(CNN) - What's the proper gift to present Queen Elizabeth II with at Buckingham Palace?
A video iPod, apparently.
According to a White House aide, President Obama Tuesday night presented the Queen with the popular Apple device - reportedly complete with songs and video footage of the her 2007 trip to the United States.
UPDATE: The White House revealed the songs on the iPod were all from the two-disc CD, 'Ultimate Broadway.' (Full song list after the jump)
The gift will be at least the Queen's second iPod: in 2006 she purchased an iPod mini.
Obama also gave the Queen a rare musical songbook by Richard Rodgers.
As for the Queen, she reportedly gave the Obamas a signed photograph of her and her husband, Prince Phillip, in a sliver frame, her standard gift to foreign dignitaries.
Full iPod song list after the jump
1
Oklahoma! / Alfred Drake 2:32
2
If I Loved You / Jan Clayton From Carousel 4:23
3
You'll Never Walk Alone / Jan Clayton From Carousel 2:42
4
There's No Business Like Show Business / Ethel Merman From Annie Get Your Gun 3:11
5
Once in Love with Amy (Where's Charley?) / Ray Bolger 4:23
6
Some Enchanted Evening / Ezio Pinza South Pacific 3:03
7
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend / Carol Channing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 2:59
8
Getting to Know You / Gertrude Lawrence From The King and I 3:30
9
Shall We Dance? / Gertrude Lawrence From The King and I 2:53
10
I Could Have Danced All Night / Julie Andrews From My Fair Lady 3:30
11
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face / Rex Harrison From My Fair Lady 5:17
12
The Party's Over (Bells Are Ringing) / Judy Holliday 3:15
13
Maria / Larry Kert From West Side Story 2:39
14
Tonight / Larry Kert From West Side Story 3:55
15
Seventy Six Trombones / Robert Preston 3:02
16
Everything's Coming up Roses / Ethel Merman From Gypsy 3:08
17
The Sound of Music / Mary Martin 2:47
18
Try to Remember / Jerry Orbach The Fantasticks 2:48
19
Camelot / Richard Burton 2:31
20
If Ever I Would Leave You / Robert Goulet From Camelot 3:13
21
Hello, Dolly! / Carol Channing 5:42
22
If I Were a Rich Man / Zero Mostel From Fiddler on the Roof 4:57
Disc 2
1
People / Barbra Streisand From Funny Girl 3:28
2
On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) / John Cullum 2:51
3
The Impossible Dream / Richard Kiley From Man of La Mancha 2:24
4
Mame / Charles Braswell 6:17
5
Cabaret / Liza Minnelli 3:35
6
Aquarius / Ronald Dyson Hair 2:55
7
Send in the Clowns / Judy Collins From A Little Night Music 4:05
8
All That Jazz / Chita Rivera From Chicago 3:14
9
One From A Chorus Line 4:47
10
Tomorrow / Andrea McArdle From Annie 2:08
11
Don't Cry for Me Argentina / Patti LuPone From Evita 4:38
12
And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going / Jennifer Holliday Dreamgirls 4:08
13
Memory / Elaine Paige From Cats 4:13
14
The Best of Times / George Hearn La Cage Aux Folles 5:34
15
I Dreamed a Dream / Aretha Franklin Les Misérables 4:23
16
The Music of the Night / Michael Crawford From The Phantom of the Opera 5:50
17
As If We Never Said Goodbye / Elaine Paige Sunset Blvd. 5:24
18
Seasons of Love Rent 2:52
From CNN Politics
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Very interesting–I love it. It's unique, it's American, and it's fun.
Kudos to Barack
Bravo! What a decent and approriate gift! This is sooo Obama. Not just the gadget itself, but also the content in it.
I applaud this great idea.
So not only did he give her an iPod, but it was an upgrade to the one she already has AND it came pre-loaded with special content just for her? That was awfully thoughtful
I wonder if he loaded it with the movies he gave Gordon Brown?
Gaffetastic! The Queen is an old woman of a different era, she doesn't want these gadgets...
Hahaha...almost as good as a basket full of DVDs or a couple of plastic helicopters. So thoughtful...
this gift is infinitely better than the last gift the Obamas gave to some dignataries
Do you think the queen might have reciprocated by giving Barack a lovely sculpture of Winston Churchill?
that was very thoughtful (about the 2007 footage); I'm just proud that President Obama is representing the U.S. this is a great signal to the world... I do hope the rethoric continues to be positive around the problems we face; president Obama is doing very well so far in striking the right tone... we'll see where we go from here.
That's cute! Now, if it has some footage of the Kentucky Derby she attended a while back, that would make HRH grin like a Cheshire cat.
An appropriate GIFT...
imes have changed people. This is the techy Prez...Let he majesty move with the times...
Good for you Mr Prez...
I hope it was made in America...
Wow an I-Pod-great Historical gift-sure this one will go down in the History books.
Thank God! A 21st Century gift!
