President gives queen an iPod

Anyone who travels as much as the Queen has currency converters for her electrical devices...and all of us in Europe just enter the proper code from the instruction book to "de-zone" our players so DVDs bought from a large dot com book and music company by internet can be played (and I sure the Queen has enough staff--not to mention grandsons-capable of doing for her!).
"W" and Cheney can't even spell "iPod", much less use one!
The silver-framed autographed photo from the Queen reflects her generation; the iPod loaded with her state visit to the U.S. + the rare, signed songbook of music dear to her and her husband WAS not a "dumb" gift. GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It seems you can buy an election, but you can't buy class or breeding. Where IS that birth certificate anyway...

When a gift is given from one Head of State to another, it is a gift from one country to another - a gift to be displayed, not for one's personal use. That is why the Brits gave items to be displayed. In 50 years, the custom pen holder and signed portrait will be national treasures and mementos of visiting dignitaries whereas the box set DVD's and Ipod will be nothing more than obsolete trinkets with zero national or historical significance.

Somebody better help him. Next time he's liable to show up with some salt water taffy or a bottle of Mad Dog.

Presumably, most of these comments are from the same person with a lot of time on his or her hands. A quick skim through the comments will reveal a common theme of Obama being "classless" and "cheap" for his gift.

I'm not sure whose childish mind is picturing Barack strolling through Best Buy shortly before providing his gift, but chances are that he didn't even know he "gave" the iPod to the Queen unitl this "story" broke. Ironically, the same people (or just one person?) that are complaining about Obama being cheap would also be the first to complain if he gave the the Queen a diamond-encrusted ceptor, for being too frivolous with our hard-earned tax money. Settle down, republican(s).

Maybe if this idiot visits India he will give their President coupons to Omaha Steaks!!

It's all we could afford!

Now that he is the new CEO of GM , on his next trip he can give a wheel cover
from a 55 chevy with a silver chain attached to hang around her neck.
Man thats class.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what you get when you having the younger generation making decisions on the gifts.

He just wants the world to know that he is a hip happening guy.

I guess it could have been worse. He could of gave here a signed basketball.

He should have given her a year's supply of the "Kool-Aid" all the people who voted for him drank..........Ahhhhhh, what's the use....How would a Marxist know what to givea monarchist ,anyway..

You can dress the Obama's up, but their classless behavior is on public display every day.

What an embarrassment to this country... no foreign experience is really paying off now!!! Maybe we'll go to sleep tonight and wake in the morning and find that this Obama-mania has just been a really bad nightmare!

Jesus Christ, what is Christmas like in the Obama house?

Ok, so let's all read the article. Obama gave the Queen an iPod loaded with footage of her recent visit to the US and a rare, signed songbook by one of America's greatest songwriting teams that apparently has great personal significance to her. The Queen gave him the same thing that she gives to all visiting dignitaries. Now, tell me again who put some thought into the gift that was given.

Don't all you people have anything better to do than comment on this stupid article? (I know I don't :-)

It's not so much the iPod as what was in it that was the present. The queen didn't gift the Obamas just a frame! Along with footage of the Queen's visit of the US, the iPod had lots of Broadway songs as well as songs from the rare book that was also gifted to the Queen. And the Queen is known to love some of the songs by the artist.

yeah, he should have given the queen a framed photo of himself and Michelle. In fact how great it would be if he decided that from now on he will give every foreign dignitary a framed photo of himself. What a cold, insulting, self-serving habit that would be. Can you imagine any head of state anywhere doing that? Hmmm.... only the English!!!!

Obama and his staff are idiots. An IPOD? What an insult to one of this country's strongest allies.

The queen gives the same gift to everyone who visits. This is tradition and is not in any way a sign that she is out of touch with today. Obama is like a child that suddenly finds himself ruling a nation. He gives electronics as gifts and acts like a child who can buy what ever he wants. Put some more thought into gifts offered to our longest and dearest allies. The Queen and PM can buy their own ipods and DVDS! Obama is an idiot and makes Americans look like a bunch of hillbillies.

Gifts smifts. That is so minor compared to what the idiot president is doing to damage this once magnificant country for generations to come.

