“O” stands for “Out Of Their Depth”
March 5, 2009
The least “Presidential” President ever. No, not John Goodman — Barry Obama.
Mr. Informal Man-of-the-People and his Klingon Commander First Lady have shown through policy decisions and simple social interaction that the White House is just a wee bit beyond their grasp. It’s like we have our own version of “King Ralph” in the White House….
The Brits are royally pissed about how Mr. & Mrs. Brown were treated by the Obamas on his most recent visit. And who could blame them? Our most important ally, and the Obamas treat the Browns like unwelcome relatives who showed up unannounced.
The Obamas are yet to understand the appropriate social graces required by a President and Klingon Commander First Lady. Bush could pull off a more casual ‘come-on-down-for-a-BBQ-at-the-ranch’ style because that’s who Bush is. But the arugula-eating self proclaimed Savior of the Free World seems annoyed to have engage in even the most basic courtesies of diplomacy…or even manners.
Hot Air talks about the simple act of meaningful gift exchange — a tradition between leaders, most especially at their first meeting.
Mr Brown’s gifts included an ornamental desk pen holder made from the oak timbers of Victorian anti-slaver HMS Gannet, once named HMS President.
Mr Obama was so delighted he has already put it in pride of place in the Oval Office on the Resolute desk which was carved from timbers of Gannet’s sister ship, HMS Resolute.Another treasure given to the U.S. President was the framed commission for HMS Resolute, a vessel that came to symbolise Anglo-US peace when it was saved from ice packs by Americans and given to Queen Victoria.
Finally, Mr Brown gave a first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.
And what did the Leader of the Free World give to our best and closest friend?
Gordon Brown has been given a collection of 25 classic American films on DVD as his official gift from Barack Obama.
The Prime Minister flew home from his successful trip to Washington this morning with the ‘special collector’s box’ of films hidden in his luggage.No 10 had tried to keep the present a secret, refusing to answer reporters who asked what President Obama had given to mark the reaffirmation of the special relationship.
And the Klingon Commander First Lady wa just as uncouth . According the Times Online, Mrs. Brown presented Mrs. Obama with
Sarah Brown arrived bearing gifts for the children, Malia and Sasha. And they were really nice presents. A bit of thought had clearly gone into choosing them: Top Shop dresses (with matching necklaces) and a selection of books by British authors. Lovely.
Apparently, Michelle could not be bothered by such things and dispatched an aid to go searching for something special….
In return Mrs Obama gave the Brown children, Fraser and John, two toy models of Marine One, the Presidential helicopter. Fair enough on the helicopter part, always a popular choice with small boys; but Marine One? It’s not as though anyone needs reminding that Barack Obama is President or that he has his own helicopter. Short of giving the boys Action Man models of her own husband smiting the evil forces of neoconservatism, Mrs Obama’s gesture could not have been more solipsistic or more inherently dismissive of Mrs Brown.
They sell the Marine One play set in the White House Gift shop for $15.00. Seriously.
This is to be expected when we put a community-organizing junior Senator from Chicago into the White House. I’ll bet you $100 that one of the films in the DVD set was “The Patriot” with Mel Gibson just get in another dig….
And I’m sure Mrs. Brown was impressed by the Klingon Commander First Lady’s ability to open a beer bottle with her teeth.
Mad Brad :
Date: March 5, 2009
I hope that our President had enough class to include “The complete Dolemite Collection” in the stash of DVD’s he gave to Gordon Brown.
IncendiumX :
Date: March 5, 2009
Wow… you can take the boy out of the hood…
Roy Ryder :
Date: March 5, 2009
There was probably a collector’s edition Obama plate in there somewhere. I understand it’s the new china at the White House.
van-a-gram :
Date: March 5, 2009
—”There was probably a collector’s edition Obama plate in there somewhere. I understand it’s the new china at the White House.—”
That would be goddamn hysterical if it weren’t for the nagging feeling that Barry didn’t do exactly that….
Funny.
R.D. Walker :
Date: March 5, 2009
Classic.
Michelle Obama’s gift the wife of the British Prime Minister.
R.D. Walker :
Date: March 5, 2009
Remember, Obama was sold to America as the ultimate diplomat. He was going to open a dialog with the world and really listen to their concerns. His superior skills as a diplomat would result in the lion laying down with the lamb and the dawning of the Age of Aquarius all courtesy of his unique ability to truly understand and communicate.
Instead he and his wife presented the children of the PM of America’s most important ally the equivalent of a gift picked up at a gas station on the drive over. These clowns embarrassments to our public life.
Dawg :
Date: March 6, 2009
Dear Mr. President
I am writing to thank you for the gracious gifts we received on behalf of all British citizens. I am in receipt of an anonymous apology but want to assure you that these are indeed fine gifts. We thoroughly enjoyed watching “The Patriot” during our flight home. With the exception of that rather nasty ending, it certainly made our return to England a welcome one.
Flight plans included watching Chevy Chase in “European Vacation” but unfortunately the blade from Fraser’s Marine-One became lodged in the recorder. He has hope for a replacement and has assembled a list of duties that should earn him the required two quid.
In addition, we greatly enjoyed tea time on the commemorative china you and Michelle selected. Had it not been for some unfortunate flight discomfort, we would have made it to the delightful image of our hosts.
I look forward, with great anticipation, viewing of the remaining cinematic classics. Marlon Brando in “The Ugly American” is a masterpiece that I am sure to enjoy as much as “Notorious B.I.G.” As well, the recently released “A Moment in History: The Inauguration of Barack Obama” will be something the United Kingdom will always cherish.
You have certainly made our visit to the White House memorable.
Kindest Regards,
The Gordon Brown Family
Van-a-gram :
Date: March 6, 2009
And now Barry’s off to see the Queen…..
Vanagram’s Top Gift Picks for Her Majesty:
The Official Obama Collector Coin Set (including the quarters with his mug “stickered” on top.)
Another China Set (of course).
A Bust of Barak H. Obama
Writings of Barak Obama: The Author’s Personal Selections.
A Snow Globe of The Washington Monument in Winter (White House Gift Shop $9.99)
Joe Biden
UpNorth :
Date: March 6, 2009
Bad enough that the Obamunist and the female Wookie embarrassed this country in front of our oldest Ally, our SOS, the “World’s Smartest Woman”embarrassed us in front of the European parliament. then pissed off the Russian Prime Minister with an incorrectly worded take-off on the Easy button.
Yeah, this is just going to get better and better.
BrunDawg :
Date: July 29, 2009
Nice predictions. But he upped you one. I guess he gets the last laugh.
“The basketball, with Barack Obama’s autograph, is a gift from the US president to Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan who is the co-host of the “Economic Track” of the dialogue.”
http://www.china.org.cn/international/2009-07/29/content_18227760.htm