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Awkward Moment During Obama Toast to Queen
ABC News ^

Posted on 05/24/2011 5:00:58 PM PDT by Sub-Driver

Awkward Moment During Obama Toast to Queen

May 24, 2011 5:32 PM

The president and the orchestra at Buckingham Palace this evening were a bit out of synch.

When the president toasted the Queen the orchestra misunderstood a pause and what seemed to be a cue from the president for “God Save the Queen” to begin playing.

“Ladies and gentlemen please stand with me and raise your glasses as I propose a toast,” the president said, putting down his note cards and grabbing his glass. “To her majesty the Queen.”

The president paused, the guests stood, and the orchestra prepared to play.

But the president wasn’t done speaking.

“The vitality –“ the president said before the orchestra began.

Then the familiar tune – you might know it better as “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” – started up.

The president kept going: “ -- of the special relationship between our peoples and for the words of Shakespeare to this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,” the president said as the awkward moment played out.

The Queen looked ahead as the UK anthem played.

“To the Queen,” the president finally said.

He lifted his glass to her, she smiled a bit uncomfortably.

But because the song was playing, no one drank from his or her glass, including the president, who put his glass down on the table.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.abcnews.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: facepalm; gaffe; obama; obamagaffes; obamalegacy; obamateur; oops; prezflustercluck; royalfamily
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To: MamaDearest

I think he’s back on the crack pipe??


161 posted on 05/25/2011 7:49:24 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: 444Flyer

haha, definitely doesn’t have an understanding of prime time.

Check this pic out. The Obamas were at a bbq to support US and UK military in Afgh & Iraq. B & M served lunch to those who attended. Take a look at Michelle’s face. I don’t think she likes serving others.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/uknews/8535498/US-President-Barack-Obamas-state-visit-to-Britain-day-two-in-pictures.html?image=9


162 posted on 05/25/2011 7:58:26 AM PDT by HollyB
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To: HollyB
It's like she's worn out trying to fake a smile for the camera.

It's for the Troops MO. Put forth a little effort will you?

163 posted on 05/25/2011 8:05:06 AM PDT by 444Flyer ("...Rather the scorned- the rejected -the men hemmed in with the spears..." from 'A Consecration')
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To: pfflier

164 posted on 05/25/2011 8:14:14 AM PDT by Syncro (Sarah Palin, the unofficial Tea Party candidate for president--Virtual Jerusalem)
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To: anglian

“The string orchestra of the Scots Guard mistakenly began playing the British national anthem before the president had finished his address...”

That rationalization is pathetic, isn’t it? Protocol probably has been the same for centuries. But now... THIS WEEK... the orchestra goofs. Hussein didn’t make a mistake. Nooo... Will the media never stop covering for this Muslim loser?


165 posted on 05/25/2011 8:19:33 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: GatorGirl

This is why it’s important to have someone who has an understanding of etiquette and protocol. He’s really lost. Not to mention, if he’s ever attended a simple ball game, he would know that no one speaks during the National Anthem.

From a website to assist young marines, it is simply stated here:

http://www.chadduck.com/ymarines/protocol/toasting.htm

EXAMPLE: Suppose the occasion is a black tie dinner hosted by the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations in honor of the Ambassador of Great Britain. The following would apply:

USN CNO (Host/Hostess would stand after the dessert wine has been seined and would raise his/her glass, saying:

“To Her Majesty the Queen”.

All the guests should stand and raise their glasses and toast the Queen. This may be followed by the playing of the British National Anthem.

Moments later, the Ambassador would stand, raise his/her glass and say, “To the President of the United States”. All guests would stand and toast the President. This may be followed by the U.S. National Anthem.


166 posted on 05/25/2011 9:10:37 AM PDT by HollyB
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To: HollyB

Why does that sound so familiar to me? ;-)


167 posted on 05/25/2011 9:22:11 AM PDT by GatorGirl (Herman Cain 2012)
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To: GatorGirl

Cause I was agreeing with you : )


168 posted on 05/25/2011 9:33:09 AM PDT by HollyB
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To: Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!

and he did that chin in the air crap too... I HATE THAT!...


169 posted on 05/25/2011 10:34:20 AM PDT by Newton ('No arsenal is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.' -Ronald Reagan)
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To: GatorGirl

Beck played an audio of Zippy saying he thought it was background music for effect, like in the movies.... did anyone else hear that?


170 posted on 05/25/2011 10:35:55 AM PDT by Newton ('No arsenal is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.' -Ronald Reagan)
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To: Newton
yeah... this is it...

"I thought that it was like, it was like out of the movies when the soundtrack kinda comes in," President Obama told Clegg.

Send in the clown...
171 posted on 05/25/2011 10:42:30 AM PDT by Newton ('No arsenal is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.' -Ronald Reagan)
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To: Sub-Driver

obama was “oscared” with wrap it up music.

more proof Obama is not respected.


172 posted on 05/25/2011 10:43:55 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: plain talk

It was shocking enough that he wasn’t briefed on the royal protocol. It was compounded further by speaking over the host countries National Anthem! What did he think? The band was just playing a cute tune while he gave his glowing oration? Imagine the Prime Minister coming here and talking over our National Anthem.


173 posted on 05/25/2011 10:48:53 AM PDT by mandaladon (PalinGenesis)
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To: Joe 6-pack

2008 the year HE was elected.

it is all ME ME ME ME ME


174 posted on 05/25/2011 10:50:48 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: Shelayne

He looked pissed...I had to laugh !!!!!!!!!!!


175 posted on 05/25/2011 10:56:34 AM PDT by mandaladon (PalinGenesis)
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To: mandaladon

Princess Anne looked like she was sucking on a lemon. lol


176 posted on 05/25/2011 10:58:19 AM PDT by kalee (The offenses we give, we write in the dust; Those we take, we engrave in marble. J Huett 1658)
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To: Newton

I did. He was trying to make a joke but really it was just pathetic. To expose your narcissism like that and not realize....I ALMOST pity the man....but not really.


177 posted on 05/25/2011 11:09:53 AM PDT by GatorGirl (Herman Cain 2012)
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To: wtc911
That was my favorite part, too. Obviously the dolt thought they were playing “My Country 'tis of Thee” for his brilliant oration instead of “God Save the Queen”.

What a pathetic display of narcissism.

178 posted on 05/25/2011 12:41:07 PM PDT by Shelayne (We need a Netanyahu! Instead we're stuck with just the "yahu".)
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To: mandaladon
The media is trying to cover for this wretched breach of protocol... he completely flubbed the Loyal Toast. The moment you say, "To the Queen," that is the orchestra's cue to begin.

In this YouTube link, you can hear a little bit of what he was saying right before he proposed his toast and said, "To Her Majesty, the Queen." The orchestra cued up just as they were supposed to do, while Il Douche paused to glance down at his cue cards and then prattle over the top of the music. Classic, classic Uber-screwup... and the press is trying to cover for him, even editing out the comments prior to his toast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WCRC9tHyoQ&feature=player_embedded

179 posted on 05/25/2011 1:25:54 PM PDT by ponygirl
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To: GatorGirl

ok, I’ve watched the video several times.... and there is no way to spin it... the guy is a complete maroon.... I really like the part where the Queen says “Set it down” (or something like that....) this guy is a total a$$ clown.... I don’t care if Bush tried to open a locked door or did a funny dance once .... he never acted like a complete doofus like zippy.... I really think zippy needs cue cards and instructions to put his pants on everyday....ARGH!


180 posted on 05/25/2011 2:30:13 PM PDT by Newton ('No arsenal is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.' -Ronald Reagan)
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