His runaway spending scares the hell out of me and I can't wait for someone in Congress to grow some cajones and stop him!!

He is our worst nightmare and if you don't believe me, check in about a year from now - if you still have a computer.

Actually, the Queen is pretty aware of technology. Prince William gave her a 30GB iPod with video a few years ago for Christmas and she loves it. Given that the iPod is an icon recognized around the world and an example of American design and technology, it's fitting.

Her Majesty is head of state of sixteen nations and has traveled frequently throughout over fifty years of reign. I'm sure she appreciates a thoughtful reminder of her visits to the United States and a warm invitation to return.

I'm astonished that people don't understand why this is an issue.

I am sure that Gordon Brown enjoys watching DVDs, and that Queen Elizabeth enjoys listening to show tunes on an iPod. That's not the point, however. A gift of diplomacy isn't a personal gift from Barak, who happens to be President of the US to Elizabeth, who happens to be Queen of England. It's not a birthday or Christmas gift for the personal enjoyment of the individual.

A gift of diplomacy is a gift from one country to another. So the iPod the Queen got was from the United States, as a political entity, and symbolically the people of the United States, as a sign of goodwill from one nation to another. This is why diplomats tend to give gifts most people would think boring, or silly- they are representative of a shared history, shared goal, shared commitment, and respect of one nation by another. They are supposed to be the kind of things that automatically qualify for museums, and serve as political symbols that exemplify the diplomatic relationship for both nations. If you go to the United Nations in New York City, it is positively loaded with these symbols of political goodwill: mosaics of doves and peace signs, traditional cultural art from a nation, statues commemorating small but significant events between one nation and another. In other words, it's quite boring for us laymen.

That is why it is so tactless and tasteless for Obama to be giving personal-style gifts to these leaders. He hasn't followed appropriate protocol for handing out gifts of diplomacy and goodwill, and because his gifts are inappropriate for the situation, it is harming US foreign relations. It is additionally disturbing that, after the Gordon Brown DVD debacle, he did not pick up on his mistake and take a crash course in diplomatic gift-giving.

To make a comparison to regular lives, Obama's gifts of DVDs to Gordon Brown and an iPod to Queen Elizabeth are like giving your new boss a lacy red thong for her birthday.

YES, the iPod he gave IS a gaffe!!! Ofcourse it is, high school kids give these to eachother as gifts!!! Yeah, it had footage of her on it....BUT IT'S STILL AN IPOD! He should've only given her the rare Rodgers and Hammerstein book, and quit while he was ahead!

The gifts to the Queen, the gifts to Gordon Brown, going on Jay Leno and his idiotic remarks, planning out his NCAA basketball brackets.....he is an embarrassment and takes away all the prestige, regality, and class that goes with being the Commander in Chief

Is it only me or did anyone also notice that the Obamas did not curtsey when they met the queen. This is the universal greeting when meeting royalty. He vowed when he met the Saudi Arabian King. Not sure why anyone is surprised. Obama and his administration have been showing their lack of experience and finesse since becoming the president of this great nation. Very sad.

The idocy of the gifts given to both Brown and the Queen is evident in the apparent lack of planning to give something meaningful with some sort of historical or traditional value. It's nice that it was uploaded with pictues/videos of her trip but will she actually use it more than the one time she looks at those pics/videos? I agree that she will probably give it away to someone else because what is she going to do with it? The picture that she gave is a tradition for her to give to visiting dignitaries and therefore has meaning. I just wish the President and his staff would give more thought to giving something with meaning that those receiving them would value and not just accept out of politeness. The record he gave apparently was something the royal couple may appreciate so at least that had some thinking behind it...I think it does nothing to disprove the image that the rest of the world has has of Americans as being shallow and materialistic with no respect for tradition or history

It is amazing to me that there are still a number of Americans who haven't caught on to what is happening to this country. Obama is selling us as well as the next 2-3 generations downstream. He doesn't have a clue about how to handle the economy and has even worse advisors. You cannot spend your way out of this problem and everyone seems to get it except these far left socialist who are still drinking the kool-aid. I'm really tired of all these liberals "blaming" the United States for the world problems. It would be a refreshing change to see Obama and Co. actually defending our country (after all, he is the President of the United States). For those defending Obama just quantify even 1 good thing he has done since taking office. And blaming everything on the Bush years doesn't count. That gig is way over and now you need to get past the emotion and get a reality check.

