Barack the Re-Gifter?
by Jeffrey JenaI have a gift for Obama but I’ll get to that in a minute.
Awhile back I wrote an essay about how the policies of the new administration and comments of leading Democrats had negatively impacted my business. Since my personal economic downturn was directly due to the government I thought I might be able to scam, I’m sorry, receive some TARP money from Uncle Sugar. Twice I wrote to one of my senators, Sherrod Brown (D-OH) requesting a modest bailout. I explain how just a few hundred grand would put me on solid footing and allow me to help stimulate the economy by buying a new pick-up truck and a big screen TV.
Senator Brown ignored my first letter and sent me a form e-mail reply to the second. I may try again but thus far no Tarp money for me. So I am still picking up empty cans, striping copper wire out of abandoned houses, and standing on the corner with my “ I’m like Obama, I just want change!” sign to help make ends meets. I look in the want ads and sometimes I go out and apply for a job as a painter or drywall hanger just to practice my Spanish and see what other jobs are being taken from Americans under the guise that illegals only do jobs Americans don’t want. Does anyone in Washington realize that if we got serious and stopped illegal immigrants from taking jobs from working class Americans our unemployment rate would be zero? Hey, maybe that would stimulate the economy for less than ten gazillion dollars. But I digress.
Today I was watching the news from the G-20 summit which, for awhile, I thought was a new drink from Gatorade, and heard Obama had bought another gaffe gift. He gave the Queen of England an iPod! An iPod? As an Apple stock holder I am happy to get the free plug but an iPod is something you get your son or daughter for their twelfth birthday. I know Mr. Obama has had only limited experience with foreign countries but surely someone on his staff is aware they have electronics stores in London. Seems the Queen already has an iPod but since she is the Queen and has some class she didn’t toss in down on a chair and say in that sarcastic British way, “Another iPod, brilliant!”
This comes on the heels of Barack giving British PM Gordy Brown a stack of DVDs that weren’t the proper format to be played in England. Once again, where is his staff? Didn’t any of them do a year abroad or backpack through Europe in college? These gifts seemed like stuff someone gave him so I suspect Barack may be a re-gifter! It occurs to me that maybe the President needs a personal gift shopper. I know that isn’t a real government position but my wife has always said that the way to get your dream job is to think of something you’d love to do and then go find someone who needs that done! My only previous attempt at this method resulted in a restraining order from Ms. Aniston, but I think I may be on to something here.
Imagine how cool Obama would have looked had he handed the Queen a first edition by Paul Dunbar or W.E.B. Dubois. If he wanted to stay high- tech he could have loaded a Kindle with the works of Maya Angelou and James Baldwin. He is our first African-American President, (in case you hadn’t heard) and a huge Lincoln fan, so maybe his gifts should show a little personality of his own. Here’s an idea, how about handing PM Brown a pen that Lincoln used or a framed Lincoln signature. He’s the British Prime Minister for gosh sake, it’s not like he’ll put it on Ebay.
Mr. Obama, that is my gift, a couple of free ideas, I’ll be happy to do all of your gift shopping but I need a deal. Have a word with Senator Brown and Timmy Geithner, see what you have left in the slush fund and get back to me.
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173 Comments
The spin from the Office of the Current Occupant is that Her Royal Highness requested a Video I-Pod, and one suspects that after the DVD fiasco this might actually be true. Regardless, the lack of consideration this administration has shown to just about everyone save their loony left constituency is appalling. Good luck to Mr Jena at getting anything from Sherrod Brown…
I really hope he got her an I-Pod with a recharger that runs on UK voltage though. Nah he wouldn't make a mistake like that would he?
I really hope he got her an I-Pod with a recharger that runs on UK voltage though. Nah he wouldn't make a mistake like that would he?
Want to talk about a comparison:
Obama visits the queen, gives an iPod and a a rare songbook signed by Richard Rogers… okay the second one is nice… but compare that to "the Texas idiot":
<quote>President and Mrs. Bush gave Her Majesty a bronze statuette "High Desert Princess" with a personal inscription on the bottom of the base. It is a replica of the original life size statue that is located in front of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas.
President and Mrs. Bush gave The Prince Philip an exclusive sterling silver eagle box by Tiffany & Co. with personal inscription on the inside lid.
