Pretty stupid considering that, you know, already had one. I mean, can't they just call, or at least google it first?

And even if she didn't have an iPod... give something else, for fark's sake, it's still the Queen.

He should have given her some Amazon or ITune gift certificates. That way, she can get what she wants.

And no, I'm not outraged at this, I'm just really disappointed and slightly appalled. I mean, an iPod and DVDs (that won't even play in the UK)?

Is this really the best that America has to offer? I don't think so. So it's probably just a reflection of how "important" Obama's team thought the Prime Minister and the Queen are in the scheme of things. It's shameful.

Let me summarize the article for everyone:

He should have given her something more personal, like the same picture he gives to every foreign dignitary, or something reminding her of her slavery heritage

Tatsuma: Is this really the best that America has to offer? I don't think so. So it's probably just a reflection of how "important" Obama's team thought the Prime Minister and the Queen are in the scheme of things. It's shameful.

Heck, I voted for the guy... but "hope" and "change" are reverting from actions to just words.

Meh. She gave him a framed picture of herself, he gave her a video of herself on an iPod.

If I hear Her (or Gordon Brown) complaining, I might be concerned. Brown can easily buy a region-free DVD player; in fact as PM, I suspect he probably already has one at Number 10. HRH has so much stuff already that this is just another thing in her pile of things.

Manufactured outrage is boring.

Still, given the choice between a President who causes outrage by giving impersonal gifts to people he has never met and one who causes outrage by starting a war based on false premises and crashes the world's economy in the process by refusing to enforce even the most obvious regulatory and oversight laws, I'll take the iPod and DVDs, thanks.

RocketRod: Heck, I voted for the guy... but "hope" and "change" are reverting from actions to just words.

what part of "hope" and "change" had anything to do with exchanging gifts with the powerless vestigial monarch of an ex-empire?

He should have given her a signed copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the collected writings of Thomas Paine.

If Republicans are smart they'll focus on this as their primary concern in 2012 when they try to take back power. This issue is going to be huge for them, and bad news for Obama.

Oh God they are going to declare war on us over this! Our long friendship is over! THE BRITISH ARE COMING!!!11

Yea, because a pen holder and a framed photo are SO much more personal.

I'd rather have an iPod loaded with things I might be interested in or a collection of movies that the giver thinks I should watch.

Even though, you know, they're CONSUMER goods. God forbid our oligarchs purchase COMMON things.

palladiate: Yea, because a pen holder(is) SO much more personal.

When it was made out of timber that was once part of an anti-slavery ship? Heck yeah.

palladiate: I'd rather have an iPod loaded with things I might be interested in or a collection of movies that the giver thinks I should watch.

Even though, you know, they're CONSUMER goods. God forbid our oligarchs purchase COMMON things.

"I'd rather have a president I can drink a beer with than some shmuck who sounds French!"

But he's the BEST at office gift exchanges.

palladiate: Yea, because a pen holder and a framed photo are SO much more personal.

The pen holder was, the photo frame was not.

palladiate: God forbid our oligarchs purchase COMMON things.

B-b-b-but he should buy something more elite because arugula eating elitists are bad and... wait.

I wonder if it was Henderson's.

Tatsuma: When it was made out of timber that was once part of an anti-slavery ship? Heck yeah.

That was tongue-in-cheek, by the way. The penholder is pretty damn cool.

But lets face it, the iPod is about the pinnacle of American engineering and achievement at the moment. I suppose he could have given her a compressed block of worthless Bear Stearns stock.

I suppose he could have given her the copy of the Magna Carta we still have. They might want that back. That might remind them of the time they didn't appreciate meddlesome tyranny.

I'd rather get an iPod or some DVDs over a crap-ass pen or a framed picture. Even if I were a head of state. At least he didn't try to give her a back rub or puke on her.

Tatsuma: And no, I'm not outraged at this, I'm just really disappointed and slightly appalled. I mean, an iPod and DVDs (that won't even play in the UK)?

Is this really the best that America has to offer? I don't think so. So it's probably just a reflection of how "important" Obama's team thought the Prime Minister and the Queen are in the scheme of things. It's shameful.

Thanks for your concern.

