This really is boorish and quite revealing of the bureaucratic mind. Our State Department's response to Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize showed some shocking disrespect for the office of the presidency - which shows you the contempt the permanent bureaucracy views elected officials.
From Fox News:
In a clear dig at former President George W. Bush, a State Department spokesman compared President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize to the flying footwear his predecessor faced in Iraq."From our standpoint, you know, we think that this gives us a sense of momentum ... when the United States has accolades tossed its way, rather than shoes," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters on Friday.
Crowley was referring to a 2008 incident in which an Iraqi reporter hurled his shoe at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad. The act of protest struck a chord with millions in the Arab and Muslim worlds who had been captivated and angered by daily images of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Technically speaking, that shoe was also thrown at the State Department since George Bush is the head of government and State is part of that government.
But it is typical that State Department bureaucrats see themselves an a separate power center in Washington and not necessarily part of any government - especially when they disagree with the president. Then, it's doing all they can to obstruct the elected leader of the nation in carrying out his wishes; which is all they are there for, really.
You State Department guys stay classy.
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