HOW’S THAT “SMART DIPLOMACY” WORKING?

[London] Mayor Boris Johnson demanded an end to “anti-British rhetoric, buck-passing and name-calling” after days of scathing criticism directed at BP by the President and other US politicians.

Former Conservative Party chairman Lord Tebbit branded Mr Obama’s conduct “despicable”. And with the dispute threatening to escalate into a diplomatic row, Mr Johnson also appeared to suggest that David Cameron should step in to defend BP.

He spoke as the US onslaught against the firm became a “matter of national concern” — especially given its importance to British pensions, which lost much of their value today as BP shares plunged to a 13-year low.

Remember when people said Bush’s cowboy attitude was alienating allies? Meanwhile, Obama’s hate speech is promoting violence against BP: “Windows at the BP Gas Station on Highway 51 at Custer Drive were shot out overnight. Folks who work at the store believe the suspects were expressing anger over BP and how it’s handling the oil spill. . . . Incidents of anger spilling over at locally owned BP gas stations have been reported in several areas.” I’m sure all the commentators who were talking about the violent fascist threat of tea partiers will jump to weigh in on this one . . . .