Obama Jokes Washington Needs to Toughen Up — Weatherwise

I don’t think this is exactly a diss. The people in New York do the same…snow does not stop anyone or anything….it’s a fact. I live in the South and the hint of snow cancells everything.It’s a different way of life and it does surprise one who is not familiar with it.

Who cares. Is this news?

well, I guess he is right. He is from the midwest afterall which does have the harshest climate in the US. I am from Iowa and school won’t be cancelled for a couple iches of snow. School will be cancelled due to cold (which happened due to 45 below windchill), major snowfall and ice accumulation.

the brothers in dc are not going to like this guy

Obviously Obama is saying that they are a Nation of Whiners.

It’s true! Snow and ice doesn’t stop anything or anyone in Illinois.

Well, I’m sitting here in Hyde Park, Chicago, where the elementary school down the block from me is open for business. To be fair, however, this storm passed to the south of us, and we got just an inch or so of snow. Mr. President, the weather hasn’t been too terrible here in Chicago over the past several winters, and you know it. Give those poor Washingtonians a break!

“Obviously Obama is saying that they are a Nation of Whiners.”
************************************************
He was referring to Washington, DC, the nation’s capitol, not the nation. A D+ for you in geography, Bertie.

BRING BACK MANUFACTURING JOBS TO USA, MR PRESIDENT!

Jake,
Millions of people are losing their jobs and you are toying and messing around with yours, if you don’t need it, i do and millions of Americans will gladly take your job since you have decided to only report irrelevant issues. Get focused and stop being silly.

It wasn’t always like that here in the DC area–the ease of litigation drives the closure decisions. Last year, the FCPS schools closed one day because it MIGHT snow–it just rained.

“He was referring to Washington, DC, the nation’s capitol, not the nation. A D+ for you in geography, Bertie.”
C to you for current events. Go google the phrase Nation of Whiners.

What He ACTUALLY said was “bring some CHICAGO toughness to DC”.
Why C h a n g e His remarks for those who didn’t see them on teevee?
Citi didn’t make it? And no er … publishers? Hmm.

How silly..Does this make people in Chicago better than the people in Washington DC?
I live in eastern Washington State (where we have had a record snowfall this year) and anyone here will tell you they would rather drive on snow than on ice any day of the week. Even in a four wheel drive you are helpless on ice.
Sorry Mr President…wrong on this one.
Good safety call on the part of Washington DC schools.

“Does this make people in Chicago better than the people in Washington DC?”
What it MEANS is that Chicago is all set up to spread salt by the mega-ton, and DC isn’t. But He can’t resist an opportunity to present His hothouse corporate self as “tough”.

so true!!!! I’m from Boston, and I had been down south and seen a few flakes cancel flights and cause accidents all over the road. Pathetic. Driving school nationwide should teach you how to drive to snow. Global warming means more bizzarre weather. As the glaciers melt, the gulf stream will not be going so far north anymore which means even virginia and the carolinas will be getting winter weather more like New Englanders. Southern states,and midway states are definitely huge wimps when it comes to weather. I think the steriotypical tought New Englander comes from being tough enough to not only handle long winters, but to enjoy them.

jpt writes:
““We are going to have to apply some toughness to this town.””
That is NOT what He said. He said apply some “Chicago toughness” to “DC”.
My first mention of this was censored, but … what’s the point of concealing what He DID say, in favor of something that doesn’t mention Chicago? But for The Chicago Way … He wouldn’t BE in the WH.

Guys – cool it.
It’s a JOKE! Can’t people be a bit funny anymore without being pummeled by over the top, self-righteous, delusional bloggers?
Calm down and stop getting worked up over every single post.
Get a life.

well, it is a joke, but you have to admit, it’s kind of true. anyone from the north who has been down south for the smallest bit of snow knows it. seeing how folks freak out is pretty comical.

1/2 inch of snow this morning and school is cancelled.
He is right, those in the South can’t handle it.

Can’t we all just get along? It’s pretty pathetic when a person can’t speak of anything in a non-serious tone without getting creamed for it. Grow up, America. You can like him or not, but let’s save the criticism for something meaningful, ok? Half of the people posting here wouldn’t be nearly as mean-spirited if we were all in the same room together. Don’t type anything you wouldn’t say to others in person.

It’s amazing how people take a joke and make it into their own personal issue’s. I’ve said the samething when I visit my farthers home town and it snowed and the roads was closed. “if they closed for one inch just think what would happen if the got a foot” I think it’s those people that will be hanging on his everyword to complain. What if Bush or Clinton would have made that statement, it would have just been a funny comment. I’ve learned no matter how minor something may be, there are going to be peopel who want’s to make a bigger deal out of it then it seems.

It is true DC area residents do panic whenever any snow or ice comes. I have lived here all my life, they may be calling for 1 inch, watch everone rush to to store to get there bread, water, etc…snow shovels sell out and then here comes they snow and we get nothing.

