» Brits get their knickers bunched over Michelle Obama and Queen hugging Dvorak Uncensored: General interest observations and true web-log.

# 1 TreeBeard said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:10 am

The fookin’ Royals

# 2 just be glad it's not a zune said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:12 am

Oh come on who hasn’t hugged a queen or two Michelle was just being polite.

# 3 BillM said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 am

Oh man….I was hoping for a fist bump. That would have been great!

# 4 Dallas said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:22 am

The queen gets a hug. Oh, the humanity!

I can’t wait till Pres Obama gives the Pope a Noogie, Wedgie or Wet Willie.

# 5 BillM said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 am

By the way…..
This is very off topic but only because the editors of this site don’t have the “onions” to bring up the topic.

I suggest you enter “Senator Stevens” in the search box on the right of this blog and look at the volumes of posts ripping Stevens apart for his conviction last year.
Can anyone find the post mentioning that the conviction was recently overturned and the term “prosecutorial misconduct” is being thrown around? Probably just a small over site by JCD’s editors.

# 6 Kade said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:32 am

Why can’t CNN understand aspect ratios? that squashed, widescreen BS in all their Web videos makes my eyes hurt.

# 7 Paddy-O said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:33 am

#5 Yes, I’m sure that it is an oversight that will be corrected, shortly?

# 8 Norman Speight said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 am

Now this, in respect of the Queen, is regarded as bad manners, you just don’t do it here. Now. Lower mannered and the not-well-brought-up can always redefine what THEY think is acceptable, or forcing what is acceptable to another society. Like, for example, showing the bottom of your shoes to a Muslim – bad in Iraq but of no consequence in New York. But. Good manners, really good manners, to the well brought up, is having an appreciation of what your hosts find acceptable and behaving, in their company and in their country according to their beliefs. In some societies it is polite to fart loudly at the end of, or during a meal. In the US and most other countries, it is downright bad manners, so, well brought up mannerly Americans don’t do it. We don’t touch the Queen, it’s our protocol – maybe not yours but she’s our Queen, your friend, our respected ruler who – you should note – only requires one male bodyguard (so loved and respected is she), unlike America’s most loved President, indeed ANY President, surrounded by strange men talking into their sleeves and with bulging jackets. Criticise us for many things – not our manners please – these are quite important to some of us. And. Don’t park your car across the house (Buck House particularly) drive entrance to show how important you are. It kind of shows you in a don’t-invite-me-again light and we don’t want to give that impression – do we?
Mutual respect goes a long way, showing disrespect is for others. I Belive that Mrs Obama really was VERY badly informed – uninformed – in this case, by her protocol advisers.
By the way. Don’t put your arm around Brown, he’s Scotttish, they see things differently. It’s all that Oats and porridge (fed to the people there, fed to horses in the rest of the world).

# 9 bob said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:01 am

Norman, even assuming your knowledge of her security arrangements is actually complete (something I consider wildly unlikely) all it means is that she doesn’t require any more security than any other wealthy person – because even though she is certainly the head of state, she is not the RULER of GB.

The President is the head of state AND the head of government. It’s a world of difference.

# 10 Alfred1 said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 am

# 5 BillM said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 am

By the way…..
This is very off topic but only because the editors of this site don’t have the “onions” to bring up the topic.

I suggest you enter “Senator Stevens” in the search box on the right of this blog and look at the volumes of posts ripping Stevens apart for his conviction last year.
Can anyone find the post mentioning that the conviction was recently overturned and the term “prosecutorial misconduct” is being thrown around? Probably just a small over site by JCD’s editors.

Your being charitable…the oversight is deliberate and purposeful…just as most of the “slobbering media” is ignoring the trashing of our dollar, the waste in the stimulus and budget, the lies Obama speaks…

We have to read British papers to learn what Obama’s mistakes, lies, and devious plans are…they aren’t invested in him…they don’t consider him “too big to fail.”

As for hugging the Queen, I wonder if the Queen realize folks as rich as her have been a rhetorical bullseye for Michele’s ire for years “in the hood.”

