US Presidents breaking protocal

[sommone]

You don't owe me an apology, emsaeva. People are entitled to their opinion within reasonable boundaries of course.

[Anita]

Does someone know if the Norwegian Royal Family has connections with the Bush Family ? I would be very deceived and sad if I knew the King and the Queen were friends with those persons ...

[suturegeisha]

Oi gevalt. Am I the only one who is tired of people talking about what horrible people the Bushes are?
Whether or not you like them, they are the heads of state of the United States of America, and deserve some respect. Sure, George Bush II does plenty of things that I don't agree with, but he also does plenty of other things that I do agree with- things that people from other countries never hear about. However, he is not a horrible, terrible, disgusting person, as so many seem to believe. A lot of his problems are caused by a sensationalist media and idiot advisers.
Laura Bush has done more for children and literacy in this country than most people will ever know about. She is a lovely person.
And forgive me, but I'd much rather have the Bushes as heads of state than the perennially unstable, scandal-ridden Windsors or Grimaldis. But again, that's just my opinion. You get what you pay for.

In closing, let's get off of the current US president's back, please. Some of us are tired of hearing about it. Thanks.
Lollies and kisses!
-Kara-

[suturegeisha]

Originally Posted by susanstotz

I thought their name is bourbon

Depends on who's spelling it. I think the Spanish spelling is Borbon, and the French/Italian spelling is Bourbon. I've seen it both ways, and it doesn't seem to matter too much.
Lollies!
-Kara-

[Alexandria]

This is the first and only warning that the discussion of politics is against our Forum Posting Rules and Guidelines.

This thread was left open because we believed that this dicussion could be carried on without references to politics and the policies of certain governments and their heads of state.

Certain posts in this thread have proven otherwise. If we cannot continue this discussion in a manner that does not refer to the politicial decisions and implications of President Bush and his government's policies then this thread will be closed.

Alexandria
Royal Forums Administrator

[Anita]

I'm sorry, Suturegeisha and Alexandria . I didn't want to offend anyone . :)

[Britters]

Originally Posted by suturegeisha

Oi gevalt. Am I the only one who is tired of people talking about what horrible people the Bushes are?
Whether or not you like them, they are the heads of state of the United States of America, and deserve some respect. Sure, George Bush II does plenty of things that I don't agree with, but he also does plenty of other things that I do agree with- things that people from other countries never hear about. However, he is not a horrible, terrible, disgusting person, as so many seem to believe. A lot of his problems are caused by a sensationalist media and idiot advisers.
Laura Bush has done more for children and literacy in this country than most people will ever know about. She is a lovely person.
And forgive me, but I'd much rather have the Bushes as heads of state than the perennially unstable, scandal-ridden Windsors or Grimaldis. But again, that's just my opinion. You get what you pay for.

In closing, let's get off of the current US president's back, please. Some of us are tired of hearing about it. Thanks.
Lollies and kisses!
-Kara-

I agree!

Now onto the real topic at hand...I'm not sure anyone will find pictures of a US President breaking Royal protocol, simply because it's bad press for both sides of the "coin." If a US President breaks protocol it reflects poorly on him yes, but at the same time, it just goes to show that while he should have know the rules, they weren't given to him clearly before entering the situation by the Royal advisors...bad planning on the Royal side of things too then.

[bct88]

There was the time, although not a US President, but the Prime Minister of Australia (can't remember his name right now) put his arm around the Queen, and she was definately startled and it caused a major uproar because he touched the Queen.

[suturegeisha]

Originally Posted by Anita

I'm sorry, Suturegeisha and Alexandria . I didn't want to offend anyone . :)

It's cool. No worries.
Lollies!
-Kara-

[suturegeisha]

Originally Posted by bct88

There was the time, although not a US President, but the Prime Minister of Australia (can't remember his name right now) put his arm around the Queen, and she was definately startled and it caused a major uproar because he touched the Queen.

