President Obama and First Lady Michelle on Wednesday presented the Queen of England with an iPod at the Buckingham Palace in London.
(Anwar Hussei/WENN/Newscom)Photos (1 of 1)
Obama gives the Queen of England an iPod
By Jimmy Orr | 04.01.09
Well, it’s better than giving her a bunch of DVDs that don’t work.
President Obama went to the Buckingham Palace today in London where he and first lady Michelle had a lovely tea with the Queen of England.
The press corps from both sides of the Pond was paying close attention to this meeting. After all, it was another gift exchange. Something the president didn’t do too well the last time out.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave Obama an ornamental pen holder carved from the timbers of the HMS Gannet — an anti-slave ship from the 1800s.
President Obama, on the other hand, treated the gift exchange like a Secret Santa party forking over a bunch of American movies on DVDs. If that wasn’t bad enough, it turns out they didn’t work. They weren’t compatible with British DVD players. Read all about this here.
Presents
So what do you give a Queen? Turns out she’s pretty hip. In fact, she owns a Wii.
So putting aside the horrors of the last experience with electronics, the president boldly presented the Queen with an iPod. And it wasn’t empty either.
It would be too easy to load it up with songs like Bohemian Rhapsody from the rock band “Queen.” Or Sid Vicious’s none-too-friendly lyrics about her majesty.
Instead, our friends over at the Telegraph report that the iPod was filled with videos of the Queen herself. Specifically, footage of her 2007 trip to Richmond, Jamestown, and Williamsburg, Virginia.
We haven’t heard complaints from anyone yet. But the Telegraph does note that she already owns an iPod. It’s a 6GB silver Mini though. So, anyone who knows anything about iPods will tell you she needed an upgrade. Pronto.
Apparently he also gave her a songbook signed by Richard Rogers.
We’ll update this as we hear more.
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3. Craig | 04.01.09
Obama has proved (twice now) that he has no class. He comes across like he does in his speeches but you can tell he doesnt by what he pics for gifts.
6. Greg | 04.01.09
Not always proud to be an American when it comes to gift giving.I remember when the Late Mayor Daley gave the King of Norway a Sears catalog!Michele Obama gave Laura Bush a very thoughtful departing gift,perhaps the President should leave those decisions to others.
7. Funny | 04.01.09
It’s funny that you guys (the commenters) find anything to complain about with Obama.
Who cares that he is single handily hailed as a brilliant statesman by the world. That he reversed the negative diplomacy with Russia (and they praised that). That he was praised by the British PM. That Hu Jintao wants to form a personal relationship with him. You say he has no class because he gave the queen an iPod? What the heck was he supposed to give her. That is Americas greatest cultural export, movies, music, and technology 
Quit looking for reasons to support your biased views towards our new President and quit wasting bandwidth making the rest of us read it.
8. Marsha H | 04.01.09
The Ipod is the essence of American ingenuity. A modern gift given by a modern American president. Love it.
9. Margaret | 04.01.09
Obama has class to spare. It’s no secret that the gifts that are chosen are a “committee” effort, so to speak. Better to send the Obamas with those gift than to send Bush with anything at all - even a gold brick.
10. Beth | 04.01.09
He also gave her a rare edition songbook by the great American writing team of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and it is signed by Rodgers. I think that’s classier than the picture of herslf that the Queen gave the President.
But why bother to report the whole story, when you have a chance a take a dig and be snarky?
11. DMC | 04.01.09
It’s an April Fools joke? If it were anybody else, I’d know it was a joke, but with Obama…
13. Sith | 04.01.09
@Craig
“Obama has proved (twice now) that he has no class. He comes across like he does in his speeches but you can tell he doesn’t by what he pics for gifts.”
Stop crying. I love how your guys look for the little things to prove your reason’s for hating the man. “He didn’t have his hand on the bible, he wasn’t wearing an American flag pin, and he gave the queen of England an ipod”. Let me get you some tissue Craig. Don’t hold anything in. Let it all out.
14. Yankee and Proud | 04.01.09
Fools. This a great gift. His point is populist. You are just another person, why should you receive a gift more princely than would be given to Ralph down the hall? The point is, give it up. Obama is damn smart, and he is making a point.
15. Joe | 04.01.09
I agree that the gift of an Ipod is relevant. I’m also lead to believe the the President has as much to do with the gift choice as he does with cooking the meals at the White House.
16. jef | 04.01.09
i like how he’s setting a low key tone with the gifts and making it apparent that he doesn’t think they’re terribly important in the scheme of things, because they’re not. there was a bit of a blunder with the dvds, but it seems he learned to get things that work and are thoughtful without going nuts over ridiculous priceless artifacts.
17. Hannity 4 President | 04.01.09
See!! That’s why i didn’t vote for him. I knew he was going to start handing out ipods as gifts as soon as he became president. McCain never would have done that. Man he’s making George Bush look like one of the best president’s ever. What’s next, Obama start’s handing out iPhones? Where does it end??
