If you were Obama, would you go ahead with the Gridiron dinner?

[Mimosa]

I can't imagine yukking it up, even partying in the wake of the Japanese earthquake, the people's suffering and and a nuclear meltdown.

[emilyg]

1. Good question.

[bluestateguy]

2. It was so much easier in the days when the media gave everyone a 1-day non-PC pass for this event

But that no longer seems possible.

So I guess he should skip it if he wants to avoid a needless controversy.

[ProSense]

3. What should he be doing?

Obama offers to assist earthquake-stricken Japan

The President has offered to aid the people of Japan. He doesn't run the U.S. government single handedly. There are agencies that are directly responsible and highly capable of following through on his directives.

There are even those criticizing him for rushing to offer aid to another country when Americans are in dire need.

Yesterday the media asked why the President rushed to address the emergency at Japan's nuclear power plant (imagine that?):

<...>

Q Thanks, Mr. President. Experts say they can’t recall a time when the U.S. ever had to rush assistance to a nuclear power plant in another country before. What can you tell us about how serious this is with the U.S. rushing coolant to Japan because of the nuclear plant there?

<...>

THE PRESIDENT: On point number one, when I spoke to Prime Minister Kan, I specifically asked him about the nuclear plants and their potential vulnerability as a consequence of the earthquake. He indicated that they are monitoring the situation very closely. So far, they have not seen evidence of radiation leaks. But, obviously, you’ve got to take all potential precautions. And I’ve asked Steve Chu, our Energy Secretary, to be in close contact with their personnel to provide any assistance that’s necessary, but also to make sure that if, in fact, there have been breaches in the safety system on these nuclear plants, that they’re dealt with right away.

<...>

Q Japanese press -- Mr. President, from the Japanese media?

THE PRESIDENT: From the Japanese media, because of -- because, obviously, we’re concerned about what’s happening in Japan.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. I’m Toshi Ogata with Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper. I have two questions on the tragedy in Japan. You already touched on the issue in your opening statement. I’d like to ask about your personal feeling on the situation. You went to Japan last year; you went to Kamakura. Now a tsunami hit the coast of Japan and waves washed away cars and houses, and Japanese people are devastated. I just want to ask about your personal thoughts and feelings on that.

And secondly, you also touched on the possibility of assistance from the United States to Japan. And the Japanese government publicly said that Japan asked for help from U.S. forces in Japan. Are you ready to provide those assistance?

THE PRESIDENT: The answer to your second question is yes. And so I already told Prime Minister Kan that we will provide whatever assistance that they need. My understanding is that the main assistance that we’re going to be able to provide them is life capacity, the ability for us to I think help in the cleanup.

Obviously, when you have a tsunami like this as well as an earthquake, you have huge disruptions both in the infrastructure -- you have boats and houses and cars that are washed into main thoroughfares, and that requires heavy equipment. And so, any assistance that we can provide, we will be providing.

I’m heartbroken by this tragedy. I think when you see what’s happening in Japan you are reminded that for all our differences in culture or language or religion, that ultimately humanity is one. And when we face these kinds of natural disasters, whether it’s in New Zealand or Haiti or Japan, then you think about your own family and you think how would you feel if you lost a loved one, or if your entire lifesavings were gone because of the devastation.

And the Japanese people are such close friends of ours, and I have such a close personal friendship and connection to the Japanese people -- in part because I grew up in Hawaii where I was very familiar with Japanese culture -- that that just makes our concerns that much more acute.

But I am very confident, though, obviously, that the Japanese people are so resourceful, Japan is such a powerful economy and such an advanced economy technologically, that Japan will successfully rebuild. And it has experience dealing with natural disasters. It has dealt with them before and will deal with them again. And Japan, I’m sure, will come back stronger than ever -- hopefully with our help.

<...>

There is a callousness going around, and the President is certainly not the one guilty of it.

[MNBrewer]

13. the question wasn't what else should he be doing

or if he was doing enough. It was SHOULD he go.

[ProSense]

20. Hmmmm?

"the question wasn't what else should he be doing or if he was doing enough. It was SHOULD he go."

Yes, a question searching for outrage. If it has nothing to do with what he should be doing about the situation, what's the point? Stay home, just to stay home?

