Diplomacy

Busted: The Churchill Flap

By Katie Connolly | NEWSWEEK
Published Feb 21, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Mar 2, 2009

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  • Posted By: jbz7879 @ 05/02/2009 10:39:19 AM

    churchill
    A MASS MURDERER -
    WHO masqueraded cunningly behind the charade of BOMBER HARRIS -AFTER THE DRESDEN MAASACRE killing 250000 innocent refugess in three waves of intense bhombings -
    he called out to say the allied bombers had emptied their bomb arsenals on a football field prior to returning back to bases -
    it is so awful it is not amusing as the soccer field turned out to be the BAROQUE FLORENCE OF EUROPEAN ART AND CULTURE PACKED WITH YOUNG CHILDERN ANNIHILATED IN THE WORST FIRESTORM EVER CREATED OVER 8 hours of bombings -
    mr .churchill also was the first to instigate civilian kurd massacres in the guise of uncivilised tribes who deserve to be wiped out -
    CHEERS FOR OBAMA THE RIGHTEOUS

    • Posted By: MaltaGC @ 05/08/2009 6:15:58 AM

      Very easy to sit in our comfortable lives and judge historical events - Britain was in the middle of a blitz at the time and was saved by the courage and determination of Winston Churchill's leadership, death camps were not a very nice alternative, ask the population of continental Europe- and I seem to remember America dropping an atom bomb or two on a couple of "innocent" Japanese cities. Not exactly indiscriminate bombing, firestorms?. Let's see if Obama the righteous leaves his mark on history and we can all sit and judge him in 50 years.

  • Posted By: Against-Ignorance @ 05/02/2009 10:13:11 PM

    Its a very good, and unfortunately rare thing, to be reminded that while Churchill was ranting about defending freedom during WWII he was busy oppressing half the world.

  • Posted By: jbz7879 @ 05/02/2009 10:53:03 AM

    CHURCHILL WAS A MASS MURDERER -
    WELL DONE OBAMA
    HE DESERVES TO BE EVICTED FROM ANY HALL OF FAME OR MORALITY -
    KILLING GERMAN AND KURDS IN A RACIAL GENOCIDE is no greatness but just a tyrannical dictator hiding behind the mask of democracy -
    i am afraid we have rules in war too as geneva convetion will verify -
    churchill thought like most engliish men that all is fair in LOVE AND WAR -
    i am really glad obama thinks he was wrong as i think he was a war criminal

  • Posted By: Texan 7700 @ 04/25/2009 7:47:15 PM

    obama is not stupid. There are pictures of Abraham Lincoln in the Whitehouse, mementos and a room named after him. There is no statue of Churchill in the Whitehous-and Churchill is- I beleive- the only Honorary American Citizen by act of Congress! This was an intentional snub by obama - and maybe it does have something to do with British rule in Kenya. I lived and worked in Kenya and it is not racist to observe that Kenya has a democratic government with policies and proceedures-health care and many other legacies of the British era there.- in a region where all the these attributes is sadly lacking. obama's snub of Churchill belittles only obama-but worse is an attempt by obama to appear that America is distancing itself from England. This is not true and obama needs a history lesson concerning the Oval Office, and the Whitehouse - which are the property of all Americans everywhere and hallowed ground to all who value freedom-- and Churchill was the best known proponent of freedom in the world in World War II.rallying the world in some very hopeless times.
    . America and Kenya has have a shared legacy of British rule of law - and these facts are well known to a lawyer..
    This is a deliberate and stupid snub of a big man and an ally nation by a very small man

  • Posted By: Alexaray989 @ 03/10/2009 11:43:17 AM

    I am a Republican and I voted for McCain. I have to admit, however, I think it's great that Obama returned the bust. He replaced it with a bust of his hero, Abraham Lincoln. What's wrong with that? BTW, Churchill gave the thumbs up for the bombing of Dresden that killed hundreds of thousands of women and children refugees, and this was AFTER Hitler lost power. That is one of the most hideous war crime cover ups. So kudos to Obama. I'm still mad at him, however, that he is putting my children and grandchildren into debt.......

    • Posted By: 123perryv @ 03/27/2009 3:57:23 PM

      The Bombing of Dresden by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Army Air Force (USAAF) between 13 February and 15 February 1945, 12 weeks before the surrender of the Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) of Nazi Germany, remains one of the most controversial Allied actions of the Second World War. ***Exactly who was to blame? Germany who hadn't surrendered, or the allies, USA included.

