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Obama’s Limo ‘The Beast’ Slapped With Congestion Fine in Britain

May. 27, 2011 10:37am Jonathon M. Seidl

Obama’s trip to the UK hasn’t really been a hit with the locals. Not only did the British media pan his speech to Parliament, but he was heavily ridiculed for his botched toast to the Queen. And now, the city of London has just slapped him with a fine.

The mayor of London announced that the president’s motorcade and his limo “The Beast” would have to pay a “congestion charge.” A 2003 allows the mayor to levy the fine for excessive traffic since the streets were technically closed during the president’s visit.

The London Evening Standard reports:

The Mayor told the Standard each car in the President’s motorcade will be billed for £10 – including the bomb-proof Cadillac. Mr Johnson also said he had a discussion with Mr Obama about the US embassy’s refusal to pay £5.3 million in C-charge fines.

But the embassy said its position on not paying the C-charge was “wholly in accordance” with a convention on taxing diplomats. Mr Johnson said: “Our roads were not closed during the President’s visit so his motorcade will pay. The Beast will pay the charge, I’m delighted to say.

“We didn’t charge the Pope when he was here because all the roads were closed, so the Popemobile was exempt. But this was different.”

Mr Johnson raised the issue of the US embassy’s unpaid C-charge bill with the President during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. He said: “We had a very friendly conversation. Suffice to say discussions will be ongoing.”

A spokesman for the Mayor later said: “They already owe £5.3 million so it is probable the bill for the motorcade will just go on top of that.”

A number of embassies in the capital insist the congestion charge is a tax giving them immunity from it.

For the record, one British pound sterling equals about $1.64 U.S. That means each car will have to pay $16.41, and that the embassy’s total bill equals a whopping $8,698,360.00.

But a source told the Evening Standard the president and the embassy have no intention of paying the fines:

“We conscientiously abide by all UK laws, including paying fines for all traffic violations, such as parking and speeding violations.

“Our position on the congestion charge is based on the 1960 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which prohibits the imposition of this sort of tax on diplomatic missions.”

I’m sure that will continue to strengthen the “special relationship.”

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Comments (169)

SistaTriscuit
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:47pm
I guess I’ve always wondered why there should be “immunity” from this sort of thing for diplomats & heads of state? Above the law? Of course they think they are.

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Dallasmarine
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:45pm
Obviously the British have been reading our MSM about the something for nothing handouts. They just want their share.

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ejbonk
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:42pm
The Mayor of London is way out of line with this FINE thing. Under International Law ,We and All other Nations Diplomats and Heads of State are Excempt from this type Tax. The State Department Needs the Britsh Government to Lean of tThe City of London about this Whole Silly Stupid Business,Just like Our State Department does on NEW YORK CITY concerning United Nations Diplomatic Missions complaints for similar actions by New York City’s Parking Department and Police for attempting to Impound Diplomats Car for unpaid [parking ticket and traffic violations. Foreign Diplomats have Millions in Unpaid Fines to the City of New York that will Never be paid,because they are except under International Laws and Agreements.

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SistaTriscuit
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 7:13pm
JZS – Apparently you’re the one that is “clueless”… as the article clearly states “They already owe £5.3 million so it is probable the bill for the motorcade will just go on top of that.”

This article is not stating that the entire fine is simply for the motorcade this time & I haven’t seen a comment yet where someone implied or stated otherwise. Geeze.

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Lara
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:39pm
This was NOT a diplomatic trip, it was a VACATION!!!! The idiot owes and should pay it! If it was one of us, we would have to pay it!! Lock em up ENGLAND!

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Redistributor
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 5:14pm
Go pound some sand brits!!!

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Agnes
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 4:28pm
It is to bad the American working people will have to pay for this fine. Personally, I would love to see the Almighty and his wife work off their fines in jail in Britain since they have no idea what real work is.

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KevINtampa
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 4:19pm
Soooo, let me make sure I understand this, Obama doesn’t like PAYING taxes, just making them and increasing them.

