It's the Thought that Counts...

As an Obama fan and supporter, I am frankly embarrassed by the huge inequity in the recent gift exchange.

I could maybe understand if the Prime Minister had just sprung the gifts on the Obamas as a complete surprise, and all they had time to do was send a poor aide to the White House gift shop (which is where you can apparently buy the toy helicopters which were purchased for the PM’s sons).

I can understand men not knowing how to buy an appropriate gift, since this isn’t usually their field of expertise, which is why they often delegate such tasks to their secretary or personal assistant.

What I am even more ashamed about is the fact that all the articles say Michelle Obama was the one to choose the toy helicopters. Since Mrs. Brown is credited with choosing books and outfits for the girls, how did Michelle so badly drop the proverbial ball? Was she too busy with PTA meetings and helping the girls with their homework that this little task just snuck up on her facilitating a last minute dash out?

In Obama’s defense, I thought the dvds were a nice touch (at least they were special editions!), even if they were movies everyone has seen a million times. Perhaps a better choice would have been a box set of “West Wing” or “W,” though my two favorite presidential movies are “Dave” and “The American President.” I also like “All the President’s Men,” but that might not set the right tone.

I’m not sure what I’d suggest as a gift for the prime minister’s sons not knowing their ages, but if they’re tweens, then maybe something autographed by either the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus?

If the Obamas are reading this, if the situation should ever arise again, don’t hesitate to call. I promise to buy top-rated gifts that won’t embarrass you or bankrupt the economy. After all, what price do you put on good diplomatic relations? We don’t have too many friends out there, so we can hardly afford to lose one who has always been there for us.