Originally posted by Hari Seldon
The President of the United States in the Oval Office with Crayolas. Yeah, there's a promising headline.

In case you haven't notice, the DVD/iPod news stories have made headlines.
At least the crayola gift would have been more personal.

A gift is a gift. just be grateful.

no need to make a big deal out of it.

Originally posted by jam321
As far as gifts Obama is dang if you do and dang if you don't. If he gives her a cheap gift he is criticized and if he gives her an expensive gift he is criticized. He loses both ways.

It isn't the cost of the gift it is the thoughtfulness and the meaning behind the gift. Obama's "posse" doesn't seem to have any class obviously. Sure the ipod is a sweet gift if you're a teen but c'mon a freakin queen?

BTW, what do you give a Queen who has enough money to buy anything she wants?

Just curious.

You give her something she can't buy, something only found in America with some history beind it...
yeah it takes some thought.

Originally posted by Hari Seldon

Originally posted by greeneyedleo
Who said anyting about VALUE. It would have been more thoughtful and caring if he sat down, pulled out the crayons and colored her a picture and gave her THAT.

And then the complaints would have been about the colors he chose, and why. Not to mention all sorts of other conspiracy mumbo jumbo that surely would have followed.

The President of the United States in the Oval Office with Crayolas. Yeah, there's a promising headline.

The point I was trying to make (which I obviously failed at doing so) is not about "crayons" per say. But about the act of putting some caring thought into a gift. And an Ipod is not a caring thoughtful gift IMO. It seems more like a last minute thought: "Ah crap Michelle, we forgot to get the Queen something...quick send someone out to the mall!"

bet it came from a walmart too... nah that would be too good for obama i would say it came from a pawn shop if anywhere! I notice he likes to slap our allies in the face but pats our enemies on the back!

[edit on 4/1/2009 by Verd_Vhett]

Obama never fails to impress. Its funny that so many people are trying to defend Obama's lack of gift giving prowess. First with the DVD's and gift shop helicopters now with the Ipod. I suppose the press forget to mention that Michelle probably signed the Queen up for Mary Kay .

This isn't about being grateful, I'm grateful when my Aunt buys me some socks. It is about thought, meaning, diplomacy,protocol and above all, class. I'm sure the Queen will tuck the Ipod right next to her beloved Nintendo Wii and PS3 game consoles. The gift should really suit the recipient. How about a piece of colonial silver or some art work from the Obama girls to display on the royal fridge.

If El Presidente wanted to make an impact by presenting The Queen with some photos, why not place them ever so nicely in a high quality leather bound and boxed hand signed album.

If I gave my wife an Ipod full of wedding pictures instead of our leather bound and boxed album she would have clobbered me.

Obama clearly doesn't get it.

You know, the Brits were upset when he had the bust of Winston Churchill removed from the oval office.

He should have given her a bust of Ronald Reagan and asked her to keep it in her office.

I would have given her slippers. Or socks.

I think you'll find it doesn't matter how many hundreds of pairs of socks a monarch buys, they never seem to have enough.

Anyway, enough with the thinly-veiled quotes - these gifts are always cheesy and are always over-analysed. As far as gifts go, the iPod isn't a bad choice, it sort of is the equivalent of the Queen's framed photo after all.

I think there are more things to be analysed from Obama's visit than the gifts! Like Gordon Brown's embarassingly distinct lack of grace and charisma in the face of his global opposite numbers for a start...

Hey, as a staunch and loyal monarchist I'd thought I'd chime in here. Personally, I think the gift of an iPod with a collection of photo's from the Queens first visit to the USA in something like 3 decades was a nice thought.

She has an iPod already and apparently uses it regulary, so giving her a newer model loaded with sentimental pictures and videos ihas a personal touch. She is also an avid TV watcher, Eastenders and the occasional England football match being some of the things she apparently tunes into.

Just because she is the Queen, that doesn't mean she isn't a person. She has her hobbies, interests and is quite up to date for an 82 year old Grandmother. I am sure she would have appreciated the gift immensely.

Ta very much Mr. President & the USA, from Blighty...

Honestly, doesn't Mr Obama understand Royal protocol?

It should be 'wePod'

Originally posted by stumason
Hey, as a staunch and loyal monarchist I'd thought I'd chime in here. Personally, I think the gift of an iPod with a collection of photo's from the Queens first visit to the USA in something like 3 decades was a nice thought.

She has an iPod already and apparently uses it regulary, so giving her a newer model loaded with sentimental pictures and videos ihas a personal touch. She is also an avid TV watcher, Eastenders and the occasional England football match being some of the things she apparently tunes into.

Just because she is the Queen, that doesn't mean she isn't a person. She has her hobbies, interests and is quite up to date for an 82 year old Grandmother. I am sure she would have appreciated the gift immensely.

Ta very much Mr. President & the USA, from Blighty...

Eh. He could have at least gotten her one of those digital frames Thats what is really "in"

Originally posted by lee anoma
When does this sort of nonsense stop becoming news are start being recognized as sour grapes?

Pointing out the severe lack of experience shining through when 'The One' represents the USA overseas to a Head of State is not - 'sour grapes'. He has earned every negative remark that has been posted. He earned it all by himself.