UPDATE V
A short reflection.
I have really enjoyed Mitt's debacle today. As I think about it, a stark irony stands out. The reason this was so much fun is that "Mitt Met England" and England didn't take any of his crap and basically said 'the emperor has no clothes.' Simple, no spin, no lies. It is so refreshing to hear the truth so loud and clear.
By contrast, when the same insanities go on here, the corporate media and Republican Party, fix us with a stare and dare us: "So what? Nothing out of the ordinary happened! What's the matter WITH YOU? You're just a dirty hippie, commie, homo, feminazi, socialist, athiestic pig and we will fix you with our 2nd Amendment Remedies if you get in our way! You're trying to take our gun, god, religious freedom rights away! You're the problem!" Basically, "These aren't the droids you are looking for, Move along" and then they twist words and turn reality around. And unleash massive propaganda and brainwashing. It is exhausting to fight for reality all the time and have it denied all the time. Even when you have it on YouTube, the internet, Twitter, etc.
I realize that I have been living in a Twilight Zone where Reality has been denied, contorted and twisted. I have long suspected that a firewall of information has existed around our national borders with the intent of keeping certain information away from us. Now I am sure of it.
Today we heard the truth and it was refreshing and it was fun and it was a big relief.
And it was unusual.
This is sad.
UPDATE IV:
In case you haven't yet heard about the "Romney Tour to Make Friends and Influence People in Anglo-Saxonia and Europe," please read below the Update. (Make yourself a cuppa, out of respect to our British BFF and kick back and enjoy.)
Now for those of you already in the know with the backstory, sit back and enjoy a compilation "best of collection" of blogs, tweets, comments etc on Mitts very, very, long two days in Anglo-Saxonia.
H/t to DK commenter, 'willynel' for alerting us to this 'not to be missed' summary of 'Mitt Romney's Day Off," in the Guardian's Blog.
To wet your appetite to read the whole damn thing, here is a sample of British wit at its best.
We're going to wrap up today's live blog politics coverage. Here's a summary of where things stand:
• Mitt Romney made all kinds of news for saying and doing the wrong things in the first full day of his trip to London. The trip was meant to make him look presidential. In the apt summation of John Podhoretz, it made him look like Mr. Bean. The Romney show continues tomorrow, when he attends the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. Should be fun!
• British politicians David Cameron and Boris Johnson took umbrage at Romney's remarks and ridiculed Romney in front of tens of thousands of people, respectively. We can't believe we just typed that sentence.
• The Romney camp hit President Obama with a new video trouncing the president's claim that his economic policies "worked."
• President Obama called for a new consensus to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally unstable.
(Trust me the last comment was intended to refer to the subject of the comment preceding it. I would bet 10K on it.)
The next post is 'tips on etiquette when coming to London before the Olympics'.... naturally a 'little pointed' about negative comments about the Olympics....
The blog continues with wits and the 'best of' quotes of the day. As an example, apparently Boris Johnson whipped up around 60K people in Hyde Park today asking them: "I hear there's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we're ready. Are we ready? And the crowd goes wild." Read more. That's SIXTY THOUSAND PEOPLE who are essentially countering what Romney said. I wonder what his reception will be at the Olympic opening?
And then there is a priceless piece about Adelson and Romney and a back and forth between the angels and devils .....
Here is the better angel of our nature attempting to rebut the devil's skeptic about us that says that if Mitt Romney is elected, Sheldon Adelson will run Mitt Romney's policy in the Middle East:
So, if you want something ridiculously funny, go read this and enjoy. Frankly, I will be going to Amazon to preorder the book; I hope that they have it in time for Xmas.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
In this morning's edition, The Guardian reports how Willard "Mitt" Romney, Republican candidate for the President of the United States, expressed his concerns and reservations about whether the "Anglo-Saxons" were actually ready to put on the Olympic Games. (ahem..)
Take a deep breath and read what our "Olympic ambassador" who was strutting his creds (since he 'saved the US Olympics',) said:
Mitt Romney questions London's readiness for Olympic Games:
US presidential candidate points to 'disconcerting signs' including G4S scandal and threatened border officials' strike
The US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has questioned the readiness of London 2012, saying there have been "disconcerting signs" in the buildup to the Games – but said the focus would soon switch to celebrating the athletes.
Before meetings with David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband on Thursday, he told US television: "It is hard to know just how well it will turn out."
