Well, that was awkward!

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Reba

Reba

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Obama's toast to the queen interrupted by the orchestra
NATIONAL ANTHEM
May 24, 2011|By the CNN Wire staff

President Barack Obama's toast to Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday was interrupted when the orchestra at the state dinner began playing "God Save the Queen" before Obama finished.

Following the queen's toast to him and the playing of the U.S. national anthem, Obama began his toast by thanking her and commenting on her reign and the close ties between their countries. The president then asked the guests to stand and join him in toasting the queen.

"To Her Majesty the Queen," Obama began, but the orchestra -- apparently thinking the president had concluded -- started playing the British anthem.

Obama continued with his toast, speaking over the music in citing the special relationship between the British and American people and quoting William Shakespeare's tribute to "to this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England" from "Richard II."

"To the queen," Obama concluded as the music played on.

When the music ended, Obama repeated, "to the queen," and the audience, clearly confused by the turn of events, delayed a few seconds before applauding.
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Obama's toast to the queen interrupted by the orchestra - CNN

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZCsfyaOGdw]YouTube - ‪Queen humilitates President Obama at Buckingham Palace by refusing toast - May 24 2011‬‏[/ame]

(I'm sorry, I couldn't find a captioned version but their facial expressions and body language are pretty clear.)

Maybe it was jet lag or too much traveling?

Obama Signs Westminster Abbey Guest Book

Maybe he was rattled because his speech didn't rouse the British Parliament the way Netanyahu roused our Congress?

Just one of those days. :giggle:
 
That's funny :D
Probably not as funny as the time Bush Jr sniffed sum powder, passed class by some flyin' miracle, and wasted too much taxpayers money hunting in the wrong places for terrorists based on flawed intelligence.
 
Funny that he signed the guestbook with the wrong year. Oops... This is what comes of never signing one's own checks. One forgets what year it is. :lol:
 
Actually, protocol, requires the toastmaster to wait until after “God Save the Queen” plays and then he can begin the toast. But I guess the almighty O waits for no one, not even the Queen, so he launched straight into his shpiel.

And then you have this:

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…

“To the Queen,” the president finally said.

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

But because the song was (still) playing, no one drank from his or her glass, including the president, who put his glass down on the table.
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Awkward Moment During Obama Toast to Queen - Political Punch

Maybe that's why he didn't get invited to a royal wedding?
President Obama snubbed as sources reveal not invited to Prince William's wedding | Mail Online
 
Beach girl said:
Funny that he signed the guestbook with the wrong year. Oops... This is what comes of never signing one's own checks. One forgets what year it is. :lol:
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Must be bad if it's off by 3 years. Maybe he was wishing subconsciously that it be year 2008 and his hand took over the signing?
 
kokonut said:
Actually, protocol, requires the toastmaster to wait until after “God Save the Queen” plays and then he can begin the toast. But I guess the almighty O waits for no one, not even the Queen, so he launched straight into his shpiel.

And then you have this:


Awkward Moment During Obama Toast to Queen - Political Punch

Maybe that's why he didn't get invited to a royal wedding?
President Obama snubbed as sources reveal not invited to Prince William's wedding | Mail Online
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Right. Like you are so experienced with toasts to the queen. Just an every day activity for you, isn't it?:laugh2:
 
kokonut said:
Must be bad if it's off by 3 years. Maybe he was wishing subconsciously that it be year 2008 and his hand took over the signing?
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Nah, I doubt seriously that he dissociates the way you do and does things without conscious control.
 
The next time the Queen visits the USA, she might swear like a drunken bobby once she sits on a defective bidet. :whistle:
 
We all make faux pas. I don't think Obama will make the same mistake again. :giggle:

But in all seriousness, would many of you have done better? After all, it's not everyone who gets to eat with the Queen of the England at a banquet.
 
Babyblue said:
He was stumped. :lol:

Jillio :ily: But ya know... that was FUNNY!
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So was the free iPod to the Queen with his speeches in it and photos of himself.

-Photos from President Obama’s Inauguration
-Audio of then-state senator Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention
-Audio of President Obama 2009 Inauguration Address

That probably topped the 57 states he claimed to have went through. :lol:

Ok. He messed up royally in front of the Queen. How's that?:giggle:
 
kokonut said:
So was the free iPod to the Queen with his speeches in it and photos of himself.

-Photos from President Obama’s Inauguration
-Audio of then-state senator Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention
-Audio of President Obama 2009 Inauguration Address

That probably topped the 57 states he claimed to have went through. :lol:

Ok. He messed up royally in front of the Queen. How's that?:giggle:
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And yet, England still likes him better than Bush!:laugh2:
 
deafskeptic said:
We all make faux pas. I don't think Obama will make the same mistake again. :giggle:

But in all seriousness, would many of you have done better? After all, it's not everyone who gets to eat with the Queen of the England at a banquet.
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I would certainly know to not keep talking when the host's national anthem is playing!

Maybe he needs a new protocol chief who can do a better job of advising the President. :dunno:
 
Reba said:
I would certainly know to not keep talking when the host's national anthem is playing!

Maybe he needs a new protocol chief who can do a better job of advising the President. :dunno:
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Seriously, yes. It was definitely a faux pas, and he should have been better briefed, either by the Ambassador or by the WH chief of protocol. Not a major thing on the scale of international embarassments, but it definitely was a goof.
 
deafskeptic said:
We all make faux pas. I don't think Obama will make the same mistake again. :giggle:

But in all seriousness, would many of you have done better? After all, it's not everyone who gets to eat with the Queen of the England at a banquet.
Click to expand...

Sure, but if you're GOING to eat with the Q. of E. at a banquet, AND be one of the major participants, wouldn't you take all steps to be well-prepared on the protocol of it? The President is not some average Joe grabbed off the street; he has a staff which should have briefed him better, and/or he should have read and absorbed the briefing materials better, one of the two.
 
Beach girl said:
Sure, but if you're GOING to eat with the Q. of E. at a banquet, AND be one of the major participants, wouldn't you take all steps to be well-prepared on the protocol of it? The President is not some average Joe grabbed off the street; he has a staff which should have briefed him better, and/or he should have read and absorbed the briefing materials better, one of the two.
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that doesn't mean it's impossible for faux pas to happen. I doubt you can do it right.
 
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