NBC's Mitchell: Queen Had to 'Put Up With' the 'Indignity' of Celebrating U.S. Bicentennial
As part of NBC's wall-to-wall Today show coverage of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her Diamond Jubilee on Tuesday, chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell listed ways in which the United States has supposedly slighted the monarch over the years: "...she's put up with a lot from her former subjects. The indignity of going to where the revolution started, to celebrate the bicentennial of our independence from the monarchy."
How rude of us to do such a thing. Mitchell proceeded to detail further American "indignities" the Queen had to suffer through: "And then there was the Rose Garden podium that all but reduced Her Majesty to a talking hat....And the Orioles game where she suffered temperatures pushing 100 degrees while feigning interest in that most American of pastimes, baseball."
Mitchell brought in BBC's Katy Kay to lecture the former colonies: "It's always stroke me as slightly ironic that you basically kicked us out just over a couple centuries ago in order to get rid of dynastic monarchy, but you probably have just as much affection for the Queen as the people of Great Britain do."
Here is a full transcript of the June 5 report:
8:21AM ET
MATT LAUER: The Queen is not only loved here in London, Americans also watch her, and the royal family, with awe and fascination. NBC's Andrea Mitchell is in Washington with that part of the story. Andrea, good morning to you.
ANDREA MITCHELL: Good morning, Matt. Well, we Americans have admired this queen since she was just a princess volunteering as an auto mechanic in World War II. It's a relationship that has survived even as presidents and prime ministers come and go. We divorced ourselves from the monarchy in that little tempest in a Boston Tea Party more than two centuries ago. But we Yanks still can't seem to get enough of this queen.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: We are here to celebrate the tried, tested, and yes, special relationship between our two countries.
MITCHELL: She won our hearts from her coronation and on through her troubles with her children. And in this case, it's a love affair that has lasted through 12 American presidents. Over the years she's put up with a lot from her former subjects. The indignity of going to where the revolution started, to celebrate the bicentennial of our independence from the monarchy.
ELIZABETH II: We learned to respect the right of others to govern themselves in their own ways.
MITCHELL: And while the Queen seemed to enjoy riding with President Reagan at Windsor, her reciprocal trip to ride at his California ranch was a total washout.
ELIZABETH II: I knew before we came that we had exported many of our traditions to the United States. But I had not realized before that weather was one of them.
MITCHELL: And then there was the Rose Garden podium that all but reduced Her Majesty to a talking hat.
ELIZABETH II: Thank you for your warm welcome to Washington.
MITCHELL: And the Orioles game where she suffered temperatures pushing 100 degrees while feigning interest in that most American of pastimes, baseball. At times the Queen almost seemed like one of us. Perhaps that's why George W. Bush felt comfortable enough to be, well, himself in 2007.
GEORGE W. BUSH: You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 – in 1976.
MITCHELL: And then there was this touchy feely moment when Michelle Obama first met the Queen.
KATY KAY: I don't know. But I suspect that it's not the kind of thing that would bother her in the slightest.
MITCHELL: So what is it about this special relationship that Americans have with Britain's monarch?
KAY: It's always stroke me as slightly ironic that you basically kicked us out just over a couple centuries ago in order to get rid of dynastic monarchy, but you probably have just as much affection for the Queen as the people of Great Britain do.
MITCHELL: And as President Obama once told the Queen, her reign is the humbling reminder of the fleeting nature of presidencies and prime ministers. Matt.
LAUER: Alright, Andrea, thank you very much.
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Comments
So giving back gifts to Great Britain
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:49am.
and giving The Queen an ipod of Duh Bumbler's greatest sh)*ts in an unplayable format brightened up the Queen SO MUCH MORE?!
Or when he gave the bust of Churchill back to them.
Submitted by WhoIsJohnGalt on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:59am.
Talk about a slap in the face...
One would be hard-pressed to
Submitted by PeskyDane on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:50am.
One would be hard-pressed to come up with somone as self-satisfied as Andrea Mitchell.
Knowing her husband, she'd
Submitted by texastommy on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:55am.
Knowing her husband, she'd have to be self-satisfied.
ouch... just ouch...
Submitted by PeskyDane on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 1:15pm.
ouch... just ouch...
She should get her hair
Submitted by craig1304 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 3:44pm.
She should get her hair redone so you can see the tattoo, "Inflate to 30 psi."
She should get her hair
Submitted by craig1304 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 3:45pm.
She should get her hair redone so you can see the tattoo, "Inflate to 30 psi."
Hair? LOL. You're too kind, Craig.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 3:58pm.
;)
Andrea, do you mean the same
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:59am.
Andrea, do you mean the same country that saved her subjects and empire in two wars? I suppose mitchell is angry that obama has to suffer the indignity of having to run for re-election also. Mitchell needs her teeth knocked out.
