QuotePresident and First Lady Obama gave Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II a video iPod with inscription, songs uploaded and accessories, plus a rare musical songbook signed by Richard Rodgers.
Uploaded onto the iPod:
* Photos from the Queen's 2007 White House State Visit
* Photos from the Queen's 2007 Jamestown, Va., Visit
* Photos from the Queen's 2007 Richmond, Va., Visit
* Video from the Queen's 1957 Jamestown Visit
* Video from the Queen's 2007 Jamestown Visit
* Video from the Queen's 2007 Richmond Visit
* Photos from President Obama's Inauguration
* Audio of then-state senator Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and
* Audio of President Obama 2009 Inauguration Address
Britain's Press Association reports that the Royal couple gave the Obamas "a silver-framed, signed photograph of themselves."
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/what-does-one-g.html
:bowler:
At least the speeches weren't the only thing on there. Surprising, given Obama's egomania.
The Queen smiled and thanked him for his gift. The she went back to her apartments, had some cherry, and filed the ipod with the headhunter necklace from Papua New Guinea, the eagle feather headress from Alberta, Thatcher's signed autobiography from Westminster, and other assorted "trophies" from public life.
and then her corgis ate it.
At least the ipod isn't encoded for North American use only, unlike the $19.95 DVD collection he gave Gordon Brown when he visited the US. Is the obamateur really that fucking incompetent that he can't follow basic diplomatic etiquette? You'd figure after all the flak he caught over the embarrasing receiption for Brown a few weeks ago he'd learn something. So much for being "sophisticated". That cowboy Bush was far more diplomatic than this idiot.
Man, that's hubris.
Hans: if you knew what a powerful weapon satire was, your blind partisan robot rage would go over much better.
Tim: you have a map to draw. go to bed.
Did anyone actually think that Obama was sophisticated? I thought it was fairly well-known that he was a jumped up ward boss, and that associating with the leadership classes would always be awkward.
This has to be an April Fool's joke.
Who paid for this bullshit? The taxpayer?
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2009, 10:47:17 PM
Who paid for this bullshit? The taxpayer?
Well we sure didn't pay much if we did.
Quote from: Valmy on April 01, 2009, 10:51:23 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 01, 2009, 10:47:17 PM
Who paid for this bullshit? The taxpayer?
Well we sure didn't pay much if we did.
After the billions in stimulus and such there just wasn't enough in the budget for diplomatic gifts :P
Wow. The idea of giving someone a copy of your own speech.
Fuck, why not a signed Collectors Edition set of his books while he was at it?
Or maybe an essay written by him titled "How I would run England if I were the fucking Queen".
Quote from: DGuller on April 01, 2009, 10:45:58 PM
This has to be an April Fool's joke.
Yeah, gotta be.
Quote from: Berkut on April 01, 2009, 10:58:00 PM
Wow. The idea of giving someone a copy of your own speech.
Fuck, why not a signed Collectors Edition set of his books while he was at it?
Or maybe an essay written by him titled "How I would run England if I were the fucking Queen".
Oh please she gave him an autographed photo of herself.
He should have gave her the family dog.
Quote from: Weatherman on April 01, 2009, 08:12:42 PM
QuotePresident and First Lady Obama gave Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II a video iPod with inscription, songs uploaded and accessories, plus a rare musical songbook signed by Richard Rodgers.
Uploaded onto the iPod:
* Photos from the Queen's 2007 White House State Visit
* Photos from the Queen's 2007 Jamestown, Va., Visit
* Photos from the Queen's 2007 Richmond, Va., Visit
* Video from the Queen's 1957 Jamestown Visit
* Video from the Queen's 2007 Jamestown Visit
* Video from the Queen's 2007 Richmond Visit
* Photos from President Obama's Inauguration
* Audio of then-state senator Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and
* Audio of President Obama 2009 Inauguration Address
Britain's Press Association reports that the Royal couple gave the Obamas "a silver-framed, signed photograph of themselves."
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/what-does-one-g.html
:bowler:
She should give it to Philip; I'm sure he'd enjoy it. :bowler:
Quote from: Valmy on April 01, 2009, 11:08:20 PM
Oh please she gave him an autographed photo of herself.
Appalling :mad:
Who died and made her queen? :mad:
The region 1 cockup was pretty stupid, but I just can't see myself in Obama's position having any clue what kind of gift to give on a state visit. I'd probably do something really moronic like giving Angela Merkel Goring's Field Marshal baton from the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning.
Quote from: Savonarola on April 02, 2009, 12:54:38 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 01, 2009, 11:08:20 PM
Oh please she gave him an autographed photo of herself.