# 11 bob said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:04 am

that said, of course the first lady should’ve been better prepared and/or she should’ve taken her prep more seriously.

It was a clumsy gaffe.

Does anyone reading this think that she’s getting just as much disapprobation for her gaffe as would’ve come down on Laura Bush’s head?

[Hey, the Queen started it! - ed.]

# 12 Alfred1 said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 am

Obama bowed to Islam…Saudi Arabian King…demonstrating his subservience…why aren’t American Newspapers complaining about that?

# 13 smartalix said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 am

If the Queen thought anything was wrong with Michelle’s actions, the Queen would not have reciprocated.

# 14 pedro said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:07 am

Headline:

“Slacks make fuzz over people’s concern about propper manners.”

More at 11

#4 The apologist for those in his team that never get it right. I hope you keep apologizing for every mistake they make about anything. You’re just an inch of becoming a repugblican. Or maybe you’re a repugblican by any other name.

#8 It’s has nothing to do about the Queen. It’s only the automatic defense of some lunatics whenever their “leader” does something bad. You now, damage control.

But it’s a good thing you brought it up. Now, brace yourself for the revenge of the lunatics.

# 15 Alfred1 said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:08 am

# 13 smartalix said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 am

If the Queen thought anything was wrong with Michelle’s actions, the Queen would not have reciprocated.

Perhaps she didn’t want to be immediately labeled a racist…

Obama compared her to his grandmother…who is a typical white woman…in racist inspired fear when a gaggle of crips or bloods lumber towards her purse…

# 16 Killer duck said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:10 am

I think the queen was trying to grab some ass there. Look at the replay closely.

#12 keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

# 17 Alex Wollangk said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:10 am

#8: I’m not entirely certain that Michelle Obama was misinformed. If you pay attention to the video you will find that Her Majesty actually initiated the gesture by putting her arm around Michelle Obama. I would never presume to touch the Royal Person, but if Her Majesty were to embrace me I would feel an obligation to return the gesture in kind.

I certainly do not pretend to hold the same reverence for Her Majesty that her subjects do, but have a deep and abiding respect for her. Maybe it was, as Mr. Mosely said, a gesture of apology for the generic gift Her Majesty gave the Obamas after the Obamas gave her a very personal gift. (Yes, I know, there is a group of people who pooh-poohed that gift, calling it the iDud, but it was gift intended to please Her Majesty, not Her Majesty’s subjects…)

It also may be Her Majesty stepping out of “official protocol” to match the gesture the President made when he reached out to one of the policemen guarding the estate and shook his hand.

I have some reservations about the current administration. I voted for Obama and support him in general, but I’m finding that (as I expected) the reality is not matching up to the hype. One thing I DO like is the general tone of coming together across all barriers. I see what I have heard of this meeting as extending that concept and of this I heartily approve.

# 18 RTaylor said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 am

No excuse for this breech of protocol. When in Rome do as the Romans. It either demonstrates ignorance or disrespect for the sovereign of another nation, and out closest ally. Being the First Lady of an elected official doesn’t imply royalty. This deserves an official apology from the Administration. I doubt very much the Queen asked for a hug.

# 19 bob said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:26 am

I agree that an apology is called for. That doesn’t mean this is any big deal.

For example, RTaylor complained of a ‘breech’ of protocol, no doubt misspelling the word ‘breach.’ That mistake calls for a correction, and yet is no big deal and does not properly give any reader grounds for drawing conclusions about RTaylor or about how good he is at his job.

# 20 Thomas said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:27 am

Jeez, all this Royalty Worship is making me a little ill. Get over it people, she is just a human being, no more special than any one else. Big deal, so she was born into the lucky sperm club. Keep on kissing the Royals butt, you look like idiots.

# 21 Dave W said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 am

Well, perhaps a small breach of protocol, but imagine LBJ meeting the queen?

He might have tried to pick her up by her ears!

