Obama Ditches Thatcher Funeral

[hortysir]

and yet if he would have went.....i bet there would be threads about him going while this attack thing was happening.....just sayin....

Missed the bolded portion?

Yet another tacky, unstatesmanlike performance from The Won. Neither he nor any active member of his administration will attend Thatcher's funeral. It's a state occasion, given that the Queen is participating. So much for our "special relationship".

Maybe he'll send the family an ipod with some of his speeches as a consolation prize.

I'll also note that the terrorist attack in Benghazi didn't prevent Obama from flying off to Las Vegas for a fundraiser the next day.


Friends and allies of Baroness Thatcher expressed 'surprise and disappointment' last night as it emerged President Obama is not planning to send any serving member of his administration to her funeral.

Whitehall sources have revealed that the US delegation at tomorrow's service in St Paul's Cathedral will be led by two Reagan era secretaries of state: James Baker and George Shultz.

Though President Obama himself had not been expected to attend, there had been speculation that he would be represented either by Vice President Joe Biden or wife Michelle. However, the Obama administration had said it would not be attending Thatcher's funeral before the Boston bombings

Other world leaders, including Canada's Stephen Harper, Mario Monti of Italy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, are attending the service in person.

President Obama paid tribute to Lady Thatcher's towering achievements when her death was announced last week.

But a US embassy spokesman confirmed that no serving member of his administration would be present to pay their last respects, citing a busy week in US domestic politics.

Former US vice president Dick Cheney and ex-secretary of state Henry Kissinger will attend the funeral, Downing Street said today...


Margaret Thatcher funeral: President Obama won't send envoy - and leaves it to her old allies from Reagan era | Mail Online

 

[idb]

Yet another tacky, unstatesmanlike performance from The Won. Neither he nor any active member of his administration will attend Thatcher's funeral. It's a state occasion, given that the Queen is participating. So much for our "special relationship".

Maybe he'll send the family an ipod with some of his speeches as a consolation prize.

I'll also note that the terrorist attack in Benghazi didn't prevent Obama from flying off to Las Vegas for a fundraiser the next day.


Friends and allies of Baroness Thatcher expressed 'surprise and disappointment' last night as it emerged President Obama is not planning to send any serving member of his administration to her funeral.

Whitehall sources have revealed that the US delegation at tomorrow's service in St Paul's Cathedral will be led by two Reagan era secretaries of state: James Baker and George Shultz.

Though President Obama himself had not been expected to attend, there had been speculation that he would be represented either by Vice President Joe Biden or wife Michelle. However, the Obama administration had said it would not be attending Thatcher's funeral before the Boston bombings

Other world leaders, including Canada's Stephen Harper, Mario Monti of Italy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, are attending the service in person.

President Obama paid tribute to Lady Thatcher's towering achievements when her death was announced last week.

But a US embassy spokesman confirmed that no serving member of his administration would be present to pay their last respects, citing a busy week in US domestic politics.

Former US vice president Dick Cheney and ex-secretary of state Henry Kissinger will attend the funeral, Downing Street said today...


Margaret Thatcher funeral: President Obama won't send envoy - and leaves it to her old allies from Reagan era | Mail Online

I never expected he would. One of the first things he did after gaining access to the oval office was to send Churchills bust back to England. - Jeri

Sorry Jeri, but that's bullshit.

 

[sfcalifornia]

There's no snub. It actually makes a little sense. Our official reps are Baker and Shultz, who Obama asked to go. Britian and Argentina are lighting up the issue of the Falklands/Maldives once again. The brits claim is based upon conquest and military occupation. Of course, that would lead to some issues of our own territory. And, obviously, the Falklands are part of Thatcher's legacy. The senate is not going to approve anything regarding Thatcher that references that war, and possibly not support of the Pershing Missles in europe ... perhaps because missle defense is still a issue today.

Even when Reagan was potus, there were questions of exactly why we supported Britain's claim over Argentiana, but Reagan had Maggie's back.

How the U.S. Almost Betrayed Britain in the Falklands War - WSJ.com

Obama's essentially honoring the historical legacy with explicitly not commenting upon any still current issue that any action the US takes could be considered supporting or not supporting.

What nonsense that this wasn't a snub!

President Obama and the First Lady were invited. Obama refused to attend. No one complained about that.

The snub came when he refused to send any high ranking official in his administration to the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.

It was purposeful, blatant, deliberate and beyond tacky. So low class.