President and Mrs. Bush gave Their Majesties a leather presentation box filled with a collection of documents from the National Archives. One of the items was a copy of an original letter from President Roosevelt to her father, King George, written in 1938. There were also photos from previous royal visits and a DVD of the footage from the Queen's visit to the United States when she was Princess Elizabeth in 1951.</quote>
Maybe President O needs to start taking lessons in southern hospitality?
"A personal gift shopper". Considering he has a "friend" to play basketball with on this trip, a shopper would seem much more useful. And I thought that now I would not have to be embarrassed by my president! Color me depressed.
Want to talk about a comparison:
Obama visits the queen, gives an iPod and a a rare songbook signed by Richard Rogers… okay the second one is nice… but compare that to "the Texas idiot":
President and Mrs. Bush gave Her Majesty a bronze statuette "High Desert Princess" with a personal inscription on the bottom of the base. It is a replica of the original life size statue that is located in front of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas.
President and Mrs. Bush gave The Prince Philip an exclusive sterling silver eagle box by Tiffany & Co. with personal inscription on the inside lid.
President and Mrs. Bush gave Their Majesties a leather presentation box filled with a collection of documents from the National Archives. One of the items was a copy of an original letter from President Roosevelt to her father, King George, written in 1938. There were also photos from previous royal visits and a DVD of the footage from the Queen's visit to the United States when she was Princess Elizabeth in 1951.
Maybe President O needs to start taking lessons in southern hospitality?
I keep saying that we have teenagers running the country. This is a gift that a teenager would think is a GREAT gift!! Our Senior Class President thought this was a great gift. Is there no one in Washington who knows how to give a proper Executive gift? Here are a few more suggestions: Maybe someone could consult a former President or First Lady? Oh, I've got one -how about asking Bill or Hillary Clinton! They did this for 8 freakin' years and I hear Bill doesn't have much to do these days. Or, maybe get on one of those fancy schmancy government computers and run a list of Presidential gifts to Monarchs of Great Britain from 1800-2008 and see what pops up. Maybe that could give you some ideas. Here are the search perameters – england, monarch, gift, president. You probably can substitute "england" for any country! Just a few thoughts –
Sorry Mr. Jena, I don't mean to be any competition for this job!
It's not so much the iPod that has my head spinning like a barrel lathe, it's the Obama speeches that are loaded on it. It's the breach of protocol of the First "Lady" touching the Queen's shoulder. If this lax attitude of diplomacy continues we won't have any friends left. The Amatuer in Chief isn't helping matters.
SUA SPONTE
there is absolutely no comparison between the class act of the Bush family and Chicago Hyde Park lefties like the Obamas- as a native we know firsthand the sense of absolute entitlement these people feel; the shamelessness of Billy Ayers and his ilk. Not to mention the absolute contempt they feel for people such as we…
are the speech bits confirmed, soldier? I do agree that if true that makes it even WORSE than just the gift in itself.
Last night on Red Eye they said it was loaded up with Broadway show tunes, which lead to some funny comments. But as much as I like Greg, Bill and TV's Andy Levy…I'm not going to bet the house on them being right on this one.
If they are speeches of his, then that goes well beyond merely tacky.
Not only do their staff not understand political protocol, they didn't even think to ask about an office already in place for that same thig. and there is one.
How were the songs, photos, and videos licensed for inclusion on the iPod? Were the rightful copyright holders asked for permission and correctly compensated?
Unless the photos were from private collections, Team Barry owes Cobris, Getty Images, or a similar licensor of photos. CDs ripped to iTunes for an iPod must be owned by the original owner of the iPod or they would normally be subject to legal action by the RIAA. If the political speeches were taken from C-SPAN, those videos are not considered “fair use” and are still subject to copyright claims from C-SPAN. SAG, AFTRA, ASCAP, and a hundred other acronym-laden unions should be investigating the content on this iPod on behalf of their members to ensure their right to compensation.
I only bring these points up in the spirit of comparison… as any rational person would ask these same questions had George Goebells W. Bushitlerburton had given the Queen of England an iPod pre-loaded with content.
I do not believe HRM the Queen of England would REQUEST a gift at all.
We hear all the time how Intelligent this administration is. It just goes to show clearly that Intelligence and Wisdom are very different qualities in a person.
Uh-oh. Did you mention "color" after criticizing The One?