18. Maureen | 04.01.09
I think the gift to the Queen — and also the gift to Gordon Brown last month — are both clever, excellent choices. The British Press was idiotic to make fun of the 25 DVDs to Brown; would it have been better to give him one more doodad to sit on a shelf and collect dust? How unusual: a present that someone can actually use and even share with one’s family! Who’d a Thunk? Her Majesty has castles (not just closets) full of stuff she’s been given from every dignitary on earth ad nauseum — a never ending string of gifts she’s been given for over a half century that she (nor her Empire) neither needs nor can use and which serve little purpose. The Queen doesn’t even sell the stuff and give the proceeds to the poor; no, the damn stuff is catalogued and housed for posterity forever… just more “stuff” on top of other “stuff” albeit very expensive “stuff” at that. And, yes, she may have an iPod already but not loaded up with the video Pres Obama has given her. And let’s not forget the Rodgers & Hammerstein song book; also a very pleasurable gift she might possibly enjoy. I think these gifts are an excellent representation of America’s non-stuffy, pragmatic national spirit and they beat all to **** the usual routine and boring diplomatic “stuff.”
19. hyphenate | 04.01.09
I think that there is a great deal of symbolic gesture with these gifts–and that amounts to telling the world that the Obamas are pretty much at ease with technology. If anyone cares to remember the last president was dumb as a post, especially in terms of techno enjoyment, and the current government has shown that they are further along the treadmill of evolution.
As far as I am also aware, there are people in all levels of government who help with shopping for items for dignitaries. It’s unlikely that the Obamas picked out the gift all on their own.
20. WiseUp | 04.01.09
This is yet another clumsy attempt by the world’s “smartest man” to be hip, and yet again he is so far out of step with anything “CLASS!”
21. Rooth | 04.01.09
@Marsha H
“The Ipod is the essence of American ingenuity.”
And it’s made in China …
22. Miguel | 04.01.09
“That is Americas greatest cultural export, movies, music, and technology :P”
As Neal Stephenson said in “Snowcrash”:
There’s only four things we do better than anyone else:
music
movies
microcode (software)
high-speed pizza delivery
23. PaulMoATX | 04.01.09
Craig - “Obama has proved (twice now) that he has no class. He comes across like he does in his speeches but you can tell he doesnt by what he pics for gifts.”
I think we know who lacks the class here, and grammar and sentence structure. Keep in mind it’s the thought that counts, and I tend to believe that.
26. Faycal | 04.01.09
Obama will be the first US president to get a noble price while in the office.
He’s THE BEST !
27. Rose | 04.01.09
Hey Craig, go ahead and learn to spell and form proper sentences before calling anyone out on their lack of class. Thaaanks.
28. john | 04.01.09
The level of class that should be exuded as our collective representative needs to come up. DVD’s and Ipod’s are commonly available and as such show no respect. I would like the person representing the US to be as first class as possible. Any bumbledorf can give a Ipod for a gift.
30. Kathy | 04.01.09
These were great gifts, well thought out. I think giving something truly American like an iPod and the songbook shows real class. What would you idiots suggest, a crystal vase? The Queen has everything she could ever want, so giving her something unique like the Rogers songbook is very thoughtful. Now she has an upgraded iPod, who wouldn’t want that?
31. Panskeptic | 04.01.09
This blog is rapidly turning into an embarrassment for the CSM. While their journalists report the news, the bloggers seem mired in a septic tank. It’s going to be a long eight years while we get served endless bottles of Republican whine.
32. gobama | 04.01.09
we’re in a recession, the US can’t afford to spend more than $300 on a gift for the Queen. I would be more than happy to recieve an iPod as a gift. She’s prolly rockin out to it right now. Besides, i remember people saying that Obama shouldnt go on Leno because the world is in a crisis and he should be spending his time worrying about that. Those are the same people who think he has no class and he needs to spend more time choosing what gifts to give…
34. Shiba | 04.01.09
“CLASS?!” Just bunch of people calling for more hypocrisy. Sure there are other suitable gifts out there, but they are probably boring and wont make the news. An iPod for a US president? It’s full of symbolism and thoughts. Wake up man, Obama knows what he’s doing, and he’s doing it with class.
35. blue_collar_man | 04.01.09
Symbolic gesture folks? Come on. What kind of present do you give to someone that has everything? It figures Obama would give the queen a present that was made in China. If you wanted to give the queen a present maybe he should’ve shipped her a Ford, Chrysler or GM product that was made in Detroit. She wouldn’t even have to buy the extended warranty.
36. drew | 04.01.09
@john: what would you call a classier gift? A rare American artifact?
I’d hate to have to give you a gift.
37. Cartman | 04.01.09
I’m just thankful this arrogant and goofy President didn’t load up that iPod with a bunch of gangsta rap. And if he had it wouldn’t have surprised me as the DVD incident was so remarkably clumsy.
“Not Presidential” is all I can ever seem to feel about 0bama.
38. Roberto | 04.01.09
An IPod with a video of a person trip and special music is an extremely relevant and endearing gift to give to the Royal couple. I don’t get the snarky attitude of the Monitor in reporting this. There really seem to be an anti President Obama bias here, and it just doesn’t sit right.
39. Audi9000 | 04.01.09
What do you dolts want him to give her - the deed to America? You can give her a statue made of solid 24K gold, it would end up collecting dust in one of her many closets.
41. Sean | 04.01.09
@David
Sony is a Japanese company, but last I checked, Apple makes the iPod (lowercase ‘i’, uppercase ‘P’) and Apple is headquartered in Cupertino, California. And for one thing, I’d be thrilled if he started handing out iPhones! Cheers to Pres. Obama for giving quirky gifts with meaning, many could learn from him.