Appalling :mad:
Who died and made her queen? :mad:
Some guy named George or Ed. Can't say for sure.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on April 02, 2009, 01:09:57 AM
The region 1 cockup was pretty stupid, but I just can't see myself in Obama's position having any clue what kind of gift to give on a state visit. I'd probably do something really moronic like giving Angela Merkel Goring's Field Marshal baton from the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning.
It's easy you just give some random victorian crap, a table, chair, or dinning set, that you know noone in thier right mind would ever use, but is rather hard to get a hold of. Extra points if it somehow relates to the country you are giving it to.
Not something one can buy a a local store.
Just when I think I couldn't be any more embarrassed by my black president. :(
That's a fantastically lame gift.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on April 02, 2009, 01:09:57 AM
The region 1 cockup was pretty stupid, but I just can't see myself in Obama's position having any clue what kind of gift to give on a state visit. I'd probably do something really moronic like giving Angela Merkel Goring's Field Marshal baton from the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning.
Well surely there's an entire deparment in the State Department that deals with protocol and this sort of thing.
The Queen gets given all sorts of amazing rubbish, which can be very entertaining in it's eclectic entirety.
Saw a good TV prog a few years back about it. Presented by Charles IIRC. All the gifts are carefully stored and catalogued, so that they can be retrieved or mentioned if it will help oil the diplomatic wheels.
Next time Obama meets with Brown, he can give him an American DVD player. Then the time after that, he can give him a power adapter.
Quote from: DGuller on April 02, 2009, 02:55:11 AM
Next time Obama meets with Brown, he can give him an American DVD player. Then the time after that, he can give him a power adapter.
See Obama is planning ahead, he's a thinker.
Quote from: DGuller on April 02, 2009, 02:55:11 AM
Next time Obama meets with Brown, he can give him an American DVD player. Then the time after that, he can give him a power adapter.
He'll need a voltage adapter too, so there's a fourth gift set up. Genius.
What's the difference between a power adapter and a voltage adapter?
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 02:43:25 AM
Well surely there's an entire deparment in the State Department that deals with protocol and this sort of thing.
Yes, it's not like Barack went to the DVD store and picked out those DVDs. He had Hillary do it.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 02, 2009, 02:48:38 AM
The Queen gets given all sorts of amazing rubbish, which can be very entertaining in it's eclectic entirety.
Saw a good TV prog a few years back about it. Presented by Charles IIRC. All the gifts are carefully stored and catalogued, so that they can be retrieved or mentioned if it will help oil the diplomatic wheels.
The US President does as well. I saw some of the state gifts Gerald Ford received while in ofice at the Gerald Ford Library. Among other things he had a Declaration of Independence written in macaroni.
Quote from: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 04:34:43 AM
What's the difference between a power adapter and a voltage adapter?
1/current :nerd:
I think Arkestra means a plug adapter (or thought DGUller meant a plug adapter); power and voltage are directly related in this case.
Quote from: Savonarola on April 02, 2009, 07:58:24 AM
Quote from: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 04:34:43 AM
What's the difference between a power adapter and a voltage adapter?
1/current :nerd:
I think Arkestra means a plug adapter (or thought DGUller meant a plug adapter); power and voltage are directly related in this case.
Most power/plug adapters sold just sort the prongs out. But to use US equipment in Europe and vice versa, you need the appropriate voltage adapter.
For comparison, a plug adapter costs about £3. A voltage adapter, about £60.
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 02:43:25 AM
Well surely there's an entire deparment in the State Department that deals with protocol and this sort of thing.
No you are mistaken. It is all Obama - he personally loads up all the foreign leader Ipod tracks and sends them on with a BFF note.
Quote from: Warspite on April 02, 2009, 08:44:35 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 02, 2009, 07:58:24 AM
Quote from: Delirium on April 02, 2009, 04:34:43 AM
What's the difference between a power adapter and a voltage adapter?
1/current :nerd:
I think Arkestra means a plug adapter (or thought DGUller meant a plug adapter); power and voltage are directly related in this case.
Most power/plug adapters sold just sort the prongs out. But to use US equipment in Europe and vice versa, you need the appropriate voltage adapter.
For comparison, a plug adapter costs about £3. A voltage adapter, about £60.
Aren't most appliance adapters already set up for dual use?
heh. I wonder what Mr. Battenberg is thinking?
shit, the brits are short.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.huffingtonpost.com%2Fgadgets%2Fslideshows%2F1299%2Fslide_1299_19174_large.jpg&hash=c54b26027990126d3dc356603b1dec81756b9348)
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 02:43:25 AM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on April 02, 2009, 01:09:57 AM
The region 1 cockup was pretty stupid, but I just can't see myself in Obama's position having any clue what kind of gift to give on a state visit. I'd probably do something really moronic like giving Angela Merkel Goring's Field Marshal baton from the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning.