A very considerate gift.. with sentimental material already in it. A signed picture of yourself.. not that great of a gift, though I'm sure Obama appreciated it
Man you can tell when things are getting tough when the President of the United States gives an iPod as a gift and when the Queen of England starts giving out photos of herself. What happened to the days when foreign countries gave huge metal statues as gifts?
This is kind of hilarious, President Obama gives the Queen an Ipod with videos of HER on it and she gave him an autographed picture of HERself
An iPod for the Queen?
The level of vulgarity of these people is nothing short of astonishing.
First DVDs, now this.
Oh man, what a great idea. lol. Especially since she already has a mini so obviously she likes them. And to include the photos and video, thats excellent. And I bet she loved the songbook.
Never before have I ever seen a President willing to give technological gifts.
What?! An iPod? This is sooooooo like Obama. If Bush would have done this, he would have been impeached.
Mr. Obama is like a little kid in a candy store giving away all of OUR money we earned while he was borrowing college money for 20+ years of free educational frills. Wonder if he ever paid any LOANS????? Write offs, I guess like he's doing now with the money that's leaving our retirement futures.
Great choices, and very apropriate. When Prince Phillip was courting the Queen, one of their favorite songs was "People Will Say We're in Love," from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!".
Are you friggin' kidding me? Is this guy a president or a music industry promoter?
Their gifts are so reflective of their non arrogant attitude...something we have all come to admire so much. They are 'real' people & have no need to have airs about them.
You Americans can be so proud that you have a President & First Lady who are so well respected and loved abroad...
The President is keeping the Queen up to date with the latest technology.
Perhaps it was an April fools joke. Pres. Obama doesn't seem to have a handle on the gift giving portion of his foreign policy. At least she can re-gift it.
Great gift for the Queen and smart of our President and First Lady to know the Queen is ipod savvy.
The Obama's gave the Queen a rare autograped song book - something the Queen probably likes very much! And the Obama's also brought the Queen a momento, a video of the Queen's visit to the USA in 2007. I think Both the things the Obama's gave the Queen are great gifts! The Queen received something rare, and probably priceless, and she also received a momento that reminds her of her visit to the USA in 2007.
Better or worse than the 25 DVDs he gave the PM that aren't even coded properly for european DVD players?
An ipod is the idea gift.
Is this a joke? An iPod? You have got to be kidding me after that DVD snub with the Prime Minister. It is April Fool's...
Is the old crow still alive?
I just hope that there isn't copyrighted material on that pod...
Please tell me this an April fools joke.
I hope that he didn't pay for that ipod with my personal tax dollars! There's a half price sale on monster truck tires this weekend at Wal-Mart!
No really. I wouldn’t care if he did.
I read that the Queen is a fellow Gooner...Go Arsenal!
Palin Supporter Translation: Arsenal is a football club (soccer team); sorry, nothing to do with guns or religion.
Neat!
That's my president!!
Now that is actually a very nice gift, showing some signs of finding out what the Queen likes, plus being an American product!
God Bless President Obama, The Queen, and the United States of America. Amen!
The queen comes off looking pretty cheap in this exchange.
Having worked with the Brits before I think that this gift is representative of the Obama administration's sincere lack of protocol. First unusable DVD's to their Prime Minister and now a stupid IPOD to their Queen. I hate to see what he gives China and Russia's presidents for gifts when he goes there. Perhaps another round of "reset button"?
An iPod? Has no one sat these two down and talked to them about protocol? Really between the DVD gaffe, the model of air force one, and now an iPod someone really needs to do that. I'll bet they were behind the "reset" button as well. Extremely poor taste.
Another international gaffe. Guess I really better get used to these, they happen a lot now.
I thought I was going to get "Rick-rolled" by that video, but I guess it's real. Well, that's nice of Obama to give a sentimental gift, but I still thought this was an April Fool.
Much better than the DVD set Obama gave to the prime minister.
Thoughtful, inexpensive, and original. I love the First Couple.
@ Matt.......... do explain how this is an international gaffe? I will check back for your answer..........
I HAVE AND IDEA!!!
Somebody should get the Obama's a professional shopper or a professional gift buyer. Because apparently nobody in the Whitehouse know WHAT to give these people
Did any of you guys actually read the article? She bought an iPod mini in 2006 and he upgraded her mini and gave her a Video iPod. Plus, the rare songbook by Richard Rodgers. Grow up.
Very curious if this iPod came from the US, or from Europe.
Given the different outlet types, it makes a difference in regards to charging and syncing.
The Queen has everything so this is a fun gift. What is important, I remind you, is the outcome of the G20 ...
What a bunch of snobs. Why is an iPod tacky? Look what she gave them "an autographed picture of herself and her husband?" Now how can you use that?
To those of you who are saying this was a gaffe, could you please tell me what the appropriate gift would have been? I don't get it.
To Merkel Obama is going to give a region 1 dvd set including Schindler's List, The Producers, Stalingrad, The Last 10 Days of Hitler, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Dirty Dozen, and Das Boot.
