The Sudden Right Wing Obsession with Diplomatic Protocol
It's hard not to be amused by the sudden right wing obsession with obscure diplomatic protocols and rules of decorum. If you look at memeorandum over the last few days, it's been a nonstop right wing blog storm about various supposed diplomatic gaffes that the Obamas have made during the G20 summit. First it was that Obama's gift to the Queen was somehow inappropriate or embarrassing. Then it was that Michelle Obama somehow inappropriately put her arm around the Queen (despite the fact that the Queen was doing the same to her). Now it's that Obama somehow inappropriately lowered his head when meeting the king of Saudi Arabia.
Since when did conservatives start caring about diplomacy, much less obscure rules of diplomatic decorum? I seem to remember these same bloggers defending a previous president who (while not actively pissing off the entire world with his policies and rhetoric), took the time to give the Chancellor of Germany an awkward neck massage, told the Pope he gave an "awesome speech", and, after implying that the Queen was over 200 years old, turned around and winked at her. Indeed, I'm pretty sure that these same bloggers would have lept to George Bush's defense if he had tackled the Queen 'Naked Gun' style or belched in her face.
Moreover, you'd think that if Obama was such a diplomatic disaster, he'd be getting some negative press in the UK. But he's not. While Bush was burned in effigy whenever he attended meetings like this, Obama is getting glowing reviews. So is Michelle Obama. In this Times of London profile of the visit with the Queen, the reporter observes:
Seriously, are we really supposed to take seriously the obviously petty sniping of people who spent the last eight years loudly proclaiming that they don't care what people in any other countries think about us or our president? Who's kidding who?
Since when did conservatives start caring about diplomacy, much less obscure rules of diplomatic decorum? I seem to remember these same bloggers defending a previous president who (while not actively pissing off the entire world with his policies and rhetoric), took the time to give the Chancellor of Germany an awkward neck massage, told the Pope he gave an "awesome speech", and, after implying that the Queen was over 200 years old, turned around and winked at her. Indeed, I'm pretty sure that these same bloggers would have lept to George Bush's defense if he had tackled the Queen 'Naked Gun' style or belched in her face.
Moreover, you'd think that if Obama was such a diplomatic disaster, he'd be getting some negative press in the UK. But he's not. While Bush was burned in effigy whenever he attended meetings like this, Obama is getting glowing reviews. So is Michelle Obama. In this Times of London profile of the visit with the Queen, the reporter observes:
When Michelle Obama put her arm round the Queen at Buckingham Palace, some of the more excitable elements of the media - particularly the Americans - suggested she may have been guilty of a breach of protocol.Wow, what a disaster. How ever will we repair this diplomatic rift?
They missed the real story, however. What was far more interesting was that the Queen put her arm round the First Lady. . . .
A breach of protocol? Hardly. Buckingham Palace was very relaxed today about the incident, and attitudes there have changed significantly since the days of Mr Keating and his lese-majesty. And no, they don’t issue instructions to people about not touching the Queen.
“This was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation between The Queen and Michelle Obama,” said a Palace spokeswoman.
Almost from the moment they first met it was clear that the Queen and the Obamas were getting on well. They joked together, and by the time came to pose for photographs they were acting almost like old friends. Which, considering that they met for the first time that afternoon, was quick work.
Seriously, are we really supposed to take seriously the obviously petty sniping of people who spent the last eight years loudly proclaiming that they don't care what people in any other countries think about us or our president? Who's kidding who?
posted by A.L. at 2:54 PM
6 Comments:
They do this because they get off on making people follow their rules - which naturally don't apply to them. Just like their obession with civility.
It's pretty awesome though that everyone around the globe now loves our President. The right wing are just bitter about life in general, and like fledermaus says, they love making people obey their rules, which don't apply to them.
They do this with the Obamas specifically because they have a vested interest in making sure they look like the uncultured products of the inner-city, not even capable of treating the queen right.
great observation, al, as usual you hit the nail on the head. i have reached a point where i just laugh when i hear some of the ridiculous arguments made by friends/family on the right.
The only reason these clowns are talking about this is that they have nothing constructive to add, at all. That, and they'd sooner join Al Qaeda than say something genuinely positive about their political opponents.
Someone who posted in reply to Gail Collins' piece on the Obama's visit claimed that the First lady had 'manhandled' the Queen. As I had not heard anything about this, I started looking at various UK paper sites and blogs. For the most part, they seemed thrilled with Michelle's gently touching the Queen and the Queen's replicating the gesture, as well as with Barack's gift to the Queen, which was also targeted by the right wingers.
So, ok, the DVDs to the Brown's were dumb, but the Obamas have a long, long way to go before they achieve Bush-level embarrrassment to the American people.
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