The Thatcher family was distressed that Obama sent no one of any ranking from the President's administration. And said so to the Brit papers.

They knew it was a snub.

The funeral planners were shocked at this as well. And expressed their dismay. And they knew it was a snub.

This was an " invitation only " funeral.

It was harder to get an invitation to Thatcher's funeral than to get an invitation to a Royal wedding.

Obama looks classless and undiplomatic and that's putting it nicely.

Her funeral was the first political funeral that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip had attended since Winston Churchill's funeral.

And despite Obama's snub, it was grand.

WHO is snubbing Thatcher???

Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion

Obama won't attend Thatcher funeral. But neither will former presidents Clinton and both Bushes.

It appears that protocol has a lot to do with the absence of big names from the US attendee list. Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion, despite the military trappings and the presence of her majesty, the Queen. So technically, although they've all been invited, US presidents, as former and present heads of state, would be attending representing themselves and not the nation.

I don't see why Obama would be expected to attend Thatcher's funeral. The two of them had nothing in common and their terms in office are years apart.

If anyone would attend, it's Nancy Reagan but even SHE'S not going.

 

[candycorn]

What nonsense that this wasn't a snub!

President Obama and the First Lady were invited. Obama refused to attend. No one complained about that.

The snub came when he refused to send any high ranking official in his administration to the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.

It was purposeful, blatant, deliberate and beyond tacky. So low class.

The Thatcher family was distressed that Obama sent no one of any ranking from the President's administration. And said so to the Brit papers.

They knew it was a snub.

The funeral planners were shocked at this as well. And expressed their dismay. And they knew it was a snub.

This was an " invitation only " funeral.

It was harder to get an invitation to Thatcher's funeral than to get an invitation to a Royal wedding.

Obama looks classless and undiplomatic and that's putting it nicely.

Her funeral was the first political funeral that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip had attended since Winston Churchill's funeral.

And despite Obama's snub, it was grand.

WHO is snubbing Thatcher???

Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion

Obama won't attend Thatcher funeral. But neither will former presidents Clinton and both Bushes.

It appears that protocol has a lot to do with the absence of big names from the US attendee list. Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion, despite the military trappings and the presence of her majesty, the Queen. So technically, although they've all been invited, US presidents, as former and present heads of state, would be attending representing themselves and not the nation.

I don't see why Obama would be expected to attend Thatcher's funeral. The two of them had nothing in common and their terms in office are years apart.

If anyone would attend, it's Nancy Reagan but even SHE'S not going.

It's a reflex...if Obama does "A", criticize him for not doing "B".

 

[Pop23]

What nonsense that this wasn't a snub!

President Obama and the First Lady were invited. Obama refused to attend. No one complained about that.

The snub came when he refused to send any high ranking official in his administration to the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.

It was purposeful, blatant, deliberate and beyond tacky. So low class.

The Thatcher family was distressed that Obama sent no one of any ranking from the President's administration. And said so to the Brit papers.

They knew it was a snub.

The funeral planners were shocked at this as well. And expressed their dismay. And they knew it was a snub.

This was an " invitation only " funeral.

It was harder to get an invitation to Thatcher's funeral than to get an invitation to a Royal wedding.

Obama looks classless and undiplomatic and that's putting it nicely.

Her funeral was the first political funeral that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip had attended since Winston Churchill's funeral.

And despite Obama's snub, it was grand.

WHO is snubbing Thatcher???

Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion

Obama won't attend Thatcher funeral. But neither will former presidents Clinton and both Bushes.

It appears that protocol has a lot to do with the absence of big names from the US attendee list. Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion, despite the military trappings and the presence of her majesty, the Queen. So technically, although they've all been invited, US presidents, as former and present heads of state, would be attending representing themselves and not the nation.

I don't see why Obama would be expected to attend Thatcher's funeral. The two of them had nothing in common and their terms in office are years apart.

If anyone would attend, it's Nancy Reagan but even SHE'S not going.

She's 91 and frail

 

[sfcalifornia]

WHO is snubbing Thatcher???

Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion

Obama won't attend Thatcher funeral. But neither will former presidents Clinton and both Bushes.

It appears that protocol has a lot to do with the absence of big names from the US attendee list. Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion, despite the military trappings and the presence of her majesty, the Queen. So technically, although they've all been invited, US presidents, as former and present heads of state, would be attending representing themselves and not the nation.

I don't see why Obama would be expected to attend Thatcher's funeral. The two of them had nothing in common and their terms in office are years apart.