Just another action that demonstrates his complete disregard for the respect of the office he holds and his disrespect for the Queen.

Maybe he should have considered giving her an insurance company, bank or auto company. He'll soon own several of them.

I see very little class in people who call others retarded, hood rats, trash, stupid and idiot. Come on people, Americans are better than this. From every report I have seen and read (even on Fox news), most of the rest of the world have a high regard for the Obama's. We are definitely not a "laughing stock". And enough with the racist jokes, it shows true low class.

Why would you give an old woman an ipod? I don't understand the reasoning???

The U.S. is a much more modern country only really coming of age in the last 175 years, I do think that modern made things/technology are more symbolic of the U.S. so in that sense an IPOD and DVDs are more American

To Comment #61: You're correct. It is the thought that counts...and it was definitely thought(less).

To Comment #71: I think your wrong...I think Havard taught him everything...and it is very obvious by his stupid ability to select thoughtless gifts.

Democrats do stupid things all the time. It should come as no surprise to anyone.

OK...........Maybe this time he (or his team) screwed it up.... But if this is his only "screw up" what's the big deal? Obama is doing a good job!

This man is an embarrassment to America. Enough said.

You can take the home boy out the Hood, but you can't take the Hood out the home boy! This man does not represent me as an American.

At first I thought giving Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith, Duchess of Edinburgh, Countess of Merioneth, Baroness Greenwich, Duke of Lancaster, Lord of Mann, Duke of Normandy, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick, Sovereign of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order, Sovereign of the Imperial Service Order, Sovereign of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Sovereign of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Sovereign of British India, Sovereign of the Indian Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of Burma, Sovereign of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII, Sovereign of the Order of Mercy, Sovereign of the Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order, Sovereign of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, Sovereign of the Order of Canada, Sovereign of the Order of Australia, Sovereign of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of Barbados, Sovereign or the Order of Valour, Sovereign of the Order of Military Merit, Sovereign of the Order of the Police Forces, Sovereign of the Queen’s Service Order, Sovereign of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of St. Andrew, Sovereign of the Order of Loghu, Sovereign of the Order of the Star of Melanesia, Queen of Tuvalu …

an iPod was stupid too –

but if she downloads her titles onto it and just let's it play during dinner she could probably save an entire month per year.

What do you give the person who has everything? Time.

He is the President of the United States, can't he call up someone with the Emily Post family and ask for gift ideas. My guess is some twerp fresh out of college on his staff thought an ipod would be "rockin'", my 9 year old could have made a better choice (McDonald's gift certificates have as much thought!)

"I HATE THE STUPID COMMENTS ON HERE.. SURE MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN PICK BETTER GIFTS BUT CAN YOU BE A BETTER PRESIDENT THEN HE IS??"

Simple answer? Yes. And like millions of Americans, I am more qualified and have more executive experience.

He must ignore the advice of the White House protocol officer the way he ignores everyone else who doesn't share his radical ideology.

Face it, Obama and his wife have no class. That's what the American people wanted in the white house (well..enough of them anyway) and that's what they got. Could it be representative of how much the Obamas HATE America? The REAL America. The MEAN America? God forbid they should give anything representing America since 1776....no. Not them. Nothing classic. Nothing of lasting cultural value. Nothing wonderful. Just stuff that goes out of date (hopefully like Obama will.) Stuff that gets sold at garage sales. They are starting to stink like the rubbish that they are. To both of them America was totally useless until now. They make me sick. I'm ashamed to be an American with them representing my country.

Obama's gifts to the heads of state of our closest ally?

A couple of dvd's and a glorified mixed tape.

What's next? Blockbuster gift cards for Sarkozy?

