Sorry although that is probably classed as clever writing, it has not tempered the feeling of insult I have as a British citizen.
Also Lincoln was a national figure, not an international figure. I note with interest it seems my first response has seemingly been CENSORED as the letter below was sent, accepted and published long after my reply. Regards David J. Kyle -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Editor/Finest Hour Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 8:39 AM To: ChurchillChat Subject: [ChurchillChat] Re: Churchill and the White House WASHINGTON, JANUARY 15, 2013- A bust of Abraham Lincoln, once voted the greatest President in history, which was loaned to Barack Obama from the State of Illinois art collection after his inauguration four years ago, has now been formally handed back. The Lincoln bronze enjoyed pride of place in the Oval Office during President Obama's tenure. But when Illinois officials offered to let the new President, Billie-Bob Calhoun, hang onto the bust for a further four years, the White House said: "Thanks, but no thanks." Officials were at first reluctant to discuss the whereabouts of the Lincoln bronze, after its ejection from the seat of American power. But they have now confirmed that it sits in the palatial Springfield, Illinois residence of Rod Blagojevich, who was reinstated as Governor in 2011 by Supreme Court following Blagojevich's two-year campaign on Oprah and Larry King. American politicians have made quoting Lincoln something of an art form, but not Mr Calhoun, who prefers to cite the words and works of his hero Winston Churchilll, author of the famous alternative history, "If Lee Had Not Won the Battle of Gettysburg." Indeed a bust of Mr Churchill now sits in the Oval Office where Lincoln once ruled the roost. Lincoln has less happy connotations for Mr Calhoun than those American politicians who celebrate his Civil War leadership. It was during Lincoln's second term that the United States sent Sherman to mach through Calhoun's home state of Georgia to suppress the Confederate rebellion. Among Confederates allegedly tortured by the federal regime was one Aloysius Beauregard Calhoun, the President's great-great grandfather. The rejection of the bust has left some Illinois officials nervously reading the runes to see how much influence Springfield can wield with the new regime in Washington. Now it is likely that Governor Blagojevich will offer a alternative symbol of Springfield-Washington fealty when he visits Washington to meet Mr Calhoun for the first time since he became President. Officials are still working to finalise a date for the visit which is expected in the final week of this month or early in March. One suggestion, given Mr Calhoun's interest in the Civil War era, is that Mr Blagojevich should offer an artifact relating to the career of Illinois' Stephen A. Douglas, the most prominent opponent of Lincoln during the campaign for the Presidency at the opening of the American Civil War. A Governor's Office spokesman said: "The bust of Abraham Lincoln was uniquely lent to a head of state, President Barack Obama, from the Government Art Collection in the wake of 1/20 as a signal of the strong fraternal relationship. "It was lent for the term of office of President Obama which extended until January 2013. The new President has decided not to continue this loan and the bust has now been returned. It is on display at the Governor's Residence." --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ChurchillChat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ChurchillChat?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