# 22 Miss_X2 said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:34 am

Yes it was a breach of protocol but the Queen is simply way too polite and level headed to make a fuss. I happen to love the Queen and I’m not even one of her subjects….LOL!!

# 23 Phil Ken Sebben said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:41 am

OT “Senator Stevens” posters

Phil Ken Sebben

Stevens was one of my Senators, I have even met him a few times. Man could he bring home the pork. I’ve never liked him for political reasons but not because he was a crook, well no more than most pro Neo Con in bed with Corporate Lobbyist Republican Senators are(yes lots of Dems in bed with Corporate Lobbyist too). I monitored the trial closely and came to the conclusion that he was guilty but by ignorance and neglect not willful disregard of the law. The phone surveillance alone made this obvious and pointed out that he knew he was in deep doodoo but still going to try to dodge/cover up his error instead of owning up to it. Still neglect /ignorance of the law is no excuse and more proof that his had expired. The prosecutors of this case so messed it up you would think they were working for Alberto Gonzales. Series of Tubes Ted gets off. That’s fine putting an 85 year old man who has devoted his life to this country to the best of his ability(even if I think he was wrong on almost every vote) should not end it in jail. The prosecutors need to be strongly reprimanded they have given our tarnished legal system another blow. Ted you dodged a bullet enjoy that fancy cabin in your retirement hope it has broadband and remember you were still guilty and that god you believe knows it even if the prosecutors over played this big fish and let it shake off the hook.

OT i’ll repost this rant should we ever get a Stevens gets off headline here

# 24 Brons said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 am

Breach of protocol? Bollocks!

Watch the video again. The *Queen* committed the so-called breach of protocol. She hugged the first lady who reciprocated. Both the video and the commentator make this clear.

Stop looking for something to kvetch about. The combination of the Richard Rogers book (from the Queen’s favorite musical period) and an iPod full of content that goes back over 50 years and is personal to both the giver and receiver, given to a person who is actually something of a gadget fancier, having her fondness for her iPod in the past and being known for being one of the more high tech (for instance email using) members of the royal family is a warm and appropriate gesture.

That the queen responded by embracing the first lady demonstrates that they were well received.

# 25 Paddy-O said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 am

# 23 Phil Ken Sebben said, “OT i’ll repost this rant should we ever get a Stevens gets off headline here”

Of course you will as you are a partisan lib.

# 26 Phil Ken Sebben said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 am

25

Paddy can you other than typos can you find any thing I’ve said that was not correct I check my facts before I post you should try it.

Ted was guilty the and got off on legal technicalities
Thought you guys hated that sort of thing

# 27 bob said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am

Um, Phil, you really didn’t express ANY facts in your post… you’d think that little issue would have been caught by your rigorous self-fact-checking but whaddayagonnado?

# 28 Phil Ken Sebben said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:19 am

27

fact.
The public release of the recorded phone conversations show that Ted knew he had done wrong and was going to try to cover up.

# 29 Rick said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 am

“The Queen is an almost sacred person…”

With all due respect, the Queen is in no way a sacred person. Maybe an important person(maybe), but not sacred.

Thank God, my ancestors realized that monarchs aren’t ordained by God and cut their ties with these crazy people 232 years ago.

# 30 Ron Larson said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 am

Obama bowed to Islam…Saudi Arabian King…demonstrating his subservience…why aren’t American Newspapers complaining about that?

I remember photos of the Bushes kissing the king of KSA.

# 31 Floyd said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 am

Norman Speight: “Now this, in respect of the Queen, is regarded as bad manners, you just don’t do it here.”

You might note that the Queen is hugging Michele right back. She may the Queen, but she’s human too!

# 32 pedro said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am

#13 The queen reciprocated to chavez’ kiss and hug. That only means she’s better with protocol & manners. Just like a good actor staying in character after someone else’s gaffe.

#20 Yes, be happy with president Frank Drebin.

# 33 GF said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 11:33 am

Anything to divert attention from the miserable financial markets.