More proof that Obama is not ready for prime time. Sure, some aid in Protocol made the decision, but it was probably some campaign contributor or crony from Chicago he appointed asa favor, not because they had any sense or experience. And then to make matters worse, Obama hasn't the sense or experience himself to veto the gift idea. As to the loud mouth writing in all caps demanding if we all couldn't do a better job as prez, I have a houseplant that could do a better job as president. I think all but the most arrogant and far left elitist pigs in America have realized they made a terrible mistake in voting for this crook.

Gifts needn't be analyzed. please everyone take an interest in the issues!

I could care less what gifts are given and to whom they are given to. I believe what should be discussed here is the abuses the President is having with tax payer money. Why does the First Lady need 8 assistants? Why did the President need to take a friend along to play basketball? Why did they need to take 35 vehicles with them on this trip?

Odumba and all the loser half-wits who throw out terms like idiot, clown, etc. Thou doth project too much. I am embarrassed to have you as fellow countrymen.

Thanks for voting for the world-consensus Bozo, twice, that got us in this predicament in the first place. It took just enough of the Palin Brigade types w/ IQ's bordering 100 to get him into office. You need to move here to Texas so you can live with all the other "patriots" like yourselves.

She loves horses, WHY didn't he take her an American handtooled saddle or nice bridle, or even handmade leather GLOVES, but an IPOD??????? This is the worst gaffe yet.

I thought the left bashing of Bush on every little thing was bad, but you right wing tools are so much better at it. The pure loathing you have for Obama is just amazing. Makes me wonder what the party of family values teaches thier children. Just hate everything not like you and bash it till it stops moving. You republican scum are pieces of garbage and really should just end yourselves.

Foon, how do you know which gift was primary and which was secondary?

Have you guys read that Queen Elizabeth REQUESTED the updated iPod as a gift?

I just love the fake outrage from the right-wing, with their shrieks of "NO CLASS!" These are obviously republican trolls who hate Obama no matter what he does and who have no idea what class or appropriate protocol is.

And it is all pretty rich, considering that Obama also gave a rare signed Rodgers songbook (one of her favorite songwriters), plus the Queen specifically ASKED FOR THE IPOD.

Try again, morons.

Everyone calm down!
The Queen DOES indeed listen to tunes on her iPod (an older version) already! AND...let's imagine that he gave her some etched crystal (paper weight or desk display)...or some fine tea set that was real china....doesn't she ALREADY own these things (trinkets, baubles, what have you)?

They'd just sit on her shelf and collect dust. Or go for auction at Sotheby's!
She can listen or watch her iPod on long plane rides and she DOES like to go for walks! Or didn't any of you see the movie: The Queen?

"...using our minds; inviting us to agree to disagree. On this last note, to all you idoits, brain dead self educated morons, if you want something to talk about, talk about the father and son who robbed our nation and left the Whitehouse smiling! PEACE HATERS"

LOLOL!!! Reason #26 for being Party-Neutral: Double Standards!

"Just hate everything not like you and bash it till it stops moving." (Ah...Pot - meet Kettle). "You republican scum are pieces of garbage and really should just end yourselves." (Ah...the TRUELiberal goals are finally revealed! LOL)

I beleive he should have given her an iphone with a picture of he and Michelle and a one year paid contract. Now that would have been classy!

For all of you consumed by faux rage over this, here are a couple of points to consider:

1.) The Queen ASKED for an iPod.
2.) The Queen's spokesman said that the gift was a hit.

Apparently the Queen was impressed enough that she broke decades of protocol and tradition and gave Michelle Obama a hug. Do a little more research next time, guys - I direct this both to you commenters and to you, Foon Rhee. Your article is just plain old fashioned sloppy journalism. At least try to report the events as they occured, and don't use your position to push your own political views.

I am 69 years old and hard of hearing. If someone gave me an ipod, I would give it away. I think the Queen would have less use of an ipod then I do. Maybe she can wrap it up for a gift to the Prime Minister so he can download the movies he can't watch on the dvds he recieved from Obama.