Ooooooooooooh… ra-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-acist.
Indeed, I mean who hasn't seen "Protocol" with Goldie Hawn? My 12 year old niece knows about that being an official part of the government thanks to that movie, but Barack doesn't?
Let me see now… Clinton gives Russia a "reset" button… 'nuf said on that… and the Obama-lama-ding-dong gives an ipod and a dvd set… whats next?… oh, wait.. I know… a trillion dollar plus bill to my grandkids… gee thanks!
Indignant over how Americans bow to royalty?
You'd think a group of people whose central metaphor is the tea party would bother paying it any mind at all.
That kind of dissonance would be crippling if you actually bothered to think.
Have you ever had a coherent thought? Apparently not.
True, that sounds more like something they do in Chicago.
"My only previous attempt at this method resulted in a restraining order from Ms. Aniston, but I think I may be on to something here."
LOL! LOL!
Does anybody know if it's true that Klingon Obama goosed the Queen? I hear the British are all up in arms over that one.
hmmm… "dissonance"… sounds like a uber liberal word used on the highly (so-called) intelligent liberal cocktail party circuit about us mean spirited, dead brain conservatives.
They probably downloaded them from I-Tunes and paid $.99 for each. [In government dollars that would be $99.00 for each...]
Yeah, and how much do you want to bet they had some real looks of disappointment when they pried the back off the framed portrait she gave them and didn't find a donation. He probably figured she was fishing for a cabinet post and knew the drill, then was proven wrong.
Sorry, it should be HRH the Queen.
I can't wait to see what he gives Merkel, with the amount of time they seem to put into the rest of their gifts you can bet that a misunderstood Googling of "Bestselling German Author" is just waiting to happen…
According to the list I´ve seen, the ipod contains Aquarius from Hair. Now that is highly appropriate and deeply personal, given that it describes Obama´s campaign promises.
harmony and understanding
sympathy and trust abounding
no more falsehoods or derisions
golden living dreams of visions
mystic crystals revelations
and the minds true liberation
It's not bowing to to royalty, it's showing proper respect to the Head of State of one of the United States' closest allies. Wasn't one of the selling points of Obama that he'd "restore respect for America around the world?" He doesn't make us look any better by appearing cheap, tacky and tasteless when dealing with foreign leaders.
She's perfect for a cabinet post – she's never paid US income tax.
I wouldn't surprise me. But I have no credible info on that issue yet.
You're talking to a dead cell there buddy. And even if he could think, facts just confuse him.
I Highly doubt "Her Majasty" requests any particular gift. That would be a tasteless and tacky act. I'm sure she is above begging foreign heads of State for loot. Leave it alone don't try and spin this into something worse.
I'm sure she'll be glued to the screen watching President Obama read from the telepromter.
That's hilarious!
Nobama's a skilled and semi-intelligent man, but he's governed by the chips on his shoulders and supposed slights to him and to his people (whoever they may be, because they don't seem to be Americans.) Every chintzy gift he gives reflects his low self esteem.
I know I know, but I have a soft spot for the Queen, she's so polite and everything.
as we said, it was the spin- you'd think after dissing Brown they would get something right, but who knows about these people…
Sure he would. Those who don't remember last week are destined to repeat it.
You don´t understand how intelligent the Obama administration really is. This is a savings measure. You see, Obama fulfilled his promise to "go through the federal budget line by line", and he decided that we spend to much money on a) the military and b) gifts. So here´s the strategy: The original gift is cheap trash – but this only creates the pretext for any following state visit, when Obama will present every country with a reset button. Which they purchased in bulk! It´s all part of the plan…
Indeed! LOL
An Ipod for the Queen, Boxed set of DVD's for the Prime Minister and his wife, and $15 plastic helicopters for the Prime Minister's kids. We really must be broke.
And to think that the late night comedy guys say there is no way to make jokes about Obama because he's not funny; I mean the man is a walking, talking (well stuttering), large as life human statue of comedy gold.
Obama isn't the only cheap Leftist Regifter. I got something I have to someone as a Christmas Present, a year after I gave them it, for Christmas. Thanks. Really. Its not like I wouldn't have kept it for myself.
Oh and Obama, I know that you just love teh sound of your voice but considering that Elizabeth 2 sat through more than one oratory by Sir Winsoton Churchill perhaps your cheap and I mean cheap in every sense the word means, attempts fall further short than her Majesty and her Majesty's Prime Minister would let on.
