Obama Gives UK Prime Minister Cheezy Gift of 25 Old Movies on DVD

**TXCharlie** · 03-05-09, 05:13 PM

I thought he was going to build relationships with our allies, not insult them.

Obama's blockbuster gift for Brown: 25 classic films | News

Obama's blockbuster gift for Brown: 25 classic films

Joe Murphy
05.03.09
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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.

No10 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. However, the Evening Standard discovered the truth through White House insiders.
One reason for the secrecy might be that the gift seems markedly less generous and thoughtful than the presents taken to Washington by the Prime Minister.

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 US 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.

The White House issued a press briefing today that put on record how much Mr Obama had appreciated the gifts.

The Prime Minister's reaction to getting DVDs is not known. Mr Brown is not noted for his love of cinema, although he once claimed on a trip to India that he was an admirer of Bollywood.

As revealed by yesterday's Standard, the Browns showered gifts on the Obama children too, using the occasion to promote British exports.

Sarah Brown gave Sasha and Malia Obama an outfit each from Topshop, which has just opened its first American store in New York. She also picked six children's books by British authors which are shortly to be published in America.

In return, the Obamas gave the Browns two models of the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to take home to sons Fraser and John.

President Obama telephoned Mr Brown on board his plane last night to thank him for a productive visit.

**Cidp24** · 03-05-09, 05:15 PM

**irishmick** · 03-05-09, 05:19 PM

Movies? Really? He couldn't think of anything else?

**Ducky** · 03-05-09, 05:21 PM

Sounds like a re-gift.

**irishmick** · 03-05-09, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

Sounds like a re-gift.

EXACTLY!! It's almost like he didn't realize he had to give gifts! Someone must have clued him in at the last minute and he grabbed whatever he could. Models of a helicopter? I can buy MatchBox cars for $1.00...right on par.

**Caveman** · 03-05-09, 05:32 PM

Gift exchanges between visiting country leaders has been a traditional gesture since God knows when.
This just shows more of the diplomatic inexperience with Obama. He probably was caught of guard by the gesture.
"Oh shit!" *grabs a secret service agent and hands him a few bucks* "Quick, run up to Walgreens and pick something up!!! Anything!!"

Maybe next time the British Prime minister will shower Obama with a collection of Monty Python movies.

**TXCharlie** · 03-05-09, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Caveman

"Oh shit!" *grabs a secret service agent and hands him a few bucks* "Quick, run up to Walgreens and pick something up!!! Anything!!"

LOL - Yeah, my thoughts leaned toward the $1.99 DVD bargain bin in the isles of Wal-Mart. Could be either one.

**Cidp24** · 03-05-09, 09:27 PM

You just can't hide class.

**121Traffic** · 03-06-09, 11:21 AM

Nothing says foreign diplomacy like a random sampling of the bargain bin at the touchless carwash.

**Captain America** · 03-06-09, 12:01 PM

I think President Obama is just trying to demostrate fiscal responsibility because of the state of the economy. He's not going to follow the same failed poliices of the past 8 years. Change has come to America. If he bought Prime Minister Brown a couple of decent gifts , that might effect the ability of this country to pay for an earmark , setting back this country's chance of recovering from the current crisis in a timely manner.