Tatsuma: Pretty stupid considering that, you know, already had one. I mean, can't they just call, or at least google it first?

And even if she didn't have an iPod... give something else, for fark's sake, it's still the Queen.

In this case, Obama's gift was more personal than the Queens, why is this a problem in your mind?

And it looks like Michelle Obama actually touched the Queen, which is a no-no. And, according to the pic, at least, it also looks like she tried to eat her flesh right after that.

This guy is a major Klutz at gifts . Black people suck at that you know. They're so programmed to receive rather than give.

goddammit! that does it...I'm voting for McCain

Snarfangel: He should have given her a signed copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the collected writings of Thomas Paine.

I was thinking maybe something melted down from one of John Paul Jones cannon balls.

palladiate: That was tongue-in-cheek, by the way. The penholder is pretty damn cool.

But lets face it, the iPod is about the pinnacle of American engineering and achievement at the moment. I suppose he could have given her a compressed block of worthless Bear Stearns stock.

I suppose he could have given her the copy of the Magna Carta we still have. They might want that back. That might remind them of the time they didn't appreciate meddlesome tyranny.

Well, I'm sure there was suitable inbetween an iPod and the original Bill of Rights and the axe Lincoln used to cut that cherry tree.

Tatsuma: And it looks like Michelle Obama actually touched the Queen, which is a no-no. And, according to the pic, at least, it also looks like she tried to eat her flesh right after that.

Umm, with royalty, if they open with a specific gesture such as a handshake or embrace, it's perfectly allowable to reciprocate. She did, in fact, put her arm around Michelle first.

Just saying. At least she didn't throw her a GWB-brand wink.

Why didn't he give her the rogering he promised?

bulldg4life: Tatsuma: And no, I'm not outraged at this, I'm just really disappointed and slightly appalled. I mean, an iPod and DVDs (that won't even play in the UK)?

Is this really the best that America has to offer? I don't think so. So it's probably just a reflection of how "important" Obama's team thought the Prime Minister and the Queen are in the scheme of things. It's shameful.

Thanks for your concern.



Truly, they are genuinely Concerned about slighting our allies.

Tatsuma: Well, I'm sure there was suitable inbetween an iPod and the original Bill of Rights and the axe Lincoln used to cut that cherry tree.

Yea, that's why I suggested the Magna Carta we have. Sure it's one of the later ones, but it's not like we give a crap about reigning in executive powers, doubly so with wartime powers.

Tatsuma: And it looks like Michelle Obama actually touched the Queen, which is a no-no.

You didn't read your article did you?

palladiate: Umm, with royalty, if they open with a specific gesture such as a handshake or embrace, it's perfectly allowable to reciprocate. She did, in fact, put her arm around Michelle first.

Well, I'm fairly sure that monarchists in the UK will disagree with you there. Personally, I don't care too much, but I have to say that Obama's relations with the UK is starting to take a Bush turn...

Tatsuma: Well, I'm sure there was suitable inbetween an iPod and the original Bill of Rights and the axe Lincoln used to cut that cherry tree.

Obama's gift: Ipod with video of the queen and a rare songbook signed by Richard Rodgers of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Queen's gift: Stock photo of her and her husband in a silver frame that she gives to everyone.

Face it, Obama gave the better, more thoughtful gift.

Ryan2065: You didn't read your article did you?

Hmm, yes I have

Of course, there are corollaries to this. One must certainly touch the Queen if the monarch offers her hand (though you should return this not with a firm handshake, but just a touch). On Wednesday, Michelle Obama put her hand on the Queen only after the Queen had placed her own hand on the First Lady's back as part of their conversation. So there is room for theological argument as to whether the American reciprocity of touch is allowable given the social dynamics of the situation. (Less explicable is the previous President, George W. Bush, winking at the Queen.) Still, the sight of anyone apparently touching the Queen in anything more than a limp handshake is enough to send the British (or traditionalists in the old Commonwealth) twittering.

In any case, the touch lasted just a second or two, and the Queen did not seem particularly perturbed - though she appeared slightly surprised as she drew away.

You know what'll be embarrassing? When he catches her re-gifting it.

Ryan2065: Face it, Obama gave the better, more thoughtful gift.

