Obama visits OZ

Amongst larger security than we are used to, POTUS visited our little back water.



I'm wondering if the secret service was defunct in their duty by letting him be mobbed by a school girl or two?

I find it interesting that he has received a rock star like welcome, when our local politicians barely need a police escort. Should any politician get this kind of attnetion?

edit - Need more info on this visit?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/live-blogs/obama-in-australia/

 

Reasonably well recieved too with not a lot of negative press which was surprising.
Interesting to note though the amount of American troops that will be stationed here in a few years 2,500 at the base in Darwin.
My personal view is that it is a good thing but Indonesia and China reacted strongly with our Foreign minister Rudd quite rightly pointing out our sovereign right to dictate our own policy.

 

in the photo he looks like he´s thinking "wtf are you doing touching me?"

australia seems to love treating american officials like royalty hence the usually high security. was is australia or the uk that was 1st to agree with gwb to go to war?

also, the whole us presence definitely has a "marking territory" factor about it and so the response in understandable and telling as australia and indonesia have a history of rocky relations (i think the quote came from somewhere in indonesia that asia views australia as the "retarded little brother" although this is a distant and probably unsourceable claim.) as much as i despise war and politics i think it´s a good show that the western world stands together if need be which would hopefully dissuade any potential situations. btw i welcome people pointing out flaws in my logic

 

Interesting observations but "american officials" are the ones that make sure the "Country of visit" so to speak is paid for by the host.
I think that is the protocol around the world for any visiting "Head Honcho".

As for marking territory....................

I remember my dad retelling stories about the Pacific.......................

Anyway old friends are good friends.