O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. Dear
Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak
list of a country's fashion: we are the makers of
manners, Kate; and the liberty that follows our
places stops the mouth of all find-faults.

      -Henry V, Act V, Sc II

Told you she was uppity.

Haha. fark the protocol. All the royal family does is sit around being wealthy.

"Fark the Queen."
And thousands, mind you thousands,
Were trampled in the ensuing rush . . .

The queen was copping a feel

Yeah...and the Queen was all up ons:

But rather than take offence, Her Majesty took the unusual step of returning the gesture by putting her arm round Mrs Obama's waist - almost as if to confirm the special relationship the politicians are so keen to play up.

The text later in the article seems to suggest the queen did it first...

As she did, she put her arm around Mrs Obama and rested her gloved hand on the small of her back.'

Almost simultaneously, Mrs Obama put her arm around the Queen's shoulders rather more firmly.

You'd think this was akin to her walking up with up "Sup, baby, how u livin'?! Gimme some suga!" and a fist bump.

Did she have bare arms?

beve: Told you she was uppity.

For. The. Win.

Hmm, last I knew, Americans weren't exactly beholden to the monarchy. Revolutionary War or something? Also, this story is charming. I less-than-three Michelle.

I do so get a kick out of the "ugly American" stereotype being perpetuated all the way up to the First Lady, even though she has an Ivy League education and the President has an army of staffers to brief her on the proper etiquette when meeting royalty. It's so charming to see than at the end of the day, the First Lady is as much as an uncultured, ignorant rube as the most simplistic of American morons.

Nabb1: I do so get a kick out of the "ugly American" stereotype being perpetuated all the way up to the First Lady, even though she has an Ivy League education and the President has an army of staffers to brief her on the proper etiquette when meeting royalty. It's so charming to see than at the end of the day, the First Lady is as much as an uncultured, ignorant rube as the most simplistic of American morons.

you going to punch in the same catch phrases into every thread? are you just going to ignore the fact that the farking queen initiated the exchange you pathetic dumb fark?

God save the Queen. God Save your mad parade. They Made you a moron. A potential H-bomb.

It's not our freaking queen. And it's not like she gave her a backrub.

/B-b-but Bush.

Nabb1: I do so get a kick out of the "ugly American" stereotype being perpetuated all the way up to the First Lady, even though she has an Ivy League education and the President has an army of staffers to brief her on the proper etiquette when meeting royalty. It's so charming to see than at the end of the day, the First Lady is as much as an uncultured, ignorant rube as the most simplistic of American morons.

Dude. Weak.

doublesecretprobation: you going to punch in the same catch phrases into every thread? are you just going to ignore the fact that the farking queen initiated the exchange you pathetic dumb fark?

Who went first seems to be a matter of which of the two descriptions you believe. The first time, Mrs. Obama placed her arm around the queen, and the queen "returned the gesture." A few paragraphs down, it's described again, this time with the queen going first.

The writer seems confused.

In any case, I'm willing to bet that (a) if MO went first, it was most likely pre-arranged before the event, and (b) if it was spontaneous, the queen would have had her wits about her enough to act gracious even if she was offended.

Nabb1: I do so get a kick out of the "ugly American" stereotype being perpetuated all the way up to the First Lady, even though she has an Ivy League education and the President has an army of staffers to brief her on the proper etiquette when meeting royalty. It's so charming to see than at the end of the day, the First Lady is as much as an uncultured, ignorant rube as the most simplistic of American morons.

So, you're angry that someone who isn't a Royal subject didn't have the level of respect toward the Queen that was expected? Even though the royalty in question - a fake monarch - immediately reciprocated the gesture?

Seriously?

How'd you feel when Bush winked at her?

doublesecretprobation: you going to punch in the same catch phrases into every thread? are you just going to ignore the fact that the farking queen initiated the exchange you pathetic dumb fark?

My we're touchy. A little protective of the First Lady, are we? I don't see in the linked article where the Queen initiated the contact where Mrs. Obama put her arm around her. I'm sure the Queen was just being delicate enough not to embarrass the First Lady. I'm sorry if my attempt at humor at the expense of the First Lady's faux pas has caused you deep personal pain such that you feel the need to call me a "pathetic dumb fark." I will try to be more careful as not to offend your delicate sensibilities with regards to our dear First Lady in the future. Do accept my expression of humility and deep personal regret for having unwittingly caused you such emotional pain.

Judging by the first picture, Her Majesty has a nice rack. Elizabeth too.

Nabb1: you feel the need to call me a "pathetic dumb fark."