Most of you sound like you believe Michelle and Pres. Obama went to the mall shopping for gifts for dignitaries, a job assigned to new staffers who may not have developed a keen sense of protocol in this short time. How are you all so certain the Queen is dissatisfied or insulted at receiving something she might actually use and enjoy. I wish all the outraged pinheads who are calling this a gaffe would have suggested something more appropriate for a woman they all seem to know intimately. In the future, help our leader by e- mailing suggestions in advance. Ideas: An American Flag with 13 stars; a Bible autographed by Jerry Falwell; oretched crystal pill bottles that once belonged to Rush Limbaugh might have been be.tter choices. I'm curious, do you show up at baby showers with engraved silver spoons for the little one or diapers, bottles, strollers, and clothing? How has something this trivial gotten so much print when their are more pressing issues such as Michelle Obama's decision to go sleeveless?

Next time we should get the Queen a Best Buy gift card so she can go to the mall and get what she wants.

I'm a raving liberal, and I think that an Ipod is a silly gift too. Didn't he give some dignitaries some dvds recently too. pretty weak.

I'm not sure that the iPod was actually a bad choice. Although an empty iPod would have been pretty tacky, the Obama iPod had a personal inscription to the Queen and it contained keepsakes: photos and video of the Queen's trip to DC and Virginia, as well as about 40 Broadway show tunes. We live in a digital age. The iPod was just the vessel. The gift was what it contained.

Maybe on his next visit he will get her a $50 i-tunes gift card! What a great idea!

I wish somebody would give me an IPOD and I am a member of the Queen's generation. Furthermore, I think that we should all support President Obama., who is articulate, intelligent , energetic and capable. I believe he will lead our country out of the current mess. There is an awful lot of hate out there. Better spend your energies getting involved in something constructive to help your country. There is an awful lot of hate out there.

Is it really necessary to scrutinize every single move that the Obama's make... so he gave her an ipod, and Michelle put her arm around the queen...she didn't melt. With everything that is going on, it's pretty pathetic what is deemed "newsworthy" these days...

@AJ MD: JAPAN is the oldest monarchy in the world, not the UK. I'd suggest getting an iPod for some history applications...

How do you download old records onto an ipod? Is there an attachment for her hearing aid? Why not get her some support stockings, some centrum silver, and a box of depends. Maybe some of you moonbats can help him with his gifting. Maybe he could have given England a nice cash bailout.

I gave my Mom an ipod for Christmas - a lot more useful than a picture of myself.

Most of you just wish you could afford an iPod right now. Admittedly, the Brown gift was really cool, but a framed picture? Sounds like a potential re-gift to me. For those of you questioning the class of the Obamas, you wouldn't know class if you were sitting in it.

#164." Ok, so let's all read the article. Obama gave the Queen an iPod loaded with footage of her recent visit to the US and a rare, signed songbook by one of America's greatest songwriting teams that apparently has great personal significance to her. The Queen gave him the same thing that she gives to all visiting dignitaries. Now, tell me again who put some thought into the gift that was given."

I love this one!!! LOL..... and top of that she requested the IPod....
I personally think it's a great gift, why not tell the brit's there is a new "breeze" in the White House that is "in" and hip with the everyone!
and yes u guessed it " I VOTED FOR HIM"!!

FANTASTIC present! This means things are changing ! The whole thing is ridicolous yes and Obama made it clear in an excellent way! Next time a kiss !!

Looking at this from a "foreigners" point of view, I think the personalised iPod was a fantastic gesture. For those of you who are unaware, or simply too stupid to do any research, the Queen is a dab hand with gadgets and enjoys using them, so the iPod was a brilliant gift from the Obama's, well thought out and personal, instead of just a picture, that will be gathering dust within a few years! And as for Michelle putting her arm around the the monarch, it was a wonderful gesture, which the Queen reciprocated, instead of sending Michelle to the tower. I applaud both Barack and Michelle for their human touches!

The queen, who does not hug, saw fit to hug M Obama. Something must have gone correctly. Seemed like an extremely cordial visit. The Ipod contained shared memories of her US visit. Who reallly cares, except the people involved, and they seemed to enjoy one another greatly!

I think he should have given her Massachusetts.

What would YOU give to the Queen of England?

Apparently, Mr. Obama and his gang didn't know there was a protocol office. So much the poor fellow seems not to know.

Great gift ZEROBAMA! You really are a ZERO!

