What a complete national humiliation some of these rinky-dink gifts have been! I've seen more thoughtful gifts from someone who ran into a 7-11 on the way to the birthday party.
The inevitable punchline — almost as inevitable as the fact that Gordon Brown’s DVDs were the wrong format: She already owns one. Where art thou, Teleprompter of the US? http://baracksteleprompter.blogspot.com/
Turns out there was more loaded on there than just 2007 mementos. The somewhat horrifying detail that they added some music for her too, leaving us to wonder what America’s diplomatic brain trust considers appropriate for a royal mix tape. We know what a big fan The One is of that “Yes, We Can” track…
This is just more evidence of St. Barry being, in Hitchens’s words, a “megalomaniac narcissist” infatuated with his own vacuous rhetoric. o_
I agree with you. Brown and Obama do not understand throwing good money after bad is sillyness. When Vladimir Putin warns the U.S. about the dangers of socialism, we are truly screwed. o_O
I have no idea. I suspect the wingnuts would complain no matter WHAT Obama gave as gifts. If he gave something very expensive the Right would whine that it was too flashy.
Interesting that the Right have seen fit to be preoccupied with this for days…
His inexperienced advisors do. They are really crappy. Hey, here's an ipod. Why doesn't Obama give them something from the United States? We have many craftsman here that could make some really nice things. No, let's give them something made in China. Great job Obama.
Different countries have laws about what can be accepted.
I'm sure you mom picks you perfect gifts all the time, but she doesn't have the paperwork to fill in
Doesn't seem like the gift should be something that symbolizes the unity between the U.K. and the U.S. or at least something made in the U.S.. I am sure there is something they could have gave her like a pen used to sign an important document between the U.S. and England or something similar.
At first they do seem odd, but we do have limits on the amounts spent of gifts, and most of the people we give them to are enormously wealthy and have everything they need or want.
In that category, a thoughtful gift isn't necessarily expensive.
The Queens ipod for instance was engraved and given with her favorite Broadway musicals, and some other memorabilia of shows she enjoyed. Personal and thoughtful.
The usual gift used to be a silver punch bowl or tray with the date/name/reason engraved totally useless. Or a paperweight or some other useless object. They are tokens, not personal gifts.
When the OPEC countries give gifts they are so expensive, that the President and his wife cannot keep them, they are turned over to the government on his leaving office, Mrs, Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton had to do that to my knowledge maybe more, they were given jewelry.
11 Responses for "Who picks gifts for the Obama administration to give to foreign leaders?"
Dohbama strikes again. And just in time because, after all, nothing says “special relationship” like a gadget you can buy in every mall in the western world. What’d he get Prince Philip? An Xbox?
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/04/01/obama-wades-into-murky-waters-of-diplomatic-protocol/
http://quickdailyhits.wordpress.com/
The inevitable punchline — almost as inevitable as the fact that Gordon Brown’s DVDs were the wrong format: She already owns one. Where art thou, Teleprompter of the US?
http://baracksteleprompter.blogspot.com/
Turns out there was more loaded on there than just 2007 mementos. The somewhat horrifying detail that they added some music for her too, leaving us to wonder what America’s diplomatic brain trust considers appropriate for a royal mix tape. We know what a big fan The One is of that “Yes, We Can” track…
This is just more evidence of St. Barry being, in Hitchens’s words, a “megalomaniac narcissist” infatuated with his own vacuous rhetoric. o_
I agree with you. Brown and Obama do not understand throwing good money after bad is sillyness. When Vladimir Putin warns the U.S. about the dangers of socialism, we are truly screwed. o_O
I have no idea. I suspect the wingnuts would complain no matter WHAT Obama gave as gifts. If he gave something very expensive the Right would whine that it was too flashy.
Interesting that the Right have seen fit to be preoccupied with this for days…
His inexperienced advisors do. They are really crappy. Hey, here's an ipod. Why doesn't Obama give them something from the United States? We have many craftsman here that could make some really nice things. No, let's give them something made in China. Great job Obama.
Different countries have laws about what can be accepted.
I'm sure you mom picks you perfect gifts all the time, but she doesn't have the paperwork to fill in
Doesn't seem like the gift should be something that symbolizes the unity between the U.K. and the U.S. or at least something made in the U.S.. I am sure there is something they could have gave her like a pen used to sign an important document between the U.S. and England or something similar.
The inept state department, headed by Hillary. Either they have no historical knowledge or a very poor sense of humor.
makes you wonder if there having there kids run through kmart and picking stuff out
At first they do seem odd, but we do have limits on the amounts spent of gifts, and most of the people we give them to are enormously wealthy and have everything they need or want.
In that category, a thoughtful gift isn't necessarily expensive.
The Queens ipod for instance was engraved and given with her favorite Broadway musicals, and some other memorabilia of shows she enjoyed. Personal and thoughtful.
The usual gift used to be a silver punch bowl or tray with the date/name/reason engraved totally useless. Or a paperweight or some other useless object. They are tokens, not personal gifts.
When the OPEC countries give gifts they are so expensive, that the President and his wife cannot keep them, they are turned over to the government on his leaving office, Mrs, Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton had to do that to my knowledge maybe more, they were given jewelry.
that is ok, any gift is appreciated
My-Belle's Mama.
LOL!
And worst of all: They were gifts from an American President – made in China!
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