In the official press kit, the White House refers to England as “slightly smaller than Oregon.” Nice. Of course, in population, England has 60 million people as opposed to 3.7 million Oregon residents. If size really matters, Oregon wins. Great Britain occupies an area of 80,823 square miles while Oregon covers an area of 98,466 sq mi.
The White House then gives an incredibly sophomoric rendition of the history of England — adding “The losses and destruction of World War I, the depression of the 1930s, and decades of relatively slow growth eroded the United Kingdom’s preeminent international position of the previous century”.
While the White House refers to Britain being “one of the United States’ closest allies,” it points out that France is “America’s oldest ally” and “a close partner with the US in the war on terror.”.
I guess that that is still better that Germany which is described as a reliable US ally” since 9/11 and “about the size of Montana.”
Once again, there seems to be a serious shortage of sophistication — and frankly class — in the White House staff in handling such things. With a whopping 500 people in tow, this briefing book inevitably was going to get out.By the way, are there really people on the Obama staff that do not know about England and France and Germany. If there are such people, shouldn’t they stay home to finish a distance learning course before setting off on a diplomatic mission?
Judging from the article below, the Brits do not appear humored by their England for Dummies portrayal.
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