Now that is awesome.

Some one please tell him he should feel privileged, honored, and proud to pay these FEEs. It’s not a tax, he clogged up their roads and caused more pollution than otherwise would have been generated. I’d rather us pay this bill than give people more than 180 days of welfare.

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chuck_wagon
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 4:01pm
The Brits ought to just say, go away Barry, we just don’t want you here again. Kinda like us.

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poster
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:52pm
Geez — I read the headline and thought the story was about the other beast.

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kindling
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:17pm
Obama is such a total Narcissist, it is all about “LOOK AT ME” all the time. I bet he even thought that music at the toast was for him. It makes me sick to watch him. He goes around telling the world how awful the US is and everyone hates us even more now than before he was elected. What a Jerk!

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jessieH
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:13pm
I love it! obama makes a fool out of himself and then gets fined for it!

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nelan72
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:10pm
He said he was going to pay with “Change”.

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mcFirst
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:43pm
8 million = that’s like 4 Obama jobs saved or created. unspeakable.

Next trip just use GoToMeeting.

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Arshloch
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:31pm
Good show chaps. No one could have done it better!

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:26pm
$8,698,360.00 A mere pittance.. Lead security, fuel and local resources expend that on a daily basis for Obama’s globe trotting teleprompter recitals.

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robbiehawk
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:05pm
How exactly does his car get to europe? I don’t get it – this admin. keeps telling us to buy “green” cars – don’t drive suvs, but they traipse all over the world.

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Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:54pm
upstatenyconservative: No, I’m not defending Obama at all. But I am saying that charging America for so-called traffic violations gleefully, and our diplomats as well, incurring $8 + million worth of charges is ludicrous. This is not the way that Britain should be treating America, and a President, no matter who is President. I know how they and Europe feel about Obama, but at the moment he is representing our Country. You all pretty much know by now how I feel about the usurper and fraud in the White House, but I’m speaking in general about America here, and I flat out think it’s wrong to treat American like that.

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- UpstateNYConservative
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:15pm
  Oh, I know how you feel and why, Mary. I see your point and can agree overall with you in full; I don’t think you’re somehow ‘wrong’ in any way.
  
  I just find it all comical in my demented way of seeing humor. I mean, Obow is the kind of person my dad used to say is so bad he would frack up his own funeral. I also tend to see the Brits are very subtle when they want to stick it to someone, which is why few Americans truly understand the British concept of humour.
  
  I don’t think you’re somehow ‘wrong’ at all, Mary. If Obow were a better person, a better president, I’d be in total agreement with you on these pages. But I’m comfortable with the Brits making a joke of him, because Obow is a total joke all on his own.
  
  And it’s not politics for me. Rather, it’s the person.
  
  Report this comment
- thegrassroots
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:29pm
  Britain joining America in our disrespect for BHO is Britain recognizing, along with America, that BHO is everything America isn’t.
  
  Britain is standing with America in our disdain for the imposter-in-chief. Thanks Brits!
  
  Report this comment
- Ghandi was a Republican
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:32pm
  Gotta disagree- If you read the article this “President” went to read a teleprompter pre-loaded with poop from the liberal press. That’s disingenuous and political. They are treating Obama as Obama at America’s expense true, but why should they have to pay for the economic disruption and hassle to their public in the first place?. Obama is no friend to England OR Capitalism. This would be the type event the Progs would spend an entire election cycle demonizing in others – especially America at large, using whoever they can as a surrogate to do it!
  
  Report this comment
- Mary M. Tebbe
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:46pm
  I hear what you all are saying. One question then. Was Obama INVITED as a guest to their country, or did he invite himself? If Obama was an INVITED GUEST, then the onus lies with the British and how they treated him.
  
