When Speaker of the House John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress without White House permission, the tsunami backlash began. It is protocol that before someone is invited to address a joint session of Congress, White House approval should be requested and granted. This is a nation of laws, diplomacy, respect, and good-manners. Play nice, or else.
President Obama is negotiating a peaceful compromise with Iran about containing Iran's nuclear program without instituting further sanctions. Sanctions appear to affect only the citizens and not the high rollers who determine policy.
"We want more sanctions," demand the boots on the ground brigade.
Boehner, whose bartender recently threatened to poison his drink, (note, it wasn't his tailor, chauffeur or footman - echoes of Downton Abbey) sided with more sanctions, as did Netanyahu, and the invite was on.
"Take that, President Obama."
Netanyahu accepted the invitation.
The Israeli opposition party criticized Netanyahu's planned speech before the Republican controlled Congress, saying it was a political move before the Israeli March election.
Here comes the or else.
Democrats plan to boycott Netanyahu's address out of respect for the office of the President of the United States and the decorum of the Congress. Instead, a party will be presented at the White House with Paul McCartney to entertain, playing McCartney and Gershwin, and plans to include Oprah Winfrey giving away a new Nissan to every member of Congress attending, Mini Coopers for each spouse and a Smart car for their children.
Learning of the Winfrey car give away, Republicans started asking whether they could attend the White House bash instead of the Netanyahu speech.
Sure.
Desperate, Boehner tried to raise the ante by offering autographed photographs of Netanyahu, but there were no takers. He's since offered a shot of whiskey and a free-range chicken luncheon with organic carrots and peas in the Congressional cafeteria. No one bothered to say, 'No'.
The collective opinion of the Republican members of Congress was that: A car is a car, and free-range chicken is no substitute.
"Come to papa - come to papa - do."
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