Gifts for capitol hill aide?
December 18, 2006 11:59 PM Subscribe
I have a friend who's going to become a democratic aide on capitol hill. Any ideas for gifts that would inspire, educate, enlighten, or just plain lighten up the situation? Preferably ones that could be gotten easily in a major retail store of some sort.
Ooh, a portable defibrilator! That way if any Senators go down your friend can jump to the rescue!
posted by Pollomacho at 12:04 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by Pollomacho at 12:04 AM on December 19, 2006
Kneepads? (ducks)
posted by Deathalicious at 12:22 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by Deathalicious at 12:22 AM on December 19, 2006
A close friend? A bicycle.
Second tier? SmartTrip card with $20 credit.
Third tier? Mark Twain's The Gilded Age
posted by The White Hat at 12:42 AM on December 19, 2006
Second tier? SmartTrip card with $20 credit.
Third tier? Mark Twain's The Gilded Age
posted by The White Hat at 12:42 AM on December 19, 2006
Yes Minister - the best ever UK political comedy.
posted by crocomancer at 1:51 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by crocomancer at 1:51 AM on December 19, 2006
From any engraver, a pen, for signing important stuff, like bills, or million dollar documents. :)
posted by perpetualstroll at 3:08 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by perpetualstroll at 3:08 AM on December 19, 2006
At $189.99 on amazon, marked down from $469.99, this Fellowes Powershred SB-97Cs 17 sheet Confetti Cut Shredder is quite a bargain.
posted by misteraitch at 3:17 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by misteraitch at 3:17 AM on December 19, 2006
Seriously...a desk sized Globe. http://www.gormangiftgallery.com/hastings.html is one for about $60.00
posted by Gungho at 5:13 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by Gungho at 5:13 AM on December 19, 2006
America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction
posted by hydrophonic at 5:48 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by hydrophonic at 5:48 AM on December 19, 2006
How about the Disappearing Civil Liberties mug, to keep him on track?
George Lakoff's Don't Think of an Elephant is absolutely ESSENTIAL for all Democrats to have. It's all about how to frame arguments in a way that will resonate with the people. Howard Dean wrote the forward, but interestingly enough does not appear to have followed the advice.
posted by landedjentry at 7:14 AM on December 19, 2006
George Lakoff's Don't Think of an Elephant is absolutely ESSENTIAL for all Democrats to have. It's all about how to frame arguments in a way that will resonate with the people. Howard Dean wrote the forward, but interestingly enough does not appear to have followed the advice.
posted by landedjentry at 7:14 AM on December 19, 2006
Depends a lot on what the job is - Legislative Assistant (i.e., actually providing some advice on policy issues) or Legislative Correspondent (writing letters and talking to cranky constituents)?
In either case, two books worth reading: Sidlow and (a classic) Fenno
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 7:46 AM on December 19, 2006 [1 favorite]
In either case, two books worth reading: Sidlow and (a classic) Fenno
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 7:46 AM on December 19, 2006 [1 favorite]
A pack of bottle rockets wrapped a map pinpointing the locations of certain foreign embassies.
posted by stbalbach at 7:46 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by stbalbach at 7:46 AM on December 19, 2006
And Lakoff's book is an interesting guide to word games in political messaging, but totally useless - or at least completely impractical - for someone in a Hill office.
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 7:50 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 7:50 AM on December 19, 2006
Pair of scissors for cutting, pair of shoes for running?
posted by nathancaswell at 8:11 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by nathancaswell at 8:11 AM on December 19, 2006
The Backwards Bush key chain, digitally counting down the days Bush has left in office.
posted by GaelFC at 8:35 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by GaelFC at 8:35 AM on December 19, 2006
It doesn't seem to exist but perhaps a friend talented with Illustrator could mock you up a fake cover to THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO INSTANT MESSENGER and you could make it a book jacket for another - more earnest - book.
posted by phearlez at 8:37 AM on December 19, 2006
posted by phearlez at 8:37 AM on December 19, 2006
Response by poster: Some funny answers so far :-).
Male, female?
Depends a lot on what the job is
He's going to be a legislative assistant...
posted by shivohum at 9:12 AM on December 19, 2006
Male, female?
Depends a lot on what the job is
He's going to be a legislative assistant...
posted by shivohum at 9:12 AM on December 19, 2006
In that case, he should print out and memorize this. Its the dark knowlege of procedure that will set him apart from the horde of other LAs and that matters on those late nights when strange things happen and he needs to save that critical earmark or amendment for his boss.
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 10:13 AM on December 19, 2006 [2 favorites]
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 10:13 AM on December 19, 2006 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:02 AM on December 19, 2006