Straw issues Bush weather forecast

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1078712,00.html

The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, today waved a red rag at anti-war demonstrators preparing to give George Bush a hostile reception in London in a fortnight by suggesting their zeal could be dampened by the weather. "We do not know exactly how many will come. Much will depend at this time of year on the weather," said Mr Straw, in an interview with the Guardian.

His weather remark will turn out to be rash if, as the organisers claim, 100,000 demonstrators converge on London from all over Europe. The comment could even backfire by hardening the determination of some of the protesters to attend.

Mr Straw used the interview to pave the way for Mr Bush's visit, which is scheduled for November 19-21, the first state visit by a US president since Woodrow Wilson in 1919.

In another comment that could come back to haunt him, Mr Straw, who was a militant student leader before becoming an MP, promised that Mr Bush will not be shielded from the demonstrators. "Whether he sees them or not, he certainly should not be kept away from them."

photo op with the Queen on the Mall because of "safety concerns".

And I'm sure Straw knew that his statement would encourage protestors.

Does that mean every president since Wilson who visited the UK was not on a "state visit"? I don't get it.

AWOL must be going as our queen.

:)

Otherwise, they are just visits. The invitation by the Queen makes all the difference although the Queen rarely has anything to do with it. Teflon Tony thought this would be a good idea probably.

Does he know something about the next election that we don't?

when junior and his frumpish darlin' visits the queen?



Is this enough to make ya want puke?

right now it's quite mild (13C) but it could be snowing and windy or anything. November can be bloody awful. I'm hoping for fine weather as I'm going to London to protest the felonious fool.

Which is why it is not a good idea for Straw to speculate on such matters. I remember from my involvement with the Stop The War Coalition in the run up to the war that people did feel strongly enough to turn up regardless of the elements.

If Blair & his cronies must insist on Bush besmirching this fair & sceptred isle with his presence then I guess they should be prepared to batten down the hatches. Mind you, not inviting the bugger over for his election photocall with the Queen would be a better ploy altogether if you ask me.

Thats what it sounds like he's saying. That Britain is only supporting the U.S. because we are the lone superpower, and that if Britain ignores us, the U.S. will run rampant across the world. In other words, the UK is keeping us in check.

How's that for a forecast for the idiots visit?

I've always wanted to visit England anyway. I'd love to go over for a protest where the police don't force protesters out of the (p)resident's view. The statue-toppling is an especially good idea.