So, they didn't like the gift Obama got them.
Now, they're mad that Obama's not returning their calls...

I think what comes next is Brown making out with Sarkozy at G20 (but only if Obama is watching, so he gets jealous).

Truthiness: So, they didn't like the gift Obama got them.
Now, they're mad that Obama's not returning their calls...

I think what comes next is Brown making out with Sarkozy at G20 (but only if Obama is watching, so he gets jealous).

Obama can counter by reenacting the dressing room scene from Blazing Saddles with Andrea Merkel.

maybe they're busy or something.

When someone quotes the UK it makes the ignore option useless.

I_C_Weener: When someone quotes the UK it makes the ignore option useless.

Oh c'mon, we may have our faults but suggesting we have something in common with Bevets is a bit harsh !

Canada, you tell your mother I'm not speaking to her.

they're too busy snorting unicorn farts.

Excuses, excuses, excuses...

///

Seems like Obama is not too hot at this whole "diplomacy" thing after all. Too busy palling around with our enemies to worry about our western allies. Nope, never saw this coming....

"You get to a certain point, and you can't go any further," Sir Gus said. "A whole new bunch of people come in who probably haven't been in government before." Fifty days after President Obama was sworn in, every senior post in the US Treasury Department remains vacant, with the exception of Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary, who should have 17 deputies. The vacuum has prompted complaints that it is struggling to deal with the most severe downturn since the 1930s.

Methinks the UK gets the feeling many here in the US already had...Obama ain't all that and a bag of chips.

It's part of the grand plan

/piss off or sell down the river most of the EU
//embrace Palestine, Taliban, and Iran
///sekrit muslim plan complete!

When did that group become the G20? It used to be 7, then 8, now its 20 members? When did this happen?

Also, what were they doing at all these meetings over the last few years that they didn't see this meltdown coming?

Just like 9/11, there were numerous warning signs that were ignored. Financial terrorists destroying world trade.

I miss Beveets. Where are all the classic trolls. We need a new Mighthellbentformen guy. Everything is so polarized and boring on teh politcs tab.

Or maybe they just expects too much after Tony Blair sat in Bush's lap for all those years.

So first, the brits were angry because they were too close to use and now they are angry they are too far away?

UK is getting senile in her old age, we should start looking for a new BFF.

Yo Canada, sup?

Geee, its almost like some group of people in Congress are holding up his appoints to the Treasury causing it to be understaffed.

vernonFL: When did that group become the G20? It used to be 7, then 8, now its 20 members? When did this happen?

Also, what were they doing at all these meetings over the last few years that they didn't see this meltdown coming?

Just like 9/11, there were numerous warning signs that were ignored. Financial terrorists destroying world trade.

It's easier to blame poor people.

What, subby, you'd rather he act like other Black tinpot dictators (ex: Mugabe) and pay attention to that irrelevant little airstrip off the coast of the United Socialist Soviets of Europe?

chicagogasman: I miss Beveets. Where are all the classic trolls. We need a new Mighthellbentformen guy. Everything is so polarized and boring on teh politcs tab.

The politics tab is over-saturated with trolling from posters to higher-ups, thus making it more boring.

Too many cooks ruining the soup and all.

I have no idea why they would do that. Granted, they weren't long-lived, but I'll always have a place in my heart for that John Wetton/Bill Bruford/Eddie Jobson project.

vernonFL: When did that group become the G20? It used to be 7, then 8, now its 20 members? When did this happen?


Right after Apple went to Intel processors.

/still use my G4

"Dave's not here man."

This is the main problem with the Obama Admin so far: lack of a team, just the figurehead without the minions.

In poly-sci classes in undergrad, I always read that, in considering the historical trends of US Presidents:
Reps: pres was lesser presence and his team made most of the decisions and carried out the actions (Bush totally proves this ideal), more organized and business-like
Dems: pres was larger presence, more micro-managing (like LBJ conducting the Vietnam War decisions and from what I read about Clinton) less organized (see Geithner's lack of deputies and coherent plan for the conomic mess)

So, Obama has got to get to work in filling these important positions with competent people. He can't do everything.

And they'd have more cred without the tax issues.

I bet American wingers are far more upset about this than anybody in the British government is.

/Don't you people realize Gordon Brown is a socialist?

I_C_Weener: When someone quotes the UK it makes the ignore option useless.

I came here to say this. Leaving disappointed.

NeverDrunk23: chicagogasman: I miss Beveets. Where are all the classic trolls. We need a new Mighthellbentformen guy. Everything is so polarized and boring on teh politcs tab.

The politics tab is over-saturated with trolling from posters to higher-ups, thus making it more boring.

Too many cooks ruining the soup and all.

