Barack Obama is making some British politicians nervous.
A bronze bust of Winston Churchill was loaned to President George Bush after the 9/11 attacks. The British government offered to let Obama keep the bust, but Obama decided to send it back. A bust of Abraham Lincoln now sits in the oval office where the Churchill one once rested.
Although most Americans view Churchill favorably, Obama’s Kenyan roots may not put him as much at ease.
It was during Churchill’s second term in office that the British brutally put down the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya. Obama’s grandfather was imprisoned and tortured during that suppression.
“The African warders were instructed by the white soldiers to whip him every morning and evening till he confessed,” said Sarah Onyango, Obama’s grandfather’s third wife.
Overly anxious British diplomats are now seeking an alternative for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to present to Obama when he visits him in the next couple of months.
Obama should not be surprised at the British reaction. Churchill has been recognized in polls as its greatest leader.
Although a number of commentators have suggested Obama should have been more diplomatic on the matter, so should have the British, considering Obama’s Kenyan roots.
It goes to show how such a trivial matter can cause great unease, even among close allies.
1 user commented in " Obama’s Return Of Churchill Bust To British Causes Worry "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI cannot for the life of me see why a great many people would be unable to see the turmoil we will all wade through in order to find peace once more. Anything the Bush/Cheney Gov. touched is certainly infested with filth and tainted with controversy. These two men in my opinion are some of the worst evil walking this earth today. I applaud President Obama for doing what he felt to be right. I still feel the sting of England having gotten involved in the Iraq war when Canada, as well as many other great nations of the world did not see it as being plausable, accurate or appropriate. I fear I would have also returned the bust of Winston Churchill and with as much class as the newly elected President did this day. I fear there are greater questions to be asked today. Will the American economy recover and at what cost? Will the American people restore thier once great nation to her former respect and glory? and most importantly will this newly elected and very brave President have the courage to put in place policies that will assure that the American people never find themselves,the very constiution and faith on which this wonderful country was founded, in such disgrace and disaray ever again.
Until that day.. as a Canadian I assure all Americans, our Brothers and Sisters,
“We Stand On Guard For thee “
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