President Obama Addresses British Parliament at WestMinster Hall - VIDEO

Tx4obama

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 03:10 PM
Original message

President Obama Addresses British Parliament at WestMinster Hall - VIDEO

Edited on Wed May-25-11 03:49 PM by Tx4obama

President Obama Addresses British Parliament

SNIP

During his 35 minute address, the President discussed the future relationship of the two countries and the need for building a new economic partnership, investing in science and innovation.

SNIP

VIDEO: http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-Addresses-British-Parliament/10737421747-1/

Edited to add
In a move rarely deployed in British politics, Obama worked the audience at Westminster Hall for almost 10 minutes after his speech, surprising lawmakers as he stopped for a series of brief chats. ...
http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2011-05-25-Obama/id-ecae8b9ff22d44199db2521dca480def

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

canetoad

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 03:25 PM
Response to Original message

1. Historic

First US President to deliver address in Westminster Hall.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Tx4obama

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 03:32 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. Yes, very historic and an honor not given lightly.

Edited on Wed May-25-11 03:37 PM by Tx4obama

SNIP

The speech marks the first time a U.S. president has addressed both the House of Commons and the House of Lords in Westminster Hall, which was built between 1097 and 1099. ...

SNIP

�Apart from the queen, previous speakers in the hall include the pope, Nelson Mandela and Charles de Gaulle,� said Philip Cowley, professor of politics at Nottingham University. �It�s not an honor given lightly.�

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-24/obama-s-european-agenda-progresses-from-ceremony-to-statecraft.html

Edited to add

Elsewhere I read:

" ... Obama was the first U.S. president and only the sixth person to address Parliament there, following in the footsteps of Pope Benedict XVI, Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela. ..."

So, de Gaulle makes FOUR, and now Obama - I wonder who the other ONE was?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

muriel_volestrangler

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 05:39 PM
Response to Reply #2

7. Drumroll ... President Lebrun

No, me neither.

Only three foreign heads of state have addressed both Houses in the Hall: President Nelson Mandela in 1996, President Charles de Gaulle in 1960 and President Lebrun in 1939.

http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/westminsterhall/contemporary-context/ceremonies-public-events-today/

(Not counting the Pope as head of state of the Vatican, it seems)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Fran%C3%A7ois_Lebrun : president of France at the start of WW2

(Apologies to anyone who had heard of him that I assume you share my ignorance - I've never heard of him in any history of the war, for instance)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

sarge43

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 04:00 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. The grandson of a Kenyan cook in the British army and great great great grandson of an

Irish immigrate is the first US President to speak to the British Parliament. Hellva journey :wow:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Tx4obama

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 05:17 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. First U.S. Presidnent to speak to British Parliament IN WESTMINSTER HALL.

Other US Presidents HAVE given speeches to the British Parliament, such as Reagan and Bill Clinton - just not at Westminster.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

sarge43

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 05:33 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. You're right. More history in that one building than in many countries.

It's the secular heart of England.

Again :wow:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

LibGranny

(152 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Wed May-25-11 03:32 PM
Response to Original message

3. I thoroughly enjoy listening to him speak and wish he could be our

President for Life! Although Bush and his faux pas were entertaining, he was a buffoon and inarticulate!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Sun May 12th 2024, 07:05 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.