I'm American, but they ought to blow him off like he did them last year. I am appalled at the way he treats our allies.

She probably didn't curtsy at all. The first lady of the United States is not required to curtsy at all. We don't recognize the queen as the head of government. Same as the president is not required to bow.

However, both can be done as a courtesy -- but generally are NOT done to the point that a subject of the ruler would.

What are you smokin Johnny BOY?

Yea, I'd like to know what you are smoking as well. The Repugs can't even get their message straight. Telling everyone we are not Obama is not a clear strategy and not a winning message. As long as the independent voters keep seeing what a bunch of childish net picking group of republicans are they will vote Democrat. So get ready to have your @ss handed to you again in 2012.

Mondale? Did you bring up Walter Mondale? Ok, uh, Bob Dole. I'm not sure which movie or delusion is playing in your head, but Bob Dole is my answer.

Mark,

It's called 'diplomacy' - something that was sorely lacking in the last administration. Oh, and if your counting, Bush was away from Washington 60 times by this point, Obama, about 42. Also meeting with the G-8 leaders. It's not a family vacation - although last time I checked they should be entitled to one.

Got jealousy?

If blowing off our allies is diplomacy and bowing to our enemies is diplomacy, I guess this administration has it down pat. Keep worshipping his Highness until we are all speaking Chinese or Arabic, maybe you lefties will wake up then, but I doubt it.

What ally have we, through the President, supposedly blown off?

Skiddy-marks -sorry, I couldn't help myself :o)

Just who did we 'blow off'? I don't worship the President, I just appreciate the pile of problems he was given when elected and his willingness to try and fix them.

If blowing off our allies is diplomacy and bowing to our enemies is diplomacy, I guess this administration has it down pat.

Obama is hardly "blowing off our allies" when he's spending two days with the head of state of our closest ally. What the hell are you talking about?

It's called diplomacy, it's called multitasking. I agree that it looks bad when the President is not around when the mid west is going through tough times with the storms. But I'm sure he's far from ignoring the situation and he'll visit with the people there once rescuers have done their tough jobs and he wouldn't be in the way.

People these days look at a photo on a site like this, combine it with their "feelings" and jump to conclusions. A picture is worth a thousand words, yes. But what's not pictured could be worth a million words. You'd think the conservatives would understand this...

Constant complaints.....how great it is that all of us know exactly what and how the president should act. Also - can't help but notice how quickly we forget - just a few weeks ago??? Osama taken out while our president did an AMAZING job of multi-tasking. Bet he could play poker with the best of them. Damn - am proud of our president!!!

PJ, thanks for saying what I know a lot of us feel. I also am proud of our President. I think he has done a remarkable job with all the opposition he has had during his presidency. Did you also notice that the criticism came before he was even voted into office? Very sad that he has been treated so shabbily by the very people he is trying to benefit.

Ah yes, maga, it was Bush's fault, right? I don't need to name all the blowing off of allies that has occurred, you just tend to ignore they ever happened. No hope for you. Kee p drinking your koolaid. PJ and Sharon, I don't know what your on, but it must be making your leg tingle.

Skiddy,

Put up, or shut up, who did President Obama 'blow off'?

Oh for crying out loud, are people still repeating that "iPod w/speeches" piece of garbage? What is it with people who make things up just because it fits their agenda? Heaven forbid the truth get in the way of slamming someone.

The iPod w/speeches lie is exactly that -- a lie. When the Obamas visited the UK in April '09, they presented the Queen with an iPod, yes. But it contained video and photos of the Queen's visit to the US in 2007 - a nice memento of her visit -- not his speeches. Because the Queen also likes old Broadway showtunes, they also gave her a library of them plus a very rare songbook signed by Broadway musical composer Richard Rogers. Sounds like pretty nice gifts to me.

In my family, we have a gag gift (a deed to the Brooklyn Bridge) that we give each Christmas to the family member who made the biggest bone-headed gaffe during the year. Think you'd definitely be in the running as recipient this year. We could throw in a hemorrhoid cushion too for you -- might help give your brain a rest.

Franklin,

The disaster happened after he had left for Europe, By the way Franklin, don't let a little thing like truth get in the way of your ignorance - FDR spent over 200 days away from the White House.

Amen Franklin! My thoughts exactly!

You, of course, realize that Air Force One is a flying office and that Obama travels with his advisors. He probably gets at least as much work done while traveling as when he's at the White House. Further, as head of state, these diplomatic visits are part of his job, every bit as much as hosting a cabinet meeting.

Agreed, Barry. Next we'll hear "Abe Lincoln wasn't flying around all the time, he was here at home taking care of business."