[MNBrewer]

21. I promise not to be outraged regardless of what Mr. Obama does

I don't care if he goes or not. His appearance at journalistic events such as this doesn't excite me in the least. He'll tell a few jokes, that's all.

[northoftheborder]

4. This is a fascinating blog site. Find the series of photographs of

dramatic manifestations of nature. Awesome. volcanoes, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.

[Grey]

5. My question, If/because the Packers are publicly owned,

Who would sit with the president at the head table?
Or, Have I got that wrong again?

I thought the Packers were Owned by the People of Wisconsin, would that "shit for brains" Governor be the one to receive the glory for the people that really deserve better?

Just asking?

[Roselma]

6. It's not about football

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_Dinner

[Grey]

10. OK, just chalk it up to dumb me.

Sorry.

[former9thward]

19. Why do people think the Packers are owned by the "People"?

The Packers are not owned by the people of Wisconsin or the people of Green Bay. They are a corporation owned by share holder investors of which there are about 100,000 of them.

[Roselma]

7. Sure...why not?

Orders are already given for military support for Japan. A two-hour dinner won't change the course of events. If people complain, then they should complain about the times Bush was at the dinner while world events were unfolding.

[Beacool]

8. Why not?

Didn't they report that he played golf this afternoon?

:shrug:

[vaberella]

40. Yes, and gave orders for the US navy to go to Japan to help the Japanese people.

It's not like he can turn the world backwards like superman and save Japan from the Tsunami.

[Beacool]

41. Ahhh, but weren't many criticizing Bush for playing golf during the Iraq war?

He stopped playing for the next 3 years. I guess that we only apply certain rules to the right, but we'll give a pass to someone from "our" side......

Personally, I couldn't care less whether Bush played golf then or whether Obama plays every weekend now. What I hate is the hypocrisy.

:eyes:

[Mimosa]

9. I understand delegation.

I know if I were president (not likely, being a woman) and presuming that 'we' are doing all 'we' can to help the Japanese, I cannot imagine business or fun as usual. If Obama and the pressitutes partied after the earthquake struck Haiti, I'd feel the same. To me, we are one world.

I feel much like I did during the week after Katrina made me evacuate New Orleans. It took more than a day to reach NOLA. That's usually an 8 hour drive. And there was no place to sleep but in our car. I think everybody ought to be spending our hours in contemplation or action which helps the Japanese people.

D, you so generously helped me. I am not yet desperate or dead broke. The gift you gave me I have just contributed to the Earthquake relief fund of the American Red Cross. :)

[robcon]

11. I'd go ahead

You can't pick a time when there are no serious problems in the world.

[Mimosa]

12. We don't even know what the death toll will be.

Indications are the death toll will be many thousands.

Injured? many more.

Are we in one world or aren't we?

Personally IMO it is a time for solemnity. Damn the 'party' and the caterer's fees. I'd say 'refrigerate all the foods and contribute them to feed people in missions, shelters and meals on wheels!'

[Mimosa]

14. He played golf today too.

Some of us if we were in a public office just couldn't be taking this day off. It does not matter what Bush 43 did or didn't do. We didn't vote for him. He isn't president now! The man I worked for and contributed to is the president of the USA.

But Obama is. This is important.Many of us feel it. And not only do we feel we are THINKING. It's time to be paying attention. It could happen in California for heaven's sake!

I hope they all enjoy themselves. *NOT*

http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2011/03/obamas-first-gridiron-dinner-will-not.html

This is NOT an every day type crisis.

[Hippo_Tron]

16. What do you want him to do? Fly to Japan and become a first responder?

[Mimosa]

17. NO. Just treat this world shaking event and its victims with reverence and respect.

Reverence is an old-fashioned concept. Modern Americans who have wealth are all about hedonism. The candidate I supported seemed a different, contemplative man. he projected caring. But I've come to see otherwise. Even in the robber baron days they knew when parties were inappropriate.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365569/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-10-000-people-missing-Minamisanriku.html

Excerpt:

Just 48 hours ago, it was a picturesque fishing town where tourists flocked to enjoy the coastal air and natural hot springs. But this horrifying picture shows all that remains of Minami Sanriku after it was destroyed by the tsunami that has wreaked devastation across Japan.

Last night, the official death toll from Friday’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tidal wave stood at 1,700 people – although it is feared the final total could rise sharply once a full picture of the catastrophe emerges.