What do you give as a gift to a person that everything she could possibly ever want and need?
Why as Americas are we concerned about what Michelle Obama is wearing, does that make her a better first lady how much her clothes cost, they are women and children starving in the America, the homeless rate is rising and we are happy that she has good fashion sense they are more important things going on in this country than what she is wearing, and if her and husband is so concerned about the legal people in this United States she should take some of their money her and help theses people. What about our school system or that is right her children are in no danger of getting an education. We should not care about what she is wearing or what music that they like to listen too, we pay their salary and that take and take why they should live so much better than the people who are working their butts to make it in this world today cut his pay and benefits and see how he likes it.
Although we have more serious economic problems right now and the President is having to deal with a lot, I still think whoever is in charge of these things needs to do a better job. Seriously, an iPod? What's next Guitar Hero for the King of Spain?
Well, at least they didn't give her a Wii!
The ipod is an excellent idea ,Barack and Michelle Obama r the best get use to it .
Anyone who thinks this was a gaffe doesn't know much about the Queen. She loves IPod and I'm sure this newer version is much appreciated. I think it was thoughtful and personal to have loaded it with goodies from her trip to the U.S.
Maybe the Queen enjoyed recieving the Ipod? and really isn' it the thought and kindness that is the important factor here.
Well, really, I think its a silly tradition and the queen has it right – keep it simple. Having been involved in government things I bet that well over 100 hours of staff time were involved in the selection and purchase of the gifts for the queen. It would not suprise me if it was more than 1000 hours (security check, research, contacting the queens staff to ensure that it was reasonible, getting the funding approved, etc...). All of this time and effort could be spent on more productive things.
What no reset button?
Funny how that story got buried, kind of like CNN and the rest of the cabal burying the latest Obama cabinrt member doing the mea-culpa on NOT paying taxes like us regular folk.
It is ironic though, that Barry is giving crappy gifts to England's Queen, while we left their Country because we were overtaxed , unless your an Obama appointee though.
To make sure this gets posted............. I love Michelle, she is the "bestest ever", and Barry is the best speaker with a teleprompter ever and he is great and the kids are great and the world LOVES US AGAIN.
I have my fingers crossed to finally be posted and not censored.
Obama 2012 and 2016, bahhhh, bahhh.
Very nice gift, I see nothing wrong with it. There you go again critsizing. Ok folks what would you have given? And don't you think the president did some research prior to arriving. Our president and first lady are not idiots!
I agree with Jackie. It is a nice gift. ...complete with footage of her visit to the US.
It seems as if some contributors to this blog are a teeny bit 'jealous' of the Obamas (lol)
President O... and Michelle...continue to represent us with dignity, poise and Intellegence....it is about time we had some decent representation !!
I would rather have the Ipod
Why are people bashing Obama for giving her an upgrade to a device that she already had? Complete with personalized video of her, AND a rare musical songbook by Richard Rodgers. What’s wrong with that? She already had one, the one he gave her is better…
People want to nag over nothing. That is just pathetic.
Love the gift idea! Although a signed picture of the Queen is a "Nice" gift I feel President Obama wanted to give them something American Made! One thing America can be proud of is how successful Apple has become! Apple ROCKS!! It's time to get with the New Age Era!
I think the gifts he gave are nice and showed that he put thought into them. Complainers, get over yourselves! Honestly, some people just read too too much into everything. Why would the Queen not like an iPod (represents American innovation) and the Richard Rogers songbook? Some of you desperately search to criticize everything Obama does. I guess you people don’t read the paper and are unaware that (according to the latest polls) a vast majority of Americans are quite happy to have Obama as President.
Real original, but I guess it's better than the DVDs he bought the prime minister that won't play on British players since they were the wrong region code.
He did a lot of "research" just like Clinton did when she visited the shrine of Guadelupe and asked who painted it........nice research....
Maybe President Obama should learn from the Queen..after all she's been in the ruling business for many years now.
A silver frame is very tasteful and elegant. Why not give the queen a picture of the Obama family in a silver frame. It would be a nice gift and you don't have to worry about the difference in electrical currency.
I am sure that the Queen's handlers gave the Obamas some ideas on what to give her.
Queen Elizabeth is very tech savvy. She has her on UTube video website.
As a young girl she was on British radio supporting the troops during WWII.
Queen Elizabeth worked as a car mechanic during WWII to help the war effort and give to her country.
Plus she has alot of tech savvy kids and grandkids! One of her sons and his wife are business people in England, not just running around looking regal.
American iPod is, indeed, fit for a Queen.
Thank you for showingn us this video, I loved every minute of it. President Obama and Mrs. Obama continue to represent the US with grace and dignity.
I'm sure the iPod will wind up in the royal equivalent of that box in the closet where you keep the gifts you got from relatives that you can't exchange or give away except as gag gifts to other relatives.
