Smooth jazz from the Sultan of Brunei: Odd gifts from foreign leaders
The WaPo has an interesting little post about the various and sundry gifts that have been bestowed upon US officials by foreign leaders.
Recent offerings include ruby earrings, machine guns, and abstract art by the wife of Ehud Olmert.
And some smooth jazz from the Sultan of Brunei...
President Bush got two books and a jazz CD from the Sultan of Brunei,
"Stayed Tuned" [sic] by Joe Garner and "1,001 Reasons to Love America," by
Hubert Pedroli and Mary Tiegreen, along with "Jazz for Quiet Moments"
by Greg Howard. Value: $70. He also got a Husqvarna 335Rx brush cutter
with "comfort grip handles" from Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik
Reinfeldt. Its estimated value was $570.
The recipients don't get to keep this stuff. They have to turn the loot over to the General Services Administration (GSA). If an official really likes an item, s/he can buy a gift back--at market rates, I hope. Otherwise the presents go to the National Archives, or to charity.
Where are these charities that get lavish government goodies? Are they the same charities that got Sarah Palin's suits?
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