For One Visit, Bush Will Feel Pro-U.S. Glow

[grytpype]

Source: NYT

For One Visit, Bush Will Feel Pro-U.S. Glow

By CRAIG S. SMITH
Published: June 9, 2007

TIRANA, Albania, June 8 — The highlight of President Bush’s European tour may well be his visit on Sunday to this tiny country, one of the few places left where he can bask in unabashed pro-American sentiment without a protester in sight.

Americans here are greeted with a refreshing adoration that feels as though it comes from another time.

“Albania is for sure the most pro-American country in Europe, maybe even in the world,” said Edi Rama, Tirana’s mayor and leader of the opposition Socialists. “Nowhere else can you find such respect and hospitality for the president of the United States. Even in Michigan, he wouldn’t be as welcome.”

Thousands of young Albanians have been named Bill or Hillary thanks to the Clinton administration’s role in rescuing ethnic Albanians from the Kosovo war. After the visit on Sunday, some people expect to see a rash of babies named George.

So eager is the country to accommodate Mr. Bush that Parliament unanimously approved a bill last month allowing “American forces to engage in any kind of operation, including the use of force, in order to provide security for the president.” One newspaper, reporting on the effusive mood, published a headline that read, “Please Occupy Us!”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/09/world/europe/09albania.html?ex=1339041600&en=d78c73ff251227b1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

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Wow, weird. Maybe Bush can retire there.

[grytpype]

1. OK, maybe this explains it.

"Every school child in Albania can tell you that President Woodrow Wilson saved Albania from being split up among its neighbors after World War I, and nearly every adult repeats the story when asked why Albanians are so infatuated with the United States."

[JeffR]

2. Wonder what kind of extradition treaty they have with us

?

[billyoc]

3. "Please Keep Him!"

BTW, Edi, he's about as popular as NAFTA in Michigan. :eyes:

[Straight Shooter]

4. "Howdy! I'm Dubya. What's your name?" "Bill." "Howdy! I'm Dubya. What's your name?" "Hillary."

"Howdy! I'm Dubya. What's your name?"
"Bill."

"Howdy! I'm Dubya. What's your name?"
"Hillary."

"Howdy! I'm Dubya. What's your name?"
"Bill."

"Howdy! I'm Dubya. What's your name?"
"Hillary."

"Howdy! What's your name?"
"Bill."

"Howdy? I'm Dubya. What's your name?"
"Hillary."

Et cetera, et cetera. :D

[David__77]

5. They're deluded.

The US just sided with them for geostrategic reasons; they'd just as easily be chewed up and spit out, which they may someday find out for themselves.

[daleo]

6. For some reason, I always assume Dilbert means Albania when it does an Elbonia comic strip

Just thought I would mention that.

[kurth]

7. Albania is one step above Kazakhstan

Figures.

[UrbScotty]

8. Don't forget Poland (nt)

[EFerrari]

9. "Albania, Albania, you border on the Adriatic."

:rofl:

[ck4829]

10. Bush might ruin all that good will with a bushism

He'll do something that will leave many Albanians slack jawed, you can count on it.

[Kokonoe]

11. He's got capital and he's going to spend it.

[rodeodance]

yeah but the plastic card he has goes a long way in buying carrots!

[rodeodance]

13. yeah but the plastic card he has goes a long way in buying carrots!

[rodeodance]

12. ha ha There must be some who oppose if they force to provide security!!

.....So eager is the country to accommodate Mr. Bush that Parliament unanimously approved a bill last month allowing “American forces to engage in any kind of operation, including the use of force, in order to provide security for the president.” One newspaper, reporting on the effusive mood, published a headline that read, “Please Occupy Us!”

[Telly Savalas]

14. People who protest against Bush are pro-American.

[WritersBlock]

15. "a rash of babies named George"

The mind boggles.

[Orsino]

16. But will he thank Clinton for it? n/t

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

17. They can have him.

Just curious...How much did someone in the Bushco spin machine pay Edi to say that???

[Hand]

18. Albania was the last Stalinist nation in Europe...

...as well as the most backward agriculturally, economically, and intellectually (probably other ways as well). Now it's the only place where Chimpy is loved... :rofl: