Posted on 03/22/2011 1:14:05 PM PDT by traumer
The welcome was warm, the setting lavish and both compliments and red wine flowed freely.
But away from the splendour of La Moneda Palace, Barack Obama's whistlestop visit to Chile provoked as much anger as delight. Around 100 people gathered near the government building in Santiago to burn the U.S. flag in protest at both the presence of the president and American policy.
Riot police eventually arrived to disperse the demonstration, leading to ugly scenes on the streets of the Chilean capital Santiago. The demonstration was partially sparked by air strikes on the civil war stricken Libya.
Organiser Juan Cuevas said the U.S. president has increased the U.S. military budget, 'and doesn't hesitate in attacking and invading whatever country that challenges his interests.' Many protesters recalled how the U.S. worked covertly to topple the socialist government of Salvador Allende, who was elected in 1970 and died in Chile's 1973 military coup. 'The United States wants to keep dominating the world,' said Manuel Hernandez, a university student.
Politicians and human rights activists joined an open letter calling on Obama to apologise for U.S. interventions in the 1970s. Inside the palace, the atmosphere was noticeably lighter.
Mrs Obama looked stunning in a full-length fuchsia gown by designer Sophie Theallet who was born in France but is now based in the U.S. The Chilean president Sebastian Pinera opted for some very personal diplomacy declaring that the First Lady was 'very good-looking.' 'President Obama has said the same about the first lady of Chile,' he added, drawing a smile from his American counterpart.
He then went on to reel off a list of things he had in common with Obama - both are left-handed, both studied at Harvard and both are 'sportsmen.' Earlier in the day, the president and first lady,
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The pictures are Getty and we can’t post them, but I have to say that’s almost a great-looking dress Michelle has on. The color suits her, and the cut disguises her lumpiness. If only it wasn’t off-the-shoulder; having the straps up would have been more flattering and allowed more support.
She’s stunning all right, in the same way as when you see Helen Thomas.
For the first time in my life, I'm ashamed of my country.
</sarcasm>
It would have looked nicer on a woman.
Oh, snap!
(I just learned that phrase from a tv show. It means, “I wish I’d said that, even though I’d feel guilty about it.”)
:)
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