They put Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his place the other day. The Americans rejected him and the Brits patronized him. President Obama forgot to send Canada’s Prime Minister an invitation to the tenth anniversary and dedication ceremony at the former World Trade Center. They brushed him off and sent him to a garden party at Hanover Square.
The little park at Hanover Square in Lower Manhattan is known as the British Garden and was given to the United Kingdom by the City of New York to recognize the 67 U.K. citizens who perished in the fall of the World Trade Center. In some fast footwork, the park is to be renamed to encompass Great Britain and its Commonwealth countries. The condescending treatment by the Brits fits with Mr. Harper’s recent actions in making sure the Queen’s portrait is hung properly in all Canadian embassies and consulates and in returning the Canadian military to the names of the former “Royal” services. In his usual wooden way, Mr. Harper said to the media and his entourage the he would like to extend his gratitude to the British Garden Memorial Trust for their gesture.
You have to admit that Harper and his handlers did the best they could in an embarrassing and demeaning situation. One of Mr. Harper’s aides lamely suggested that it was not possible for the New York Police to protect Harper because of the threats to the ceremony where they were already protecting a past and present President of the U.S.A.
The speech Harper read to his audience was a sample of the hurried and makeshift visit he made. You figure if he has to tell his audience that he is Prime Minister of Canada, you know the usually cocky guy has been thrown off his game. The speech said nothing and meant less. It was trite and mundane.
It was interesting that Harper was the only foreign leader in New York on this day of memories. Why he would go when he was so obviously not invited is a puzzler. It is understood that some 180 Canadian police officers who went to New York for the day where allowed to attend the Ground Zero dedication. Then, they were sent over to the British Garden to provide an audience for Mr. Harper.
If you happen to be talking with Mr. Harper in the next week, be sure to ask him if he saw any good shows while in the Big Apple.
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Copyright 2011 © Peter Lowry
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