Absolutely. I don't deny that.

Sure, between a already used tootbrush and a 5 quid voucher for Tesco, the voucher is the best present.

What I'm saying is that he could have at least gone for a tenner at Marks & Spencer.

From Tatsuma's article: On Wednesday, Michelle Obama put her hand on the Queen only after the Queen had placed her own hand on the First Lady's back as part of their conversation. So there is room for theological argument as to whether the American reciprocity of touch is allowable given the social dynamics of the situation. (Less explicable is the previous President, George W. Bush, winking at the Queen.)

Looks like touching the Queen wasn't necessarily against protocol, since the Queen initiated. And, of course, Mrs. Obama has the same "Head of State" social standing as the President in that situation.

Winking, however - I remember that. It was scandalous. Absolutely scandalous. (Pops, with cringe-worthy Royal Glare™ goodness.

Ryan2065: Obama's gift: Ipod with video of the queen and a rare songbook signed by Richard Rodgers of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

but how can i be outraged at that?

let's just forget that part and stick with the ipod.

Tatsuma: In any case, the touch lasted just a second or two, and the Queen did not seem particularly perturbed - though she appeared slightly surprised as she drew away.

Whew! Glad he didn't offer her a fist-bump. She might have decked him.

Tatsuma: And it looks like Michelle Obama actually touched the Queen, which is a no-no.

That's because the Queen is absolutely terrible at tag. She was teased about it as a small girl.

Tatsuma: Sure, between a already used tootbrush and a 5 quid voucher for Tesco, the voucher is the best present.

especially when the voucher comes with a songbook signed by richard rodgers.

burndtdan: Tatsuma: Sure, between a already used tootbrush and a 5 quid voucher for Tesco, the voucher is the best present.

especially when the voucher comes with a songbook signed by richard rodgers.

The songbook is also cursed.

Ryan2065: Queen's gift: Stock photo of her and her husband in a silver frame that she gives to everyone.

She's kind of bound by tradition to give it.

Tatsuma: Still, the sight of anyone apparently touching the Queen in anything more than a limp handshake is enough to send the British (or traditionalists in the old Commonwealth) twittering.

Also of note, it will send all British newspapers newspapers from the Commonwealth of Great Britain into fits of outrage, as they do when people do something stupid, criminals get justice, women open their mouths, or the clouds rain.

Benevolent Misanthrope: Looks like touching the Queen wasn't necessarily against protocol, since the Queen initiated. And, of course, Mrs. Obama has the same "Head of State" social standing as the President in that situation.

Winking, however - I remember that. It was scandalous. Absolutely scandalous. (Pops, with cringe-worthy Royal Glare™ goodness.

Yeah, that was more than shameful.

burndtdan: Ryan2065: Obama's gift: Ipod with video of the queen and a rare songbook signed by Richard Rodgers of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

but how can i be outraged at that?

let's just forget that part and stick with the ipod.

They were a total rip-off of Victor Herbert and to a lesser extent of Jerome Kern. It just screams "I'm trying too hard!"

Snarfangel: burndtdan: Tatsuma: Sure, between a already used tootbrush and a 5 quid voucher for Tesco, the voucher is the best present.

especially when the voucher comes with a songbook signed by richard rodgers.

The songbook is also cursed.

but it has sprinkles.

burndtdan: especially when the voucher comes with a songbook signed by richard rodgers.

It's also a book bound in human flesh and inked in blood. it contains bizarre burial rituals and demon resurrection passages.

Not exactly proper.

eqtworld: are you kidding me?

Reagan gave Gorbachev a jar of jelly beans once.

ipod > jelly beans

In a Steuban jar, numbnuts.

Benevolent Misanthrope: Winking, however - I remember that. It was scandalous. Absolutely scandalous. (Pops, with cringe-worthy Royal Glare™ goodness.

That is by far one of my favorite photos ever. She's a tough lady, I wouldn't EVER want that glare.

eqtworld: What kind of gift are is the American President supposed to give a dictator?

A trone made of skulls or a brand new Iron Maiden, I suppose.

At least the 25 set of classic DVD's he gave Gordo were all old Reagan Movies.