The Barack And David Show: 'Special Relationship, Special Relationship, Special Relationship'

OS grinned broadly over his lunch sandwich, watching The Winner of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize diffidently read copy to open the joint press conference with David Cameron this afternoon.

The copy had obviously been prepared for him, and he read it with all the passion of a hen-pecked husband reciting the 'HoneyDo' list that would occupy the Saturday he had planned for a fishing trip.

Within the first twenty seconds, we hear the words 'Special Relationship' (C'mon Barry, sell it! Sell it! Aw, jeez, why won't He sell it?) Followed closely by mention of common language, history, sacrifice, interests, values, etc. Ending paragraph contained the magic phrase 'Special Relationship'.

(OK, Barry--sell that beer thing, at least pretend to be hospitable! Aw, jeez, no!)

It was David and Barack referring to one another by first name, in addition.

Cameron came off much better than Himself, much more at ease, with a much better command of clear, unequivocal, English. He took pains to pin the decision to free the Lockerbie Bomber on the Scots, and he took pains to be friendly without being obsequious.

Obama looked like he wanted to slip out back for a smoke, could not wait for the event to end.

At least there's a moral to the tale. Amoral types like Obama do respond to one kind of stimulus, that being the prospect of public humiliation. A lot of people were watching, and no doubt The One had been thoroughly beaten about his ears and endlessly coached about HowToAct. Especially in the presence of the one man who can make one phone call, and pull his troops out of Afghanistan by next week, make another phone call and deny the US Navy access to British ports; make a few more, and make life miserable for American interests in many parts of the world.

The UK is a small island that casts a long long shadow, still. Somebody must have had a Come-To-Jesus with The One about that simple fact, 'cuz he's too ignorant and arrogant to figure out that not all the world is a Chicago ward.

Unlike Barry, David has a Rolodex, and knows how to use it. He also has more class on his worst day ever than Himself will muster in a lifetime. And, given the shabby treatment shown his country by the present occupant of the White House, no one on his side of the pond would begrudge him placing a few phone calls.