Well surely there's an entire deparment in the State Department that deals with protocol and this sort of thing.
According to Newsweek the White House was unaware that the State department had a protocol office. :lol:
Obviously, he should have given her a sex toy. :P
Quote from: saskganesh on April 02, 2009, 09:12:01 AM
heh. I wonder what Mr. Battenberg is thinking?
No doubt something hillarious that would offend black people everywhere.
Quote from: saskganesh on April 02, 2009, 09:12:01 AM
heh. I wonder what Mr. Battenberg is thinking?
shit, the brits are short.
Actually, I think it's that the Obamas are tall.
Here's the Torygraph's take on ipod-gate and the US protocol:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/g20-summit/5090471/President-Obama-gives-the-Queen-an-iPod.html
QuoteThe Queen was delighted as the iPod was loaded with images of her trip to Virginia as part of her official tour of the United States two years ago, in 2007 . . . Mr Obama was the only G20 leader granted a private meeting with the Queen
Here's what the Sun had to say:
QuoteBARACK Obama gave the Queen a personalised iPod last night as president met monarch for the first time . . . And it showed the US leader's thoughtfulness — as the Queen is known to be a fan of iPods and has one that can hold 100,000 songs.
Not surprisingly, the only people who seem to be insulted are Obama's dittohead critics at home.
Quote from: Warspite on April 02, 2009, 08:44:35 AM
Most power/plug adapters sold just sort the prongs out. But to use US equipment in Europe and vice versa, you need the appropriate voltage adapter.
For comparison, a plug adapter costs about £3. A voltage adapter, about £60.
Calling a plug adapter a power adapter is misleading since a plug adapter doesn't change the power (though they could be marketed as that in the UK.) A voltage adapter does change the power; and in the United States they're commonly marketed as power adapters.
Quote from: saskganesh on April 02, 2009, 09:12:01 AM
shit, the brits are short.
Soon, she will shrink into nothingness, and Charles will turn into a tampon.
Quote from: Savonarola on April 02, 2009, 09:32:31 AM
Quote from: Warspite on April 02, 2009, 08:44:35 AM
Most power/plug adapters sold just sort the prongs out. But to use US equipment in Europe and vice versa, you need the appropriate voltage adapter.
For comparison, a plug adapter costs about £3. A voltage adapter, about £60.
Calling a plug adapter a power adapter is misleading since a plug adapter doesn't change the power (though they could be marketed as that in the UK.) A voltage adapter does change the power; and in the United States they're commonly marketed as power adapters.
Even the NEW, and well not really improved, lanquish is all about minutiae. Best I know the most common name for it all is, power cord and (voltage) adapter.
About the photo blacks are tall, old whitey is short, but honestly Philip, I assume that is Philip, doesn't look like a guy I wanna mess with. I'd take the old man in an honest fight, but the greek bastard looks like he has something up his sleeve. You know what they say about WW2 people, either trickey or dead.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 02, 2009, 09:30:11 AM
Here's the Torygraph's take on ipod-gate and the US protocol:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/g20-summit/5090471/President-Obama-gives-the-Queen-an-iPod.html
QuoteThe Queen was delighted as the iPod was loaded with images of her trip to Virginia as part of her official tour of the United States two years ago, in 2007 . . . Mr Obama was the only G20 leader granted a private meeting with the Queen
Here's what the Sun had to say:
QuoteBARACK Obama gave the Queen a personalised iPod last night as president met monarch for the first time . . . And it showed the US leader's thoughtfulness — as the Queen is known to be a fan of iPods and has one that can hold 100,000 songs.
Not surprisingly, the only people who seem to be insulted are Obama's dittohead critics at home.
Well, the brits are certainly taking it much better than most Americans.
It does seem like such a crass gift though - is Best Buy Obamas sponsor or something?
There was some guy from the Guardian on NPR this morning who said the protocol people where more concerned about the fact that Mochelle Obama put her arm around the Queens shoulders - which was not kosher or something, I guess. In fact, he said he doesn't think it has ever been done.
The Queen reacted with aplomb though, and put her arm round Mrs. Obama's waist, and the Special Relationship will apparently survive.
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AM
Well, the brits are certainly taking it much better than most Americans.
It does seem like such a crass gift though - is Best Buy Obamas sponsor or something?
I guess the question is what is the expected diplomatic gift? Maybe this sort of crap is par for the course.
Quote from: Valmy on April 02, 2009, 09:52:17 AM
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AM
Well, the brits are certainly taking it much better than most Americans.