  • Posted By: phyllisbraggs @ 03/18/2009 2:39:01 PM

    Obama! Obama! Obama! .......next time you make a move, please ask for advice. You could have put the bust anywhere except Britian's hand. Remember you represent us! I can understand wanting to replace it with Lincoln. No reason to reject an offer from our top allied. That bust represented a bond . I hope you did not break it !!!!!!! !

  • Posted By: lithium451 @ 03/14/2009 6:19:07 PM

    Gordon Brown could loan one of the 25 DVDs that Obama gave him to any Brit whose feelings got hurt.

  • Posted By: callison12345 @ 03/10/2009 10:35:04 PM

    Mr. President Obama,

    Following the attack of 9/11 2001 the people of the United States of America were given a bust of Winston Churchill by the Brittish Prime Minister. This gift symbolized England???s sorrow for the catastrophe we as a Nation had just experienced and it served as a comfort to all of us, but especially the family and friends of those lost that day in the plains and twin towers. It was placed prominently in the white house where it served as a reminder of England???s dedication to our Country as England???s military has served and died in the Iraqi Freedom War next to our own military men. This bust also served as a source of comfort to the people of the United States to whom it had been given.
    My question to you is, why was this gift returned to the Brittish Prime Minister without our knowledge as a nation? You, Mr. President, represent us, the people of America. Without any response from you Mr. President we feel that the returning of this gift misrepresents our sentiments as a Nation and serves as a slap on the face to the Brittish people, especially those who have lost their loved ones in the war.
    It is the responsibility of anyone representing us as a Nation to set aside personal emotions and be gracious and respectful to the visiting leaders of other Countries???. We as a people find it in very bad taste when they are disrespected in any way. We as a people respectively demand an explanation for this seemingly rude and disrespectful act.

    • Posted By: FunWithTruth @ 03/13/2009 4:43:10 PM

      THis poster (Callison12345) is doing exactly what he accuses Obama of doing, speakinng for the American people.
      But, Obama was elected, This Right Wing Ideolog was not. Isn't hiprocracy fun?

  • Posted By: hippy1953 @ 03/13/2009 7:08:22 AM

    This is an apology to the British people for the disrespect shown to you from the person a majority of Americans voted to represent them. I wish to assure you that at least a large minority of Americans genuinely feel that the British people are our brothers and I for one will fight to erase this embarassment.

  • Posted By: jon.f @ 03/11/2009 8:57:05 PM

    the prhrase "...as is its wont" shows a clear immature bias on the part of this journalist, aside from both (a) making a gross generalization of an entire national media system, and (b) passing judgement on that entire body of media people. to assume that the English press has pre-conceived notions about the U.S., or Mr. Obama's administration is a largely illegitimate statement. i call into question not the content of this particular story, but rather its author's professionalism. considering the prominence of this publication as well as its purpose (to inform, rather than offer an opinion. am i wrong?) one must conclude that not only was the writing sloppy in tone, but also widely unchecked by the editorial staff. by way of caveot, i must admit that the following statement is, to a small degree, hypocritical; however, i personally see this article - and especially the phrase "...as its wont" as a reflection of the over arching movement of journalistic writing to echo personal bias (both right and left). i wouldn't go so far as to say that the entire article has a propaganda, but rather that the particular phrase soils the entire piece. i realize that the word "wont" is higher vocabulary in the news these days, but Ms. Connolly, it is nonetheless, amateurish and even borderline unethical. bad form, Ms. Connolly

  • Posted By: callison12345 @ 03/10/2009 10:33:39 PM

    Mr. President Obama,

    Following the attack of 9/11 2001 the people of the United States of America were given a bust of Winston Churchill by the Brittish Prime Minister. This gift symbolized England???s sorrow for the catastrophe we as a Nation had just experienced and it served as a comfort to all of us, but especially the family and friends of those lost that day in the plains and twin towers. It was placed prominently in the white house where it served as a reminder of England???s dedication to our Country as England???s military has served and died in the Iraqi Freedom War next to our own military men. This bust also served as a source of comfort to the people of the United States to whom it had been given.
    My question to you is, why was this gift returned to the Brittish Prime Minister without our knowledge as a nation? You, Mr. President, represent us, the people of America. Without any response from you Mr. President we feel that the returning of this gift misrepresents our sentiments as a Nation and serves as a slap on the face to the Brittish people, especially those who have lost their loved ones in the war.
    It is the responsibility of anyone representing us as a Nation to set aside personal emotions and be gracious and respectful to the visiting leaders of other Countries???. We as a people find it in very bad taste when they are disrespected in any way. We as a people respectively demand an explanation for this seemingly rude and disrespectful act.

