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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fayeroe on January 26, 2009, at 18:23:06
At Noon on Jan. 20, Lots of Things Turned to Pumpkins
As George W. Bush learned, there's an upside to being president: He amassed a dazzling array of gifts from foreign dignitaries.But there's a downside, too: He can't keep them.
Foreign leaders lavished Bush with presents during his White House tenure, but law requires the president to turn over high-value gifts to government archives. In 2007, according to newly released federal records, Bush accumulated a spectacular treasure trove from a long list of His Excellencies.
From his BFF John Howard, the distinguished former prime minister of Australia (and our favorite Blair House guest), Bush received a riding coat, a cattleman's hat and a messenger bag, as well as a Montblanc pen ($495), a Tournament Shortstroker fishing rod ($852) and a collection of three paintings ($2,250).
French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave Bush a $5,000 bronze statue of a horse, in a leather box. Turkmenistan's president, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, offered a burgundy rug with blue, green, orange and cream accents, a $1,896 value. But former KGB thug and Russian president Vladimir Putin was decidedly less generous, giving Bush hardcover books of English sonnets, one copy in English and one in Russian, and a copper-and-brass samovar (a Russian urn used to boil water for tea).
ad_iconSpeaking of tea, Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet offered a gold-plated tea set with images of dragons (teapot, six teacups, sugar bowl and cream pitcher). Triet also gave Bush a $4,500 electric harp with speakerphone. (We didn't know Bush played.)
Bush collected a dozen Moser crystal champagne flutes, valued at $3,060, from Czech President Vaclav Klaus. He also gathered a heap of neckties from Italian leaders, including 12 E. Marinella silk ties from Silvio Berlusconi and six Salvatore Ferragamo silk ties from Romano Prodi. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, meanwhile, gave Bush a white traditional Afghan pantsuit and a black-and-gold traditional Afghan vest. (Excellent for clearing brush.)
Bush gathered a few weapons, too, including an antique silver pistol from the mayor of Fushe-Kruje, Albania, and a 25-inch silver sword with elaborate detailing and carnelian stones from the president of Yemen.
As expected, the Santa Claus of the bunch turned out to be King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud. The Saudi monarch bestowed upon Bush a sapphire-and-diamond necklace, bracelet, earrings and ring -- a jewelry set valued at a whopping $85,000. Not to be outdone, he also gave Bush a $10,000 piece of artwork depicting a desert scene with Bedouins, camels and a tent made of gold.
The law allows the leader of the free world to keep only those gifts valued at less than $335.
Posted by Sigismund on January 28, 2009, at 4:11:32
In reply to Wowsa! I had no idea!, posted by fayeroe on January 26, 2009, at 18:23:06
I'd be keeping the tea and bugger the crystal flutes. Not as annoying as chandeliers, but in the same ballpark.
I have been reflecting on this from the inauguration speech
>On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.>We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
That is interesting, the setting aside of childish things, don't you think?It could mean lots of things.
Posted by fayeroe on January 28, 2009, at 9:06:58
In reply to The time has come to set aside childish things » fayeroe, posted by Sigismund on January 28, 2009, at 4:11:32
> I'd be keeping the tea and bugger the crystal flutes. Not as annoying as chandeliers, but in the same ballpark.
I had some crystal flutes for about 6 months. We ended up breaking all of them. We went back to regular wineglasses for champagne. I agree, very annoying!
I would keep the art....IF I LIKED IT. :-)
>
> I have been reflecting on this from the inauguration speech
> >On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.1. petty. 2. false. 3. false promises. 4. recriminations. 5. worn-out
+ dogmas.....a very good summation, don't you t
hink?
>
> >We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.That is interesting, the setting aside of childish things, don't you think?
When asked which moment he reflects upon most, from his presidency, he replied that it is the throwing out of the first baseball.
>
> It could mean lots of things.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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