It does seem like such a crass gift though - is Best Buy Obamas sponsor or something?
I guess the question is what is the expected diplomatic gift? Maybe this sort of crap is par for the course.
Well, it isn't - which is kind of the point. He seems to be pulling it off though.
Consumer electronics are not generally high level diplomatic gifts.
Quote from: Neil on April 02, 2009, 09:23:03 AM
Quote from: saskganesh on April 02, 2009, 09:12:01 AM
heh. I wonder what Mr. Battenberg is thinking?
No doubt something hillarious that would offend black people everywhere.
well, it's his trademark:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1848553.stm
Could you imagine the screeching from the left if Bush had given someone an iPod as a diplomatic gift? :lmfao:
They would have gone bonkers.
And yes, I mean YOU JR!
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AMThere was some guy from the Guardian on NPR this morning who said the protocol people where more concerned about the fact that Mochelle Obama put her arm around the Queens shoulders - which was not kosher or something, I guess. In fact, he said he doesn't think it has ever been done.
The Queen reacted with aplomb though, and put her arm round Mrs. Obama's waist, and the Special Relationship will apparently survive.
Didn't a former Aussie PM grab the queen? I remember the British press nicknaming him "The Lizard of Oz" for doing that. :lol:
Quote from: Caliga on April 02, 2009, 09:58:53 AM
Didn't a former Aussie PM grab the queen? I remember the British press nicknaming him "The Lizard of Oz" for doing that. :lol:
I bet Keating did that. The dude was cool. I remember when they used to show the Aussie parliment on C-SPAN, and the guy was a hoot.
Quote from: saskganesh on April 02, 2009, 09:57:06 AM
Quote from: Neil on April 02, 2009, 09:23:03 AM
Quote from: saskganesh on April 02, 2009, 09:12:01 AM
heh. I wonder what Mr. Battenberg is thinking?
No doubt something hillarious that would offend black people everywhere.
well, it's his trademark:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1848553.stm
I'm a bad person - I laughed at most of those.
Particularly this one:
Quote"If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has got two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and it is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it." (at a 1986 World Wildlife Fund meeting)
:D
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:57:30 AM
Could you imagine the screeching from the left if Bush had given someone an iPod as a diplomatic gift? :lmfao:
They would have gone bonkers.
And yes, I mean YOU JR!
Maybe. he probably gave them stuff like cowboy boots.
Enjoy!
http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/c29447.htm
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 02, 2009, 10:08:40 AM
Enjoy!
http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/c29447.htm
It would appear the principal purpose of that unit is to track gifts given and received to ensure compliance with federal bribery and corruption law.
If it's OK for the Sultan of Brunei to give Bush a CD entitled "Jazz for Quiet Moments," a custom engraved ipod for the Queen seems OK.
I find the Duke of Edinburgh rather amusing, it's not an appalling list of gaffes for nearly 60 years of attending tedious diplomatic receptions, factory-openings, ship-launchings etc etc
Now the Queen, 57 years of doing the job and she never puts a foot wrong..........it's uncanny :huh:
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AM
There was some guy from the Guardian on NPR this morning who said the protocol people where more concerned about the fact that Mochelle Obama put her arm around the Queens shoulders - which was not kosher or something, I guess. In fact, he said he doesn't think it has ever been done.
The Queen reacted with aplomb though, and put her arm round Mrs. Obama's waist, and the Special Relationship will apparently survive.
You don't touch the Queen in public. But, apparently Her Maj initiated it and got on famously with Michelle Obama especially (unlike the last Touchgate when Australian PM, Paul Keating slapped the Queen's arse :lol:). I think the royal meeting went well, the Duke of Edinburgh even made a mildly racist joke - so all went well.
As far as I can tell the White House are being especially friendly with the British government because they were really surprised that Brown in Washington played as a snub in our media.
Edit: And, incidentally, we did have a minor protocol heart attack when George W Bush winked at the Queen :lol:
I think the American gift is better than the Mexican one. So, by the looks of it, does Phillip:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royal.gov.uk%2FList%2520Images%2FState%2520Visits%2FMexico%2520March09%2FMexico%2520Visit6.jpg&hash=131565b8c571e0499d26a42ee289328529b5f691)
I dunno, levitating sombrero looks cool to me.
Looking at gifts the Queen's received it's a bit of a mixed bag. George Bush sr. gave her a pair of cowboy boots. Germany once gave her a canary. Brazil showed decidedly Republican leaning by sending her jaguars(!) and sloths(?).
I think my favourite is Canada for gifting her two beavers :lol:
Here's the site:
http://www.royal.gov.uk/The%20Royal%20Collection%20and%20other%20collections/TheRoyalCollection/TheRoyalCollection.aspx
Quote from: Malthus on April 02, 2009, 10:00:35 AM
I'm a bad person - I laughed at most of those.