LAM
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:06pm.
Way back when only the Soviets hated us, Sailors went on liberty overseas wearing dress blues or whites. Our blues had white piping around the back flap with a white star in each corner. This provided two ways of easily getting into a fight with British sailors. Those would each start with one question, and two answers were acceptable to begin the melee.
Q - "Do you know why we have two stars on our uniforms?"
A1 - "To remind us of the two times we've kicked your a**es!"
A2 - "To remind us of the two times we've had to save your a**es!"
Of course, there was always a much easier way, and that was saying anything bad about the Queen. But frankly, that was way too easy and I've always thought that despite her family, she's a nice person.
Indignity
Submitted by Schofield Kid on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 11:59am.
How about the indignity of being given an Ipod from Obama loaded up with his own speeches?
Say what?
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:05pm.
MITCHELL: . . . At times the Queen almost seemed like one of us. . .
That's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard this woman say, and she's had some doozies. The Queen of England even looks uncomfortable among her own family members.
But the MSM's monarchy worship has always been overdone. They love celebrity and wealth and scandal, and England's royal family provides all of that.
How old is she?
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:06pm.
"She's put up with a lot from her former subjects. The indignity of going to where the revolution started, to celebrate the bicentennial of our independence from the monarchy."
She was around when the Revolutionary War was fought? Man, she's OLD!
By the way, we're not her "former subjects." Even she will tell you that.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Give it a rest, Mitchell
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:15pm.
MITCHELL: So what is it about this special relationship that Americans have with Britain's monarch?
The vast majority have no special relationship to Britain's monarchs. Most of those that do are the same folks who are fascinated by disasters, and for the same reason.
Andrea Mitchell was the flower girl at Amenhotep's wedding.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:16pm.
So to her, The Revolutionary War WAS a recent event.
this woman is a total bird brain
Submitted by Kuso Jiji on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:32pm.
she really deserves a swift kick in the ass.
It doesn't matter if Mrs
Submitted by Odin's Underling on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:41pm.
It doesn't matter if Mrs Olberman has something to say. No one is really paying attention unless you suffer from sort of mental illness.
I have nothing
Submitted by misterbee241 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 12:59pm.
against the Queen. I'd bet she's a nice lady. I just don't want to be one of her subjects. It's enough being subjected to our betters in Washington.
And about rescuing your sorry arses in WW1 & WW2
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 1:06pm.
. . . you're welcome.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
I'm a bit surprised that
Submitted by PeskyDane on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 1:38pm.
I'm a bit surprised that Mitchell mentioned Sub-Altern Windsor's service during World War II. Given the shallow worship afforded Diana, I had thought this was all but forgotten. Credit to her research staff.
Too bad she could not get through the segment without pot shots at Reagan, Bush 41, and Bush 43, but then that would have taken class.
No surprise that Mitchell completely misses the point when it comes to the Obama's visit. Michelle putting her arm around the Queen, while improper, was hardly an issue. A LOT of folks, when they get within arms length of Elizabeth II have touched her or given her a hug so that they can take the story with them back to the dinner table. The arrogance of the Obamas was manifested in presuming that BHO's speeches were so universe-changing that recordings of them were a fit gift for royalty. If W had done that, the scorn would have become interwoven into the narrative and the media would lead with it at his state funneral.
We never were her subjects, Andrea. Get your history right.
Submitted by drsamherman on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 1:35pm.
The Good Lord knows that you lived through enough of it.
I doubt the British viewed the celebration of our Bicentennial as a humiliation or embarrassment. We broke with them over a century before any of their other colonies, most of which were given independence over the years during and after Victoria's reign.
According to the British body of laws that form their "constitution", the Queen is the head of the British Commonwealth, a voluntary organization of her former territories and colonies. She is not Queen of all of those nations by default--they have their own individual laws and she promises to obey those laws during the coronation oath. We're not part of the Commonwealth, so she has no claim over any throne except the one in the embassy restroom in DC.
Get it right, Andrea. It's like saying the Pope should refrain from eating Ceasar salad.
The British Monarchy is a HUGE profit center
Submitted by gopcongress on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 2:03pm.
While not germaine to the particular subject re: American bicentennielism, the fact is that the British Monarchy is a huge profit center in the UK. The costs for paying the Royal Family their stipends and other incidentals is about $57 million (£40 million), while security adds another $71 million (£50 million), for a total of $128 million (£90 million) total cost. However, the Estate (entity which controls the corporate interests of the Crown with regard to the monarchy's holdings) has several property holdings, as well as the monarchy trademarks. As such, the average profit for the Estate from the monarchy is roughly $300 million (£211 million) annually after all the finances have been figured out.
