“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign…”

The “solemn moment, the prayerful moment”, of signing impeachment papers was broken up by shiny gold objects, smiles, and photo opps.

As Nancy Pelosi sat down at her table to sign, her team was carefully and strategically positioned around her, with the “Impeach him!” screamer, Maxine Waters, at the head, directly behind Pelosi.

As the signing began, Pelosi used several pens, with each making only a short mark on the documents in front of her. At first it looked like the pens weren’t working. She would look up and smile, as she signed, and then put each pen aside.

Three shiny silver platters were on a side table, filled with black and gold pens, which had been taken out of their black boxes and uncapped, ready for use, with bright gold barrels looking “like shined up rifle bullets” according to one news commentator. On the sides of the pens were the gold script engraved signature of Nancy Pelosi. They were laid out looking like rows of asparagus on a serving platter, waiting to be served up in elegant style.

After the signing, the first ceremonial pen was presented to Waters, as other Democrat legislators, some with smiles, some quite stern-faced, received theirs.

The Rhode Island connection – The Garland Pen Company

In an interview with Rick Becker, owner of The Garland Company (https://www.garlandpen.com/), in Coventry, Rhode Island done by Gene Valicenti Thursday morning on WPRO Radio, Becker revealed that hundreds of ceremonial pens had been ordered from his company. They were estimated to be about $20/each.

Becker said they are a “bi-partisan company” and they would produce ceremonial pens for “anyone ordering them”. Becker also confirmed that The Garland Pen Company is believed to be the only company in the United States that produces pens made entirely in the USA. Cross Pen produces most of the individual parts out of the country, with some assembly being done here.

Garland, which he purchased as a company turn-around project in 2013 from the original founders, employs approximately 20 people. When orders are placed, they are done so through “local distributors”. The company “produces pens for politicians, the military, first responders, unions”, etc.

Amidst the solemnity of the signing, and the ceremonial walking of the documents to the Senate, it was a Rhode Island moment, albeit different from our local company that produces the Christmas Tree ornament for the White House each year.

Notably, just before lunch, and a few hours before the Pelosi signing, in a ceremony that began with the playing of Pomp and Circumstance, President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who led the Chinese side in the trade talks with Washington, signed the 86-page Phase 1 China Trade deal at a White House event at about 11:50 a.m., before over 200 invited guests from business, government and diplomatic circles. The President and the Vice Premier each held and used their own solid black pen.

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?
 
 Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
 Sign
 Sign, sign