Franklin, technology is cool, it's what allows you to post your opinion. It's what allows us video chat and watch movies on our phones and laptops. It's what allows us to unlock and start our cars from remote locations. And it's what allows our President and staff aboard AF1 to conduct business and handle emergency situations from anywhere in the world. Remember where Bush was on 9/11? Flying from secret location to secret location on, you got it, AF1.

Feel free to share a list of references for your supposed facts, Franklin.

Hey maga, in case you didn't notice, FDR was in office 12 years, not two.

Hey Skiddy,

Good point, although even split by three terms it adds to more than President Obama has taken so far. And for more interesting reading...check this site out and check out which party took the most. Just sayin'

http://www.factcheck.org/2010/01/president-obamas-vacation-days/

Yeah, she can't wait to get another IPOD full of his latest speeches, I bet. You lefties are all so full of it, it's unbelievable.

Dear Skiddy, your nastiness is unbelievable. You keep bashing the liberals but this independent voter wants you to keep us in mind on election day. Repubs are not guaranteed to get my vote.

Replying to a liberal post bashing GW is bashing the liberals?

With all this talk about the British I'm starting to wonder if the Tea Party supporters actually hate them. I thought the whole Tea Party thing was a metaphor, but maybe not? Just sayin'...

Were you nose3?

Deb

Why is it Repubs don't know $h!t about history?????

hja..why don't you crawl back under your rock!!!

"What did George do - run a banner across an aircraft carrier stating "Mission Accomplished" and sit on his hands for 8 years!"

Don't forget the $25 Mill the Repubs put in to the "war budget" for the celebration when we kicked Saddam's butt. 90 day war....you betcha!

you poor dumb moron!!

Wait, I can sink to your level for a second. That big OL cow was your wife!

If I were a Repub I wouldn't be throwing stones at Michelle Obama. Remember Barbara Bush?? LOL

How very clever of you, John. I have yet to see the First Lady looking fat, as you say she is.

They pretty much have to leave the USA now to get any kind of warm reception..... That speaks volumes.

Yes it speaks volumes about how prejudice and hatred are still alive and well in America. The only answer some people have are "stop playing the race card". Maybe when people stop showing pure hatred for their own president without any more reason than they would a previous president then it becomes obvious. If you want people to stop playing the race card then stop dealing it!

Breeze ... these days, even Ronald Reagan would be too liberal for the tea baggers. I'm a diehard Reagan fan, but today's Republican Party is too much to stomach.

"People need to find a person to support not a party"

This I agree with, but you say it after declaring yourself a republican? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that. I think there are many more independent voters out there than republicans think. And Obama should not consider the votes he got in 2008 from the independents as in the bag by any stretch of the imagination. I remember a few years ago when frustrated republicans were excited about the Tea Party because they thought it was a good alternative for the more middle of the road conservatives. Didn't quite turn out that way, did it?

I work my ass off as well, and I fall into a high tax bracket. I've seen the policies from Clinton to Bush to now Obama affect my paycheck. Under each, I've paid a lot of taxes and couldn't honestly say I felt relief at any time. Whether the tax money is going to government programs, wars, or to cover tax breaks for the ultra wealthy, it's being spent. Political parties play on one liners and simple identities to get votes. Folks, just because you're religious and make 100k plus doesn't mean the Republican party is your "club". Or just because you believe in green energy and helping the less fortunate doesn't mean the Democratic party is your "team". We've gotten to the point with these divisive politics where it's one extreme or the other, no compromise, just win or lose. In the long run, there are no winners with this type of behavior, except the politicians themselves and their large-sum donors.

Making state visits is one of the responsibilities of the head of state, a tradition that stretches back to Teddy Roosevelt. Building and maintaining diplomatic alliances is as much a part of the president's job as working on a budget. In fact, diplomacy may be a bigger part of the president's job since the president alone is responsible for foreign relations while Congress has more power over domestic affairs than does the president. Remember, the President of the US is both Head of State and Chief of State, which means that he has ceremonial responsibilities in addition to his day-to-day executive activities.

Barry, many people aren't aware of the differences between being a Head of State and Chief of State, especially as it pertains to the Office of the Presidency. Sadly, for some folks, even knowing what the two jobs require wouldn't pierce the cognitive dissonance.

Just goes to show you that ignorance really is bliss! You so prove that fact!

I couldn't agree more with your comment.

Tho Franny - I'll go you one further. Birthers, etc. etc. (translate to IDIOTIC WASTE OF TIME). The 'public' really can't go after President Obama's ethnicity (black) so they will their attempt to attack anyway they can...speaks volumes of just 'how far we have come'...still sounds like back of the bus to me. We have a first family - no family controvery - engaged in their roles. For the first time in a very long time - am extremely proud of my President and First Lady.

As a country - wouldn't it be grand if we could truly concentrate on our responsiblities and not just scream about our rights. Right...to dream the impossible dream.