It is vital that Britain and America should always stand together.” –Margaret Thatcher, 1988
Former President Bush was right: the United States has no better friend than Great Britain. During our 150-plus years as colonies of the Crown, our British cousins gave us a legacy of liberty, self-government, equal justice, entrepreneurship and the common law. From this foundation a great republic was born that would serve as a model of democracy and economic vitality for all the world. We have regularly fought alongside Her Majesty’s armed forces in such diverse locales as Kabul, Normandy and Basra. Together, we two nations of freedom-loving people have fought to secure and advance the “sacred cause of liberty.” When we were attacked on September 11, 2001, then-prime minister Tony Blair was the first head of government to come to our aid, meanwhile Queen Elizabeth allowed “The Star-Spangled Banner” to be played at Buckingham Palace. Dr. Kissinger might be right in that we have no permanent allies, only permanent interests, but in Britain, we have both. It is a symbiotic relationship–both the United States and Great Britain are better countries today because of our long-standing friendship and cultural exchange. That is why President Obama’s insolence toward Prime Minister Gordon Brown is so baffling.
Ed Morrissey at HotAir has the full story, but the gist of it is this: upon his inauguration, President Obama returned the bust of Sir Winston Churchill–displayed in George W. Bush’s Oval Office–to the British government, from whom it had been loaned. Prime Minister Brown, who brought a meaningful gift for President Obama, received in exchange…a gift set of twenty-five DVDs, plus two plastic models of Marine One (from the White House gift shop) for his children! Why is President Obama trying to alienate our most valuable ally? A Briton posits an theory, but as with many of this president’s actions, I do not understand his intentions. Furthermore, if the British begin to feel like the unappreciated party in the Anglo-American alliance, could they be persuaded to integrate more fully with the European Union? It is no secret that Prime Minister Brown supports a greater degree of EU integration; this might well prove to be the catalyst he needs to persuade the British public to look across the Channel rather than the Atlantic.
I have long considered the term “special relationship” somewhat over played, however I, like many other Brits have always felt closer to the values and people of the United States that of Europe. Both in terms of our history and our values.
Gordon Brown is not a very popular politician and is largely, though not exclusively responsible for the light regulation that has got our country into trouble. Therefore, to some extent, I can understand why he would not necessarily want to be too closely associated with him, albeit, Tony Blair did not demonstrate this thought train when the boot was on the other foot.
That said, it is difficult for any Brit not to see Obama’s actions as anything other than humiliation on the word stage, not towards our PM, but the British people. His contempt and willingness to snub a steadfast ally, is contemptible and clear shows a lack of judgment and yes, perhaps petulance. It is far easier to destroy relationships, than it is to forge new ones. So, whilst Obama wants to suck up to Iran, Russia and others, he simply dispenses with Great Britain.
It is ironic that the first African-American president in history should himself discriminate against a country that went to war with his countrymen. Not once, but many times in history. In fact, the Iraq War nearly cost our PM his job, it was and is a deeply unpopular war, with the largest demonstration in history (750,000) protesting against. Unlike many of my friends, I remained uncertain about Obama, they were in favour. I was not sure that he was sincere, convincing yes, but I felt he lacked depth. When we are desperate for change, it is far easier to see that in someone that is different, even to the extent that we overlook anything that may counter that thought.
Obama needs to learn some humility and a good start would be to tell the British people how much we are wanted as a friend, special or otherwise. I am angry with him, because be has allowed his prejudices to determine his outlook, rather than attempting to understand us. I don’t know if I am typical, but I have always felt like we could be the 51st State. I believed we were kindred spirits, not necessarily “special” because that presupposes that are being treated as equals, which has never been the case, but after Obama, I genuinely believe we would be better off aligning ourselves closer to Europe or going it alone as we have in the past. No-one needs or wants fair-weather friends, Obama has done a great did-service to a great nation.