Particularly this one:
Quote"If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has got two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and it is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it." (at a 1986 World Wildlife Fund meeting)
:D
Yeah, that's pretty brilliant. :D
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 10:42:51 AM
Edit: And, incidentally, we did have a minor protocol heart attack when George W Bush winked at the Queen :lol:
Yeah, but did he ever take her for a ride around the ranch in his pickup truck? I think the Queen missed out on that. :bowler:
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 02, 2009, 10:29:00 AM
If it's OK for the Sultan of Brunei to give Bush a CD entitled "Jazz for Quiet Moments," a custom engraved ipod for the Queen seems OK.
Nay. A gift of apple products is never appropriate. And it certainly isn't appropriate to give a copy of your own speeches when you are about as worldly as a newborn.
Quote from: garbon on April 02, 2009, 11:01:38 AM
Nay. A gift of apple products is never appropriate. And it certainly isn't appropriate to give a copy of your own speeches when you are about as worldly as a newborn.
I thought it was of the Queen's state visit to the US in 2007 (though she already has a DVD of that, from the Bushes).
Anyway the Daily Mail is very excited by the whole presence of the Queen:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1166490/Michelle-Obama-breaks-royal-protocol-giving-Queen-hug.html
:lol:
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 11:07:05 AM
I thought it was of the Queen's state visit to the US in 2007 (though she already has a DVD of that, from the Bushes).
The intro article for this thread and one I read from bloomberg said that it had songs (show tunes), some photos and stuff from the queen's state visit and then 3 speeches by Obama.
Here's from the Chicago SunTimes:
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/1508272,obama-queen-elizabeth-ipod-040209.article
Quotephotos of the president's January inauguration, as well as mp3s of Obama's inaugural address and his 2004 speech to the Democratic National Convention.
I guess Hillary was wrong. Obama didn't just give a speech in 2004...he gave it to the Queen. :blush:
Obama should have included his audio book in there ;)
Quote from: fahdiz on April 02, 2009, 10:51:58 AM
Quote from: Malthus on April 02, 2009, 10:00:35 AM
I'm a bad person - I laughed at most of those.
Particularly this one:
Quote"If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has got two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and it is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it." (at a 1986 World Wildlife Fund meeting)
:D
Yeah, that's pretty brilliant. :D
:lmfao: I love that guy. Didn't he actually make a spear-chucker joke when he was in Swaziland once? Prince Philip for Emperor.
Quote from: garbon on April 02, 2009, 11:15:21 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 11:07:05 AM
I thought it was of the Queen's state visit to the US in 2007 (though she already has a DVD of that, from the Bushes).
The intro article for this thread and one I read from bloomberg said that it had songs (show tunes), some photos and stuff from the queen's state visit and then 3 speeches by Obama.
Here's from the Chicago SunTimes:
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/1508272,obama-queen-elizabeth-ipod-040209.article
Quotephotos of the president's January inauguration, as well as mp3s of Obama's inaugural address and his 2004 speech to the Democratic National Convention.
I guess Hillary was wrong. Obama didn't just give a speech in 2004...he gave it to the Queen. :blush:
Oops. British press hasn't mentioned that :blush:
Quote from: Caliga on April 02, 2009, 11:49:27 AM
:lmfao: I love that guy. Didn't he actually make a spear-chucker joke when he was in Swaziland once? Prince Philip for Emperor.
Australia, actually, talking to aborigines.
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AM
It does seem like such a crass gift though - is Best Buy Obamas sponsor or something?
Joschka Fischer once gave Colin Powell a couple bottles of Flensburger beer, a favorite of Powell during his time stationed in Germany. Powell later returned the bottles to Fischer in a plastic bag at their next meeting so that Fischer could collect the bottle deposit.
QuoteDuring her reign Her Majesty has received lacrosse sticks, sunglasses, a pair of sandals, pineapples, eggs, a box of snail shells, a grove of maple trees, a dozen tins of of tuna and 7kg of prawns.
Sounds like souvenirs from a Carribean vacation (except the maple trees).
Obama should have gave the queen the gift of unrestrained national power.
Quote from: Syt on April 02, 2009, 12:03:34 PM
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AM
It does seem like such a crass gift though - is Best Buy Obamas sponsor or something?
Joschka Fischer once gave Colin Powell a couple bottles of Flensburger beer, a favorite of Powell during his time stationed in Germany. Powell later returned the bottles to Fischer in a plastic bag at their next meeting so that Fischer could collect the bottle deposit.
See, now that is fucking cool.
