Obama's a celebrity. It's partly deserved, since he's our first non-100% white President -- though people seem to forget that he's half white, and his black father abandoned him.

Also, after the damage Bush did to our rep abroad, and Obama's interest in lookin' good in Europe, this over-the-top world tour makes sense.

Before the election, we joked that it looked like he was running for President of Germany, not America.

In 2005 president George Bush II payed prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen a courtesey visit - actually he stayed for a day.

On this occasion Fogh (pronounce the name as you like) gave Bush a collection of stamps, yes, stamps, worth about DKR 5000. That is, I guess, okay. They were good friends, as well as brothers in warmongering. In 2008, Fogh went to the Bush farm, Cawford, Texas, and this time he was in a big spender mood and gave his friend B&O equipment for a total value of DKR 32.508. As return, Bush gave Fogh a tea set and a walking cane...

This is not something I make up. However absurd it sounds, this is how international politic goes. It all adds up to stamp collections and walking canes.

Originally posted by Aqualion:

This is not something I make up. However absurd it sounds, this is how international politic goes. It all adds up to stamp collections and walking canes.

So in international politics, what does it mean when you send something back as Obama did with the Churchill bust?

I'd be happy to tell you, if I knew. Speculations is a big part of international politics, because speculations spawns confusion, and confusion is a valuable instrument for politicians to control the people.

I do know that it was Churchill's government which in 1952 declared the so-called Kenya Emergency - an attempt to quash a rebellion against colonial rule known as Mau Mau. For the next eight years, suspected rebels were routinely detained, tortured, hanged and shot. According to historians, the colonial soldiers killed between fifteen and twenty thousand Kenyans in combat, while up to one hundred thousand perished in the detention camps. Barack Obama's grandfather was one of them.

But that's personal business, and the president of the United States is supposed to keep his personal issues out of politics, isn't he?

Originally posted by Aqualion:

Lars Løkke Rasmussen would prefer a six-pack of Budweiser, I guess. Word has it, he likes beer.

If he likes beer, he wouldn't like Budweiser. And carrying Budweiser to a country that has so many truly great beers seems vaguely insulting.

Oh, by-the-way, Allan. Obama's bringing Oprah with him, last I heard. Kind of a payback for giving him the presidency.

Originally posted by Aqualion:

But that's personal business, and the president of the United States is supposed to keep his personal issues out of politics, isn't he?

That's very interesting. I didn't know about that event.

The issue I see, as an American, is that the President doesn't own the White House or its objects. They are not personal property for him to give back, or even to take with him when his term is over. According to interviews, the first Bush and Bill Clinton were surprised to learn this when they left office.

@Rickwiedeman

The bust was a loan, courtesy of the British government, as a token of goodwill in the wake of 9/11. The loan expired in February 2009, and Obama was offered an extensioned, but he decided to give it back, since it belongs to Britain. It used to sit in The Oval Office during Bush's tenure, but when Obama moved in it wasn't there. At first nobody knew where it was, but then it was discovered at the residence of British ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald. So, officially it is in British hands and has been for some time, and the ambassador might keep it in Washington. The way I see it, the whole story is just a technicality.

Most of this info is in the Daily Telegraph article you linked up to, your self.


@Wandersmann

Your absolutely right. It would be like presenting one of those ready-made plastic wrapped paper pizzas from the supermarket cooler to Silvio Berlusconi. I take it, he would be upset, perhaps even offended.

Originally posted by Aqualion:

Most of this info is in the Daily Telegraph article you linked up to, your self.

Ah, I was quoting debplatt, who provided the link. I hadn't read it. Interesting stuff.

Yes, it does sound like a technicality, then.

Originally posted by ricewood:

Oprah Winfrey (I am not that well acquainted with the woman, so I will use her full name)

She promotes herself by first-name-only, on TV, on radio, and in her self-named magazine with only herself on the cover every month, so no worries. (Some people need a LOT of attention.)