42. Defective By Design | 04.01.09
The DVDs weren’t compatible because of region-locking. In other words, they were defective by design. There’s absolutely no technical difference between them except that a bit encoding the region was set to the “wrong” value.
If you break the region locking on your DVD player or DVD drive, they work just fine. Mind you, that may not be legal in all jurisdictions (thank the DMCA for that), but it’s a damn sight better than not being able to play expensive DVD imports or having to buy a foreign DVD player just to watch what you’ve bought.
Please note that it’s not an “anti-piracy” measure. It only exists to keep people from buying DVDs from regions where they’re sold at a lower price and to keep people from being able to get DVDs “early” in their region. You’re supposed to have to wait several months for it to be officially exported.
The people who pirate their movies do not have to put up with any of this ****. They simply encode the movies into files that don’t contain region locking in the first place.
43. vfb58 | 04.01.09
I hope it was ready loaded with a thoughtful selection of music. I doubt the Queen of England would bother doing it herself. Perhaps the music would be a slice of Americana. No doubt, President Obama’s handlers looked into the appropriateness of this gift. Obama wouldn’t be naive enough to make the decision without consulting someone , would he?
45. Gifting | 04.01.09
The DVDs not working outside the U.S. region is a perfect example of why that dumb recording industry policy needs to end. If a person buys a DVD in Buenos Aires - or London - they should be able to watch it elsewhere, like back home in the U.S. This frustratingly pointless, over-zealous copywrite protection scam doesn’t even achieve its goal…and now it’s managed to embarrass the White House and State Department.
Regarding the other gift, if the queen has an older IPod and actually uses it, I’m sure she, like most people, would be thrilled to now also get a cutting edge version with full screen video display. It’s SO much more useful than yet another diplomatic **** gift (engraved bowl, pen holder, broach, carved ornamental box, **** painting, etc.)that goes immediately to the gift warehouse never to be seen again. How nice to have a gift that’s actually fun and useful - to the one person who has probably received more voume and range of **** diplomatic gifts than anyone else on the planet. It also is a reflection of the fact that the Queen is engaged in a lot of modern issues and isn’t just sitting around counting jewels or whatever. It’s a perfectly refreshing gift, and one she can take along on her frequent travels. FYI, there is a very low limit on the value of gifts that U.S. officials can give, so it’s not like the president can give her a horse or helicopter, not that she needs anymore of those either.
46. Sigh | 04.01.09
@ Funny
i, actually, don’t care: all those examples you mentioned have to do with people liking him. we all know he’s successful at that. just because people say good things about him doesn’t mean we can all just excuse him for giving such a ****** gift. gordon’s gift to obama had significant historical meaning, and it was sophisticated — the sort of thing a president would like. i’m frankly embarrassed that this is the sort of diplomacy we have (especially on top of Hilary’s fiasco with her “reset” button gift for the Russians).
47. John Powers | 04.01.09
I happen to love our president and first lady. But, the line about him acting like a Secret Santa still has me laughing. What was a well-intentioned gift really required the intervention of a personal shopper.
The gift to the queen is cool because, from what I’ve seen her she is not the dowdy, old woman we might mistake her for.
48. Inverse137 | 04.01.09
3. Craig | 04.01.09
Obama has proved (twice now) that he has no class. He comes across like he does in his speeches but you can tell he doesnt by what he pics for gifts.
————————
Yes, Craig, brilliant you are. I was totally thinking Obama took time off from fixing the economic mess of Bush to run down to the Apple Store so Genius could help him pick out an iPod for the Queen of England.
Thanks for helping me realize he didn’t pick it out himself.
Tool.
49. Catherine | 04.01.09
Hey, maybe it was the U2 limited edition Ipod. And it will sure fit in the purse she always carries on her arm.
50. Kevin in Chicago, IL | 04.01.09
I see people trying to call this gift of an iPod as something clever or classy. It’s anything but classy. The autographed songbook was classy, that I will concede, but an iPod to the Queen of England? Why not some ShamWow’s while you’re at it?
This man is an embarassment to our country. Especially when it comes to England it seems. I wish this 0bama would start acting the part.
52. Jim | 04.01.09
Sounds like a fine gift to me. I also appreciate Pres. Obama’s attitude toward working with other nations..not against them….and I’m staunch republican. I won’t apologize for supporting someone with character…”Class” falsely so called is not so much what we need for leadership. We’ve had plenty of that.
54. bamajim14 | 04.01.09
You guys are to hard on Hussein and you KOOLAID DRINKERS are not hard enough,
remember, this guy has a brother living on a dirt floor in a hut!!!!!
For all of the KOOLAID DRINKERS, if you are not embarrassed about this ,you should be if you are an American !!!
55. apple fan | 04.01.09
@ ROOTH, supporting Marsha H…
the iPod is DESIGNED in CALIFORNIA (still an American state as far as i’m aware, not Chinese)… it’s just ASSEMBLED in CHINA….
i believe that can still qualify it as “American Ingenuity”
56. Christine | 04.01.09
To those who said she would have no use for an IPOD, apparently her grandsons thought so when they gave her a small on a couple of years ago. Who knows - she loves the outdoors, maybe she would like an IPOD to accompany her at Balmoral. To give her a selection of songs along with a video of her trip to Washington and Virginia, was thoughtful. What were they supposed to give her - an autographed portrait of themselves? That’s what the Obamas got from the royal couple!
