For Most Britons, Bush* Is a Sight Unseen

[kskiska]

By Dana Milbank

(snip)

With so many working so hard to keep the masses from contact with the president, the anchor on Britain's Sky News wondered why Bush even bothered with a state visit if ordinary Britons -- the 55 million not invited to his appearances -- couldn't lay an eye on him the entire time.

Bush's meeting with AIDS workers was private. So were his meetings with families whose relatives died on Sept. 11, 2001 -- although a White House spokeswoman did provide helpful descriptions of the meetings, saying Bush "was very compassionate." The next day, the spokeswoman described another private event, with families of the Iraq and Afghanistan war dead, as "very emotional and very private." For more details, she recommended asking the families -- a neat trick because the White House did not release their names.

As it happens, even some of the families of fallen British soldiers complained they couldn't get to see Bush. Sarah King, who said her husband died in the Persian Gulf, wrote a letter to the Guardian newspaper, complaining to Bush: "My husband was good enough when he was needed to fight your war. His widow and two young children are now deemed not good enough to meet you. The effect of this selecting of family members that you wish to meet on an already destroyed family cannot be underestimated."

Those traveling with Bush had their own, more minor frustrations. Reporters were told to bring formal dress so they could observe the state dinner at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The White House then rescinded that offer, blaming the queen. Thursday night, when Bush fed corn and tortilla soup at the American ambassador's home to queen and court (including the "Mistress of the Robes"), U.S. officials, no longer invoking Her Majesty, again decreed a ban on coverage.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4917-2003Nov21.html

[Slimedevil]

1. Unseen President

Big deal. I never saw Clinton, never saw Gore, never saw Hillary....

[annagull]

3. At least Clinton had the balls to address Parliament---

Chicken George was too afraid of what MP's would say to him, so he cancelled the speech. What a giant wimp your president is!

[piece sine]

5. burn baby burn

[opihimoimoi]

2. This Bush is the most phoney of all PHONIES. He is inducted into the Hall

of Shame as the ALL TIME LOSER. Of all the bad guys in the History of Mankind, George W Bush is at the top of the List.

Guilty of the most serious of charges, he wins the dubious honor hands down.

[goforit]

4. Is he the man behind the curtain in the city of "OZ"

We have got to believe we can my friends.