I've heard that she really dislikes being touched. Odd, but understandable, I suppose....
Lollies!
-Kara-

[irishchic5]

Originally Posted by Britters

Now onto the real topic at hand...I'm not sure anyone will find pictures of a US President breaking Royal protocol, simply because it's bad press for both sides of the "coin." If a US President breaks protocol it reflects poorly on him yes, but at the same time, it just goes to show that while he should have know the rules, they weren't given to him clearly before entering the situation by the Royal advisors...bad planning on the Royal side of things too then.

I never thought of it as reflecting poorly on the royal side of things. That's interesting because it does make sense. Do visitng heads of states get "instructions" before they travel abroad? I'm sure the rules are different in each country, so it could get confusing. I would hate to be the person responsible for giving protocol rules to someone who then breaks them!

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by Britters

I agree!

Now onto the real topic at hand...I'm not sure anyone will find pictures of a US President breaking Royal protocol, simply because it's bad press for both sides of the "coin." If a US President breaks protocol it reflects poorly on him yes, but at the same time, it just goes to show that while he should have know the rules, they weren't given to him clearly before entering the situation by the Royal advisors...bad planning on the Royal side of things too then.

That is why the president has embassadors and aides! Their jobs are to brief to the president on foreign protocol. Wheter or not he listens is another matter.

[Gutsy]

There is an interesting story recounted by the late Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis. After the funeral of her husband the President, Prince Philip and other distinguished guests were received by her to express condolences. As the Prince left, she swept him a curtsy, at which he looked surprised. Evidently she had tried to do it the first time she met him and the Queen and was politely informed that as the wife of a Head of State, it was not necessary. This time, she told the Prince, " I am no longer the wife of a Head of State."
It is not expected that another Head of State, Royal or Presidential, bow or curtsy to another. As the US President is never in military uniform he would not render a military salute as Monarchs in uniform do to each other.

[Duke of Marchmain]

I'm sure Her Majesty doesn't take herself half as seriously as the protocol nazis do. She is a human being after all and not a goddess. I'm sure if someone touches her on the shoulder she doesn't give it a second thought.

And while I wouldn't expect the president of a republic to bow to royalty, I, myself--as an American citizen--would have no qualms about bowing to the Queen, whether in this country or hers. I think she's a marvelous gal and it would be my honor.

[Gutsy]

Originally Posted by susanstotz

maybe she was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown or
was an odd type of american aristocrat.

I think she was just displaying a certain unusual presence of mind, as well as a reference to the fact that since JFK was dead she was in fact no longer "the wife of a Head of State".

[gogm]

The USA is founded on the once radical proposition that "all men are created equal..."

Most countries accept that proposition and that explains the questions that show up here from time to time about why royalty is even needed.

That assertion was made on July 4, 1776 and it meant that Americans did not feel bound to bow to royalty or aristocracy from the very beginning, over two hundred years ago. :)

[ews]

Originally Posted by emsaeva

LOL@ the "simple texan" comment. The only reason the Bushes claimed residence in the state in the 80's was because of the electoral votes. For a very long time, the only address pappy had was a P.O. box. Then George Jr. had a few failed businesses and decided to steal the governors office. He was born in Conneticuit and raised in Maine. If he is a "Simple Texan" than I am a Russian Empress. He is a rude, uncouth, drydrunk with no sense of right and wrong and who doesn't care about protocol, history or manners. If it wasn't for Pappy, Diebold and the Al-Sauds, he would be night manager at an Arby's. My sources in Texas society say that he is a huge @$$ and addict, along with that blank-faced wife of his.

All of us in America owe the rest of the world a big apology. It is going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.

Aint that the truth, well said.

[Dennism]

Not sure if it´s strictly protocol but it is rather informal. Besides shaking hands with Queen Beatrix recently, President Bush padded her on the shoulder. He also did this with Queen Sofia when she visited the US.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Dennism

Not sure if it´s strictly protocol but it is rather informal. Besides shaking hands with Queen Beatrix recently, President Bush padded her on the shoulder. He also did this with Queen Sofia when she visited the US.

I'm not trying to get into "Bush bashing" but when he was in the Netherlands at a war cemetery he stood to attention with his hand on his heart looking straight ahead as the American national anthem was played , and then when the Dutch national anthem was played he stood with a stupid grin on his face looking all around him. That as very disrespectful to his hostess and her country.