Dang Omega_Man, you racist bigot. How dare you question His need to have a basketball companion? This is a matter of state security. And admitting embarrassment. You should glow with pride at the thought of His name.
The fact that Obama bumbles something that should be a no-brainer is just another indication of how out of his depth he is. Even simple foreign diplomacy protocol is above his pay-grade apparently. And this is the guy running the country (though Pelosi might disagree). **Shudder**
I thought maybe the government had "bailed out" a dollar store.
It's either going to be a DVD copy of The Longest Day or a poster of Dogs Playing Poker.
We keep hearing how "intelligent" The ONE! is. Whenever you hear this, just remember how socially inept the hyper-intelligent kids in school were. President Urkel may just getting even for all the wedgies he got in school growing up.
"Someday they'll be sorry!" <takes honk off of inhaler, pushes glasses up on nose>
Sherrod Brown is nothing but a carpetbagger, and a hack.
He visited my office during the election and a few funny people pointed me out as the "office conservative."
He asked me, "Aren't you a little too young to be a conservative?"
I replied, "No one's too young to be pro-life, pro-gun — or to believe in free-market solutions, and being strong on defense. Not to mention our country was founded on the principles of self-governance, and personal accountability."
LOL!
It's funny because it's so true.
Barney Fwank WOULD request a gift. And not onl….hold on, WHAT? OH, THAT QUEEN, the English one. Never mind.
I dunno about that. She's obscenely rich, owns several palacial homes, has servants, and lives in a (soon-to-be) Islamist society- wouldn't that make her much more qualified to be a U.N. ambassador?
Protected by the teflon of an "urban" facade. P.C., ya know.
In post-Obama-era hyperinflationary dollars that would come to $999.00 (plus 49% sales tax)…
Indeed. Proper decorum would have featured a miniature copy of a statue from the Cowgirl Museum and a facsimiles of documents from the National Archives.
A back-rub perhaps?
According to the British press this morning, the Queen loved the present because it was preloaded with show music and videos of her trip to America, going so far to embrace the first lady, putting her arm around her back, which the paper reports as very unusual.
[...] Barack the Re-Gifter? by Jeffrey Jena [...]
It is rumored the Half Orc president will give a ShamWow to the Pope when they meet.
Very clever!
True. But I hate her hats!
The more I hear about Obama's gifting, the more I believe that he, indeed, is doing the shopping very purposefully. He has shown that he has little respect for the English through this gift-giving. I wonder what the gifts would be if he were visiting an African president (yeah, I said it).
I'm with the author…good God, we have fantastic authors that hail(ed) from this country, why not start handing out representative samples of great American literature…a signed copy of Native Son perhaps?
I dunno Mike.. thats why I thought the songbook was a proper gift.. that's the type of thing that should be included for foreign dignitaries.. things that helped define our history or culture.. But for being a member of the political extreme that despises such companies like Walmart and their equivalents, they seem to like to do their shopping for 'high-level' gifts there.
I dunno Mike.. thats why I thought the songbook was a proper gift, so President Obama's crew does get credit there (at least from me).. that's the type of thing that should be included for foreign dignitaries.. things that helped define our history or culture.. But for being a member of the political extreme that despises such companies like Walmart and their equivalents, they seem to like to do their shopping for 'high-level' gifts there.
Obama invented "midnight Basketball"
Advise to Obozo. If you can buy it at a pawn shop, then it isn't a good gift for a queen.
I believe you may have that one wrong Andrew, it was some sort of Tax Bill. Something about not paying taxes……again.
And isn't protocol what beaurocracy is all about. Sheesh
Hey Andrew, Lawhawk, Bev, Golani et al. I just got an e-mail offering me a job writing "resolutions and other public documents" by a maverick DEMOCRAT lawmaker, a Texas House member. I was apparently referred by a professor. Me, WORKING for a DEM? perhaps this a cahnce to Trojan Horse them, an attack from the inside. Please to shun me in the event I accept. I promise to never wear a "Che' the Murderer" t-shirt!
My only previous attempt at this method resulted in a restraining order from Ms. Aniston, but I think I may be on to something here.
Too funny!!
