Obama Talks to Pirate, Accepts Peter Pan Book

It's the gift that keeps on giving, the video and transcript of President Barack Obama's speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner. He kept me chuckling Saturday night as I watched on CSPAN.

Here's is the excerpt of his "stand-up routine" that explains the picture below:

And of course we've also begun to change America's image in the world. We talked about this during this campaign and we're starting to execute. We've renewed alliances with important partners and friends. If you look on the screen there, there I am with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. There I am with Gordon Brown.

But as I said during the campaign, we can't just talk to our friends. As hard as it is, we also have to talk to our enemies, and I've begun to do exactly that. Take a look at the monitor there. (Laughter as audience sees president with pirate.)

Now, let me be clear, just because he handed me a copy of Peter Pan does not mean that I'm going to read it -- (laughter) -- but it's good diplomatic practice to just accept these gifts. (See video and read speech here.)

Thank you, CBS, for getting the picture posted. I've been waiting for someone to get it to the Net. The network has its own amusing tale to go with the photo that begins with what will historians in the far future think who find this photo?

I like that Obama can poke fun at himself. That's a sign of good mental health.