If anyone would attend, it's Nancy Reagan but even SHE'S not going.

She's 91 and frail

I know. It's not really fair to use her as an example but I'm sure there are lots of people who were close to Thatcher who could attend but won't be for any number of reasons. That's the way it goes.

 

[Pop23]

I don't see why Obama would be expected to attend Thatcher's funeral. The two of them had nothing in common and their terms in office are years apart.

If anyone would attend, it's Nancy Reagan but even SHE'S not going.

She's 91 and frail

I know. It's not really fair to use her as an example but I'm sure there are lots of people who were close to Thatcher who could attend but won't be for any number of reasons. That's the way it goes.

Not the point. Nobody from the current administration is attending. Send the freaking secretary of sweet and tasty candies for God Sakes, we don't need him/her/it until next Valentines day!

 

[Unkotare]

Yet another tacky, unstatesmanlike performance from The Won. Neither he nor any active member of his administration will attend Thatcher's funeral. It's a state occasion, given that the Queen is participating. So much for our "special relationship".

Maybe he'll send the family an ipod with some of his speeches as a consolation prize.

I'll also note that the terrorist attack in Benghazi didn't prevent Obama from flying off to Las Vegas for a fundraiser the next day.


Friends and allies of Baroness Thatcher expressed 'surprise and disappointment' last night as it emerged President Obama is not planning to send any serving member of his administration to her funeral.

Whitehall sources have revealed that the US delegation at tomorrow's service in St Paul's Cathedral will be led by two Reagan era secretaries of state: James Baker and George Shultz.

Though President Obama himself had not been expected to attend, there had been speculation that he would be represented either by Vice President Joe Biden or wife Michelle. However, the Obama administration had said it would not be attending Thatcher's funeral before the Boston bombings

Other world leaders, including Canada's Stephen Harper, Mario Monti of Italy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, are attending the service in person.

President Obama paid tribute to Lady Thatcher's towering achievements when her death was announced last week.

But a US embassy spokesman confirmed that no serving member of his administration would be present to pay their last respects, citing a busy week in US domestic politics.

Former US vice president Dick Cheney and ex-secretary of state Henry Kissinger will attend the funeral, Downing Street said today...


Margaret Thatcher funeral: President Obama won't send envoy - and leaves it to her old allies from Reagan era | Mail Online

Our President is like school on Saturday...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WT-fxBNKs8]Fat Albert Opening Theme - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Bfgrn]

She's 91 and frail

I know. It's not really fair to use her as an example but I'm sure there are lots of people who were close to Thatcher who could attend but won't be for any number of reasons. That's the way it goes.

Not the point. Nobody from the current administration is attending. Send the freaking secretary of sweet and tasty candies for God Sakes, we don't need him/her/it until next Valentines day!

WHAT don't you understand about the FACT Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion? Anyone attending would be representing themselves and not the nation.

 

[boedicca]

I know. It's not really fair to use her as an example but I'm sure there are lots of people who were close to Thatcher who could attend but won't be for any number of reasons. That's the way it goes.

Not the point. Nobody from the current administration is attending. Send the freaking secretary of sweet and tasty candies for God Sakes, we don't need him/her/it until next Valentines day!

WHAT don't you understand about the FACT Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion? Anyone attending would be representing themselves and not the nation.

Actually, it is a state occasion given that The Queen is attending.

 

[Interpol]

British people and their press didn't even like that ****, but leave it to retarded Americans to bitch about their president not going to the ****'s funeral.

Iron Lady: Rust in Peace.

 

[boedicca]

British people and their press didn't even like that ****, but leave it to retarded Americans to bitch about their president not going to the ****'s funeral.

Iron Lady: Rust in Peace.

You are a disgusting idiot.

When you play the C-Card, you reveal the bankruptcy of both your morals and your intellect.

 

[Interpol]

Not the point. Nobody from the current administration is attending. Send the freaking secretary of sweet and tasty candies for God Sakes, we don't need him/her/it until next Valentines day!

WHAT don't you understand about the FACT Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion? Anyone attending would be representing themselves and not the nation.

Actually, it is a state occasion given that The Queen is attending.

Actually, it is a ceremonial occasion given that The Queen is attending.

It is not a state funeral. In a state funeral, the military would draw your carriage, not horses, for instance.

 

[Interpol]

British people and their press didn't even like that ****, but leave it to retarded Americans to bitch about their president not going to the ****'s funeral.

Iron Lady: Rust in Peace.

