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The Spectacle Blog
To celebrate Britain’s “special relationship” with the U.S. and celebrate the new President, Prime Minister Gordon Brown outdid himself.
During his historic trip to Washington, Gordon Brown gave Barack Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet - once called HMS President.
The unique present delighted Mr Obama because oak from the Gannet’s sister ship, HMS Resolute, was carved to make a desk that already takes place in the Oval Office in the White House, after being presented by Britain to the US in 1880.
Surely Mr. Obama gave Brown something nice in return. We are in a ‘down economy’ caused by our former President, but I’m thinking Obama could spare something decent to give the poor guy. It wouldn’t even have to be expensive, just a gesture. One of those new aides could have thought of something—well—thoughtful.
For despite being leader of the world’s most bountiful nation, President Obama handed over nothing more thought-provoking than 25 classic American films on DVD.
Brown apparently, is not a film buff and was underwhelmed by the generosity of the new American President.
I’m sure Brown realizes it’s only a result of our tough economy. While Obama is busy fixing it, he can watch a few movies.
View all comments (39) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Nicole Russell
http://spectator.org/blog/2009/03/05/mr-president-you-shouldnt-have
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Crusader| 3.5.09 @ 3:00PM
You can't make this stuff up.
Pingback| 3.5.09 @ 3:01PM
Mr. President, You Shouldn’t Have! — But As For Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
WendyG| 3.5.09 @ 3:18PM
Obama has lots of class. All of it low.
ruth| 3.5.09 @ 3:20PM
Britain's leftist loons loved Obama before the election. Welcome to Obama's new 'Special Relationship'. LOL
Real American| 3.5.09 @ 3:36PM
Also, the First Lady gave Mrs. Brown (for her 2 boys) 2 toy Marine 1 Choppers from the White House gift shop. That plus the DVDs from Target and Press Conference Snub must all be a part of that "Smart Diplomacy" Obama promised.
Crusader| 3.5.09 @ 3:42PM
I think that DVD was a "re-gift." Or maybe a Netflix DVD Obama forgot to return.
CH| 3.5.09 @ 3:47PM
Change we can believe in. What a moron.
Ellis Wyatt| 3.5.09 @ 3:54PM
Surely this is a joke? Right?
Matt| 3.5.09 @ 4:09PM
Obama's a joke alright. On us!
Thomas| 3.5.09 @ 4:12PM
I wonder if they were old WWII films where the Americans save the British, and Europe, from Nazi domination. Thanks for the memories.
les grossman| 3.5.09 @ 4:19PM
I heard Obomber had the teleprompter turned on so he wouldn't have to wing the exchange of gifts: "Uh, here's some, uh, flix for ya."
Jan| 3.5.09 @ 4:26PM
I hear that Superfly and Foxy Brown were among the DVDs included.
Ruth| 3.5.09 @ 4:27PM
As if Obummer doesn't know how to spend our money freely. We can just print more, right?
CH| 3.5.09 @ 4:30PM
What about the mini-series, Roots? Had to be in there. So much unintended hilarity. Do liberals realize what fools they are?
Basil Plumley| 3.5.09 @ 4:43PM
A whole new meaning to;
Beware Of Obamas Bearing Gifts
I wonder if he had a joybuzzer in his hand when he shook PM Brown's hand.
ruth| 3.5.09 @ 4:46PM
Damn, you crack me up. Probably placed a whoopie cushion on Brown's seat, too.
Spike Li| 3.5.09 @ 7:04PM
I bet these DVDs are formatted for the American market and can't work on UK/European DVD players. What a yokel!
c chambers| 3.5.09 @ 7:37PM
Re: G. Browns announcement of Teddy Kennedy's knighthood by the QE, the last paragraph of article 1, section 9 of the US Constitution, states as follows:
"No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
So where does this leave Teddy Kennedy and why should the Queen of England dub him Sir Teddy. What has he done for them?
ConservativeWanderer | 3.5.09 @ 7:51PM
c chambers, Sir Teddy hasn't taken any of the Queen's female relatives driving on Chappaquiddick Island. That's probably favor enough.
Mary Jo Kopechne could not be reached for comment.
ruth| 3.5.09 @ 8:10PM
Sir Swimmer
TaxachusettsMan| 3.5.09 @ 9:46PM
Imagine how the Moonbat Left would be screaming if this social gaffe had been pulled by Bush?
Let's see what kind of coverage this gets on PMSNBC or from the Obama-groupies Brooks, Sullivan, etc.
As for my Senior Senator, perhaps this Honorary Knighthood is a belated thank-you to his father, Ambassador Joe, the anti-Semitic Hitler-sympathizer who so distinguished himself at the Court of Saint James.
Borstal Boy| 3.5.09 @ 10:15PM
If this were to end the U.S.'s "Special Relationship" with England (aka "anschluss") it would indeed be a gift -- from heaven.