Hello UK Voter! First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my blog! Next, I would like to say that my ancestors left Great Britain for America in the 1730s and I am very proud of my British ancestry. That’s why it pains me to see the way my president offended the British people. I know it’s not much, but please accept my personal apologies for the insult; in this slight, the president certainly does not represent the opinions of a majority of my countrymen; we love the British people and cherish our friendship.
I, too, share your concern with President Obama. As you might surmise, I did not vote for him and, prior to the election, I tried to dissuade many of my friends from voting for him. It hurts to watch the president destroying alliances and institutions that have sustained our Republic for a number of years. Keep the faith, my friend, and know that you have friends in the United States who still value the Anglo-American alliance, individual rights and limited government.
[…] Gordon Brown? First Lady Michelle Obama shows even she has a gift for the gaffe – Times Online Has Auld Acquaintance Been Forgot? Much Abides I do believe I’m starting to go off Obama… A very pissy way to treat a "friend". The […]
@ jwjohns: No apology necessary, but your sentiments are much appreciated. Fortunately the relationship between the United States and Great Britain goes much, much deeper than President Obama appreciates. One man may besmirch or attempt to marginalise it, but he cannot single handedly destroy it.
However, the following comment to a reporter from The Telegraph by a State Department official doesn’t help, it does make you wonder whether an anti-Brit sentiment is endemic with the current administration.
According to the Telegraph, “The official dismissed any notion of the special relationship. ‘There’s nothing special about Britain. You’re just the same as the other 190 countries in the world. You shouldn’t expect special treatment.’ “
I know many American’s are angry that anyone from the State Department should make such a statement.
While I appreciate and applaud both of your efforts (jwjohns and UK Voter) on this matter, I cannot say that I fully agree with all of your sentiments. Yes, I will admit, that some of the things that our newly elected President has done are less than stellar we have to admit that he took office at a very difficult and critical juncture in our history, not only in the US’ but the world’s.
I, being one of the individuals jwjohns tried to dissuade, will be the first to admit that when I voted for our President that I was actually quite torn between a great American in John McCain and a great hope in Barack Obama, and ultimately I voted for Obama because of his choice for VP, Joe Biden (that’s a whole other story). But in doing so, I knew that if elected that President Obama would have a very rough go of it, mainly because he does severely lack the political expertise, background, and stature to verse himself in matters of State and international politics.
I don’t claim to know the reason(s) why President Obama has done the things that he has. Is he intentionally trying to alienate our closest ally? Probably not. Perhaps President Obama can see the writing on the wall and realizes that times are changing far beyond what anyone can see and/or predict. Great Britain is an ally the likes of which has never been seen before. Never in the history of the world has there been such a close partnership between two countries based off of some many commonalities and so much animosity.
While I don’t claim to know the reasons, I can speculate, and I often do. The quote out of the ‘Telegraph’ is a prime example. President Obama is trying to usher in a new era of US influence around the globe. Our image has been tarnished by the inept (sorry jwjohns) leadership of George W. Bush and his cronies. Bush alienated, or at least rub the wrong way, many of our allies with his invasion of Iraq. Because of his blunders we are now once again in the beginning stages of a Cold War with Russia, our relations with Germany are strained as they were conflicted about the Iraq invasion, and Bush practically ignored our second closest ally, Japan.
Maybe the statement that Obama and his administration are trying to make is that all of our alliances are special and important to the US, and that there is no need to signal out one ally moreso than another. It is that kind of special treatment that leads to predicaments like this.
I have nothing against Great Britain. It has been our closest ally, as both of you have stated, but perhaps it is time to re-evaluate our status in the global realm. All of our alliances are special, and perhaps President Obama sees that. Either that, or I’m being a surreal optimist and am trusting and believing in Obama more than I should. I look forward to continued growth and cooperation with Great Britain, as do many other Americans. But as many people know, we Americans are pompous, arrogant, and self-centered. We will do what we want, when we want, how want, no matter what….even if that means stepping on the toes of our closest friends. Its a sad truth, but the truth nonetheless.