Heads of state have been exchanging gifts on official visits since the beginning of time. The best the new White House staff could do for Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was send him home with a set of 25 DVDs of classic American films. Disgraceful. I'm sure Barack Obama wasn't out perusing the Wal-Mart on New York Avenue selecting a gift; the White House has a staff that does this sort of thing. I can't believe some mid-level career employee, say a GS-11, didn't pull on someone's sleeve and suggest a more appropriate gift. Afraid to speak, you say? Perhaps. Were they asked for some guidance? Ceremony and protocol are important symbolic functions in Washington. Seems we have a steep learning curve even with centuries-old traditions.In the scope of things, this may be interpreted as a small issue, until the fly is in your soup.
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