You are a disgusting idiot.

When you play the C-Card, you reveal the bankruptcy of both your morals and your intellect.

It's true, though.

She couldn't have given a shit about regular people. That makes her a ****.

George W. Bush didn't care about regular people also. He's a fucking dick.

May you burn in hell for not putting regular people first.

 

[Trajan]

Edward Heath and James Callaghan, both died in 2005.

Was President Bush invited? Were they small private funerals?

You see for Thatcher's funeral Obama's administration had been invited. It's harder to get an invite to Baroness Thatcher's funeral than it is to get one to a royal wedding once source joked.

Lady Thatcher's funeral is invitation only. It's reached the level of a state funeral. Matching Churchill's.

Were Heath's and Callaghan's private and not state? Because there is a world of difference.

Lady Thatcher, that great "small government" "conservative" was made part of the totalitarian upper class and is now having a state funeral costing the taxpayers millions of dollars. Her funeral is only for the "big people" by special invitation even though the "little people" are paying for it.

You can't do irony this well in fiction.

part of the what?

so a groundbreaking former prime minister is not worthy of a state funeral, because she believed in free markets etc.....



did you bitch about that when Diana was given all the pomp etc.?

 

[Trajan]

Lady Thatcher, that great "small government" "conservative" was made part of the totalitarian upper class and is now having a state funeral costing the taxpayers millions of dollars. Her funeral is only for the "big people" by special invitation even though the "little people" are paying for it.

You can't do irony this well in fiction.

That seems a minimal expense for such an historical leader, not just for Great Briton but for Women. Don't forget, she didn't simply run a country, she illustrated to Women all over the world that they could too.

Priceless

Are you a sexist?

So you're saying her only good point was that she was a woman? I think it's pretty cool that a woman would get elected to that position but her gender doesn't excuse her lack of accomplishment as leader and her pretense to being a small government conservative makes the cost of this funeral blatant hypocrisy.

her lack of accomplishment, and as a leader? my word, you're actually pretty dumb, seriously, that was dumb....

 

[Pop23]

British people and their press didn't even like that ****, but leave it to retarded Americans to bitch about their president not going to the ****'s funeral.

Iron Lady: Rust in Peace.

You are a disgusting idiot.

When you play the C-Card, you reveal the bankruptcy of both your morals and your intellect.

It's true, though.

She couldn't have given a shit about regular people. That makes her a ****.

George W. Bush didn't care about regular people also. He's a fucking dick.

May you burn in hell for not putting regular people first.

Regular people die from nuclear blasts any different then who?

 

[Trajan]

British people and their press didn't even like that ****, but leave it to retarded Americans to bitch about their president not going to the ****'s funeral.

Iron Lady: Rust in Peace.

You are a disgusting idiot.

When you play the C-Card, you reveal the bankruptcy of both your morals and your intellect.

It's true, though.

She couldn't have given a shit about regular people. That makes her a ****.

George W. Bush didn't care about regular people also. He's a fucking dick.

May you burn in hell for not putting regular people first.

whats a matter? they didn't feel your pain?

 

[Pop23]

I know. It's not really fair to use her as an example but I'm sure there are lots of people who were close to Thatcher who could attend but won't be for any number of reasons. That's the way it goes.

Not the point. Nobody from the current administration is attending. Send the freaking secretary of sweet and tasty candies for God Sakes, we don't need him/her/it until next Valentines day!

WHAT don't you understand about the FACT Margaret Thatcher's funeral is not an official state occasion? Anyone attending would be representing themselves and not the nation.

Maybe that it's not

 

[Trajan]

Actually, there is a delegation going over...

The US is to send distinctly low-key official representation to Lady Thatcher's funeral on Wednesday, with a delegation led by George Shultz and James Baker, who both served as US secretary of state while Thatcher was in power.

While Barack Obama was invited, he has opted to send a presidential delegation comprising no serving politicians. Shultz was secretary of state to Ronald Reagan while Baker served the elder George Bush. Also representing Obama will be Barbara Stephenson, chargé d'affaires at the US embassy in London, and Louis Susman, the recently departed ambassador to Britain.

Now granted, many of us wold have expected someone higher up than a couple of retirees, but consider that Thatcher has been out of office for a while, her career pretty much peaked in the '80s, it's not like Obama knew her, and why not appreciate all the money that will be saved by not having to worry about security?

they could have saved that security money ( for the WH tours btw) too if malia and sasha didn't go to Bermuda AND the ski trip on spring break