57. john watson | 04.01.09
queen of england eh? i guess that gave the folks in wales, scotland and northern ireland a welcome surprise that she only reigns in england!
58. Larry from TEXAS | 04.01.09
The point is that America is taking a step FORWARD by embracing the MODERN world and Technology. Our President cannot appear to one country as “this” and another country as “that”. THIS is how a President SHOULD act. What you see is what you get. Obama is 100% TRANSPARENT. This leaves no questions as to what to expect from him. A President we and the World can TRUST for once!
Thank you Mr. President, How can I help?
59. ffs | 04.01.09
maybe he should of given a pricier present?
something worth at least a few thousand right?
something to make the people back home complain about, seeing as the economy is screwed?
sheeeesh
60. becca | 04.01.09
@ #24 David
‘An iPod isn’t so quintessentially American you know; Sony is Japanese, no?’
david you know that iPod’s are made by apple and not sony, right?
62. Joe the Amreican | 04.01.09
@Craig
“Obama has proved (twice now) that he has no class. He comes across like he does in his speeches but you can tell he doesnt by what he pics for gifts.”
Oh gee, thanks Craig for that great insight. With such great mental powers that you possess, I feel so safe that you are at the forefront of what is classy and what isn’t.
Oh, let me guess. You’re a Republican who voted for Bushie, right?
I thought so…
63. Palema | 04.01.09
I am amazed at how short Prince Phillip looks next to the Obamas. I thought he was quite a tall man.
64. Larry | 04.01.09
Damn, Why does she get all of the good stuff? I want one! And I’ll take the DVD’s too.
What? A bust of Winston Churchill? You shouldn’t have! Maybe I’ll re-gift it… Naw, I’ll just send it back.
65. rock-on | 04.01.09
I used to complain because people would waste their time and mine by calling commenters idiots, jerks, etc. etc. etc. but now, I understand . . . it is getting absolutely impossible to read ANY story about ANY one or ANY thing without a bunch of folks who think they have a better way (but certainly are not president, or classy, or can spell, or think)YOU ARE ALL IDIOTS and no one cares what you think. The man is president - like it or not - shut the BLEEP up and deal with it you retarded bunch of imbeciles!
66. Eric | 04.01.09
David…
iPods are made by Apple, not Sony… Apple is an American company… Not Japanese… American…
And before somebody says it, yea, it was probably made in China, thats just once again proves that its an American gift
67. Mario (not Luigi) | 04.01.09
Yes the iPod may be made in China. Yes the DVDs were ham handed. Yes Sony is a Japanese company (darn good one)… but, most Media inside iPods is American culture (YES AMERICAN CULTURE! for those who think we have none, yet you still buy it), and the iPod was developed by Americans, sold by an American company, Apple, not Sony.
68. loretta | 04.01.09
Obama and his wife have no class and no taste whatsoever. An iPod given to the Queen of England! When does the stupidity of Obama and his wife stop? Do we really have to endure 4 years of these fools?
69. spikyJT | 04.01.09
“There’s only four things we do better than anyone else:
music
movies
microcode (software)
high-speed pizza delivery”
Rubbish!
Music/movies - no chance - quantity is no substitute for quality. Microcode - I think many europeans would strongly disagree, I’ve seen much better coding from Norway, Sweden and Germany (and even the UK) than USA bloatware. Pizza delivery - maybe - congratulations.
70. Peet | 04.01.09
Yes, with a tanked economy, two wars, and bin laden at large, I can easily see why an ipod would dominate your attention. oooh… a bright shiny object!
73. loretta | 04.01.09
gobama
Learn to spell and use proper sentence structure. Craig actually did it better than you!
74. FlatTop | 04.01.09
Has anyone mentioned that iPods are actually assembled in China? The workers are paid a whopping $15 a month. Way to go, Mr. O. He’s an embarrassment.
76. Jake | 04.01.09
To all those saying an Ipod is a great American gift , i guess you should know Ipods are made in Taiwan and China.
77. Kryssy | 04.01.09
Man he’s making George Bush look like one of the best president’s ever.
Not even Sarah Palin could make George Bush look like the best President ever. Come on, yall need to stop getting yall panties all in a bunch and pull down your skirts. If you are so brught, give some suggestions? What would you have given the Queen?
79. erinzdad | 04.01.09
What’s Obozo going to give next a singing wall fish? How low class!!! Nothing says diplomacy like a pedestrian trinket. The queen should have had them thrown out
80. Cosmo | 04.01.09
Think about this, that’s thw Queen of England, she owns everything, she even owns her kingdom. What else does she want? It’s not just an iPod, but one filled with her picutures as she visiting us. She owns an Nintendo Wii too, so she doesn’t have class too according to some of you. When a person live as high and as long as her highness, been seeing everything rare and priceless all the time, sometimes the most usual and simple gift will do better than the the head of Walt Disney. Grow up people!
81. Angelo | 04.01.09
What if Obama gifted a diamond necklace, fur coat, a set of royal dishes, or a Rolls Royce? We’re BROKE for goodness sake - an ipod is more than most Americans can afford to get their kids right now!
It is true that the ‘pen’ gift from Brown was substantially meaningful and historically significant, however, & that the DVD’s weren’t in good ‘taste,’ but the media is blindsiding OBAMA on the ‘class’ factor.
Europe is steeped in the ‘class’ system (low / middle / class) and I think it shows Obama’s focus on the job at hand versus playing an elitism game of one-up-man-ship with gift giving.
