I'm not sure how to take the snippiness. I've read that report and others and any "snub" is a reach. Perhaps the tradition of holding a full press conference for a visiting leader was not upheld but Brown did have a lengthy meeting with the president.

As for not having a state dinner, the man didn't bring his wife, so far as I can gather, so it doesn't appear to me that this first visit was more than as stated: a discussion on how to counter the worldwide recession.

And returning a lent Churchill bust was somehow loaded with meaning? Had it been a gift returning it would have been different.

Reading these articles and the bloggers' comments makes me painfully aware that the Brits are as juvenile and immature as anyone.