  Report this comment
- Ghandi was a Republican
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:57pm
  Obama certainly did not get invited to recite leftwing prepared drivel, insult the queen AND disrupt traffic on a political expedition. Our vehicles, our bad.. I’m sure they did not consult, nor work with the Mayor’s concerns. That would not fit any equation of the charlatans who only want to generate mock imagery of Obama’s popularity abroad for media exploitation at home.. This was the game they played to create obama hype in the 2008 campaign. Obama is no friend to free people anywhere. Rigged town halls and ‘diplomatic imagery’ is not the British subjects responsibility. The progs spent 8 years unfairly demonizing Bush for anything and everything in this illusion to point away what they do.
  
  Report this comment
- UpstateNYConservative
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 2:08pm
  @Mary M. Tebbe
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:46pm
  
  I hear what you all are saying. One question then. Was Obama INVITED as a guest to their country, or did he invite himself? If Obama was an INVITED GUEST, then the onus lies with the British and how they treated him.
  
  __________________
  
  Fair enough. Again, I can’t argue that you’re somehow ‘wrong’ because, realistically, you’re not.
  
  My thing, part of why I see the Half-white in Chief as I do, is that an American town couldn’t have suffered more even if it took a direct hit from a tacnuke. And STILL the JOTUS stays on vacation? If Teddy Roosevelt were abroad when the 1906 Frisco earthquake hit, I bet he’d have cut his trip short and returned home soon as he could get back.
  
  But not Obow! I mean, he stayed at his golf game when he was told, “Hey! We can get bin Laden a few hours after you give the order.” Then Obow needed 16 more hours to decide; he even ‘slept on it’.
  
  Bowing, apologizing, and ass-kissing doesn’t earn respect for our beloved United States. I know how you feel, Mary, and I’m right beside you. For now, though, I just have to laugh at this pretender. If I don’t, I’m going to get all kinds of pissy.
  
  And I’m no good to anyone when I’m in a bad mood. ~wry grin~
  
  Report this comment
usconcerned
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:50pm
The Beast… Where did I read about “The Beast”? Oh, yes, in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. It pertains to the Antichrist! Hmmm… Interesting!

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SheriS
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:49pm
I would add the Prez was an embarrassment to our country on this trip and we the taxpayers are responsible of this “crap” since we pay the idiot’s salary! There were several faux pas committed by the Prez and we have only seem some of them! If the idiot has a Protocol officer, they need to be fired immediately as each faux paus costs our country in crediblity! One of the first President’s in my lifetime who has been such a sleezebag who has no class, tact, or brains to realize there are certain things you never do—so far the worst was the pathetic “toast” faux pas as he didn’t have the sense to stand there silent while the national anthem is played whether it is ours or the host country! This is pathetic and an emarrassment to every American–but it seems the left are too stupid to realize what a smuck this Prez is and sadly we each bear the blame because of this dope!

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Da_Man
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:38pm
Okay, let’s see the bill for the UN. I want to see them pay us for our traffic violations that they commit. They just say “Diplomatic Immunity” and go merrily upon their way. You want us to pay? Okay, you pay us! I’m sure we’ll come out ahead on this one. I know that ol-bummer is a joke and that he should be cleaning tolets instead of President of the United States. I also know that he just keeps putting us in a bad light. I know that he doesn’t have the good sense to give up the Presidency, but I’m just saying that if they want our tax dollars… they (all of the countries of the UN) should pay us. Stopping paying them to be here and charge them for being here. Seems fair to me!!!

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Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:37pm
If you think about it, I don’t think this has to do with Obama in particular. It has to do with America. Is this the way that the British treat a president of the United States (any President, because I don’t think Obama is actually legally the president) of American? Is this the way we would treat the British visiting the White House here? I don’t think so. It just did not set right with me. A President of America represents the whole of America, and this is an affront to Americans in general. This is just below the belt. To me it represents an INSULT to all of America to be treated this way in a foreign country when we are always so hospitable to everyone that comes here.

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- UpstateNYConservative
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:48pm
  The last time I heard of any mayor of London, which was some years ago, he was a hard-core liberal. I don’t know if it’s the same guy, but I can’t imagine London suddenly going hard-right.
  
