Another Clue The "War On Terror" Is Not Really A War

When Eleanor Roosevelt visited England during WW II, her description of life in Buckingham Palace reveals a very large difference between the "War on Terror" and WWII and what it means to sacrifice in a time of war. Starting on page 246 of my copy of her memoirs, "This I Remember:"

When we arrived at the Palace they took me to my rooms, explaining that I could have only a small fire in my sitting room and one in the outer waiting room, and saying they hoped I would not be too cold. Through the windows they pointed out the shell holes. The window panes in my room had all been broken and replaced with wood and isinglass and one or two small panes of glass. Later the queen showed me where a bomb had dropped right through the king's rooms, destroying both his rooms and hers. They explained the various layers of curtains which had to be kept closed when the lights were on; informed me that there would be a messenger outside my door to take me to the drawing room at the proper hour for dinner, and then left me to my own devices...

...Everything in Great Britain was done as one would expect it to be. The restrictions on heat and water and food were observed as carefully in the royal household as in any other home in England. There was a plainly marked black line in my bathtub above which I was not supposed to run the water. We were served on gold and silver plates, but our bread was the same kind of war bread every other family had to eat, and, except for the fact that occasionally game from one of the royal preserves appeared on the table, nothing was served in the way of food that was not served in any of the war canteens.

Let's see if we can find out what the President had for dinner either before or after the State of the Union Address as a basis of comparison.

Okay, after a quick search on the whitehouse web location, I couldn't find it. But, just last year - during the full execution of the "war on terror," the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were visiting - and this is rather fitting given that Mrs. Roosevelt was visiting the King and Queen of England on her venture. Here's what the W, Rove and Co shared with the Prince and Duchess:

Celery Broth with Crispy Rock Shrimp
Newton Chardonnay "Unfiltered"
2002 Medallions of Buffalo Tenderloin
Roasted Corn
Wild Rice Pancakes
Glazed Parsnips and Young Carrots
Peter Michael Pinot Noir "Le Moulin Rouge"

2002 Mint Romaine Lettuce with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Vermont Camembert Cheese and Spiced Walnuts Petits Fours Cake
Chartreuse Ice Cream Red and Green Grape Sauce
Iron Horse "Wedding Cuvée" 2002

* Dinner Table Settings and Music - The State Dining Room, The White House State Floor
Clinton China
Vermeil flatware
Gold pintuck silk tablecloths
Sprays of white phaeleanopsis orchids with camellia foliage in the historic White House vermeil candelabras

The United States Marine Band Flute trio - The East Entrance
The United States Marine Band - The Grand Foyer
The United States Marine Band "Strolling Strings" - The State Floor After Dinner

Entertainment - The White House State Floor
Yo Yo Ma, Cellist - The East Room
Kathryn Stott, Concert Pianist - The East Room The United States Marine Dance Band - The Grand Foyer

Ohh, sounds yummy & nice wine pairings. Glad to know the W, Rove and Co. are buckling down and sacrificing for the war effort. I'm just wondering who paid for Yo Yo Ma to perform?