Are You Serious?!

Are you serious?

I just heard the clear eyes guy, you know the one on the “Clear Eyes” commercial; complain that President Obama held a press conference to offer his response to the attempted Christmas terrorist attack in a polo shirt. He was completely irritated that the President did not take the time to put on a suit and tie to address the nation and suggested that he shouldn’t be in Hawaii at all.

Now, I distinctly remember commenting to friends and family that President Bush was always on vacation in Crawford, TX or at Camp David. So I find it very interesting that one 11-day vacation in Hawaii that was filled with updates and calls from Washington is being used to criticize the President.

Just in case you don’t remember, here are some quotes:

"President Bush is beating the August heat the same way he always does -- with a vacation on his ranch in Texas. He got there yesterday. This will be his shortest vacation since he's taken office. Usually he takes a full month, this time around because of the wars and everything, only ten days. I guess he's saving up the personal days so he can skip the last three months of his presidency." --Jimmy Kimmel

"As you know, President Bush is taking 5 weeks off. It's like he's still in the National Guard." --Jay Leno

"President Bush is on a five-week vacation. How many folks get five weeks off a year? You know, if I want five weeks off I have to have open heart surgery, for God's sake." --David Letterman

"The president jumped on a plane to start a five-week vacation. This will be the longest presidential vacation in 36 years. This means President Bush has now been on vacation for 27% of his presidency. That means the country could be 27% more screwed up than it already is." --Jimmy Kimmel

And just in case you need a news story:

487 Days at Camp David for Bush
Posted by Brian Montopoli

(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
George W. Bush is today making his final visit to Camp David as president.

He will likely miss the place: According to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, today's trip marks Mr. Bush's 149th visit to the presidential retreat. The planned three-day stay, during which the president is being joined by family and former and current aides, will bring his total time spent at Camp David to all or part of 487 days.

Yes, that's 487 days. And Camp David is not even where the president has spent the most time when not at the White House: Knoller reports that Mr. Bush has made 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency, and spent all or part of 490 days there.

After Being Called A Liar...Getting the Job Done

Like many others, I have sufficiently reviewed the comments made in last night's Presidential address. Miraculously, when I woke up this morning Joe Wilson is still an elected official with a vote representing some of the citizens of South Carolina. And President Obama must work with he and other legislators (some who stood up and others who sat down) to create a healthcare plan that works for Americans.

As leaders in the workplace, the community and our homes, we have all encountered someone who has been less than professional in their dealings with us. My question is then, how do we really move forward? Do we truly accept the apology of others and move on to get the job done?

Based on President Obama's comments and demeanor, it appears that he moved on almost as soon as the comment was made. In order to get the job done, we have to be able to put aside words in favor of concrete suggestions, ideas and solutions.

So let's use this as a growth experience. Share how you turned a disparaging comment or a lack of respect into a finished project.

President Obama's School Fire Side Chat

This evening's news headline included concerned parents ready to keep their kids out of school in order to prevent them from being exposed to politics. When did we decide that we no longer wanted our kids to be exposed to politics? They are exposed to us every day. Maybe, it was when the President decided to speak to students and encourage them to do well in school.

Since when did encouraging children to do well in school become a political issue. If President Obama came to my class (via television) to speak about the importance of achieving academically, I would listen. I would have listened to any President of the United States of America. In fact, the fireside chats weren't just for adults.

School districts have been given the choice to determine whether our children will see the message in school. Some who are concerned that they have not seen the message, or that parents may not approve are opting to post it online for later viewing. But the students who need encouragement the most, may not have a computer with which to watch.

Seriously, the "politics" of the situation prohibit the President from saying anything questionable. The "politics" do not however, keep individuals from questioning whether a man that speaks on our behalf to the leaders of the world, can craft a non-political message to our children.

Come on, give me a break!

If you have children, let your school district, board or school know that you trust our nation's President to speak to our children about education on September 8th.