Concerning yourself with the gift Obama gives to the Queen of England is, in my opinion, a waste of your ability to read, write and discern information.
I think headlines will echo an ocean of opinions no matter what Obama does.
82. FrankO | 04.01.09
He should have bought her a mink coat and diamonds while he’s on his spending spree. What’s the dif? Goodbye America.
83. John | 04.01.09
The Bush folks are angry about the scorn and ridicule heaped upon President Bush for so long. The liberal left derived much glee in mocking and demonizing Bush relentlessly. The right is now giving some of that back and also enjoying it. I did not much care for the attacks on President Bush. I find similar *** for tat assaults on President Obama are already tiresome and similarly unfair much of the time. Thoughtful, respectful criticism is of value. Personal petty attacks serve no purpose.
84. erinzdad | 04.01.09
This from the National Review:
“Her Royal Highness bequeathed to the Obamas one of the earliest known copies of William Shakespeare’s Henry V. She also presented him with the framed orginal sheet music of John Newton’s “Amazing Grace.” To the Obama daughters, the Queen gave a dollhouse-sized replica of Windsor Castle with a functioning train station in the year of the compound. They also received a prize Shetland pony. Mrs. Obama was given a ruby ring commissioned and worn by Queen Victoria.”
All that and the Queen gets an Ipod! Haha!
85. Silmarilian Smith | 04.01.09
iPod is a cultural icon, since Apple is a purely successful American company. Sure, some of the iPod parts are made in China, but the same goes with all other electronics. The iPod itself is a product of American technology. So it’s a decent gift to the Queen. And besides, she needed an upgraded model. Her old iPod is a 2005 model, that’s 4 years old. An electronic device that is 4 years old is literally from the Jurassic Era.
If Obama wanted to offend another leader (e.g. Putin), he should give a gift like a Dell PC or some software bundle from Microsoft. Those kinds of inferior gifts are so obviously inferior, even Putin would have remarked like “Even our Russian tech experts can create far better software and hardware than this American junk.”
86. NoBama Change | 04.01.09
Obama - congrats you did in 60 days what is took President Carter at least a year to accomplish is becoming our biggest Presidential flop! Did you get her name laser engraved? Did you buy it here or when you got there. I just want to make sure you know that the power plugs are different over there in case you are not plugging into the USB jack.
87. Saddened | 04.01.09
“Quit looking for reasons to support your biased views towards our new President and quit wasting bandwidth making the rest of us read it.”
LOL! It doesn’t take much looking. This guy has NO social class whatsoever. He and his staff are running the presidency like a bunch of fifth graders. Did he bother to wear his jacket or did he just roll his sleeves up and pat her on the butt and say “Here ya’ go, Queeny! Thought ya’ might like this!”.
I hope the rest of this country doensn’t end up being judged by the sad and undiplomatic actions of this guy..
88. gobea | 04.01.09
Talking about class, at least Obama doesn’t get unwanted shoes thrown at. LOL!!!
89. Crankbait | 04.01.09
Obama could have given her majesty a petrified clump of dung and his fan club would show up to rationalize and justify his actions. Give it a rest!
90. NoBama Change | 04.01.09
RE: sarah | 04.01.09
Yeah, and like Bush did? Obama at least knows how to speak English
Unless his teleprompter breaks
91. Elannah | 04.01.09
People are allowed to present their own POV’s here. I’m a lifelong independent and I can’t stand Obama; I couldn’t stand Bush either to be fair. If someone wishes to call Obama classless, that’s their perogative. Twelve people jumping on his case afterwards is clearly the classy way to handle the situation.
A note on the article:
If you are going to present a gift to a foreign dignitary, why not present said dignitary with something that is actually made in the country in which you represent? We have a 22.5% unemployment rate in Detroit and the committee finds it appropriate to give a gift made primarily in China. Super, job creation is awesome isn’t it.
92. Reaganite Republican Resistance | 04.01.09
Obama has no more social grace than you’d find at da Bears game- and surrounded by sycophants, who’s going to point-out his ineptitude?
And is there some anti-British sentiment coming from Obama due to Kenya’s history as a British Colony? Some grudge there?
I couldn’t believe the cancelled photo-op with Brown and the tacky DVD-boxed set gift of “ET” and other crap… Don’t you think he’d have watched that by now if he was so inclined? And now an i-pod for the Queen? -nice touch, lol
These anti-British stunts should tell you whether Obama, in his heart, considers himself more Kenyan-African, or more American. A REAL American wouldn’t have sent-back the bust of Churchill that was in the White House and insult our closest ally.
Maybe he should check his weird hangups and do his job in a professional manner instead- this stuff is getting pretty embarassing.
93. jim sisco | 04.01.09
I am amused at both the critics and the defenders of Obama on this blog. How much longer until recess? For far too long, people of America have chosen either one side or the other along the political spectrum, unaware that we are slowly being manipulated towards a Society that no longer deserves the respect of our forefathers, who payed in both blood and treasure, so that their ancestors might live in Freedom and Liberty. Have we become so detached from the ideals of our beginnings, that we blindly accept tyranny as normal. Has our self-serving desires destined us to a future of constant bickering amongst ourselves, while our elected and appointed leaders determine what we shall receive and when. The most “radical” change that we should be contemplating is a return to a more constitutional government, not one that continues to scold us and treat as children, ever mindful that big decisions should be left to the “Adults”, the Elites among us, perhaps I think to highly of my fellow citizens, the simple and gratuitous comments on this page as evidence that we should no longer control anything but the most benign tasks.