We finally have a President who is intelligent, articulate, and un-pretentious, who is actually WORKING toward solving the problems we now have in America. We were continually told by his predecessor that we didnt have any economic problems, that everything was fine! How such an unintelligent ,unqualified, ill-equipped person could have been elected President will forever be beyond my understanding... Oh...wait a minute, I forgot - he kind of railroaded his way into the Presidency didnt he? Those hanging chads in Florida......

This is more thought out than most of you are giving him credit for. The queen had previously had an Ipod with pictures of her previous visit to the states. She lost it and Obama replaced it with an Ipod that had most of the same pictures from her visit. Granted, it might seem trite or not well thought out, but give him some credit. We all know she's the queen, maybe she's also a person with some sentiment and was saddened by the fact that she lost something with mementos of an amazing trip that she had experienced.

Surely no one expects this man to show any class. They didn't elect a leader or a statesman, the elected a mouthpiece. Ever listen to this goober without a teleprompter? And puhleeeze, someone give Michelle Obama the number of Sarah Palin's stylist. No disrespect intended here - but did the woman move into the WH from a trailer park? (That's no disrespect meant to people who live in a manufactured home.) These people are an embarrassment to this nation. Sometimes I think the left has leaned so far to the left, their gray matter has slid right off their plates.

Great gift to the QUEEN. an Ipod that most lkely "says made in china " on it

awesome .... what a clown

So, what would you detractors, you experts on protocol, you classy examples of excellent educational achievement in America, give the Queen of England?

Perhaps you could give her a video capture of Bush thumping his chest and pumping his fist as he left his final G8 summit or of of Sarah Palin winking at the media while she fails to name one single newspaper that she reads regularly. Please.

Barak and Michelle weren't in their local mall selecting a gift for the Queen, it was very like a task for the White House protocol staff. I gave my mother an iPod recently and she was thrilled -- those of you assuming that the Queen is a dottering old granny sitting and knitting and waiting to die are the clueless ones. She's likely quite touched by the personalized gift given to her as a formality. The woman owns crown jewels that would make Henry Winston weep, she has more china and crystal and gold and houses and horses and castles and tiara and furs and silly little pocketbooks and hats than anyone can imagine. I'm betting she was pleased with the iPod and the songbook -- she hugged Michelle Obama -- she doesn't hug anyone. I'd say that was a fairly good indicator that she was pleased.

But please keep up the anti-Obama rhetoric -- especially those of you bashing his education, while your own obvious lack of it is evidenced in your grammar and spelling. Golden gait Bridge indeed.

This is to AJM,and 135 ,139 odumba. no class haha what dumbells go take a hike , a swim and may be you will all drown jerks.

We're all going to hell in a handbasket, and we're concerned with IPods& Picture frames---hey that,s it ---a handbasket made from the 'shreddings' of Wall Street's CEOs would have been an interesting & memorable gift! a sign of the times-"Unforgetable, that's what we are................." Just in time for Easter too--now that's putting some thought in it----but remember Queenie--don't put ALL your eggs in one basket as we have here in USA!

EVERYONE is missing the big picture. He didn't give her an i pod. he gave her a digital memory of her last visit to America. Maybe things well her last visit or something memorable happened. Obviously, Michelle felt comfortable enough with the queen to put her arm around her, and the queen felt comfortable to do likewise. Who knows what inside jokes and memories they have... the i-pod, is just the new picture frame. It says a lot coming from America, but don't look too much into it.

Maybe something more personal than consumer electronics?

What, like the standard framed photo QEII gives to EVERY dignitary -- something "personal" like that??

I quite like the Queen -- but that gift is about as personal as giving someone my junk mail.

Well I'am sure everyone remembers his speeches, during his Presidential
campaigning quote:( IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE ) keeping up with one of his
promises.
The Queen did look funny holding that purse indoors while they were posing
for pictures. What do you think was in that purse she was clutching ?
Must have been something very important. Do you think that is where she
had that little pink jack rabbit for Michelle? Hum make me wonder times are changing you might give that some thought.