  I find this pretty much comedic and really a big deal. Obow is just a joke, really, and I have no problem with the world ‘mistreating’ him. I didn’t vote for him and never would, and it’s a safe bet we deserve what we get for putting this half-white clown in office.
  
  Funnier is how the sanctimonious Left has to over-reach to keep defending this joker on almost a daily basis. I mean, just look how the trolls here get all kinds of bunged up, taking themselves and their guy, way too seriously.
  
  I mean, calling Obow the Chicago Jesus only has the Chicago part right.
  
  Report this comment
- thegrassroots
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:08pm
  BHO doesn’t speak for America! BHO doesn’t represent America! BHO is disrespected globally because America disrespects BHO – And The World Knows It!
  
  All of BHO’s, At Home and Abroad, Blunderings are BHO doing an EXCELLENT JOB OF CAMPAIGNING AGAINST HIMSELF! America’s Watching! America’s Listening! America Votes!
  
  Come 2012 – America Gets The Fun Of Dismantling Everything Obama!
  
  Report this comment
- Nick Pable with Buckshot
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:25pm
  @Upstate
  You’re thinking of Ken Livingstone who was a left wing mayor. He was replaced by Boris Johnson who’s a Conservative about 2 years ago. The thing is he has a great sense of humour and I imagine this request was made with tongue firmly in cheek.
  
  Report this comment
- Mary M. Tebbe
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:26pm
  thegrassroots: I hear what you and the nyconservative are saying, but I’m saying that this entourage represents who America is and who we are as a people, regardless of what we think of said president. Obviously Obama was invited to Britain, or he would not be there. Didn’t the Queen give a banquet on his behalf? Even when he went to give a toast to the Queen, he barely got the words out as offering the toast when the music started. This all seems like a set-up to me. Just sayin’. If it is to embarrass Obama, then I get the picture; but that is not the way American should be treated. This car, called “the beast” and the entourage represented with it is a reflection of who WE the people are in the eyes of the whole world, and we were not treated with respect by Britain, as I see it. I guess I’m looking at the broader picture here. Yes Obama insults people…he is in way over his head…but, until he is removed from office, he still represents us. That’s what America got when they voted for a usurper. That’s what they live with until he is unseated from office. That does not however give the world the right to insult America. I guess I have my Father’s WELSH blood in me, and I refuse to be shamed by the British.
  
  Report this comment
- UpstateNYConservative
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:32pm
  @Nick
  
  Ah, thanks! I’m really bad with names, but Livingstone is the one I had in mind when first I wrote.
  
  Report this comment
- thegrassroots
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 1:54pm
  Hi Mary! :)
  In the face of a traitor, which is who we”ve got in the White House, I don’t go along for the sake of getting along. BHO Doesn’t Represent America and England Knows It! Thank You England!
  
  Our “Don’t Tread On Me” Founders didn’t tolerate the likes of BHO. The Americans who are openly kicking BHO to the curb are the Americans who are standing in the shoes of our Gritty Gutted Founders. Our Founders would scorn any attitude with appearances of stooping down to be politically correct.
  
  The True Grit Americans Are Those Who Are Standing Up And Stepping Up To Be Correct, Which Is The Heart Of Our Founders. Our Founders Would Never Throw Integrity Under A Bus In Favor Of Any Form Of Political Correctness.
  
  BHO is too much of a narcissist to realize it – Even So, The Resident Can See Prison From The White House!
  
  Report this comment
chips1
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:29pm
Joplin should impose a fine when and if he shows up on Sunday. That would be the only help they get from Bozo.

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- Agnes
  Posted on May 27, 2011 at 4:30pm
  I think they should be banned from even visiting Joplin.
  
  Report this comment
Twit123
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:29pm
I’d rather want Obama and wife be kept at the British jail for about a year or two for the traffic penalty. Paying the fine would drain more holes from our pockets that are already empty.

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flsnipe
Posted on May 27, 2011 at 12:28pm
Take it off what you owe us for WWII. Yes BHO is a douschbag.

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