Bush's Royal Trouble (His Saudi owners distance themselves based on his numbers)

[onehandle]

Why Is King Abdullah Saying No to Dinner?

Wednesday, March 28, 2007; Page A15

President Bush enjoys hosting formal state dinners about as much as having a root canal. Or proposing tax increases. So his decision to schedule a mid-April White House gala for Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah signified the president's high regard for an Arab monarch who is also a Bush family friend.

Now the White House ponders what Abdullah's sudden and sparsely explained cancellation of the dinner signifies. Nothing good -- especially for Condoleezza Rice's most important Middle East initiatives -- is the clearest available answer.

Abdullah's bowing out of the April 17 event is, in fact, one more warning sign that the Bush administration's downward spiral at home is undermining its ability to achieve its policy objectives abroad. Friends as well as foes see the need, or the chance, to distance themselves from the politically besieged Bush.

Official versions discount that possibility, of course. Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi national security adviser, flew to Washington last week to explain to Bush that April 17 posed a scheduling problem. " 'It is not convenient' was the way it was put," says one official.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/27/AR2007032701761.html

[formercia]

1. lol

Junior throws a party and nobody comes.

[JohnyCanuck]

2. Would you fly half way around the world

just for baked beans and burgers and the chance to spend an hour or two with George and Laura?

[susu369]

3. Very significant news

Ah, remember those happier days?




:kick:

[izzie]

7. Frankly holding hands is in in Saudi Arabia. Yes for men.

Different customs in different places. I do sort of hold my breath on the giving up the gala at the WH. Does this mean they see more war coming and one thing Saudi Arabia does not want is more sticks in the ant pile over around their country. They are sitting on a good size ant hill as it is. With our new show of force by the navy and Bush willing to shot at anything at any time I bet the King is worried. Plus did I hear 2 or 3 million people had now left Iraq and are sitting out in countries in the Middle East. Many right next to SA in Jordon. This is building to be one big Middle East war with our own ex-drunk and far out Vice running things. Makes one turn pale just thinking about it.:scared:

[madrchsod]

4. my, my, the bloom is off the rose

the Saudi`s won`t have anything to do with him...

[durtee librul]

6. Just remember, they should have known

about what a loser he is - they funded one of his 'companies' at one time only to see it go belly up under his watch. I guess they are stupid too to come back to the table and see if anything has changed. Poppy and deadeye must have some line of gab with these guys.

[whistle]

5. No more tippy toe walks in the Crawford Ranch gardens hand-in-hand

...with his royal highnesse King Baby* and Saudi princes, eh.

[Solly Mack]

8. interesting turn of events

Was trying to remember what else was happening on April 17 - Gonzales is scheduled to testify before the Senate judiciary that day as well.