Huh? British support for Bush?

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » November 18, 2003, 2:39 pm

Ok I've seen all the headlines for the past few days talking about Bush's visit to the UK being akin to welcoming Satan for a visit.

But then I bump into this article...?

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/sto ... 45,00.html

Hey Tanc which way is it? Is it mass protest or not?

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » November 18, 2003, 4:02 pm

It's the Guardian. It's as newsworthy as the comic strips in Bazooka Joe gum.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » November 18, 2003, 4:10 pm

$11 million extra security and 14,000 extra police on duty.

you do the math.

and adex the article you quote answers your question:

Mr Blair insisted last night that he had made the right decision in inviting Mr Bush to Britain as an unprecedented security operation got under way to prepare for his arrival today. More than 14,000 police officers at a cost of £5m will be on duty during the four-day visit, with tens of thousands of anti-war protesters expected to take to the streets.

grasping at some straws today...

additionally, i know you want to say that the survey says Britains are pro-BUsh. But the question did not mention Bush's name. The question was whether or not the US was a force for good in the world.

Trying to misrepresent information isn't your style Adex, you've been watching too much Sean Hannity

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » November 18, 2003, 4:12 pm

Voronwë wrote:$11 million extra security and 5,100 extra police on duty.

you do the math.

A Boost for the British economy?

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » November 18, 2003, 4:38 pm

In fairness to Adex, this very question is the topic for the show: Q&A right now on CNN-International! tune in! =D

Salis · Post by **Salis** » November 18, 2003, 5:55 pm

Cartalas wrote:
Voronwë wrote:$11 million extra security and 5,100 extra police on duty.

you do the math.

A Boost for the British economy?

Your economics is obviously on par with the rest of your education

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » November 18, 2003, 6:48 pm

Salis wrote:
Cartalas wrote:
Voronwë wrote:$11 million extra security and 5,100 extra police on duty.

you do the math.

A Boost for the British economy?
Your economics is obviously on par with the rest of your education

Sarcasm you Buffoon!

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » November 18, 2003, 7:51 pm

I'm not "grasping for straws" shit Voronwe

I saw something that seemed inconsistant and was asking Tanc's insight.

It was an honest question, and I recieve aloof condescension in response.

forget I mentioned it

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » November 18, 2003, 8:30 pm

Adex_Xeda wrote:I'm not "grasping for straws" shit Voronwe

I saw something that seemed inconsistant and was asking Tanc's insight.

HAY TANC CHECK THIS OUT SO IS IT TRUE THAT BUSH ISN'T HATED OVER THERE AND ACTUALLY HE IS LOVED AND REVERED AS THE GREATEST AMERICAN PRESIDENT SINCE REAGEN AND THAT THE LIBERAL MEDIA IS FULL OF LIES AND DECEIT AND ARE ONLY JEALOUS OF HIS GREATNESS? WELL?

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » November 18, 2003, 8:42 pm

Is it so hard to understand that I'd like Tanc's take on the whole event?

I suspect that he'd have insight that is more qualified than someone living in the States.

noel · Post by **noel** » November 18, 2003, 8:58 pm

Adex_Xeda wrote:...than someone living in the States.

Swing and a MISS!

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » November 19, 2003, 12:14 am

Great all this time I was thinking Tanc was from the UK and he was from Wisconsin?

So, who's from the UK?

Is Salis? Of course he doesn't post much.

Teenybloke used to be from around there, but I haven't seen him post in a while.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » November 19, 2003, 1:13 am

Salis is a dirty Scot. Drunk too.

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » November 19, 2003, 2:34 am

I found the answer to my question

http://www.msnbc.com/news/995195.asp?vts=111820032109

Post by **Xouqoa** » November 19, 2003, 3:04 am

Tanc is a limey.

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » November 19, 2003, 7:42 am

Gah friggin septics!

Here's my quick responses to all the lovely opinions furnished here:
1) The Guardian is a well respected but blatantly left-of-centre newspaper so I object to Dregor's characterisation of it. I'm not a Grauniad reader myself though. "Guardian Reader" is a term used to refer to the liberal, educated classes, with all the positive and negative connotations pertaining thereto.
2) The opinions quoted in the article are about "America" not about "Bush" so don't get them confused. I know you guys think your president is the embodiment of your nation - we don't. I also think the US is generally a force for good in the world, but I wouldn't piss in GW's mouth if his teeth were on fire.
3) 60,000+ is a good turnout for a demonstration in a country of 50m population. However "Stop the War" would seem a little. . .late. . .to me. I'd also question why these people aren't harrassing Blair every time he steps out the front door as he is more culpable for the UK contribution to the Iraq situation. It's also been pointed out that far fewer people protested the visits of Ceausescu, Chinese leaders and other global scumbags. I've also been reading that a lot of the protesters are against him for his stance on trade, the environment and women's issues as they are about "war".
4) I think the protests are largely bandwagon hopping and silly posturing. There are a lot of people with a lot of good reasons to protest but it's got out of hand with people organising school children to protest etc etc (get back inside and do some learning you little shits!). This is just my opinion.
5) The insistence on ridiculous levels of policing and Secret Service activity surrounding the visit is faintly annoying and somewhat insulting. As was Bush's condescending bullshit in his interview with David Frost. And so are the comments from US citizens on the BBC website discussion of the visit telling us "i guess it's ok for you to protest but make sure you keep it civilised". Fuck. You. If you want to cure a lot of anti-americanism around the world you should stop being such smug, condescending fucks.
6) I have mixed feelings because although I agree with the right to protest and that indeed there are things worth protesting, Tossface is here as leader of another nation and thus represents the people of the US. I'm English enough to find this brouhaha a little. . .rude. . .and I'm not comfortable with being rude to guests.

rhyae · Post by **rhyae** » November 19, 2003, 11:31 am

I dont think the extra security is insulting, we already know how you dirty brits throw sausages and flash your breasts at poor americans, not to mention the hamburger toting remote controlled helicoptors

Viscious fuckers.

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » November 19, 2003, 1:26 pm

Thanks Tanc.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » November 19, 2003, 2:21 pm

it was even worth the nonsense preceeding it

(referring to all of us

)

Salis · Post by **Salis** » November 19, 2003, 2:52 pm

Cartalas wrote:
Salis wrote:
Cartalas wrote:
Voronwë wrote:$11 million extra security and 5,100 extra police on duty.

you do the math.

A Boost for the British economy?
Your economics is obviously on par with the rest of your education
Sarcasm you Buffoon!

Glad you noticed.

Adex_Xeda wrote:So, who's from the UK?

Is Salis? Of course he doesn't post much.

As for my opinion, I think the timing for a State visit is fairly awful. Add to the fact that Bush is 100% guaranteed to blunder his way through it with gung-ho speeches and I'm not going to be surprised if there is a shitstorm. I think the US-UK relationship isn't going to be in any great way damaged by it but at present the whole war situation is a raw nerve over here, and this isn't helping.