In Minami Sanriku alone, 10,000 people could have died – more than half of the city’s population.
Obliterated: Where there was once a thriving town, buildings are now covered with mud in Minamisanriku town, Miyagi after the tsunami drowned the entire town

Obliterated: Where there was once a thriving town, buildings are now covered with mud in Minamisanriku town, Miyagi after the tsunami drowned the entire town

Utter destruction: Stunned local, lucky enough to survive, survey the appalling damage left by Fridays tsunami reducing a once-thriving coastal town to a desolate landscape of broken wood and twisted metal

Utter destruction: Stunned local, lucky enough to survive, survey the appalling damage left by Fridays tsunami reducing a once-thriving coastal town to a desolate landscape of broken wood and twisted metal

It only took a few minutes for the 30ft wave to wash the town away with terrifying force. The locals desperately tried to escape to higher ground. But most did not stand a chance.

It is hard to imagine any life remains among the debris. Where last week fishing boats bobbed in the harbour, it is now impossible to tell where the sea begins and the land ends.

One of the few buildings left standing is the town’s Shizugawa Hospital – the large white building to the centre left of this picture. But the rest of what was once the town centre is flooded with filthy sea water.

Other structures lie battered and smashed in piles of broken wood and twisted metal, but most are now little more than debris.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1365569/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-10-000-people-missing-Minamisanriku.html#ixzz1GRfuPlqN

[ProSense]

22. That makes no sense. n/t

[Mimosa]

23. I can't believe you posted that.

You just reviled the Kochs throwing a party tonight for Scott walker and their buddies.

Sometimes events are worthy of mourning. Just call me old-fashioned. America is a heedless heartless country at times.

[ProSense]

25. You

can't be serious?

[treestar]

30. It's not in our country

Anything we do to help is generous, no?

[Hippo_Tron]

15. I trust that the President is handling the situation in Japan to the best of his ability...

And I don't need meaningless gestures like blowing off a fancy dinner to prove that to me. Unfortunately, lots of people do need ridiculous gestures in order to believe that things are actually being done, and therefore he probably ought to skip the dinner.

[former9thward]

18. Why shouldn't he attend if he wants?

Roosevelt attended during WW II when more people were dying everyday than the total in Japan.

[Mimosa]

24. Yes, our values should be established by political expediency.

Do you have a problem because I expected Obama to be a caring person?

[former9thward]

26. I have no problem with what you expect.

But death and destruction is a daily event in the world and I don't expect any president to hide in the White House because of it.

[treestar]

29. So as caring people, and there are bad things happening in

the world every day, we should never do anything fun?

Shall I cancel my dinner date for this evening?

[obamafourmore]

27. Really?

[rug]

28. It's another opportunity to joke about predator drones.

[Lucinda]

31. Nope. I wouldn't.

[EndElectoral]

32. Ask yourself - if Israel faced what Japn is encountering would you do it? Hell no.

These kind of pictures of smiling around a table while Japan is facing it's worst crisis since WW2 is inexcusable.

This has the potential for the worst devastation I have ever seen in my lifetime. For God's sake Barrack, this is not the time to toast it up at the Gridiron dinner. It'll come back to haunt you.

[frazzled]

33. Every president (except Grover Cleveland) has spoken there since 1885

Through World Wars, Depression, natural disasters, Cold Wars, and assorted other continuing crises.

I don't know about Grover Cleveland, but don't suggest that the first black president should be the one who shouldn't speak there. I say this as someone who has close family living in Japan (Tokyo) who have been affected by the earthquake. Life goes on, there as here.

[Phx_Dem]

34. Oh God, here we go again.

:crazy:

[OwnedByFerrets]

35. HELL NO!

[ClarkUSA]

36. Pres Obama's Remarks At The Gridiron Club were hilarious. The Jon Huntsman reference rocked.

Read all about it: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x628170

[Lucky Luciano]

37. I canceled my dinner plans last night out of respect. It did not seem

right to go to a high end sushi restaurant while all this was going on.

[boomerbust]

38. Here is what I would do if I was POTUS

I would apply sufficient moisture to the tip of my right, no sorry left index finger and then stick said index finger straight up into the air. You have to understand there is an election coming up in 2012.

[vaberella]

39. Wow...will people complain about everything he does?!

I don't get it.