Although I don't really like beer.
Quote from: Syt on April 02, 2009, 12:03:34 PM
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AM
It does seem like such a crass gift though - is Best Buy Obamas sponsor or something?
Joschka Fischer once gave Colin Powell a couple bottles of Flensburger beer, a favorite of Powell during his time stationed in Germany. Powell later returned the bottles to Fischer in a plastic bag at their next meeting so that Fischer could collect the bottle deposit.
:lmfao:
Quote from: Syt on April 02, 2009, 12:03:34 PM
Quote from: Berkut on April 02, 2009, 09:49:54 AM
It does seem like such a crass gift though - is Best Buy Obamas sponsor or something?
Joschka Fischer once gave Colin Powell a couple bottles of Flensburger beer, a favorite of Powell during his time stationed in Germany. Powell later returned the bottles to Fischer in a plastic bag at their next meeting so that Fischer could collect the bottle deposit.
Wow... what kind of prices are on your bottle deposits anyway? :huh:
;)
Quote from: KRonn on April 02, 2009, 12:15:40 PM
Wow... what kind of prices are on your bottle deposits anyway? :huh:
Germany? 0.08 (normal bottle) or 0.15 € (swing top cap).
Quote from: KRonn on April 02, 2009, 12:15:40 PM
Wow... what kind of prices are on your bottle deposits anyway? :huh:
;)
Fischer was the head of the Green Party at the time.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 02, 2009, 12:55:54 PM
Quote from: KRonn on April 02, 2009, 12:15:40 PM
Wow... what kind of prices are on your bottle deposits anyway? :huh:
;)
Fischer was the head of the Green Party at the time.
Oh, in that case it was actually very clever of Powell.
Quote from: DGuller on April 02, 2009, 12:59:08 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 02, 2009, 12:55:54 PM
Quote from: KRonn on April 02, 2009, 12:15:40 PM
Wow... what kind of prices are on your bottle deposits anyway? :huh:
;)
Fischer was the head of the Green Party at the time.
Oh, in that case it was actually very clever of Powell.
Yes, both the present of the beer and the return of the bottles are actually pretty cool :cool:
Quote from: Caliga on April 02, 2009, 09:58:53 AM
Didn't a former Aussie PM grab the queen? I remember the British press nicknaming him "The Lizard of Oz" for doing that. :lol:
There was a Quebecker MP who copped a feel too.
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 02, 2009, 09:15:02 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 02:43:25 AM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on April 02, 2009, 01:09:57 AM
The region 1 cockup was pretty stupid, but I just can't see myself in Obama's position having any clue what kind of gift to give on a state visit. I'd probably do something really moronic like giving Angela Merkel Goring's Field Marshal baton from the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning.
Well surely there's an entire deparment in the State Department that deals with protocol and this sort of thing.
According to Newsweek the White House was unaware that the State department had a protocol office. :lol:
A step up from the last adminstration that was unaware that there was a State Department.
Quote from: Razgovory on April 02, 2009, 06:13:51 PM
A step up from the last adminstration that was unaware that there was a State Department.
:lmfao:
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 01, 2009, 09:18:09 PM
At least the ipod isn't encoded for North American use only, unlike the $19.95 DVD collection he gave Gordon Brown when he visited the US. Is the obamateur really that fucking incompetent that he can't follow basic diplomatic etiquette? You'd figure after all the flak he caught over the embarrasing receiption for Brown a few weeks ago he'd learn something. So much for being "sophisticated". That cowboy Bush was far more diplomatic than this idiot.
Gotta love those backrubs.
Besides, what do you give the woman who's got everything?
But as an aside, the DVD collection was a bit minor league, considering the gift Brown offered. Oh well, Gordo will get over it.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 02, 2009, 06:45:02 PM
But as an aside, the DVD collection was a bit minor league, considering the gift Brown offered. Oh well, Gordo will get over it.
It wasn't a great gift, especially given the DVD region thing.
But I think it's been overplayed. The papers that said it was embarassing and indicative of a downgrading of the special relationship were, overwhelmingly, right-wing, Tory papers. They wanted the trip to fail, and every journalist enjoyed the chaos.
Similarly when Bush gave Blair a US Air Force bomber jacket the Guardian, the Independent and the Mirror (all left-wing, anti-war papers) screamed bloody murder and had a field day with it.
What made it worse, though, was Brown's gift was very thoughtful. Especially given that, so far as I can tell, Blair tended to give Bush jumpers. I wonder if maybe you're meant to go wild with the first meeting and after that, when you know your opposite number you can relax a bit?