At least it wasn't a poster of Tupac Shakur! (signed in blood)
Where's Leon Schlesinger when you need him? We need cartoons where Porky Pig is an eloquent, articulate orator, provided he's got a teleprompter.
Hope he's better at basketball than he is at bowling.
Haven't been to many church services in the South, have you?
Or maybe a complete set of the original transcripts to the Nuremberg trials. Or just a DVD of the movie version…
Story is on Drudge. Verified through White House sources. What else would you expect from a malignant narcissist?
LOL!!!
Not even one. Up here in the chilly north.
But she's the Queen. Of course she said that. To say anything else would be incredibly tacky, and, as we all know, the Queen is nothing if not poised and well-mannered. At least the gifts the Bush's gave had national significance, and were, for the most part, unique. If someone wanted to (and there may be a business opportunity here), they could sell the exact same stuff that Obama gave to the Queen to everyone in America. "Now you too can own your very own diplomatic gifts! Call now and we'll throw in a free ShamWow! You heard that right, folks! For just 8 easy payments of $19.95, you can have your very own video iPod with pre-loaded showtunes and documentaries, and 25 brand new classic movies. And if you order now, we'll double your order! Keep one set, and give one to the next foriegn dignitary to darken your doorstep! But you have to call now. "
"CA and ME residents must pay sales tax. Shipping and Handling not included."
Good for you!! I say "Go for it"! It is exhilarating to work with people when you respectively disagree! As long as they are Texas Democrats. If you were going to the Northeast, I would worry for your sanity.
Urkel was a lot more likeable than this. I'm thinking a more appropriate analogy would be that fat guy from the first iteration of Power Rangers.
Take it. Subvert from within. As a covert operative, you can wear whatever you have to. A Che shirt, a Cho shirt, we won't judge.
My sympathies to Mr. Jenna & NeoConJedi – I fled Ohio for fun in the sun 10 yrs ago prior to the Dem's junta. But I do recall the Metzenbaum reign of terror, so I can relate. The whole re-gifting folly is a hoot. Earl D. said it best – simple rule & hilarious. Queen Mum is so not impressed with second hand fare!
That said I don't buy that this is about being frugal when sending mixed messages to supposed allies. Funny as it is there must be a conspiracy in the pony pile – since we all know these are shrewd and calculating Ivy League grads manning the ramparts. It smacks of Wag The Dog – with Serpent Head & Axelrod political DNA all over the figurative blue dress!
Americans are consumers – above all else they love to shop – so – distract them with re-gifting (as opposed to sexually abused teen Fire Flies)- and as their eye's glaze over – with side splitting laughter – they'll miss the whole socialization slight of hand congressional hijinks thing. Queen Mum & Browne are just the beginning.
And to Earl Dumarest – the Pope will never accept Sham Wow now that Vince the Sham Wow guy was caught bitch slapping a whore at Motel 6 via TMZ. My guess for a replacement – a Latin Kings insignia or T-shirt – depending on of course which ever the Re-gifter in Chief decides he can sacrifice – for the good of …..!!!!
If you do, I'd recommend going to the African Methodist Episcopal service. If you can survive that, you can tolerate the Queen.
So she's being nominated for a US Cabinet post then?
I want to go to the one with the best music. Hats be damned, er, darned!
I do like the Queen. Just not her hats!
The music will probably be pretty lively there, as well. I don't doubt your love for the Queen, you just need some desensitivity training. Being around hundreds of similar hats will work a lot better, and a lot faster, than electroshock.
Well said!
Interesting, I'd find out what the pay was too first, but definitely interesting. It'd be like a peek into the belly of the beast, scary yet informative I figure.
Heck that sounds like enough to be made the head of the UN…
Hey I love The Longest Day!
Doh, I shouldn't have said anything, now someone from State will be swinging by to ask if they can borrow my copy for a while, along with some stamps.
Thank you, thank you very much, I try. Sometimes I even succeed.
Nah he'd get the Ahmadinejad Cliff Notes version, not only is it cheaper but it helps with the whole "unclenching the fist" theme he's working on.
Besides… Why would she request something she already had? I know I wouldn't be….
I think you just found the next stimulus plan…
I suspect that this "friend" could be more than just a basketball companion, if you get my drift.
You're welcome.
Hahahaha! Snort!
Copyright law? Not to worry. Heck, he just fired the CEO of a private sector company.
Oh my.
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