And if you guys get American daytime TV there, I'm confident Oprah is more famous than the President, at least among the female half of your population.

I don't know if this issue was discussed in Europe, but over here, she really angered her fan base when she endorsed Obama over Hillary. Her show is about female empowerment, and her choice gave the appearance of putting race first. It lead to some interesting debates.

I wonder if she and Hillary will be on the same plane... nah, their combined egos might cause explosive decompression.

Originally posted by ricewood:

Who can tell what is "best" or "most worthy"? I can't for sure.

Well, Kierkegaard would probably want you to struggle with that, wouldn't he?

Originally posted by rickwiedeman:

Well, Kierkegaard would probably want you to struggle with that, wouldn't he?

A very sharp observation.

i won't say what i think about it, as i agree with

Originally posted by studio41:

I could say something, but sometimes less is more.

Hm, his bubble does bring a lot of attention but it is not unwarranted. For many in America, he's more than a mere President, as alluded to by others, he is a symbol. That is more powerful than the mere office of Presidency and there are many who love and loathe what they perceive him to symbolize. They'll go to great lengths just to see him, just to shake his hand. One should not underestimate the opposite desires.

As for his appeal in Europe, I quite tempted to say, "Hi, you may not have heard of me but I'm America, I'm kind of a big deal." but the truth is the answer lies at the top of this page. Even if you are merely reflecting on others obsession.

Yum

Originally posted by ricewood:

I am condfident that he wouldn't want me to figure that out for anybody else but me.

Ooo, nicely said.

I became a fan of him back in high school, where my life-long interest in world religions/philosophy/theology started. I love that stuff.

Originally posted by Aqualion:

[Churchill's bust] used to sit in The Oval Office during Bush's tenure, but when Obama moved in it wasn't there. At first nobody knew where it was, but then it was discovered at the residence of British ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald.

For whatever reason the Telegraph article that I linked to above omitted this information. According the the Telegraph, the British government offered to extend the loan of the bust for another four years, but the current administration declined the offer. Then the article went on to speculate as to whether this had something to do with the Kenyan rebellion and negative feelings toward Churchill that were associated with his government's alleged torture of rebels. Then there was this passage in the Telegraph:

The rejection of the bust has left some British officials nervously reading the runes to see how much influence the UK can wield with the new regime in Washington

Which led me to believe that the U.S. had in some way offended the British people. Since I was reading this in a British newspaper, I believed that the British felt the current administration was purposely distancing itself from them. But if the bust had been removed prior to Obama's inauguration without the administration having any knowledge of its whereabouts, then there really isn't much of a story there. However in that case, I don't know how to mesh the fact that the administration rebuffed the offer to extend the loan with the statement that they had no knowledge of the busts whereabouts.

As to the supposed connection with Churchill and torture in Kenya, in one of his speeches Obama praised Churchill's position that captured German soldiers during WWII should not be subjected to torture. It would seem odd to me for Obama to site Churchill as an exemplar on the torture issue if he truly believed the accounts that Churchill's government approved the use of torture against the rebels in Kenya.

Originally posted by WillYum:

For many in America, he's more than a mere President, as alluded to by others, he is a symbol.

That is quite true.

I feel that, without the debacle of Bush Jr's presidency, Obama probably could not have been elected. It was like going from the evil wizard (dullard?) to the heroic prince. (I am not so idealistic, but that was definitely the mood among his more fervent supporters.)

Soon we'll realize he's just another human being who promises more than he can deliver -- but that's OK. We can try again in three years.

Personally, I believe Bush Jr was put in office "for such a time as this" and that God allows leaders, appoints them for a time... His will His ways, higher than ours. I would ask one's definition of "prince" and "heroic," but I won't.

Originally posted by rickwiedeman:

We can try again in three years.

We can. But sometimes our efforts are thwarted regardless of the assertion of will.

oops, I'd said less is more... oh hey-- Allan, I'll be hopping a plane to Aarhus to commit my crime! grabbing apples off your backyard tree...