# 34 bobbo said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 am

I was upset when the Obama’s entered the room face first instead of walking backwards AND it was hard to tell from the angles and what not but it appears the Obamas look the Queen directly in the eyes.

In olden days, protocol would have been off with their heads for such affrontery.

Mike Baranicle had the best line: “From her bedroom window, the Queen can see whats left of her Empire.” Thats a good one!!

Still, to be fair and accurate: The Queen set protocol by her own touching. Its only idolizing douche bags, not the Queen, that is making any issue out of what in fact is just the opposite. Royalty SETS protocol, she doesn’t follow it.

# 35 Twirrim said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 am

The simple rule is:

You do not presume to touch her in any manner unless she initiates it.

It looks clearly from the video that she initiated it so it’s perfectly fine for Michelle to have her arm across her shoulder.

No protocol broken, storm in a tea cup.

# 36 Hmeyers said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm

Human silliness.

Well meant signs of affection or attempts at respect shouldn’t be distorted.

It’s not like he threw up on the Japanese Prime Minister and who knows if Putin really liked Bush calling him “Pooty Poot”.

To hell with protocols as long as the attempt is sincere.

# 37 Holden Caulfield said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm

Just DO NOT BOW TOO ANY king, we’re the United States of America and we’re on as equal a footing with ANYBODY, not sub-servant in the slightest. Did the Suadi Arabian King Kiss our President’s ass for all the oil we buy from his family? No? Then F him!

And, will somebody keep reminding Oblahblah that he’s the President now? Its a position on a MUCH higher standard than his previous community organizer life.

# 38 bob said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 12:31 pm

Now Holden, there you go feeling put-upon again

# 39 Paddy-O said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm

# 26 Phil Ken Sebben said, “Ted was guilty the and got off on legal technicalities”

Bzzzt. Wrong. The US AG is asking for the case to be dismissed. Not because of technicalities, but because of gross misconduct by the prosecutor that lead a jury to find unfairly him guilty. He doesn’t want to retry the case as he knows that the evidence won’t support a conviction. LOL

# 40 MikeN said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Doesn’t he have a protocol officer? Or is he deliberately annoying the Brits? Not talking about a special relationship, handing out gifts of DVDs and an pod with his speeches, referring to England and not Britain or UK, etc.

# 41 jescott418 said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Actually I think the US media made more about this then the UK. I think it was on the Today show and they kept asking Couric about the hug and not about the important G20 meeting.
Typical for US media.

# 42 pedro said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm

#36 Sorry, but this gaffe is on par to Bush’ slap to Merkel.

# 43 Jim said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm

I just love idiots. “Oh, let’s argue about protocol mistakes that weren’t actually protocol mistakes, and pretend that we are really knowledgeable Britons.”

Blindly following “protocol” means you have an inability to be flexible, which makes you useless in today’s world.

# 44 drben said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm

New Katie Perry Single:

“I hugged a Queen and I liked it”……

# 45 nlnnet said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm

At there is here no talk of an armless Michelle.

# 46 MikeN said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 4:32 pm

#37, Obama bowed to the Saudi King too.

# 47 Carcarius said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 5:12 pm

That’s not even a hug. Who writes this stuff? Hey look, Obama and Queenie hugging… meanwhile the US just agreed to the IMF regulating world markets. Nice!!!

# 48 Greg Allen said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:16 pm

There is one upside to the conservatives having ended America’s supremacy in the world: we get to be as touchy and resentful as the Brits!

# 49 madge said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 pm

As a Brit i would like to point out that NOBODY as far as i can tell has “got their knickers bunched” over this. All the reporting I have seen has taken it as the warm and relaxed gesture it was meant to be. Misinformation JD.

# 50 pedro said, on April 2nd, 2009 at 11:21 pm

Title for the video?: Michelle representing!

# 51 888 said, on April 3rd, 2009 at 1:04 am

Come on people, what’d ya expected?

I bet Michelle’s “advisors” have already reminded her many times “not to high five” the Queen, and she didn not, didn’t she?
You should be thankful for that!