Well, although it's a "cool" gift and one that nobody *I* know personally would turn down – I don't think it would have been *my* first choice as a foreign leader's gift to The Queen. It just doesn't seem......proper. And yes there are more important things to be talking about blah blah – but this article's been written on what Obama gave to The Queen and so that's what I'm commenting on!
I think that I persoanlly would have tried to find something antique-ish that was steeped in history, or art, or something a bit more......um.......fitting? I wouldn't buy my grandmother an Ipod......
Which tax beat nitwit is in charge of protocol for the ever campaining annointed one?
A ipod whats on it speeches by EU leaders to give Obama advice on how to fix the economy or does it have beatles and led zepplin and pink floyd def leppard songs on it
So she gets a cool iPod and he gets a picture of her and her husband ? I bet the Obama family just cant wait till Christmas to see what they get next.....
It was a private meeting, why not gifts privately? Is this all the news we can come up with concerning the meeting? They all looked happy enough.
My question is, why did they need to go visit her? I mean really is she going to give any insight on the economy. We kiss to many people butts.
Thats why the first couple are trendsetters, they know that once the Queen is seen Rocking her i pod trhat more seniors will start buying i pod's.
The Obama's gave the Queen a rare autograped song book - something the Queen probably likes very much! And the Obama's also brought the Queen a momento on that ipod, which is a video of the Queen's visit to the USA in 2007. I think Both the things the Obama's gave the Queen are great gifts! She received something rare, and probably priceless, and she also received a momento that reminds her of her visit to our country in 2007.
Does it work in Europe?
jamie from philly said it well.
Naomi Campbell doesn't even deserve to be at the same table with First Lady Michelle Obama. Campbell is no more than a "B" movie actress who has one fight after another with the press. Campbell has no volunteerism in her repertoire. Further, Michelle Obama is a natural woman; if you know what I mean.
I think President Obama spent $290.00 too much. The Queen gave him the "standard gift for dignitaries..."
On another subject: It was a real joy to see President and Mrs. Obama represent the US of A. Smart and charming couple who will make us proud. Two Harvard graduates who can actually speak English fluently and coherently... what a change.
Miss Lead
APO
I love the gift was a nice thing the rest of you grow up! Bush got nice gift a SHOE! NO TWO SHOES !
Inappropriate gift for the Queen of England, an Ipod, OMG.
HM loves her IPod and has been seen listening to it while out walking with the corgies. why give her something she won't want/use? She also has an incredible book collection, one of the greatest in the western world, so the Rodgers songbook is a clever addition.
What would protocol dictate? and what did Bush give her? I think it was a book or something like that too.
Annette> Learn to use a comma or period once in a while, eh? That was PAINFUL to read.
Also not seeing how this gift was a "gaffe". I think it was very thoughtful. He certainly put more time and thought into it than the Queen did w. hers. Just saying....bless her heart, but a framed photo? Really?
OMG. Does no one understand protocol in the Obama administration? Next year, perhaps he can give her something from the gift shop at Heathrow!
An IPod to the Queen of England? This just shows that Obama's mental state equates to the teenyboppers of the USA.
So apparently today Rush and Hannity have told their listeners to be mad about DVDs and Ipods.
I suspect the Brits are more upset about their coerced involvement in our wars.
It seems like a nice thoughtful gift to me, but then I'm not looking for any and every reason to criticize Obama.
Cool idea. I'll bet she loves it too.
The Obamas rock!
Cool gift, but PLEASE STAY FOCUSED PEOPLE!!! The outcome of the G-20 meeting is WAY more important.
The Queen shoud have given him some DVDs that could only be played in Europe ; )
I disagree with most posters on the IPod though. I think it is a nice gift and, as someone mentioned, an American product. What did some people expect him to do, give back the colonies?
To Matt in MN,
So you took one trip overseas and learned that, huh? The Obamas have probably circled the globe ten times, you don't think they've forgotten more than you'll ever learn on that type of thing? Durrr.
What do you get the Queen of England. Something symbolic, not something from Best Buy or at the Circuit City fire sale.
What did he get from Brown when he visted? A pen holder fashioned from the oak timber of HMS Gannet, a Navy vessel that served on anti-slavery missions off Africa.
Another treasure given to Obama is a framed commissioning paper for the HMS Resolute, a Royal Navy ship that came to symbolize British-American goodwill when it was rescued by the U.S. from icebergs and given to Queen Victoria. It is the sister ship of the HMS Gannet.
Finally, Brown gave Obama a first edition of Martin Gilbert's seven-volume biography of Winston Churchill, whose World War II partnership with President Franklin Roosevelt symbolized the U.S.-Anglo alliance.
The rare songbook by itself would have been better than the Ipod.
There are people on here who would cry and moan no matter WHAT President Obama does....
HEADLINE: OBAMA CURES AIDS, CANCER, AND SOLVES WORLD HUNGER!!!
republican response..... SOCIALIST !!!!
The President and First Lady gave the perfect gift to the Queen...you may not know this but, in fact, the royal matriarch is a bit of a techie...she googles a lot!