Most of the time, you're fairly reasonable. This was not one of those times.

mattharvest: So, you're angry that someone who isn't a Royal subject didn't have the level of respect toward the Queen that was expected? Even though the royalty in question - a fake monarch - immediately reciprocated the gesture?

I'm amused, not angry. It seems most of the anger I'm sensing this morning is being expressed towards my amusement.

John Paul Jones: Nabb1: you feel the need to call me a "pathetic dumb fark."

Most of the time, you're fairly reasonable. This was not one of those times.

Apparently, I misjudged just how sensitive people are about Michelle Obama. Heaven forbid I make any jokes about it.

Nabb1: mattharvest: So, you're angry that someone who isn't a Royal subject didn't have the level of respect toward the Queen that was expected? Even though the royalty in question - a fake monarch - immediately reciprocated the gesture?

I'm amused, not angry. It seems most of the anger I'm sensing this morning is being expressed towards my amusement.

You're seriously suggesting that your statement - among other things, calling her a rube - isn't anger? Frankly, you must be quite oblivious to the connotations of your language.

I think it's so cute that certain people are suddenly SO concerned about our image.

Also, I'll say it again. We. Won. The. Revolutionary. War.

Nabb1: I will try to be more careful as not to offend your delicate sensibilities

Nabb1: It's so charming to see than at the end of the day, the First Lady is as much as an uncultured, ignorant rube as the most simplistic of American morons.

Nabb1: because the First Lady is an uncultured rube?

seriously, just shut the fark up.

It's a known fact that royals explode in flatulence when tightly embraced. That's how WWI got started!

Nabb1: Apparently, I misjudged just how sensitive people are about Michelle Obama. Heaven forbid I make any jokes about it.

Wow. That was a joke?

Christ, I just can't tell anymore. Your post is very likely to be the thrust of Ann Coulter's next blog entry, and it certainly won't be "funny".

mattharvest: You're seriously suggesting that your statement - among other things, calling her a rube - isn't anger? Frankly, you must be quite oblivious to the connotations of your language.

Hyperbole =/= anger, Chuckles.

doublesecretprobation: seriously, just shut the fark up.

Mmm... How about no?

The general consensus among the legitimate British press is:

1) Her Majesty did it first, and the video backs that up.
2) Michelle would have seemed cold had she not returned the gesture.
3) Protocol is somewhat relaxed among persons in positions of higher esteem or authority, such as heads of state and/or their spouses.
4) Michelle is not a subject of the Queen, and so she is not necessarily beholden to be as strictly deferential.
5) Americans are known to be generally more gregarious and less formal. Ergo, Her Majesty adopted this tone when she threw an arm around Mrs. Obama to begin with, and therefore was not offended in the slightest when the gesture was returned.
6) The tabloids are blowing it way out of proportion.

By all reports, they're completely charmed by each other, and rightly so. Non-story.

Nabb1: Hyperbole =/= anger, Chuckles.

Your use of personal insults for politicians and posters alike indicates a quite obvious level of agression on your part, such that your use of "hyperbole" is obviously false. Given your posting history, it's quite obvious that you mean it quite directly.

If you want to pretend the "hyperbole" here isn't your precise feelings, that's fine. It doesn't change the fact that apparently the Queen herself didn't care, and in fact reciprocated the gesture. So, why exactly is this anything bad at all?

So far, the only problem anyone can identify is that a bunch of Americans are upset that an American dignitary broke a tradition of dealing with royalty that dates to the mythical Divine Right of Kings, and meanwhile the very royalty in question don't care.

The Queen has a pack of Corgis? Awesome.

John Paul Jones: Christ, I just can't tell anymore. Your post is very likely to be the thrust of Ann Coulter's next blog entry, and it certainly won't be "funny".

He's never been funny, or contributed anything of value.

mattharvest: Nabb1: Hyperbole =/= anger, Chuckles.

Your use of personal insults for politicians and posters alike indicates a quite obvious level of agression on your part, such that your use of "hyperbole" is obviously false. Given your posting history, it's quite obvious that you mean it quite directly.

Well, I suggest you get over it, sweetheart. Honestly, I didn't launch into personal insults of any posters here. They were directed at me for poking fun at Mrs. Obama. I really don't fathom why some of you people take this nonsense so personally. Usually it's a source of amusement, but sometimes it seems downright pathological how people can develop such slavish fealty for someone whom they don't even personally know.

GAT_00: He's never been funny, or contributed anything of value.

Aw, you sound, what is it the simps like to say - "butthurt".

GAT_00: The Queen has a pack of Corgis? Awesome.

Well, the Hobo Kings always had their Corgis, so it's not like they'd be the first royalty to do so.

