British Protests and Another War Poem
The Brits are fit to be tied over the upcoming visit of Bush with Blair and the Queen. They are even more pissed at the latest requests Bush has made of Blair in regards of security. The Rueters report by Kate Kelland in London explains the latest developments:
President Bush may be subjected to the humiliating sight of an effigy of himself being dragged to the ground by anti-war protesters in London's Trafalgar Square next week.
But if police and White House officials have their way, the president, who had the staunch support of Britain's Prime Minister during the Iraq war, will be spared the embarrassment....
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British police refuse comment on media reports of demands by White House security staff for vast central London exclusion zones for Bush's trip, which starts next Wednesday....
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With all police leave canceled, up to 100,000 protesters vowing to take to the streets and Blair himself trying to quash anti-Bush rhetoric, London's Metropolitan police commissioner admits the visit presents an "unprecedented" challenge....
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But anti-Bush and anti-war campaigners are furious at what they fear are police plans to stop their protest -- slated for November 20 -- from marching through Whitehall and Parliament Square, the seat of Britain's government.
"It is an outrage that the most unwelcome guest this country has ever received will be given the freedom of the streets while a movement that represents majority opinion is denied the right to protest in...the heart of government," said Lindsey German, a spokeswoman for the Stop the War Coalition.
"It's completely unacceptable. I don't see why the White House should be able to determine how, where and when people protest in this country."
A poll in Tuesday's Times newspaper showed 60 percent of British voters strongly disapprove of Bush's handling of Iraq -- and that anti-Bush feeling is particularly high among women.
The spectacle of Bush arriving with an entourage of up to 250 secret service agents, 15 sniffer dogs and handlers, 50 White House political aides, two motorcades of up to 20 armored vehicles each, as well as at least three aircraft and even his own personal cook, is unlikely to increase warmth toward him.
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Media reports say officers policing the Bush visit have been warned not to be heavy handed and allow protesters to voice their opinion of Bush with slogans and chants if they want to.
Protesters say they are in constant dialogue with police, but also say Blair's government must reap what it has sown.
"There wouldn't be a problem if they hadn't invited George Bush -- who must be one of the most unpopular people in this country -- on a state visit," said German. "Now they are going to have to face the consequences."
It only seems fitting to print a very good anti-war poem in honor of Bush's visit, written by the Poet Laureate of Britain, Andrew Motion, prior to the Iraq war.
Causa Belli
They read good books, and quote, but never learn
a language other than the scream of rocket-burn
Our straighter talk is drowned but ironclad;
elections, money, empire, oil and Dad.
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