REUTERS/Larry Downing
Somebody's not too popular with the House of Saud no more.
RIYADH, March 28 — The king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, condemned the presence of American forces in Iraq as an “illegitimate foreign occupation” in a speech today. . . .
more here.
This comes after the Royal version of "Oh, I can't, I have to wash my hair that night" excuse:
President Bush enjoys hosting formal state dinners about as much as having a root canal. Or proposing tax increases. So his decision to schedule a mid-April White House gala for Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah signified the president's high regard for an Arab monarch who is also a Bush family friend. ... Abdullah's bowing out of the April 17 event is, in fact, one more warning sign that the Bush administration's downward spiral at home is undermining its ability to achieve its policy objectives abroad. Friends as well as foes see the need, or the chance, to distance themselves from the politically besieged Bush. ... Official versions discount that possibility, of course. Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi national security adviser, flew to Washington last week to explain to Bush that April 17 posed a scheduling problem. " 'It is not convenient' was the way it was put," says one official.
Georgie just lost his bestest friend. Next: Barney bites him in the ankle.
Posted by: sister of ye | March 28, 2007 at 03:40 PM
Abby? Abby-normal?
Posted by: Margie in Austin, Texas | March 28, 2007 at 04:26 PM
geesh! if even the Saudi royal family won't break bread with shrub,
there really is trouble in river city.
I wonder what Poppy is saying now...
He used to be able to blame the "librul press".
No more.
Now even his friends refuse to schmooze with junior.
Posted by: leslie ;- ) | March 28, 2007 at 04:40 PM
It's true. September 17th is a bad time for Abdullah to dine with Bush. I know for a fact that is the exact day that Ab clips his toenails.
Posted by: PeacechickMary | March 28, 2007 at 06:54 PM
This fuckin' guy is desperate.
Disspirited, if he ever had one.
Times are now dangerous...
Posted by: wa ching | March 28, 2007 at 08:15 PM
so much for them blue bells.
Posted by: pansypoo | March 28, 2007 at 10:39 PM
What the hell's wrong with his chin?
Is he melting?
Posted by: wa ching | March 28, 2007 at 11:57 PM
the '*' in chief's face crumples and his voice breaks (from whatever sentence he was mangling the tense of) into a keening cry as he sees Jimmy-Jeff take another man's arm and quietly leaves the room.
Elspeth
Posted by: Elspeth R | March 29, 2007 at 01:56 PM
"It was not convenient"... sputter! Crap, used to be, when the President of the United States wanted to see you, you were overjoyed. Nowdays... eh, not so much. Bye bye, Chimperor!
Posted by: BadTux | March 29, 2007 at 07:14 PM