Obama is arriving in UK to convince Britain against Brexit - the planned vote in Britain to exist from EU. He is pitted against the likes of former cricketer Ian Botham who are campaigning for Brexit.
Will Obama succeed in his mission ? We don't know. But what we know, that historically no one has ever had more influence on Britain than its former colony United States.
During World War II, facing incessant Nazi bombing, British PM Churchill was desperate to get America on board to a fledgling Allies. As a part of his please America diplomacy, he famously said "We are common people separated by a common language (English)."
He managed to convince Roosevelt, but the American Congress refused to budge. US economy was booming as they profiteered from the war. They won't get involved until Japan caught them napping in Pearl harbor. A sleeping Giant was awakened and we know the rest is history.
Germany lost the war, but Britain lost its status as world power. By 1997 it was quite apparent, as the otherwise suave and mild mannered Indian PM I.K. Gujral, rejected Britain by branding it "a third rate world power" - when the later showed interest in mediating in Kashmir issue. In Odia there is saying "KARPURA UDIJAICHI, KHALI KANA PADICHI" - the smell of camphor is gone, only cloth remains. Gone are those glory days of Britain, only the stench of fame remains.
However the special relationship between "the common people, separated by common language" continued. As a drowning man desperately clutches to the straw, Britain tried to regain its old fame by piggybacking on old flame America. As a drowning man clutches to the straw, it tried to stay afloat in World political arena by hanging on to Uncle Sam's tail. As we call in Odia, LANGUDA DHARI CHALIBA or in Hindi PUCHH PAKADKE CHAKANA (both meaning to get on tailgating mode).
Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan took a simultaneous right turn - driving their respective economy from doldrums and destroying the myth of socialism. Maggie, followed by John Major, showed
some semblance of independence by not blindly towing the American line.
But Tony Blair started acting like a CHAMCHA (obsequious follower) of his American counterpart George W Bush. It was a common sight of Blair bending obsequiously in front of Bush, making the gesture hand washing under an imaginary faucet. He reminded me of RAM BHAKT HANUMAN (the famous obedient devotee of Ram, who blindly followed the diktat of his Lord).
Now after a long time, Britain has the glorious opportunity to regain its lost glory by staying independent of USA, vis-a-vis it's upcoming decision on Brexit. We are going to find soon.
Will Obama succeed in his mission ? We don't know. But what we know, that historically no one has ever had more influence on Britain than its former colony United States.
During World War II, facing incessant Nazi bombing, British PM Churchill was desperate to get America on board to a fledgling Allies. As a part of his please America diplomacy, he famously said "We are common people separated by a common language (English)."
He managed to convince Roosevelt, but the American Congress refused to budge. US economy was booming as they profiteered from the war. They won't get involved until Japan caught them napping in Pearl harbor. A sleeping Giant was awakened and we know the rest is history.
Germany lost the war, but Britain lost its status as world power. By 1997 it was quite apparent, as the otherwise suave and mild mannered Indian PM I.K. Gujral, rejected Britain by branding it "a third rate world power" - when the later showed interest in mediating in Kashmir issue. In Odia there is saying "KARPURA UDIJAICHI, KHALI KANA PADICHI" - the smell of camphor is gone, only cloth remains. Gone are those glory days of Britain, only the stench of fame remains.
However the special relationship between "the common people, separated by common language" continued. As a drowning man desperately clutches to the straw, Britain tried to regain its old fame by piggybacking on old flame America. As a drowning man clutches to the straw, it tried to stay afloat in World political arena by hanging on to Uncle Sam's tail. As we call in Odia, LANGUDA DHARI CHALIBA or in Hindi PUCHH PAKADKE CHAKANA (both meaning to get on tailgating mode).
Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan took a simultaneous right turn - driving their respective economy from doldrums and destroying the myth of socialism. Maggie, followed by John Major, showed
some semblance of independence by not blindly towing the American line.
But Tony Blair started acting like a CHAMCHA (obsequious follower) of his American counterpart George W Bush. It was a common sight of Blair bending obsequiously in front of Bush, making the gesture hand washing under an imaginary faucet. He reminded me of RAM BHAKT HANUMAN (the famous obedient devotee of Ram, who blindly followed the diktat of his Lord).
Now after a long time, Britain has the glorious opportunity to regain its lost glory by staying independent of USA, vis-a-vis it's upcoming decision on Brexit. We are going to find soon.
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