Edit: Incidentally those same papers who saw a snub in the Brown gift think the iPod is actually rather thoughtful and touching. That's because they're fundamentally rather pro-US and would hate for 'the special relationship' to actually be declining. They also may hate Brown and not mind a bit of humiliation for him, but anything that hinted at lese-majeste wouldn't be acceptable.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 02, 2009, 06:45:02 PM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 01, 2009, 09:18:09 PM
At least the ipod isn't encoded for North American use only, unlike the $19.95 DVD collection he gave Gordon Brown when he visited the US. Is the obamateur really that fucking incompetent that he can't follow basic diplomatic etiquette? You'd figure after all the flak he caught over the embarrasing receiption for Brown a few weeks ago he'd learn something. So much for being "sophisticated". That cowboy Bush was far more diplomatic than this idiot.
Gotta love those backrubs.
Besides, what do you give the woman who's got everything?
But as an aside, the DVD collection was a bit minor league, considering the gift Brown offered. Oh well, Gordo will get over it.
Everything Obama does is minor league. Just wait until he brings gun-loving Putin an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.
Quote from: Sheilbh on April 02, 2009, 06:50:15 PM
Similarly when Bush gave Blair a US Air Force bomber jacket the Guardian, the Independent and the Mirror (all left-wing, anti-war papers) screamed bloody murder and had a field day with it.
That sounds pretty cool. I bet Tony scored all the babes while wearing it.
Quote from: Neil on April 02, 2009, 06:50:47 PMEverything Obama does is minor league. Just wait until he brings gun-loving Putin an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.
Stop hating black people, socialist.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 02, 2009, 07:01:35 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 02, 2009, 06:50:47 PMEverything Obama does is minor league. Just wait until he brings gun-loving Putin an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.
Stop hating black people, socialist.
What have they done to deserve not being hated?
Besides, you're the one who voted for the Leninist.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 02, 2009, 06:45:02 PM
Quote from: Hansmeister on April 01, 2009, 09:18:09 PM
At least the ipod isn't encoded for North American use only, unlike the $19.95 DVD collection he gave Gordon Brown when he visited the US. Is the obamateur really that fucking incompetent that he can't follow basic diplomatic etiquette? You'd figure after all the flak he caught over the embarrasing receiption for Brown a few weeks ago he'd learn something. So much for being "sophisticated". That cowboy Bush was far more diplomatic than this idiot.
Gotta love those backrubs.
Besides, what do you give the woman who's got everything?
But as an aside, the DVD collection was a bit minor league, considering the gift Brown offered. Oh well, Gordo will get over it.
Yeah, Brown's present to Obama was pretty good, he'll probably actually use it on his desk in the White House.
The Queen won't mind. At Christmas the royal family always buy each other really cheap and silly presents, things like mooning garden gnomes or novelty radios. they set the limit at £5 I've heard.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 03, 2009, 02:32:21 AM
Yeah, Brown's present to Obama was pretty good, he'll probably actually use it on his desk in the White House.
The Queen won't mind. At Christmas the royal family always buy each other really cheap and silly presents, things like mooning garden gnomes or novelty radios. they set the limit at £5 I've heard.
Hmm, I guess this answers the question of "What do you give to someone who has everything?" Give them something cheap, novelty like, fun or funny!
As for the gift given by Pres Obama, it's fine. Too much over nothing. And the Queen will use it as she likes that stuff; and I guess the Obamas checked before hand.
Quote from: Savonarola on April 02, 2009, 09:32:31 AM
Calling a plug adapter a power adapter is misleading since a plug adapter doesn't change the power (though they could be marketed as that in the UK.) A voltage adapter does change the power; and in the United States they're commonly marketed as power adapters.
I have never heard the term. I have heard of transformers, which is the common name for a device that transforms from one type of electrical current to another. I understand that you are talking about how they are marketed, though, not how they are commonly referred to.
Any such transformer won't make a DVD player work, however, as the lower frequency of UK current will only drive the motor at 5/6 of designed speed.
Quote from: grumbler on April 03, 2009, 09:13:41 AM
I have never heard the term. I have heard of transformers, which is the common name for a device that transforms from one type of electrical current to another. I understand that you are talking about how they are marketed, though, not how they are commonly referred to.
Any such transformer won't make a DVD player work, however, as the lower frequency of UK current will only drive the motor at 5/6 of designed speed.
A transformer is a device that passes electrical energy from one circuit to another via inductance. They're an easy way to change voltage with minimal amount of power loss. The most common example of a transformer are those on power lines which transform the 135 kV of the power lines to the 120 V used in houses. This is what voltage adapters do as well; they change the 220 V used in Europe to the 120 V used in the United States or vice versa. I don't believe voltage adapters change frequency from the 60 Hz used in the US to 50 Hz used in Europe. I could be wrong, but it would be fairly easy to adapt that in the device itself.