Well I guess there is always I C Weeners.

chicagogasman: I miss Beveets. Where are all the classic trolls. We need a new Mighthellbentformen guy. Everything is so polarized and boring on teh politcs tab.

I miss Czar and tatsuma thread wars. Too bad Czar with all of his liberal ideals turned out to be a racist asshat.

burndtdan: maybe they're busy or something.



/hot like stevie
//this fruit hangs low
///but it's delicious

Hey, this is the Torygraph -- well known version of the Daily Fail, but for people who can read without moving their lips.

I've hard (from talking to me Mum who is in England) that there is has been a certain political backlash against the so-called "special relationship" between the US and UK. Many people (even on the right) felt upset with the UK involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and felt that Tony Blair was more interested in being President than leading the country.

There may be credence to this story, but it could also be posturing on the part of people who want to break the deal with the US.

/Do you think George Bush knew who Gordon Brown was?
//Or did he think hat Tony Blair had had a mild stroke, and put on some weight?
///Mock The Week FTW

SynthLord: burndtdan: maybe they're busy or something.



/hot like stevie
//this fruit hangs low
///but it's delicious

It's no "Bush playing a guitar", but it'll do.

I do agree with the author on this: The massive changeover of government officials at one time in the US system doesn't appear to be a very practical way of staffing a government.

So he is making friends with the "Palestinian" folks, but making enemies of the Brits?

Kirby Muxloe:
There may be credence to this story, but it could also be posturing on the part of people who want to break the deal with the US.

/Do you think George Bush knew who Gordon Brown was?
//Or did he think hat Tony Blair had had a mild stroke, and put on some weight?
///Mock The Week FTW

The 'special relationship' should remain important. Considering all the historical, cultural, political and social simliarities between the 2 countries, the relationship has always seemed to me as an aged, although still with-it, mother and her grown-up son (the one that left the nest early and made out good on its own).

Our 2 countries have most of the same interests and problems, simlilar attitudes and ideals, so continuing this relationship should continue on the high priority list.

I don't understand the 'gift gaffee' with Obama and Brown, and it doesn't seem, as a casual American observer, like Obama is taking this relationship as serious as presidents past. That kinda blows.

Smart Power you can believe in!

but but but Obama lived overseas and majored in International Relations

Well, if people would just start paying their taxes spots would be filled but no...

krelborne: It's no "Bush playing a guitar", but it'll do.

That was 'shopped, though -- the appropriate comparison (in concept, not necessarily degree) is ...



... which I believe was taken while people in New Orleans were still waiting for rescue.

Obama's no Marie Antoinette, and Bush was no Nero, but the nature of aristocracy includes these kinds of "let them eat cake" moments.

FTFA: Downing Street was finding it "unbelievably difficult" to plan for next month's G20 summit in London because of problems tracking down senior figures in the US administration. "There is nobody there. You cannot believe how difficult it is,"

Probably all hanging out in the Fark Politics forum.

Have they tried to call at 3 AM?

flyingmonkeysreign: Well, if people would just startstop paying their taxes spots would be filled but no...

FTFY

/Obama fan
//It's still funny
///To me, at least :-(

SynthLord: burndtdan: maybe they're busy or something.

/hot like stevie
//this fruit hangs low
///but it's delicious

is that when they called?

"And then there was the fiasco of the ham-handed White House reception for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which was evidently lacking the most basic elements of ceremony and protocol. Don't they read the "Iliad" anymore in the Ivy League? Check that out for the all-important ritual of gift giving, which has cemented alliances around the world for 5,000 years."

Diplomacy we can believe in!

Well, they did burn down the white house in 1812, so maybe he's having trouble letting go of that.

THERE'S A 5 HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE, SILLY LIMEYS

Apparently we're taking diplomacy tips from Mike Damone.

I don't know what all of the fuss is, I am sure the brits are not even close to watching all of the DVDs so its not like we expected a call anytime soon.

Satan_Sunburn: "And then there was the fiasco of the ham-handed White House reception for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which was evidently lacking the most basic elements of ceremony and protocol. Don't they read the "Iliad" anymore in the Ivy League? Check that out for the all-important ritual of gift giving, which has cemented alliances around the world for 5,000 years."

Diplomacy we can believe in!

Damn, now our alliance with the UK is ruined because, uh, Obama wouldn't give a gift or something.

Gangway Fathead: Apparently we're taking diplomacy tips from Mike Damone.



Hey I like Vic Damone...he rawks!

burndtdan: is that when they called?

No - it's an implication that the White House is too busy with concerts and parties to do diplomatic stuff, or fix the economy (the punchline's more popular setup).

In Hollywood, the phrase "low-hanging fruit" is used to describe delivering a cheap joke, often at the expense of an opportunity for a clever one; see also, "on the nose."