CH| 3.6.09 @ 12:34AM
Maybe Putin will be our new best buddy. Oops, too late.
hughglass| 3.6.09 @ 5:39AM
Cut the messiah some slack. Like the Arkansas "Let's steal some stuff from the White House" Clampitts, the Obamas are low life, self absorbed political hacks. Can you name one of their historical friends or associates who could be described as having any "class'? Blago, Daley, Rezko, Ayers, Emmanuel, Wright, Davis, Farrakan !!!! Think Bush the elder and Barbara!! That's class. Like Michelle's tacky clothes, the social standards for the new President could best be described as "ghetto chic". Gonna be a long 4 years, folks.
Toby| 3.6.09 @ 5:52AM
Hey Thomas, the Americans didn't "save Britain from Nazi domination". Britain wasn't invaded because of a) the Royal Navy b) the Royal Air Force and c) the English Channel.
America entered the war long after Hitler gave up on Operation Seelowe, and only entered it because of the attack at Pearl Harbor. Learn some history?
Goring| 3.6.09 @ 6:14AM
Easy Toby! Thomas was being sarcastic about the DVDs showing Yanks saving Brits from Hitler, knowing how much Brown would (not) appreciate such a gift.
Doc| 3.6.09 @ 6:19AM
Toby,
Some more history.
In WW1 and WW2 the Americans entered the war because the Brits were FLAT BROKE. And oh yes, Leand Lease.
Alice Moore| 3.6.09 @ 7:13AM
I'm beginning to believe an anonymously quoted Republican leader who stated that Obama isn't that intelligent. Bob, a frequent poster, would disagree with myself. He has book smarts to get through Harvard, but, not people smarts.
This probably was a diss and a faux pas. Obama will soon learn of unintended consequences.
The people of the UK this clown does not speak for us! Keep in mind 57 million people did not vote for BO. Probably, a sizable chunk who did vote for him are having buyers' remorse.
With people losing jobs and the stock market tanking, what's the answer? Why a swanky WH party with $100 LB Japanese beef, that's what. A Republican president would never get away with that. There will come a time that the Kings Horses and Kings Men of the MSM will not be able to keep Obama together after the great fall.
Frank| 3.6.09 @ 7:41AM
How thoughful of our leader. Perhaps he ran out of 8x10 autographed photos of himself to give Mr. Brown. Maybe a copy of his best selling books as a bonus. The thrill of being in his presence should have been enough!!
Alice Moore| 3.6.09 @ 8:59AM
Frank, he's saving the 8x10 glossies for Nicholas Sarkozy and his two literary works for Vladimir Putin. I just wonder where all the HuffnPuff trolls are today? I'll just love to see them try to justify this and try to dress it up to look like a success.
All of HuffnPuffs' trolls where is the outcry over the WH party that was serving $100 a LB Japanese beef? I dare you all to rationalize this. If this was a Republican President doing this at this time it would be all over the papers.
Nick in Virginia| 3.6.09 @ 9:22AM
TaxachusettsMan,
Just think back to when Bush first met Putin in Russia, and addressed Putin's wife as "Mrs. Putina". The left jumped all over him immediately, only to find out that Bush had addressed her correctly.
So we don't even have to imangine what would happen in a similar situation, we already know.
Nick in Virginia| 3.6.09 @ 9:30AM
And when Bush made a speech saying that terrorists would find no safe harbor in Afghanistan, the left jumped on him for that, too, saying "doesn't he even know Afghanistan is landlocked, there ARE NO harbors".
The more you listed to the small-minded people on the left, the more you have to wonder how they managed to get as far as they have. They now have their guy Obama leading the country, they own the Senate and the House, so for the next 2 years (at least) they can get everything they want.
Most of it is due to the indoctrination of kids in the school system, of course, as well as the absolute corruption of organizations such as ACORN and the MSM that help put the Dems over the top. But if the Republicans don't make a comeback in 2010 and 2012, we are in deep stuff, probably for the life of the country (and I would expect the lifespan of the US of A would be dramatically shortened).
kdl| 3.6.09 @ 9:53AM
Perhaps we can have another election and have Palin for President. At least she would have given Prime Minister Brown a turkey.
My basic point is that we had a limited amount of "decent" choices for President of the U.S. We can continue to complain, criticize, and sulk or do our part as Americans. Obama is not the King of the U.S. He's been elected and will remain President for 4 years. The power of the people have means to make a difference or grumble. Let's roll up our sleeves and work on what really matters. What Obama gives as a gift is insignificant compared to other American issues.
Jen| 3.6.09 @ 10:20AM
I sent a link to the DVD story to my brother yesterday. He wrote this back to me:
"When it’s all Gone With the Wind, we can stand around Singin’ In the Rain. But with a Psycho for president who doesn’t remember 2001, we may have to turn it all over to Lawrence of Arabia. I get Vertigo just thinking about The Godfather that will be put in charge of Schindler’s List. But no worries – they’ll send Citizen Kane down On the Waterfront to reassure everyone that It’s a Wonderful Life. I have to go now, I have To Kill a Mockingbird for supper tomorrow.
Rosebud!!"
ruth| 3.6.09 @ 10:47AM
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
ruth| 3.6.09 @ 11:16AM
So, Toby, you telling me my Dad didn't have to make that lovely beach-landing at Normandy on D-Day? I bet he wished he had known that sooner.