Originally posted by studio41:

I believe Bush Jr was put in office "for such a time as this"

It was an awful time to be president. I can't imagine how anyone could have gotten through this difficult period without making some faction really angry.

And we still are a very divided people.

Originally posted by studio41:

Personally, I believe Bush Jr was put in office "for such a time as this"

That idea would strain my faith. I can't say it's not true; I can only say, I don't get it. I'd need God to illuminate that for me.

For me, Bush 43 remains an unaccomplished child of privilege who never succeeded at any business venture, yet kept getting promoted; never did well in school, but got into Harvard because his father is a legacy; never did anything significant as governor of Texas, yet got elected president.

Hell, maybe that *does* mean God's doing something there. Of course, it could be Satan, too... I guess time will tell.

Sorry to be a smart-ass. It's my nature. I'm just not a fan of W, even though he lives down the street from my mom, and my kids went to his kids' elementary school. I think he would have made a fine mayor or sheriff of a Texas town; the world stage was putting him out of his element.

I like his dad, though. WW2 Navy pilot, head of the CIA -- he had qualifications.

Yep.

I hope those Pro Climate Change people who will be protesting and causing trouble in December...wait just one minute, there are actually people who FAVOR global warming?

I'm not a fan of Oprah's. Never have been.

Pop psychology has ruined as many lives as just about anything else on this planet.

Originally posted by Stardancer:

Pop psychology has ruined as many lives as just about anything else on this planet.

I look at it like junk mail: It employs a lot of people who might otherwise be on welfare.

:smirk:

Originally posted by rickwiedeman:

That idea would strain my faith. I can't say it's not true; I can only say, I don't get it. I'd need God to illuminate that for me.

I think you are right, that perhaps time will bear it out. I enjoyed reading his book, "A Charge to Keep," although it was some time ago...

you are right, his dad had great qualifications, but in the mentioning his son... I always liked Bushie Jr., especially the fact he brought his wife coffee in bed each morning and by the way-- some would say the Joseph in the Bible (OT) was kind of a spoiled brat before he was thrown in the pit/well and sold into slavery...

and any nonchalance or fun I have at pointing out the coffee thing isn't in any way berating or dismissing the loss of life in the "War on Terror." I believe and can only assume (trust?) he acted out of mission and love and duty for his country, I really do... and it layed a groundwork, it set forth (named) two parts/opinions of/on this war on terror and the necessity to deal with it a.) overtly vs. b.) those who believe terrorism (and ag/ USA) is or was merely a subjective experience whose own covert lethal weapon was discrimination or apathy to the Islamic experience and / or requirements. this is why I suggest and believe perhaps GWB Jr's statements within his book, or "for such a time as this" ...

Originally posted by Stardancer:

I'm not a fan of Oprah's. Never have been.

me either, since nearly 20 years ago when we debated upon asking her to be our first's godmother then she seemed to change somewhere along the way... although I did watch snippets of her interview w/ Whitney (awesome) Houston. Love that voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!

Originally posted by rickwiedeman:

It employs a lot of people who might otherwise be on welfare.

through carelessness, recklessness or something else, layoff, severance pinch and always living paycheck to paycheck, my husband found himself at the foodshelf to replenish the food that went bad when our power was turned off... and now the fridge is broken-- and much of the food spoiled again. at this point in time, Joe is thankful there are programs of 'welfare' benevolence and/or charity... yet, at the same time, how many years upon years have we paid into the system we never used, or thought we would use, until now.

I rather like the fact that he found some organic food there, too! rock on food shelf USA! next week is probably a different story. time will tell. perhaps I'll be on the other side of the counter

definitely will take those canned goods donations more seriously from now on, though.

The reason you can find organics on food pantry shelves is that they are more expensive and times are difficult, even for some who normally buy more expensive foods.

The stores can't sell the organics, so they get donated to the food pantries.

I most oft buy organics, this is interesting. will be buying them in the future as I can afford. cool that I can continue to use some now this week!