I think the gift was fantastic. It's representative of a new age and time
Who chooses these State gifts for the President. My God, this is the Queen, not his Aunt Doris from back home. Utterly ridiculous. If he continues to present gifts like a 20 pack of movies to the Prime Minister and an Ipod to the Queen, the Brit's will think our country's electorate is again up to bad decision-making.
I hope he made sure the charger would work with the european electricity after the dumb incident with Prime Minister Brown who couln't watch the movies he gave him because they weren't in the Pal format! I still think this White House gives awful and frivolous gifts to dignataries.
LOL what a poor gift.
What a foolish gift! Is that all we are as a nation, ipod-lovers? How about something memorable, something that represents our proud nation as his first gift to foreign leaders? Maybe a historic letter from President Lincoln or another great figure (MLK, etc.)? Maybe for the Prime Minister an old Winchester rifle from the Old West days, something like that. This is just dumb. And I voted for him.
This is something Bush would do.
>West Side Story
I'm way more happy to read things that are happening around that world that don't have to do with the gloom & doom so often portrayed in the media.
CNN: Keep these happy, silly, fun stories coming!
The UK will give Michelle an obvious high grade for here fashion savy, but probably will give her an equally low grade for her protocol savy (for example, how she brushes Prince Phillip aside in photo ops).
DanFromOhio April 1st, 2009 4:43 pm ET
To Matt in MN,
So you took one trip overseas and learned that, huh? The Obamas have probably circled the globe ten times, you don't think they've forgotten more than you'll ever learn on that type of thing? Durrr.
No, that was a legitimate question, I can only hope, and deserves a legitimate answer.
iPods recharge by USB port. USBs are universal. The AC/DC voltage conversion Matt in MN is worried about would take place in a charge box.
One of those guys in the big black beaver hats that stand outside Buckingham can go down to the Apple store and pick one up for £7 and be back in time for tea.
I hope he put some good rave music on it for her. I hear she loves to go to raves.
I think that's a great gift!
I'm pretty sure that there was probably no possible gift in the entire galaxy that would have satisified some of the posters here.
What I find remarkable is how the Obamas are towering over the Queen and her husband in the picture. Good genes in that Obama family.
Why is all these haters have to respond negative haven't they thought enough to say anything and everything nice about anyone here,our President is doing great-to give a nice gift to the Queen,what is wrong with that? the Queen probarly want know how to use it ,it was something different and these haters here which I believe are all washed out Repub,because they have no cause in the white house don't know where they are going or what they are going to do-they are "CLUELESS" no representation for the party-and this is not haten this is a true fact-remember the facts "haters" get over it and move on because the RNC has no outlet.Yes I aplaud President Obama for his generous gift like I said it was something different-maybe the Queen can have her grandson's show her how to use it-is there anything else these haters got to say negative if you have to be so negative "I say get a life" we Democrats are loving it and we are going somewhere not like the down and out Republicans,soon there will be no RNC Party-because they don't have a leader worth anything they are just pitiful & that is why they have no backbone for themselves and are going to the dogs. that is what you get when you cheat,lie,& steal from the american people who pays your salaries.
Who cares? What I care about is his dopey budget that was proposed. What else is funny (not really) is the reception he is getting at the conference overseas. Worse than they gave Bush. Instead of throwing shoes, 20,000 people are rioting and throwing rotten eggs and fruit. Where's the love? They see through this clown. Before all yop Bush haters start screaming, I belong to no political party. I thing they should all be arrested.
You people act like he brought her a bucket of Popeye's fried chicken. Grow up. Presumably they did some research of what music the Queen likes and loaded it up. It was a personal gift manufactured by one of the best American companies.
Kick Protocal to the corner. This is a New Era. People need to understand the game is changing, and Obama leads the way. Why are people so afraid of being different? Just chill out.
It's a pretty cool gift the Queen got compared to what the First Family got back in return. I'm sure George Bush didn't pack his silver framed Royal Family picture when he left for Texas.
Brian April 1st, 2009 4:47 pm ET
Who chooses these State gifts for the President. My God, this is the Queen, not his Aunt Doris from back home.
The Lady already owns the world's largest cut diamond. What MORE would she need?
I'm happy that our President gave her a gift produced by an American company, thank you very much. Also, you missed the part about the rare songbook by Richard Rogers of legendary Broadway songsters Rogers and Hammerstein. I think that's the actual state gift.
Wouldn't this be a better world though, if our leaders were not overly impressed with themselves and expecting fealty from visiting dignitaries?
Poor choice for a gift. Sounds like a good skit for SNL. Of course it's not going to happen since SNL is too Liberal to offend them.
patkelly April 1st, 2009 4:52 pm ET
The UK will give Michelle an obvious high grade for here fashion savy, but probably will give her an equally low grade for her protocol savy (for example, how she brushes Prince Phillip aside in photo ops).