  • Posted By: callison12345 @ 03/10/2009 10:32:53 PM

    Mr. President Obama,

    Following the attack of 9/11 2001 the people of the United States of America were given a bust of Winston Churchill by the Brittish Prime Minister. This gift symbolized England???s sorrow for the catastrophe we as a Nation had just experienced and it served as a comfort to all of us, but especially the family and friends of those lost that day in the plains and twin towers. It was placed prominently in the white house where it served as a reminder of England???s dedication to our Country as England???s military has served and died in the Iraqi Freedom War next to our own military men. This bust also served as a source of comfort to the people of the United States to whom it had been given.
    My question to you is, why was this gift returned to the Brittish Prime Minister without our knowledge as a nation? You, Mr. President, represent us, the people of America. Without any response from you Mr. President we feel that the returning of this gift misrepresents our sentiments as a Nation and serves as a slap on the face to the Brittish people, especially those who have lost their loved ones in the war.
    It is the responsibility of anyone representing us as a Nation to set aside personal emotions and be gracious and respectful to the visiting leaders of other Countries???. We as a people find it in very bad taste when they are disrespected in any way. We as a people respectively demand an explanation for this seemingly rude and disrespectful act.

  • Posted By: Roc45 @ 02/21/2009 7:27:25 PM

    Speaking of Churchill and busts, here's a true story about the guy over here. Winston Churchill once came to Virginia after WWII to attend the unveiling of a bust honoring him at a local university. At the reception afterwards this well-endowed southern belle pushed her way through the crowd and came up to Churchill, where she told him that she had driven all night over 200 miles to see the unveiling of his bust. Churchill looked down at her chest and then up into her eyes and said "Madam, I would have done the same for you!" No wonder why we love this guy.

    • Posted By: MIthras1936 @ 03/10/2009 7:32:21 PM

      He was my hero when I was a child during the War and he kept us going when times were hard and our homes were just rubble. His wit is legendary. When at a party a Lady came up to him and said"Sir, you are drunk" he replied, "Madam, you are ugly!, but tomorrow I will be sober" I was fortunate to hold his hand once and I cried at the funeral of this great man. I am appalled at the ignorance of Mr Obama and the embarrassment his lack of culture and racism will be looked on by the bigger world outside the US, Since he rejects their gift of support and compassion perhaps Britain should now withdraw its troops in Iraq who have been killed and injured through supporting the US in its war.

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 02/23/2009 9:00:56 AM

      Great story, thanks for sharing!

      • Posted By: odette1208 @ 02/25/2009 4:09:51 PM

        I love that story!

  • Posted By: PrayforAmerica @ 03/10/2009 1:17:25 PM

    This isn't about Bush or Blair, Churchill or Obama's personal injured feelings and snobbery. It's about relations between the US and the UK. The Obama's have an agenda and it's showing. Ms. Obama's hateful racist speeches, Eric Holder calling us all cowards, they're not hiding their racist intentions very well. These blacks are nothing like Martin Luther King and his wife, they're full of hate, even though they all hold high offices and were voted on by whites. I can only hope this is the beginning and the end of Obama's reign of power. America is circling the drain as his supporters believe all his lies, he's just a talking head. The saddest thing is that blacks are still slaves.................to other blacks who just might not be supportive of the Obamanation and his liberal, antichrist views.

  • Posted By: Pravda @ 03/10/2009 1:06:36 PM

    I understand Obama settled for Lincoln, only when he could not locate a bust of Fidel Castro.

  • Posted By: Pravda @ 03/10/2009 12:58:19 PM

    I see the libs are having a hard time defending this one. As usual, instead of arguing facts, they throw invectives around, and try miserably to defend a dangerous and hateful message sent to our staunchest ally. As for our rapidly declining media, they saturate the headlines with petty insults, slandering Rush Limbaugh, while our Commander n Chief is destroying relationships with our strongest allies, and cozying up to our enemies. When we are hit again, we can thank our politically driven media, and their golden boy in the Whitehouse.