# 52 B.Dog said, on April 3rd, 2009 at 8:38 am

Cong.-personage Pelosi is no expert on the constitution like the decider peeps, but a 1.1 trillion dollar deal/treaty may have given her touchy-fealty honors, technically.

# 53 john said, on April 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am

The only people making a big deal out of this are wankers like Dvorak.

# 54 Mr. Fusion said, on April 3rd, 2009 at 5:26 pm

#10, Alphie, the Quaalude Queen,

Your being charitable…the oversight is deliberate and purposeful…just as most of the “slobbering media” is ignoring the trashing of our dollar, the waste in the stimulus and budget, the lies Obama speaks…

No one is holding a gun to your head to visit DU. If you prefer to visit some “Christian blog” don’t let any of us stop you.

Talking about deliberate, when are you going to post some verification of your claim that Obama sold drugs?

# 55 pedro said, on April 4th, 2009 at 12:09 am

#54 Easy, watch the video. The Queen is obviously stoned.

# 56 Norman Speight said, on April 4th, 2009 at 4:28 am

Can someone point out to those corresponding morons that bowing to someone IS NOT, NEVER WAS, AND NEVER WILL BE, “SUBSERVIENT”.
It is a way of saying “I respect you” in the way that THEY say it, not – as the permanently ignorant interpret – “I am subserviant to you”.
If you are going to comment on manners please have the timerity to learn protocol first. It isn’t intuitive, it isn’t what you think it is, it isn’t what you invent to support your views, it may not relate in any way to your ‘culture’ BUT to respect it, to understand it, to act according to the rules of the culture, society, country you are in shows you are have understanding, shows you are actually open to respect the long held views of others.
No. It isn’t subserviant except in the view of those who invent to support their self-acknowledged bad manners. They also seem to glory in their ignorance, bit like the pigs we have in our pens.
Wonder why Americans are hated, shot at, despised, treated with contempt by so many? That’s why. And the very many good, well mannered and understanding ones, who have contributed more that anyone else on the planet – indeed in the entire history of the planet – have to suffer the outcomes of the bloody ignorant, have to pay for yet more troops, suffer more of their youngest and brightest being shot, blown up, spit upon.
Reason. You didn’t even attempt to understand in the first place, it is why you are in the position you are now.
Don’t, please don’t, mistake this for any degree of acceptance of the violators of humanity, the Mugabes, the Saddam Hussains the others of their ilk. I want them dead faster than you do. But. They are the minority and easily dealt with. The good well outnumber the bad, and, the good are the thinking ones, it is their protocols,, beliefs, habits, you should seek to inderstand. They will reciprocate. Then the good ones are able to topple the bad ones.
History tells you this over and over again yet too many still believe in the Pentagon inspired crap. It’s about as realistic as Rambo, Schwarzenagger or bloody Doctor Who. The Violent ARE called for, when everything else fails (WW1, WW2, Gulf War and possibly/probably Afganistan) but only a moron or a religious nutter takes steps (contempt for a culture being one) that leads to a need for (note this) the deaths of others in your society. NOT YOU, OTHERS.
If you cannot respect foreigners, have some respect, some consideration for the young sons of Americans.

# 57 pedro said, on April 4th, 2009 at 8:25 am

Ooooh! A vengeful blind defender. Always fun to read one.

# 58 Daniel Dacey said, on April 4th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

pedro he pretty much summed you up and you could’nt even see it.

Time to sign up for Afghanistan son.

# 59 pedro said, on April 5th, 2009 at 2:54 am

Actually, too long a rant o actually read it.

Why, you a blind defender too? Start writting your own “interesting” rant. I won’t accept anything smaller than #56’s post

# 60 hiyaemilieee said, on April 13th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

In reply to # 37: You , obviously , have no respect for any other culture . If you go to another country , you should learn some of their culture , it’s just POLITE . Especially if you are a person of power , learning some of their culture is just common decency . Bowing to the Queen shows RESPECT for her , and the British culture . You expect respect ? try showing it .