Prince Phillip is Royal Consort, not a King, and knows to stand aside in photographs. Michelle actually DIDN'T know that from the looks of the video since she didn't automatically step in front of Prince Phillip.
PLEASE tell me this is an April Fool's joke CNN and not what he actually gave the Queen.
For those of you who think this reflects poorly on our country, I would suggest you save your complaints for Rush Limbaugh. He today claimed that Gordon Brown was slobbering so much over President Obama that he was going to get poisoning from the President's nether regions (that is not the phrase Limbaugh used but I don't think CNN could or should publish his nasty statement in its original form). Now, you decide–which is objectionable? Which gives America a bad name? If you are going to carp about the President's gifts, do you also object to Limbaugh's scatological insults?
@DanFromOhio
And you'd think, with all of those trips overseas done by the Obamas, they'd know that movies are regionally coded, and that the US and the UK don't share the same region. But apparently they don't, because they gave the British PM a set of Region 1 dvd's that don't work in the UK!
Then there's PAL (Europe) and NTSC (US) system encoding, which again affects things like watching/playing videos, games, etc.
And finally, outlets, in the US we us ones that us 110-120 volts on a 60Hz frequency, while our Europeans friends use 220-240 volts on a 50Hz frequency. Plug styles are A & B in the US, while C & M in Europe. Because of this, most electronic devices are made using different chips, circuits and other parts.
So maybe I haven't been overseas on more trips than the Obama's, but at least I know a little bit about how our continents differ a bit in regards to technology.
I have no problem with the gift, as given the fact that the Queen purchased a iPod mini in the past I'm sure she'll use it. I just am curious if it'll work for more than 1charge.
Annette: slow down, relax, take a deep breath, and re-read the article! The Queen has a 2006 ipod; which is rather old technology. By all accounts she enjoys it.
"Betcha" you listen to Rush...right?
Personally, as a former librarian, I believe there is no better gift than a book.
What is wrong with you people? The Queen likes her IPOD! She has been known to be thrifty and would definitely be uncomfortable with an expensive gift especially during the global recession. Do you all have a prejudice and think it impossible for the Queen to enjoy something so modern? Get a grip!
MIchelle also complimented the Queen saying she loved her in the Movie "The Queen"
I heard that a couple of Reverend Wright's sermon's got on to the Ipod!
Obama gives the queen an Ipod with pictures of her... she gives him a... picture of her... That's funny!
Do any of you neocons read? THE QUEEN HAD AN IPOD AND HE GAVE HER A NEWER VERSION. As far as the different outlet types in England, rest easy knowing that there are smarter people than you in the White House and they are aware of the differences.
The reason Nova's so confused is because he/she has never actually seen an ipod.
An ipod....is this similar to a boom box? WOW That's laughable. How about a book like "LIBERTY & TYRANNY"?
WOW. We have some serious morons on this post. It's laughable. Do any of you people realize the Queen loves the IPOD? She already has an older version. Plus, these gifts are very much thought about well in advance to be considered appropriate. Think before you speak utter nonsense. The Queeen is down to earth like the rest of us.
Obama should have given her something "manufactured" in the United States by the Democratice Party - say, some worthless reverse swap guarantee derivative securities secured by Toxic and worthless Fannie Mae mortgages, courtesy of barney Frank and Senator Dodd.
"I'm sure George Bush didn't pack his silver framed Royal Family picture when he left for Texas."
He probably had it melted down and a belt-buckle made out of it...
Oh please, this is a new era! Who wants more crummy art to park in a room and gather dust? The queen is more hip than you think – remember she already has one but the one Obama gave her is probably more tech savvy. As to her hubby, when he goes to the islands he asks for local beer. LOL!!!!
ALL THESE HATERS JUST NEEDS TO SHUT UP AND TRY AND GET THERE REPUBLICAN PARTY TOGETHER IN STEAD OF HATEING ON Our President,any little thing he does you have something negative to say-but cha know what? it doesn't matter to us,we support him in all he does we know he is not perfect-but anyone is better than Bush who left him in this mess of a economy and all his congressman,so who is the blame? "OH WELL YOU KNOW"
As an American having spent 20 yrs in the UK, I believe the iPod is an appropriate gift and will be loved by the Queen. She is a famously pragmatic and practical woman (watch the film The Queen). She'll find the video iPod unusual and useful. She's got a million ornaments and useless knicknacks already – perfectly appropriate and representative of Obama's tastes and values as well as the national mood. Who the heck wants to spend tax payers money on unnecessary ceremony these days?
I like the pres, anf the1st lady I think they are doing a great job with what they inharited. I want to say if the $$ given out had been given to the WORKING sally the server or
Joe the plumber we would have been able to get the economy going. If I had just 1 mill I would have payed my bills (cant do that ),Gone on vaca (Havent done that in years) maybe bought a new house or fixed mine. I would not be sitting on my hands (as the banks are) I would and people like me, Sally the server,would have spent money and kept things going.Now I cant pay my house payment regular bills or my credit card billsAND NO ONE CARES WE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU RICH PEOPLE NEED. WHEN R U REALLY GOING TO DO SOMETHING 4 ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sam if you Do, Sam if you don't , you people would complain about anything the queen already had an ipod but he gave her a new one, answer this question if you could give GOD any gift in the world what would it be, remember the Queen has just about everything, if P.O would have brought her a 2013 Lexus with the bucket seat 32 inch rims and a chromed out grille, I can hear the Republicans screaming!!!!!!!