  • Posted By: Pravda @ 03/10/2009 12:57:40 PM

    I see the libs are having a hard time defending this one. As usual, instead of arguing facts, they throw invectives around, and try miserably to defend a dangerous and hateful message sent to our staunchest ally. As for our rapidly declining media, they saturate the headlines with petty insults, slandering Rush Limbaugh, while our Commander n Chief is destroying relationships with our strongest allies, and cozying up to our enemies. When we are hit again, we can thank our politically driven media, and their golden boy in the Whitehouse.

  • Posted By: ph620 @ 03/09/2009 6:31:34 PM

    The bust of Winston Churchwill was a gift from the Government and people of the UK as a message of condolence compassion and solidarity from people who share a common heritage and culture and who lost many of their own in the 9/11 attacks. The failure to acknowledge this demontrates a fundalmental ignorance of a long shared relationship which appears to be less valueable to the current administration and president.

    Remarkable by it's absence, is the reportage of the "drive-by, in the tank" for Obama media. If this is a sample of the new US diplomacy, one can hardly wait for negotitions to begin with the "moderate" Taliban, N. Korea and Iran.

    So much for hope and change. Let us hope and pray that this is a one term President.

    • Posted By: cyntro @ 03/09/2009 10:31:21 PM

      We need to do a whole lot more then hope and pray! Get loud, get involved. Become so informed that when any liberal starts to postulate within your earshot you can debate the facts with them. In my experience a polite statement of facts is more then enough to make those who are into feeling good about their Obama choice either sit down and shut up, or ask for more information. Either response is fine with me..

      • Posted By: Rozeaurora319 @ 03/10/2009 11:28:15 AM

        Amen and Ditos to both ph620 and cyntro! You both took the words right out of my mouth. I was appalled by the "gift" that Obama gave to Prime Minister Brown and even more so that he would return such a priceless symbol of unity and support. I was so relieved when I started reading some of the responses to this article to find that there are others our our there that are not being snowed and enchanted by Obama, We Surround Them. Let us all pray, hope and take action to save OUR country! For more info on the We Surround Them campaign, go to www.glennbeck.com

      • Posted By: Adrienne319 @ 03/10/2009 11:25:25 AM

        Amen and Ditos to both ph620 and cyntro! You both took the words right out of my mouth. I was appalled by the "gift" that Obama gave to Prime Minister Brown and even more so that he would return such a priceless symbol of unity and support. I was so relieved when I started reading some of the responses to this article to find that there are others our our there that are not being snowed and enchanted by Obama, We Surround Them. Let us all pray, hope and take action to save OUR country! For more info on the We Surround Them campaign, go to www.glennbeck.com

      • Posted By: rozeaurora @ 03/10/2009 11:22:19 AM

        Amen and Ditos to both ph620 and cyntro! You both took the words right out of my mouth. I was appalled by the "gift" that Obama gave to Prime Minister Brown and even more so that he would return such a priceless symbol of unity and support. I was so relieved when I started reading some of the responses to this article to find that there are others our our there that are not being snowed and enchanted by Obama, We Surround Them. Let us all pray, hope and take action to save OUR country! For more info on the We Surround Them campaign, go to www.glennbeck.com

      • Posted By: rozeaurora @ 03/10/2009 11:17:45 AM

        Amen and Ditos to both ph620 and cyntro! You both took the words right out of my mouth. I was appalled by the "gift" that Obama gave to Prime Minister Brown and even more so that he would return such a priceless symbol of unity and support. I was so relieved when I started reading some of the responses to this article to find that there are others our our there that are not being snowed and enchanted by Obama, We Surround Them. Let us all pray, hope and take action to save OUR country! For more info on the We Surround Them campaign, go to www.glennbeck.com

  • Posted By: PrayforAmerica @ 03/10/2009 11:21:23 AM

    This obvious snub isn't about Bush or Blair, Churchill or O'Bama and his personal injured feelings, it's about U.S. - U.K. relationships. O'Bama promised change that HE can live with, not considering the rest of us. O'Bama, his racist wife and that nasty 'Eric Holder thoroughly disgust me. They will take this country down before he's out of office, which I believe is his agenda anyway. They're the total opposite of Martin Luther King and Kin's wife.

  • Posted By: sakuratoo @ 03/09/2009 11:42:18 PM

    Oh please.... stop defending Obama studpidity! He needs to be more diplomatic. And if he sent the bust back because of his father, he's no longer in a position that lets you have those kind of petty feelings. Don't you understand what it means if he's letting personal feelings lead him? He needs tobe putting this nation and its citizens first.

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