Quote from: Savonarola on April 03, 2009, 09:46:45 AM
I could be wrong...
But I sincerely doubt it.
I meant that as a compliment.
Quote from: Savonarola on April 03, 2009, 09:46:45 AM
A transformer is a device that passes electrical energy from one circuit to another via inductance. They're an easy way to change voltage with minimal amount of power loss. The most common example of a transformer are those on power lines which transform the 135 kV of the power lines to the 120 V used in houses. This is what voltage adapters do as well; they change the 220 V used in Europe to the 120 V used in the United States or vice versa. I don't believe voltage adapters change frequency from the 60 Hz used in the US to 50 Hz used in Europe. I could be wrong, but it would be fairly easy to adapt that in the device itself.
When I lived in Germany I used a couple of these things: http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog1_0.html
I didn't have any problems using any eletronics.
Quote from: Savonarola on April 03, 2009, 09:46:45 AM
I don't believe voltage adapters change frequency from the 60 Hz used in the US to 50 Hz used in Europe. I could be wrong, but it would be fairly easy to adapt that in the device itself.
:huh: How would you adapt your dvd player to account for the fact that the motor is only running at 5/6 its designed speed (and thus the spindle is only moving at that speed)? Install new gears? That doesn't sound "fairly easy" to me.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 03, 2009, 10:34:48 AM
When I lived in Germany I used a couple of these things: http://www.dvdoverseas.com/store/index.html?loadfile=catalog1_0.html
I didn't have any problems using any eletronics.
When I lived in Britain I had some of those for a few things i had that were not dual voltage. They don't convert frequency, though, and is is recommended that US electrical motors (and anything containing them) not be run on UK power. I ran a regular box fan on a transformer for a while (it ran at 5/6 speed) until I could get a British box fan. Transformers are not energy-efficient.
Luckily for me, my turntables and tape players were all dual-voltage dual-frequency, so I could just move a selector and run them straight off the wall plug (of which I had four different kinds in a three-room flat!)
Quote from: grumbler on April 03, 2009, 12:10:23 PM
:huh: How would you adapt your dvd player to account for the fact that the motor is only running at 5/6 its designed speed (and thus the spindle is only moving at that speed)? Install new gears? That doesn't sound "fairly easy" to me.
There are many different ways to convert the frequency electrically. The easiest way to make a motor run irrespective of frequency is to convert the input voltage to DC and use a DC motor. This is what a laptop and a portable DVD player do, which is why your motor doesn't stop when your input voltage goes from 60 Hz to 0 Hz.
Silly Euros, using the wrong kind of voltage... must be a nuclear power thing. :bowler:
;)
Quote from: Savonarola on April 03, 2009, 12:28:29 PM
There are many different ways to convert the frequency electrically. The easiest way to make a motor run irrespective of frequency is to convert the input voltage to DC and use a DC motor. This is what a laptop and a portable DVD player do, which is why your motor doesn't stop when your input voltage goes from 60 Hz to 0 Hz.
Replacing the DVD player's motor and electronics doesn't sound "fairly easy" to me.
Not that the silly hypothetical is really worth all of these posts! :lol:
Quote from: grumbler on April 04, 2009, 06:56:46 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on April 03, 2009, 12:28:29 PM
There are many different ways to convert the frequency electrically. The easiest way to make a motor run irrespective of frequency is to convert the input voltage to DC and use a DC motor. This is what a laptop and a portable DVD player do, which is why your motor doesn't stop when your input voltage goes from 60 Hz to 0 Hz.
Replacing the DVD player's motor and electronics doesn't sound "fairly easy" to me.
Not that the silly hypothetical is really worth all of these posts! :lol:
You don't have to replace it, because the virtually every DVD player is already using brushless DC electric motors, which means that the local AC is already being converted into DC.
The company engineers have solved your problem.
Quote from: Neil on April 04, 2009, 07:32:08 AM
You don't have to replace it, because the virtually every DVD player is already using brushless DC electric motors, which means that the local AC is already being converted into DC.
The company engineers have solved your problem.
And yet, if you look at the first five DVD players listed on Newegg.com, four of the five specify that they require 60Hz power, and one states that it accepts 60Hz or 50Hz.
If the company engineers have solved the 50/60 Hz problem, why do the manufacturers specify a 60Hz requirement needlessly?
I suspect that this is because the 60Hz requirement is not meaningless.
Still, some brave Brit can try to use transformed 120v/50Hz power in a convertable electronic product and let us know how it goes! :bowler:
(be forwarded, though, that amongst techs these kinds of experiments are known as "smoke tests").