THATS TAX PAYERS MONEY, HE'S SPENDING OUR MONEY ON THE QUEEN !!!!!!!!!
If the ipod doesn't work is the Teleprompter in Chief going to fire the CEO of Apple? You libs are a little slow and will have to think very hard about this one. Don't strain yourselves too much.
Please people give it a rest; of course is a proper gift.
The President gave the Queen two gifts: an IPOD loaded with images and music of her 2007 visit to the United States and A RARE SONGBOOK SIGNED BY RICHARD RODGERS OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN.
Are you rightwing rubes illiterate? Can you read?
Gollee,
If the president had gotten her something a little bit more traditional, some people would complain about spending tax dollars money to do so.
Anyway he swings, some people will never be satisfied.
Here's to all naysayers and all who just dislike him (without knowing a shred about him).
He's the president of the United States, he's here for four years- put on your grown up panties and deal with it.
I've never heard so much whining in my life!
Can Obama just stop pretending and start flying the Hammer & Cycle flag over the White House?
DVDs, Ipod, Reset buttons.....what up w/ these Democrats? I'm not a diplomat, but I am a thinker and I sure wouldn't give them these gifts. TOO FUNNY:) Sounds like comedy material to me.
Teleprompters, IPODs loaded with the Queen's trip, is that all you got wingers? Paul Ryan's budget must be a bust!
LMAO
In a strange coincidence, the Ipod apparently had a few of Reverend Wright's sermons on it, the Prez was watching them on the flight over!
Good one. Maybe he should have given her one of his 12 Teleprompters he had on Airforce-1. LOL. Too Funny, GUYS.
the queen's Buckingham Palace spokeman said she LOVED the gift...
it was more than just a simple ipod.. it was personalized with a signed song book by a famous broadway songwriter...and it was personally autograph...
stop hating folks.......................hundreds of folks were outside waiting to see the Obamas.. eventhough other leaders came to the function..
stop hating folks
lay24,
The whining about Obama has more substance AND there is less of it than there was about Bush. You have a short memory if you think Bush wasn't ridiculed for breathing!
Obama gave GORDON BROWN NTSC region DVD's of American movies! Sounds like something you win at an office party!
Pinhead GOP haters – dittohead types....GO LAY DOWN! It uses up to much of the little intellect you have to desparage our President (yours too whether you like it or not). For once try this:
1) Being patriotic – meaning quite criticizing your President for everything he does
2) Close your mouth so that people don't see how really dumb you are. Its much better than constantly blathering your complaints and leaving no doubt as to your intellectual deficiences.
This President has a very tough job trying to show that America is not full of morons. But rather filled with mostly intelligent / pragmatic / well-educated citizens. If this is not you, listen more and try to learn
The Brits are the only inhabitants of the east side of the Atlantic that could ever have marginally been considered US allies. However, the rest of them....
I think the gift to the Queen was different, but apparently she likes ipods. So thought it was appropriate. What wasn't was what she gave them. Who wants a picture of them???? Sorry, but think that was a bit tacky.
LOL...I know it's tradition but an autographed picture?? Kind of lame and egotistical.
"Are you rightwing rubes illiterate? Can you read?"
Look, I'm a right wing nut, and I can read, but the IPod gift is still stupid and he obviously hasn't learned from his Gordon Brown DVD debacle (very close to being an "International Incident"). I disagree with Obama on most things, so I like to comment when he does something stupid! It's that simple, I get glee from it, and the other side had theirs for years with Bush, can't I have my bashfest now?
The iPod is tacky, but the Richard Rogers songbook (if indeed "rare") is a nice gift.......
Who paid for this iPOD?
An IPOD, I won one during one of my nursing seminars. Once again, this is TOO FUNNY:) Can't stop laughing...lol....lol
Obama ought to have asked Queen Elizabeth to have apologized for the British racists who colonized and looted Africa, and specifically he ought to have demanded an apology from her for the British mistreatment of the Obama family in Kenya, the British torture of his grandfather, and other atrocities committed by the most racist peoples in history.
lol...an i-pod...and Some americans elected this guy...lol! Gooo Obama supporters. I guess he was tryin to make up for the DVDs.
-lol-
ok again this is really another stupid item of news. Worring about a gift. I am more worried about him not speaking correctly without a teleprompter following him around!
tedious898 wrote:
"Pinhead GOP haters – dittohead types….GO LAY DOWN! It uses up to much of the little intellect you have to desparage our President (yours too whether you like it or not)."
