Bush trumps royalty

[Dan Scanlan <dscanlan@xxxxxxx>]

Prescott Bush's grandkid can't keep from killin' PLANTS for heaven's
sake! Everything he touches seems to die...


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GROUND FARCE 1

Nov 23 2003 from the Sunday Mirror in the UK


Exclusive By Terry O'Hanlon


THE Queen is furious with President George W. Bush after his state
visit caused thousands of pounds of damage to her gardens at
Buckingham Palace.

Royal officials are now in touch with the Queen's insurers and Prime
Minister Tony Blair to find out who will pick up the massive repair
bill. Palace staff said they had never seen the Queen so angry as
when she saw how her perfectly-mantained lawns had been churned up
after being turned into helipads with three giant H landing markings
for the Bush visit.

The rotors of the President's Marine Force One helicopter and two
support Black Hawks damaged trees and shrubs that had survived since
Queen Victoria's reign.

And Bush's army of clod-hopping security service men trampled more
precious and exotic plants.

The Queen's own flock of flamingoes, which security staff insisted
should be moved in case they flew into the helicopter rotors, are
thought to be so traumatised after being taken to a "place of safety"
that they might never return home.

The historic fabric of the Palace was also damaged as high-tech links
were fitted for the US leader and his entourage during his three-day
stay with the Queen.

The Palace's head gardener, Mark Lane, was reported to be in tears
when he saw the scale of the damage.

"The Queen has every right to feel insulted at the way she has been
treated by Bush," said a Palace insider.

"The repairs will cost tens of thousands of pounds but the damage to
historic and rare plants will be immense. They are still taking an
inventory.

"The lawns are used for royal garden parties and are beautifully
kept. But 30,000 visitors did not do as much damage as the Americans
did in three days.

"Their security people and support staff tramped all over the place
and left an absolute mess. It is particularly sad because the Queen
Mother loved to wander in the garden just as the Queen and Prince
Charles do now.

"Some of the roses, flowers and shrubs damaged are thought to be rare
varieties named after members of the Royal Family and planted by the
Queen Mother and Queen.

"Other Royals had their own favourite parts of the garden as children
and some of those areas have been damaged."

The Queen's insurers have told her she is covered for statues, garden
furniture and plants she personally owns, but the bill for repairing
damage to the lawns and the structure of the Palace will probably
have to be picked up by the Government.

The Americans made alterations to accommodate specialised equipment.
The mass of gadgetry meant the Royals couldn't get a decent TV
picture during the visit.