"The news and truth are not the same thing." -Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
Obama inserting HIMSELF into the Diamond Jubilee
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 2:44pm.
Of course!
It's always, all about HIM....disgusting creep.
'Your majesty, on the historic occasion of your Jubilee, Michelle and I send you and all the British people and members of the Commonwealth the heartfelt congratulations of the American people.
'In war and in peace, in times of plenty and in times of hardship, the United States and the United Kingdom have shared a special relationship. We stood tall and strong and, together, we faced some of the greatest challenges this world has known.
'While many presidents and prime ministers have come and gone, your majesty’s reign has endured. As I said last year at Buckingham Palace, that makes your majesty both a living witness to the power of our alliance and a chief source of its resilience.
'As a steadfast ally, loyal friend and tireless leader, your majesty has set an example of resolve that will be long celebrated. And as we work together to build a better future for the next generation, it is gratifying to know that the bonds between our nations remain indispensable to our two countries and the world.
'In honor of your 60 extraordinary years on the throne, communities across the commonwealth have lit thousands of Jubilee beacons. May the light of your majesty’s crown reign supreme for many years to come.'
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
you have to wonder....
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 2:53pm.
You have to wonder what the various world leaders think of DuhOne.
I suspect it's anything between "What a moron" to "what a stupid tool to be used till we're done with him."
-Jon
give Obama credit
Submitted by Agnostic on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 2:58pm.
he can lay it on thick - almost like he can recognize another figurehead
And of course there's this
Submitted by Model850 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 3:18pm.
As I said last year at Buckingham Palace while self centeredly blathering over your National Anthem....
I love in the video how the Queen snubs him when he raises his glass to her while the music is still playing. It makes him look like the small, petty, ignorant jackass he is.
Yes, The Queen is rather good at it.....
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:45pm.
.....the snub.
As is Harry....when Katie Couric asked whether The Queen had "friended" Harry.....he said, "no, has she friended you?".....translated into English....GTHO, Stoopid!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Of all the descriptions I have heard for labeling ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 8:02pm.
Obama; while the acronym PLRBFPOSSOB is very apt, the two word phrase "disgusting creep" absolutely resonates with clarity..
MD
Tell you what, Andrea.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 3:59pm.
I'd swap the Queen for Drone Boy in a New York second, you dumb bitch.
She has more class in her little finger than Bambi's family has in their entire TREE. (read that any way you want to)
You got it Newsbubba
Submitted by Radical1979 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:25pm.
I don't think the Queen of England, in her 60 years as head of state, has offended as many allies as Obama has in his almost 4 years.
Indignity?
Submitted by Unsane on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:33pm.
You know, I suspect that Queen Elizabeth II was in the country back during the bicentennial thinking to herself "What a wise decision it was to let the Yanks go on their way." After all, the United States turned around saved Britain twice - three times if you count the Cold War. Not to mention our assistance in saving pieces of the British Empire - Operation Corporate of 30 years ago wouldn't have happened without the logistical assistance of the United States.
Indignity? Well, considering that the English are still speaking English, thanks to the United States...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Or Four
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 4:49pm.
....if you count the Falklands War (Maldives if you're Baraka).
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Ahead of you
Submitted by Unsane on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 7:23am.
Which I did. The Falklands campaign = Operation Corporate.
:)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Ascension Island
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:06pm.
Those supplies we had stockpiled at Ascension Island must have come in real handy, especially all that aviation fuel.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Who knew the Declaration of
Submitted by ant on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 5:56pm.
Who knew the Declaration of Independence was addressed to Queen Elizabeth? Newsflash, Andrea, only libtards would hold a grudge for something that not only never happened to them personally, but happened over 200 years ago...but I guess, as long as it's American-bashing, it's all good.
On the subject of nit-wits;
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/28/our-imbecilic-constitu...
And that's why libtard o'bama
Submitted by ThisnThat on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 8:30am.
And that's why libtard o'bama sent Churchill's bust back to the Brits -- because of a grudge regarding Churchill, Kenya (o'bama's home country), and o'bama's grandfather. So says the Telegraph in Feb, 2009, in reaction to one of o'bama's first acts as president.(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/4623148/Barack-Oba...).
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
Her? Subjects
Submitted by ArticleI on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 6:12pm.
When did us Yanks become Queen Elizabeth's subjects? Is she THAT old??
Is anyone really amazed that
Submitted by LinTaylor on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 9:07pm.
Is anyone really amazed that this dingbat is whinging over how meeeeean and eeeeevil we Colonists were for rebelling against the poor, put-upon British? Her royalist sympathies have been made obvious over the last four years, every time we saw her curtsy before His Royal Highness, King Barack I.