Obamas Visit, Obamas 1st foreign visit

Well the American President Barack Obama is making his 1st foreign visit and restored the tradition that the new Presidents' 1st visit is to Canada. This is as it should be as we are the closest allies, friends and trading partners. He arrived in Ottawa just shortly after 10:00 am and was greeted by the Govenor General, no pomp and circumstances as this is not an offical State Visit but a working one. He came to discuss mutual concerns that affect both countries and to get to know PM Harper. Lets' hope they get along. That has not always been the case. Kennedy called Diefenbaker an S.O.B. , Johnson grabed Pearson by the labels and gave him what for because he spoke out against Viet Nam and what Nixon called Trudeau is in the realm of unprintable. All in all though we work out our differences, mainly because we have to, and get along pretty good. Of course the Capitol was all ga ga over Obamas visit and in away it irked me a little as the people treated it like the second coming. He is after all the American President not our Prime Minister and when push comes to shove it is his duty to put America first and if that means screwing Canada a little or a lot so be it. This is understandable. So all my fellow countrymen keep in mind that he is not one of us nor is he the Messiah come to rid the world of its problems with a wave of his arm. I wish Him all the best but I also hope that our leaders keep their priorities straight and put Canada first and foremost in their endeavours.


Camac.

What, you don't feel special and blessed by a visit from "The One"? Too bad your Gov. couldn't find SOME way to make his trip special! Like a strip search or some other loving treatment!

Dogshirt;

No I afraid I don't feel blessed by his visit. I will give him this he is a charmer.

He arrived here at 10:30 Thursday morning and the security was unbelieveable, the day before a Galaxy C5 arrived at Ottawa and the armoured cars and security vehicles rolled out along with 1/2 a battalion of Secret Service agents. There were 5000 police officer on duty along the route to Ottawa which was kept secret til the last moment and when the motorcade moved it must have been doing 100km. Even at the entrance to the House of Commons they had installed bullet proof glass in the portico at the entrance. Sure don't trust anyone do they. Seemed an awful fuse for a 6 or 7 hour visit. He met and talked to the PM had lunch held a short press conference left for the airport where he met with the Leader of the Opposition got on his plane and was gone. Oh yeah he made an impromptu stop at a market got out of the car bought a Beaver Tail (deep fried pastry) and some cookies, offered to pay and was told it's on the house. Guess he gets alot of freebies. Next time he comes will more than likely be a state visit with all the pomp and circumstances that go with it. I for one will not be lined up to wave at him. As I said I wish him all the best and I hope he does a great job, but I'm from Missouri.....


Camac.