94. K. Chatman | 04.01.09
Who cares! These people have enough possessions, get on with doing your jobs. OOPS, LOL your queen really has no job!
95. Lauri | 04.01.09
My gosh — don’t we have anything better to talk about than what gift the Obama’s gave the Queen of England! Who really cares or will remember this as an important life-changing event?
96. schatzie | 04.01.09
Where are Michelle’s stylists? Would someone please advise the First Lady to wear a suit or a dress with or without a jacket when she is received by the Queen of England. Enough of the sweaters! As for the gift,how about a rare book from America or a custom piece of art. Perhaps, the Queen will listen to the iPOD when she’s running on her treadmill or lifting weights in the gym. You have to be kidding….
Europeans are no doubt snickering and feeling justified in their opinions that Americans have no class. The next four years are going to be very painful.
98. Jennifer | 04.01.09
Who doesn’t want an ipod? Also, I read that hers didn’t have video. I’m just excited that America is creating a positive stir abroad and that nations are willing to help us out and listen to us. And did you see what Michelle was wearing? stunning. 
99. Cartman | 04.01.09
Yeah, the Queen’s old iPod didn’t have video. Probably because a lady as old as the queen probably isn’t going to appreciate a 2 inch display even with her best glasses. Glad Obama thinks this stuff through.
100. TE | 04.01.09
President Obama’s gift choices were embarassing - disposible electronics instead of something uniquely personalized with a historical perspective. If the Queen needs or wants an new iPod, she can get it anywhere in the world. And poor Gordon will just have to throw his gift out. In some ways, the Obama gifts were like what some nations think of when they think of Americans … shallow and cheap. Obama didn’t do much to dispel this perceptio, I’m afraid.
And the hand holding between Barack and Michele has got to go. It looks like the two of them lack any self confidence or else they are just immature. Visiting World leaders is not teh high school prom!
101. Larry From TEXAS | 04.01.09
So we want our President to be another fraud? Pretend to be a connaisseur of fine art or act like he’s George Washington and present her with a carving of herself from an apple tree? Obama is Obama. The President that got elected for the people, by the people. If he gave her a clump of dung, that tells the world that the man we elected is not infatuated with “the perfect gift”, but he is most interested in the well being of AMERICANS! Thats YOU and ME BABY!!!
Thank you Mr. President, How can I help?
102. Jack | 04.01.09
Did she accept it? Well there you go.
I heard Obama wore white socks with his dress shoes also! My word! What were we thinking? Gosh I wish we could forget this EVER happened!
(rolling my EYES)
103. Republican from Texas | 04.01.09
Ya’ll elected this man, I didnt. But I tell ya right now, since he took office I havent been embarrassed to be an American not once. Used too I had to duck my head when visitin foreign countries. Now I walk proud and tall! That man has my respect and I suspect yall have the same feelings inside, just caint get past the hate.
104. Jonathan | 04.01.09
The signed Rogers songbook largely makes up for the prior mistakes. It’s important to view the gift exchange for its symbolic importance: the exchange of gifts by national figureheads represents the exchange of gifts between two nations. While they will undoubtly sit on a shelf and collect desk, the HMS Gannet pen holder and the HMS Resolute commissioning certificate are unique artifacts of the Royal Navy, an important element of British history. The UK gave the US (with Brown and Obama as mere representatives) a tangible piece of its history, a piece of itself.
The DVD collection (and the Churchill biography) are personal gifts reflecting the background of the giver. It’s not that the DVDs were inappropriate as a personal gift (the DVD region issue was a simple mistake 99% of the US population would have made), the US did not reciprocate in the symbolic gift exchange between the US and UK. We effectively told the UK they weren’t worth a gift. I find that particularly shameful given the special relationship (to quote Churchill) between our two countries.
The songbook by Rogers represents a tangible piece of American history, just like the penholder and commissioning certificate are tangible pieces of British history. Sure, it will sit behind glass in a museum (if we’re lucky), but we finally completed the symbolic gift exchange, even if a bit tardy. The iPod? It’s a personal gift, just like the DVDs and the biography and if it’s inappropriate, that’s a personal snafu and not an issue of state.
105. Pride | 04.01.09
Geez! If this is the most “embarassing” thing that our NEW President is going to do then maybe the world will finally give us our respect back!
Thank you Mr. President, How can I help?
106. timothysnorlax | 04.01.09
wow, I’m 15 and more mature and smarter than some of you people.
1. iPod is made by Apple, if you don’t know that…where the **** have you been living?
2. He is simplistic, not thinking that gifts will change what he wants people to agree or disagree with
3. Stop finding everything wrong with Obama, everyone says McCain would do this, McCain would do that…but McCain didn’t get elected now did he? so learn to live with it. Us democrats put up with Bush for 8 years, and the republicans boo’d Obama after he was elected at the McCain speech…who has more class now?