The first thing I was taught was that ALL people are created equal. Just because humans are dumb enough to accept that one human being is more important than another shows how superficial and hypocritical the human race is. Until someone comes along that can live without food, water or air, I will consider myself and any other person in the world equal to any other mortal on this little dirt ball planet. All the superficial protocols and traditions won't change that fact.
L.M.

Do you suppose the iPod has some subliminal messages in what was loaded on it? To feed the "Kool-Aid" directly to the brain, I mean.

The Queen requested an iPod? So, how did that go? The Queen, who in holdings is worth billions of dollars, with a personal fortune of 500 to 700 million dollars, with literally thousands of staffers, and who is one of the most photographed people on the face of this planet, just called up President Obama and said "Oh, by the way, on your way here could you please pick me up an iPod?" Or, do you think the White House called her and asked what they should give her (which, if they did, would itself be incredibly tacky), and the Queen said "Oh, yes! Please get me an iPod! I can't get one here"? Some unnamed 'official' has said after the fact that the Queen requested the iPod. Of course the Queen would not embarrass the President by disconfirming that. Don't be fools. This was a tacky gift that the Queen DID NOT request, but she is classy enough to even accept a tacky gift with grace.

We don't believe in monarchs.

He is so 21st century - so in touch with the real world and how the common person lives. What a great leader!

Personally I think the ipod and album were thoughtful but I'm not going to debate the point. I'm just going to relish how all of you bible-thumping trolls have to suffer through Obama like we had to suffer through 8 long years of Bush. It gives me a warm tingly feeling all over... I think I'll slip under the covers and enjoy myself.

if the media could pick on Bush's MANY gaffes (and did) then why can't they do the same for Obama??? Its just part of being president. Will the people with the Obama T's on stop getting so defensive... These are ridiculous gifts and it’s hilarious that people are defending them. The president isn’t perfect. Just laugh about it for once.

Obama is so cool... I'd like to see a photo of the queen listening to the iPod...

Hey dan,

Because it was not a Gaff, moron.

Fat, Drunk and Stupid is no way to go through life dan.

An Ipod may not the most thoughtful of gifts but certainly is better than the last gift a US president gave the British... the gift of being dragged into a war where so far at least 179 of there troops have perished and unfortunately that gift seems to be the gift that keeps on giving.

My goodness guys, its a gift. What is the big deal? All these people do all day is scour the internet for articles about Obama so they can trash him. You are so pathetic. Get over it. Move to Canada.

I love getting people like Thanos73 all fired up about Obama. That was a nice response. Well thought out and original. You’re right- I’ll bet the Queen listened to the IPOD the entire way back to England. And the Prime minister is on DVD #22 of the box set. Haha.

Don’t let me make you feel bad about your Obama T-shirt bud. Wear that with pride…

Idiot. That is what you call one of the most thoughtful presidents of our time.
Please just stay ovr at the Herald with Callahan

First of all, I have no idea what this blog is called "Political Intelligence." Get over yourself! "Intelligence" has nothing to do with the author's thought quality or content.

If an iPod loaded with video footage of important events in someone's life and a zillion of their favorite songs is a "tacky," "thoughtless" gift, is that how you would feel about receiving one? Or would you rather have a framed picture of the Queen? I suppose you throw out homemade baked goods and other handmade or personalized things that loved ones offer you,

too.

This was a BRILLIANTLY thoughtful and creative gift. Our previous president probably couldn't figure out where the earbuds go, and now we finally have one with some intelligence, who doesn't embarrass us overseas (on the contrary you can practically hear the giant sighs of relief exhaling from Europe all the way across the Atlantic...) and all you can do is pick, pick, pick.

It may have been true in the past that official gifts were meant to be displayed, but a gift that is more personal and isn't overly costly can certainly be used and I bet it will be used. And every time the Queen uses it, she'll be thinking fondly of America. Obama's America, that is.

People should really give this guy a break. It's not like he's been in politics for the past decade like almost every other American politician who would probably know everything there is to know about the proper etiquette on things as petty as gift giving. Obama is just a newly elected president who’s only been at the federal level of government for the last 2 years as a FRESHMEN senator. Instead of blaming him for these blunders maybe blame the moronic aide in the Office of Protocol whose job it is specifically know the proper etiquette for every dignitary the president meets.