Busted: The Churchill Flap (Obama sends W. Churchill's bust BACK to England)

Newsweek ^ | 2/21/09 | Katie Connolly

[scottdeus12]

Has America's even- tempered new president already ruffled feathers in the land that spawned Borat and Benny Hill? That's certainly how the spiky British press responded after the White House sent back to the British Embassy a bust of Sir Winston Churchill that had occupied a cherished spot in President Bush's Oval Office. Intended as a symbol of transatlantic solidarity, the bust was a loaner from former British prime minister Tony Blair following the September 11 attacks. A bust of Abraham Lincoln—Obama's historical hero—now sits in its place. A White House spokesperson says the Churchill bust was removed before Obama's inauguration as part of the usual changeover operations, adding that every president puts his own stamp on the Oval Office.

[Professor_Leonide]

The idea of a bust is very unsettling, let’s please return to being a nation of laws and not a nation of celebrity-men who engaged in brutal bloody warfare, often for the fun of it.

[dirtboy]

He probably has a bust of Stalin or Mussolini installed in his private quarters.

[scottdeus12]

This is outrageous.

I heard about this on Saturday, because of little media fanfare (what a shocker).

The mere fact that Obama sends a bust of Winston Churchill back to England speaks volumes IMHO...

[egannacht]

Well, this is his first real job. It’s a rookie mistake you usually see with minimum wage earners (I mean that is his qualifying “pay scale”).

[goodnesswins]

Churchill fought against Muslims.....

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He couldn’t run a Dairy Queen.

[keepitreal]

He can always replace the bust of W(inston) Churchill with that of W(ard) Churchill. It is probably more to his liking.

[Leg Olam]

‘A bust of Abraham Lincoln—Obama’s historical hero—now sits in its place.’

A bust of the guy on the Cream of Wheat box with a plate of grits and waffles would be more appropriate.

[scottdeus12]

“Churchill fought against Muslims.....”

Yup. Also the Nazis.....

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The idea of a bust is very unsettling, let’s please return to being a nation of laws and not a nation of celebrity-men who engaged in brutal bloody warfare, often for the fun of it.

Neither Lincoln nor Churchill engaged in warfare for the fun of it.

[autumnraine]

This is so infuriating to me! There was no need or reason for this other than to be an ass.

I think as worshipful as people are of Obama and have been so overwhelmed at what a WONDERFUL person he is, they will one day wake up to realize he is nothing but a big jerk.

[Mr. K]

‘A bust of Abraham Lincoln—Obama’s historical hero and A REPUBLICAN, now sits in its place.’

That's better...

[scottdeus12]

“This is so infuriating to me! There was no need or reason for this other than to be an ass.”

Agreed. If he didn’t want it in the WH, why send it back?

[lormand]

"He couldn’t run a Dairy Queen."

My first job was working curb side at a Dairy Queen. I know for a fact that anyone at Dairy Queen can run circles around a marxist community organizer in terms of competence, hard work, and integrity.

[elhombrelibre]

Maybe he can get a bust of Neville Chamberlain since he's so keen on appeasing Iran.

[ncpatriot]

engaged in brutal bloody warfare, often for the fun of it.

Bong...wrong answer. You get a Zero

[Mr. Lucky]

Instead, let's follow the mindless rants of someone who just signed up on FreeRepublic last weekend for the purpose of trashing Winston Churchill.

At least you had the good manners not to rant in German.

[Islander7]

Do not let spacious plans for a new world divert your energies from saving what is left of the old.

- Sir Winston Churchill

[Corin Stormhands]

Agreed. If he didn’t want it in the WH, why send it back?

Did you not read the article? The Churchill bust was on loan from Tony Blair. Seems Obama could've 1) sent it back or 2) put it in a closet. There's nothing that implies any disrespect just because he didn't want to display it.

IMHO, this falls in to "there's a lot to criticize President Obama for, but this isn't it" category.

Your blood pressure may vary.