I believe you mean that it uses up "too" much of the intellect we have to "disparage"... I apologize if I'm not as "well educated" as you are.
I didn't realize that patriotism means that one may not criticize a public official. When people railed against Bush, we were told that dissent is the highest form of patriotism–which, by the way, is a quote from Howard Zinn who objected to the war on terrorism. Is dissent is no longer patriotic now that Obama is in office?
Having worked in Britain for 10years, I think the queen appreciated this gift. It represents life as Music is life.
The queen's gift to Obama's is, it is good to be yourself and that is why you have come this far.
Thank you for both sides because you are the example!
Dear Seth,
If the only reason you post is to express your "glee" at what you see as the dumb behavior of other folks, I suggest you go to a gym and work those infantile feelings out of your system.
The Queen likes i-pods. She bought one herself. This one is loaded with special videos and footage. He also gave the Royal Family a valuable Stephen Foster songbook that any monarch would be glad to have.
The days of giving royalty expensive gems is over, as in GOP over.
You naysayers,are just jealous of our first couple.Two smart,goodlooking,graceful and warm individuals.
This was an excellent and thoughtful gift. 1. He stroked her ego by loading pictures of her on the IPOD 2. He didn't try to outspend her, that's impossible. 3. He courted the kid in her (give your grandma an IPOD, show her how to use it and see how much she loves it. 4. Loading music that she likes shows that he did his homework.
Everytime she turns it on, she will think of the Obama's and the USA!
Brilliant!
henry,
I think you are right. Obama's are themselves and we need to follow their example!
Barack and Michelle Obama continue to make this country proud!
Amy,
You seem to be posting a lot of nonesense. I have an Ipod from 2007. I would, as the Queen did, LOVE a video IPOD AND a rare book signed by RODGERS or RODGERS and HAMMERSTEIN, wow, that seems traditional, rare, and new. Only someone like our president could think of something so thoughtful. What would you give the Queen? What would be nicer than a rare antic and some new technology? Can't think of anything? Gotcha.
why everybody is just able to judge and give negative opinion? An iPod is perfect from America and to someone who has more than all americans put together....This gift is a simble of the new Era and thecnology...how ignorant are you people....!!!
Stupid white people here think they always know what is best or that they are the smartest thing since sliced bread. They think too highly of themselves and that's why America is in the mess they are in and still...a black man is cleaning up after white people!!!!!!
Why would anybody feel bent out of shape over a gift... in the midst of the world crisis, a small thoughtful gift sounds so much more polite.... for all of you who don't like Obama's gift to the Queen, perhaps he should give a picture of himself and Michelle... focus on the reall issue people!
You idiots are really stupid. An American company created the iPod so why wouldn't he give the latest American hot invention loaded with the footage of the Queen and music the Queen likes. Wow you all should slowly step away from the keyboard.
"Sniffit" you are delusional as most of your right wing nuts are! when obama spoke about not raising your taxes, he didn't mean your cigarette taxes weren't going up! in fact, he's speaking directly regarding our payroll/income taxes..you idiot! you republicans seriously need a dose of reality and stop turning things into something they are not...lies! that's all you repubs are good for...lies, hate, war, more lies, more hate...so sad.
@tedious898 April 1st, 2009 5:15 pm ET
Pot, Kettle, Black!
"Stupid white people here think they always know what is best or that they are the smartest thing since sliced bread. They think too highly of themselves and that's why America is in the mess they are in and still…a black man is cleaning up after white people!!!!!"
Is that you Reverend Wright?
Really?,I`m going to take that as a racist comment
I wonder if the lady even knows what to do with it?
Right,Rene,so I guess tobacco bags going from $15 a bag to $40 is just acceptable in your mind?
heaven forbid that the president of the united states provide a gift to the queen of england.
i see obama haters/GOP zombies ripping the president for nothing more than a kind gesture. i imagine that they would pefer to give the queen a yearly subscription to "guns n' ammo" or the directors cut of "an american carol.:
as for the cost of an ipod – give me a break. where was this outrage when W & dick were giving money hand-over-fist to their contractor chums in iraq & afganistan.
Ipod $210
meeting the queen of Whales $4000
The queen shacking it to Rich. Rogers now thats PRICELESS
Well knowing that the Queen gives out signed photos in advance its not bad. Atleast its not another DVD collection next to historic artifacts.
Hope Bill Gates wasn't a big contributor!!
To Really? Are you racist or what? Some of Obama's stupid white people in office are still messing things up. I think the whites have done more cleaning.
Well why haven't you printed it?
Bet you're going to print that one line that doesn't make sense!!!
And Ipod? Well, I guess it's better than a pile of Region 1 DVD's that she wouldn't be able to play...morons...
An IPod would be a great gift for your teenage daughter, but not for the Queen of England.
Wall paper.... wall paper, Obama needs to tell the Queen that she can download wallpaper over the internet.... the one Judge Judy misunderstood! Way to go dude Obama? I'm with you!