107. bob | 04.01.09
i like the idea of getting an i-pod
but i dont know if thats the right gift for the queen
108. llama | 04.01.09
i for one do not argree with the president giving the queen a iPod because shes really old and the music could leave her death
109. yofosho | 04.01.09
if you look closely at the picture you can see that mrs.obama is not glad to be there
110. FlatTop | 04.01.09
If you want to know where your iPod is made, simply turn it over. MADE IN CHINA. There were so many other choices that this joke of a President had. How about a hamd made item from an American artist, or something made from a Native American Indian tribe. There are thousands of popular creative Americans that hand make beautiful pottery, paintings, model ships, carved wood, etc. etc. etc. AN IPOD??????? He should be ashamed of himself, and we should be ashamed of him.
111. Shiba | 04.01.09
@ Cartman #37 “I’m just thankful this arrogant and goofy President didn’t load up that iPod with a bunch of gangsta rap.”
Don’t you think there are too much color in your comment? Is this what csmonitor readers are about?
I honestly have not heard one argument on why iPod is such a terrible gift other than it is not ‘classy’, whatever that mean?!. Please enlighten me, an curious liberal.
112. Ada | 04.01.09
Why does it matter so much?? It’s a gift! You know, the thought that counts! You people are always finding things to whine about! So annoying. And this is to Craig, ****!
113. Obamunism | 04.01.09
LOLOLOLOL!!
We’re in a recession so we can only afford a $300.00 gift but we can print and spend TRILLIONS at the behest of this tool?
Obummer is a complete and utter Zero and ya’ll are too kool aid addled to see it. The comments on this thread are PRICELESS!!
114. Mister Chi | 04.01.09
i actually like the fact that some of you like to say that our president has no class for having given such a gift. our last president of “class” did very well for us on the world stage and at home. he gave us iraq and an “axis of evil” to deal with. with that in mind, i pray that we never have another “classy” president.
may your God bless you all.
115. Chili | 04.01.09
Absolutely no class. I could think of a million other things to give to the Queen and an Ipod wouldn’t even make the list.
116. attaboy | 04.01.09
It’s as “guy” thing. Give people something they can use, for crying out loud!
A iPod should do it. Heck, I gave my wife a vacuum cleaner on our first anniversary. (It musta’ been a good idea; that was 47 years ago. BTW, they call me “Mr. Romance.”)
117. wow gold | 04.01.09
Ok, the Queen is now the coolest 83-yr old that I know. I wonder what would be Obama’s next gift for her the next time they visit… a World of Warcraft CD-Key perhaps? Lol
118. kirannesmith | 04.01.09
@erinzdad:
All I have to say is that your comment was hilarious! Also, whoever made the “singing fish” comment, I couldn’t stop laughing.
119. sami | 04.02.09
Seriously..an IPOD for the Queen..DVD’s for Gordon Brown? Are you kidding me? I heard about this around 6pm tonight and cringed, I was so embarrassed. If GW Bush had presented this to any head of state or monarchy he would have been skewered for months by the press, the libs and the international community as well. Obama mispronounces ORION..says OREON..not a word. He compares his bowling skills to that of a special olympian, and he gets a pass. His cabinet choices have tax problems and have to withdraw…I am seeing America fall deeper into the abyss and am very scared for my country. I am a college educated open minded 42 yr old women who questions lots of issues, but come on people..wake up. Obama will ruin this country
120. Tommy D | 04.02.09
Sorry queen after doubling our “inherited” national debt and proposing a budget that will create a $1000000000000 a year deficit this is all I can afford.
121. Leslie | 04.02.09
When you give a gift to the leader of a foreign nation, it should be symbolic of your country’s relationship to that country and it should be unique, one-of-a-kind, Not something purchased at Circuit City.
Obama has tried to cram as much liberal trash into our nation’s gullet as quickly as possible so that he can still convince ignorant people that it was Bush’s fault when all of this explodes soon.
Within two short months, Obama has crushed the financial inheritance of America’s youth and these kids are so fooled by his charisma that they are defending their own destroyer. Even Senator Byrd (Democrat) of West Virginia is sounding alarms about Obama’s blatant abuse of our CONSTITUTION.
Turn off the rainbows and lollipops of the liberal press and listen to the cold hard truth of what is really going on! Then stand up and speak out for your future’s sake!
122. Aish sizz at the Berlin Pink Panther 2 premiere | 04.02.09
@erinzdad:
All I have to say is that your comment was hilarious! Also, whoever made the “singing fish” comment, I couldn’t stop laughing.
123. mamaca | 04.02.09
The Obamas are very reasonable people, the economy is down, and this is not the time or huge spendings on gifts.
124. lsy60 | 04.02.09
With all of the talented artisans we have in this country and a great opportunity to support the arts, they give a gift made in China. What were they thinking? Oh, they weren’t
125. The Demo | 04.02.09
Oh, but no one said nothing when the Queen give Obama a picture of her self.
Now if Obama gives the queen a picture… Everyone going to be all like “Wow Obama… What a stupid gift!” Just let the Anti-Obama rage start. BEGIN.
126. Patrick | 04.02.09
Obama and his wife are snobs with no class… and I find that to be more true every day. They both aren’t credible enough to be living in the white house, no executive experience which shows every day. I must say though, with all the arrogance this punk and his wife have, putting the hand on the queen… now I know all I think of these two is substantiated.
They are low class, arrogant socialists. They must go.
