George Bush should be arriving imminenetly on the shores of our sceptred isle - well presumably he'll be touching down on Heathrow's grimy tarmac to be a little more specific.
He's not the first US president to visit us, although we've not had one on a state visit since 1918, and I'm sure many more will come here over the years ahead. However, I really don't think that this visit, at this time, is such a bright idea.
I've been to the 'states and people there really were very hospitable, so please don't assume that I'm on just another anti-American rant. Unfortunately, though, Mr Bush just isn't very popular over here. For sure he'll be warmly greeted by assorted politicians, civil service types and the like, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see large scale protests and hope that, in that event, they don't get out of hand.
I'd also say that if the story currently doing the rounds suggesting that the main purpose of this visit is to provide TV footage to be used next year to get Dubya reelected has any validity that really is something which will stick in my craw.