Barack Obama; this guy is good. First he gets himself elected as President of the United States (well played good sir), then he got his hands on 7oo-plus billion dollars (nice little chunk of change), and now he's stocking up on our Canadian pride and joy; the Maple.
Sure, sure, there will of course be some public interest in the Obama-Harper matters of discussion such as the Environment (Go Green or Go Home), the Economy (a stimulating topic), and Foreign Policy ("let's form an alliance and vote off the terrorists"), but the excitement of that political chit-chattery pales in comparison to the American President's Wheeling-and-Dealing seminar in Ottawa.
Sure, sure, there will of course be some public interest in the Obama-Harper matters of discussion such as the Environment (Go Green or Go Home), the Economy (a stimulating topic), and Foreign Policy ("let's form an alliance and vote off the terrorists"), but the excitement of that political chit-chattery pales in comparison to the American President's Wheeling-and-Dealing seminar in Ottawa.
Most Powerful Man in the World, fine. First Black President of the USA, right, so I've been told. But I say, come on Barack, step up, impress me. Well earlier this week he answered the call while visiting our nation's capital. Amidst all the ObamAmazing highlight reel hits, the speeches, the big moves, it was his bravery and charisma at the front lines of 'Pastry' that sold me on the idea of 'President Obama'. Following his meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama made a surprise visit to an Ottawa Market, where he 'attempted' to purchase some maple leaf cookies from Le Moulin de Provence, a local bakery. Well, it's the President of the United States of American, of course the owner is going to toss out the old 'no, no, it's on the house' or maybe it was a little of the 'your money is no good here'. Either way, one slow-rolling move for the wallet and a charming Barack smile later, and the President had himself a few free maple leafs specials.
This may seem like nothing, a minor detail, a kind gesture, a piece of good hospitality, but it's about more than just a man and a pastry. And I won't even get into the controversy of the leader of the USA 'accepting gifts' - no worries, the cookies were worth less than the $350 maximum acceptable gift value, no crimes here, just bakery-trickery.
It's not surprise that I'm faced with here, it's more that I am impressed by the audacity of Mr.-Stimulate-the-Economy to Not Pay for the cookies. What about the trickle down effect? What about the need for spending? It's not like he didn't have the cash for it, I seem to remember some headline about 700-and-some billion USD. I don't know, I think I like it though. I think I like that I don't know what to expect from the new Pres anymore; first the 'Yes We Can', now the scamming of treats, the anticipation of his next move is killing me.
I'm a fan of free cookies myself, so maybe it's that I can now better relate to the guy, or maybe it's that in other news Barack Obama received a free Beaver Tail from another un-named vendor. And I looked into it, I'm told that a Beaver Tail is a sort of donut, and not actually the tail of nature's heroic Engineer (from one Engineer to another, the Beaver is okay in my books). Barack Obama: serial Pastry Grifter.
Regardless of the details, what matters the most is that The Obama is now on my radar. Leading by example, he is advising his fellow citizens to cross the 49th for a round of free desserts... my desserts. I am watching you Barack Obama. Enjoy the Maple, but know that I am on to you.