Nabb1: I really don't fathom why some of you people take this nonsense so personally.

dude you're just a troll. you've probably jerked off twelve times between the two threads about this already.

doublesecretprobation: Nabb1: I really don't fathom why some of you people take this nonsense so personally.

dude you're just a troll. you've probably jerked off twelve times between the two threads about this already.

Hmmm... you know, perhaps you should have stuck with "just shut the fark up." I really wasn't interested in your fantasies about me touching myself while responding to your pithy comments on the internet. I mean, hey, if that's what creams your Twinkie, run with it big guy. Just, you know, maybe reconsider the part about sharing the experience with me.

Nabb1: I do so get a kick out of the "ugly American" stereotype being perpetuated all the way up to the First Lady, even though she has an Ivy League education and the President has an army of staffers to brief her on the proper etiquette when meeting royalty. It's so charming to see than at the end of the day, the First Lady is as much as an uncultured, ignorant rube as the most simplistic of American morons.

I do so get a kick out of all the people who get their panties in a bunch over every breach of an arcane protocol, particularly when they - and not the Queen - are the only ones who take offense. It's so charming to see that at the end of the day, everyone is prone to indulging in smug self-righteousness.

MaxxLarge: By all reports, they're completely charmed by each other, and rightly so. Non-story.

I wish this was a non-story. But since it is a story, we can only hope a new flashy more compelling story comes quickly

Should have given Queenie a cup check to make sure that she is not just a Drag Queen...

Nabb1: John Paul Jones: Nabb1: you feel the need to call me a "pathetic dumb fark."

Most of the time, you're fairly reasonable. This was not one of those times.

Apparently, I misjudged just how sensitive people are about Michelle Obama. Heaven forbid I make any jokes about it.

The problem is that a criticism is not a joke (though many of the Right siders don't know the difference, not sure your leaning). So if your 'joke' actually was funny and sounded like a joke, not just a criticism... maybe people wouldn't have misunderstood you.

You know who else likes to hug queens?



/hot like Michelle Obama

Nabb1: I do so get a kick out of the "ugly American" stereotype being perpetuated all the way up to the First Lady, even though she has an Ivy League education and the President has an army of staffers to brief her on the proper etiquette when meeting royalty. It's so charming to see than at the end of the day, the First Lady is as much as an uncultured, ignorant rube as the most simplistic of American morons.

....

Nabb1: Aw, poor widdle hopester Nabby need his binky?

If you're British, Australian, or Canadian you are required to treat the queen with proper formal protocol because she's the figurehead of your country.
She's not all that important to Americans.

The American First Lady is her equal. If the Queen touches the First Lady, the First Lady can touch the Queen. Why would any American think otherwise?

If you are a "conservative" American, you are outraged only because you want to be outraged. You don't give a shiat about the Queen of England, you just need an outlet for your Obama butthurt.

Gee whiz, what the hell good is being large and in charge if you don't get some sugar now and then?

If that's how it plays out I don't want to be Queen of England, no, I don't care if I'm next in line and you throw in a carriage and summer home I'm nothing without human contact.

Screw the queen. That whole bullshiat is the reason we aren't a branch of the British Empire today.

Psychotropic: If you're British, Australian, or Canadian you are required to treat the queen with proper formal protocol because she's the figurehead of your country. She's not all that important to Americans.

Perhaps, but I view it as a sign of respect for the host country. When in Rome and all that.

Nabb1: Heaven forbid I make any jokes about it.

Normally I like you. But that wasn't funny at all. Funny relies on a grain of truth.

The idea floating around the British tabloids that Michelle just up and got all touchy-feely isn't true.

That's because of the agenda of who OWNS 1/2 their tabloids and the fact that British journalism is full of utter contempt for the reader's intelligence.

Your joke would have been modestly funny if you concluded it was the tabloids doing the job of making her seem like an uneducated rube (it keeps them in the outrage business). Michelle was certainly briefed on etiquette, and acted appropriately. God knows most everyone in this thread who isn't a subject of the crown would fail at that meeting.

Were Brown's gifts fail? Yes. But the tabloids want carry that over to the meeting with the Queen, and it's very, very obvious. Playing their "ZOMG MICHELLE" card just isn't very funny.

Diogenes: Perhaps, but I view it as a sign of respect for the host country. When in Rome and all that.

The queen ignored her own protocol first, so there is that.

palladiate: Nabb1: Heaven forbid I make any jokes about it.

Normally I like you. But that wasn't funny at all. Funny relies on a grain of truth.

Fair enough. Bad jokes happen, especially early in the morning before coffee, but honestly, the wailing, gnashing of teeth, and outright hostility it generated is ridiculous.