Romney told NBC News: "There are a few things that were disconcerting. The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials – that obviously is not something which is encouraging."
In the interview he also called into question whether the British people were behind the Games.
(bolded statements put in by diarist)
In a classic exercise of English understatement, The Guardian continued:
But his remarks were more diplomatic when he met Miliband in Westminster on Thursday morning. The Labour leader greeted Romney, who was chief executive of the Salt Lake City winter Olympics in 2002, by saying he was "sure you share our excitement about the Games".
Translation from British-speak:
"How un-diplomatic can you be to come into our country and to call into question our readiness and the support of our people!"
However Romneybot trying to inject warmth into the frosty situation continued to opine about the fortunate weather:
"The weather could not be better, fortunately the sunshine is out, the warmth is here,"
Did he learn nothing from his supposed "corporate businessman' experience about how to promote a product? Dissing a new event before the launch is not exactly what advertising companies would advise. But wait, he has his brilliant campaign advisors who have about as much 'street smarts' as he does. Does he not realize that there is a lot of national pride in hosting the Olympics? And by calling into question the pride of the British people in this, he is demeaning them as well as us. (Another ugly American! UGH!)
I simply cannot see the upside for his campaign in being so disrespectful and arrogant while in England to the British people. And he is expecting to raise money from the English to support him?
His needs to plug in for updates to his program.
UPDATE: (h/t Anakin Skywalker for the quote and link)
Ah, the Brits are not taking this outrageous slur lying down. Prime Minister Cameron immediately defended his country and what it had to offer and its ability to provide a memorable Olympics. In the course of his comments, he deftly cut Romney down to size:
This is an extraordinary few weeks for London," Mr Cameron said.
"We can't say to people that life is going to be completely as normal, it isn't. This is an extraordinary few weeks for our city, for our country, and I think people have to be prepared for some difficulties as a result of that."
He went on: "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it's easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere."
(bold added by diarist)
The Telegraph
The Guardian has also immediately followed up with Cameron's defense of his country against this uncouth invader:
David Cameron hits back at Mitt Romney over London 2012 doubts Prime minister says Olympics have brought the UK together to put on a 'friendly Games' for international visitors
My own personal take is that Romney is a little too trigger happy from his many hostile takeovers and with the prospect of becoming president, is thinking as any vulture capitalist would. But the difference is that he is is auditioning to be President of the United States.
Can't wait until the late night comedians, SNL and particularly Jon Stewart get hold of this one. Get the popcorn ready!
UPDATE II
The response from the UK is getting a little sharper (chuckle, chuckle)..... (my use of British understatement...)
THIS WEEK, UK Edition, has the following scathing editorial:
MITT ROMNEY'S attempts to portray himself as the guardian of the 'special relationship' between the US and UK got off to a shaky start after he cast doubt on London's readiness for the Olympic Games and questioned the enthusiasm of the British public.
Romney, in London for tomorrow's opening ceremony, was due to meet Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street this afternoon. The Times reports that British journalists would be allowed to shout questions at Romney, but his advisers have made clear there will "no remarks".
If this is to guard against gaffes, it may be too late.
The article goes on to describe what Mitt the Romney did and when he did it and concludes with fangs bared:
As if questioning the enthusiasm of the British public wasn't enough, Romney appeared to go on to denounce the whole of Europe, telling NBC: "We're at a point here where we have two different roads we can go down. One leads to Europe. The other leads to the kind of dynamism and prosperity which has always characterised America."
British journalists had plenty to shout about in Downing Street today. ·
Republican candidate on visit to UK makes diplomatic gaffe by questioning preparations for Olympics Read more: http://www.theweek.co.uk/olympics/london-2012/48176/mitt-romney-questions-londons-enthusiasm-olympics#ixzz21k08olUS
So, it appears that the Republican's candidate has not only insulted the British Isles but also most of Europe. Way to go! That's just what a diplomatic mission, 'meet and greet' is for!
Is it time for the State Department to call him home?
Seal Team Six, stand by for emergency airlift of dangerous cargo back home.....
UPDATE III
By contrast, this is how the UK Press covered Senator Barack Obama's European tour when he was a presidential candidate. Any Differences?
See his THUNDEROUS welcome in Berlin as well as warm welcome from France and UK. Any difference here between presidential candidates?
Which man do you want talking to our allies!
VOTE OBAMA 2012!