127. Cindy | 04.02.09
It’s just a shame that so many people simply don’t get it. The truth is, the Queen gave the Obama’s very very thoughtful gifts. The world is thrilled about the Obama presidency because of what it represents. It has very little if anything at all to do with him. As a Black American, I believe the world is finally relieved to see that America is trying to repent for its sins of the past regarding Blacks, but somehow this goes completely over the current President’s head. The fact that the Queen gave Mr. Obama the original sheet music from John Newton’s Amazing Grace is a sign that she too sympathesizes with the millions of Black Americans who are indeed decendants of slaves. Unfortunately, Mr. Obama is not. I pray that someone will see the significance of this gift and ask Mr. President to donate it to a Black organization, possibly the King Center or the American Slavery Museum, headed by ex-Governor Wilder in Virginia. That gift means a great deal to me, but alas, who gives a **** except for those of us who truly understand the significance of its meaning. I pray that people will stop excusing his egotistical behavior away and someone please help him learn about what it means to be the “leader” of this nation. One more note, I find it fascinating that Mr. McCain and Mr. Clinton are trying to give Mr. Obama a history lesson about “his people.” Mr. McCain is asking the President to pardon Jack Johnson for the unlawful Mann Act. I hope he listens. Mr. Clinton has told Mr. Obama that Black people don’t want a hand out, and most hard working, law-abiding Black Americans, don’t. Thank you gentlemen. At least, someone cares about my history. God Bless America, because it truly is now All Up To Him, the One True and Living God.
128. jcim | 04.02.09
LOLLOLLOL
An ipod make in china…how intelligent…it’s probably infested with a worm that when she trys to download a song will give it to her computer.. The chinese can now gather all her personal data and head for the bank…Whoopi!!
129. Singh T. Junior | 04.02.09
Queen likes music and I am sure she will figure out how to use it. It was nice gesture by President because he is promoting a truely American product by Apple Computer. Since 2006 Queen has already started podcasting her Christmas messages to her subjects…the british folk, the commonwealth crowd, and what not.
130. Christine | 04.02.09
Patrick #126: The present leader of the free world is so much more astute, articulate and credible than the previous regime, it’s laughable. Perhaps you should go North to Alaska, where you can help Rush, Karl and Sarah shovel the volcanic ash of the Republican right.
Furthermore, the Queen touched Mrs. Obama’s back first. She had no problem with Michelle returning the gesture - her protocol expert had no problem with it, so why do YOU?
131. dee | 04.02.09
Michelle Obama stated during the campaign: For once I am proud of my country.
A lot of us can now say: I am so ashamed of my country.
A freaking Ipod.
132. Fred Mertz | 04.02.09
Obama makes us wish for the days of Bill Clinton. At least Clinton had class, low class as it was. Obama has no class. Class comes with family tradition and upbringing. The Democratic machine can’t give it to him.
133. Karin | 04.02.09
OMG! What a loser! He’s the biggest mistake we’ve ever made, and I’m not just talking about the gift. I cannot believe anyone really thinks he’s doing ANYTHING good for our country. Wake up people! He’s ruining our awesome country in a big ‘ol hurry!!!
134. Daniel | 04.03.09
Quite apart from whether the iPod is an appropriate gift for a Head of State (it is not), the writer of this piece should know that the meeting occurred at Buckingham Palace, not “the” Buckingham Palace. Also, our sovereign is The Queen of the United Kingdom, not just Queen of England. Finally, I am also concerned to know if she will be able to sync her videos and music with her existing iTunes account, otherwise she may need to Skype Barack and ask him to Fedex the content over on a DVD which actually works.
135. Pittmike | 04.03.09
For all you Libs who think comkplaining about Obama is a bad thing, how quiet were you over the past 8 years? Oh, and I don’t rememebr anyone, including W, creating a budget/stimulus that will DOUBLE the natioanl debt of ALL preceeding Presidents of the US. You guys really picked a winner. Here comes the CHANGE.
136. Ed Colson | 04.03.09
If I remember right the summit was to inprove the global economy. Looks like gifts have taken priority. It’s a shame. Oh well.
137. Hillary Clinton | 04.03.09
What has Obama done that is so great so far? He made history by being the first black elected president, WOW. Good job.
139. Diana | 04.04.09
Good Lord…he gave the Queen an IPOD made in communist China?? He is total embarassment to the American people!!!
141. Rico | 04.06.09
This is lame. I am not suprised he did this. I mean he gave Gordon Brown those DVD’s that didn’t work, while Brown gave him a rare piece of history. It just shows he cares little about anyone other than those who are his staunch supporters. Remember “he was too tired” to hold a state dinner for Brown when he visited the US. If Bush or McCain had done anything like this all media outlets whould mark him a fool and say HE had no class. Admit it, Obama is just another politician whom the american media is infatuated by.
142. chuckie | 04.06.09
OK enough if you want sybolism here it is. The ipod is a symbol of why America is in the finantial mess it is in. Yes American design. A few Americans (maybe unless they were here from India or China on a work program) worked on the design. The workers who reaped the benifits of the manufacturing of the ipod were Chinese. I don’t dislike Chinese, but an American company should hire Americans! Don’t tell me it is to cut costs when Americans have lost their homes and jobs. If you want thoughtfullness how about giving a man who is proud of his black heritage a pen holder made from the timbers of an anti-slave ship. That is class. An ipod is just ghetto. And please don’t critique my spelling I am an American I know I can’t spell.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Ari | 04.01.09
These articles are just too funny. First the DVD and then iPod. Good ones CS Monitor! Getting bogged down with all the work mid-day, I needed the laugh. Thaks