The Ultimate Re-gift

The Powerline reports of the less-than-gracious reception of Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown by the White House earlier this week. First, there was the matter of Obama’s return of Winston Churchill’s head a few weeks back; then, the recent ceremonial exchanging of gifts between the two leaders.

Prime Minister Brown presented Obama the following gifts:

- an ornamental desk pen holder made from the oak timbers of the Victorian HMS President;
- the framed commission of the HMS Resolute, the timbers of which form the basis of Obama’s Oval Office desk; and,
- a first edition set of the seven volume biography of Winston Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.

Considering President Obama’s penchant for history - not too shabby. How did Obama choose to return the kindness? He presented the Prime Minister with a box set of 25 classic American films on DVD – a classic example of re-gifting if ever there was one.

I certainly hope Obama remembered that US DVDs don’t necessarily play on European DVD players – that would really be embarrassing.

Update 3/19/09: *sigh* Obama didn't remember...