Let me see… pay more taxes to have enough snowplows and salt for snow and ice – or have a day off in the winter to just enjoy life..
no, its not that we arent tough, we are smart enough to not fund vehicles that are not REGULARLY needed… and to see the benefit of staying home.
btw – I used to drive in on icy days – until the day I fell, hit my head on a step and lost conciousness.. and needed 22 stitches to put my scalp back on. Ice is not snow. And the DC area tends to more ice than snow.

The One’s “fun comments” about Chicago always have a threatening edge. This time, He even drafted remarks by the supposedly-sacrosanct kiddies to introduce it.

Chicago Public Schools has a phone number in RED for weather related school closings. Huh…could this mean that Chicago like other snowy parts of the country might in fact close schools on occasion due to weather???

It’s all about what you are accustomed to. An inch of snow in Florida or California would cause hysteria…a small earthquake in the mid-west equals panic…and when tornados touch down in the mid-Atlantic states, it scares people to death. It’s not about toughness…it’s about familiarity….and frankly I don’t care where you’re from, driving during an ice storm is VERY dangerous.

BLUE FAIRY..your posts are aligned with my thoughts too…For the kids to make so-called remarks…Sounds like what my mother used to tell me never never to do and that is “never make fun of other people”

“Chicago Public Schools has a phone number in RED for weather related school closings. Huh…could this mean that Chicago like other snowy parts of the country might in fact close schools on occasion due to weather???”
Over the last 10 years, the Chicago Public School system has never issued a districtwide closing due to winter weather.
Which means alongside death and taxes, Chicago residents can always count on Chicago Public Schools functioning.
“A lot of districts don’t have to worry about that many students,” said Malon Edwards, spokesman for the Chicago Public Schools, noting the district has more than 400,000 students to think about.
The last time a districtwide closing occured was in January 1999, when 22 inches of snow was dumped onto the city over three days.

“Sounds like what my mother used to tell me never never to do and that is “never make fun of other people”"
Guess your mother is awfully disappointed.
Way to attack the children cowardly right wingers.

I hope Obama ignores all the cry babies who are complaining about his humor and he keeps up his good nature. It’s true. Other parts of the country freak over snow. I too have traveled and had an eye brow raised while everyone freaked, flights were cancelled. I’m thinking – this is an airport, you’re telling me you dont have a supply of rock salt to throwon the runways?? i’ve come into Logan where planes were skirting around snow plows while they clearing runways. And he is certainly not the first one to notice it. and it’s true about hte kids “getting out” no matter the weather, until it’s windchill is in the single digists and would give you frost bite. It’s funny. I like his sense of humor. I like Obama’s playfulness. It’s fun to see. I hope he keeps it up.

In 1979, the mayor of Chicago literally lost his office due to the city’s lack of handling of an epic snowstorm. And he was a Machine guy, at that!
During rare times when it’s 105 here in the summer, it’s a serious emergency – and we’re always thankful that folks in AZ, NV etc. don’t make fun of us for not handling the heat. Like everyone says, it’s what a place is used to – not how “hardy” the people are.

IT WAS A JOKE!!! Lighten up. When he’s hot in the summer and he talks about the heat, tease him back for being a yankee. Do you southerners have NO sense of humor??? You get to tease him back when it’s hot out. duh. it’s a JOKE! have fun with it. My god, such drama queens.

I love how the media has bottom captions on the TV screen stating: BREAKING NEWS: MAJOR WINTER STORM NOW IN PROGESS or WINTER STORM SMAKS AMERICA. This is so silly becasue this is not brekaing news. This is normal. It is 100% normal to have arctic wind masses in conjunction with major snowstorms in America during the October to April bracket. This is not news. This is completely normal. And the media, along with a good number of people, freak out. These weather patterns are 100% normal and there is no cause for freak out sessions. Rather than freak out over that which is normal, go grab some hot chocolate and go sledding with friends and enjoy the winter season. Winter, like all seasons, is fun.

Those who live in the north (as I do) forget that the southern states do not have the equipment to deal with snowfall, i.e., snowplows and salt trucks. So even a little snowfall can have major consequences. Couple that with people who have NO experience driving in the stuff well, you have a mess on your hands.

Things close so people don’t die. If, due to this “quip”, DC area schools stay open the next time there is ice on the roads, and one person is killed, will Obama “buck up” and accept blame for that person’s death?

BJs65: The southern states, particulary the mountainous regions of Virgina, Tennessee, North carolina, and Kentucky are home to some of the most brutal snow in the country. It is not a north or south issue. It is an issue of whining and being a baby. The president was right to point ou the fact that people freak when there is snow and there is no reason to.

I lived in OH for 5 years…the snowplows were out at the first flake…
I am from NC and live here now…it’s a different kind of snow–and we usually get ice first, then snow….
It’s not about ability, it’s about preparedness… We may only get snow once a year..if any at all…so why should we spend lots of money on equipment we may not use…

Quigley… How ridicolous!!

“Couple that with people who have NO experience driving in the stuff well, you have a mess on your hands.”
This I understand.
Living in Southern California, rain (and we’re talking light rain) means hundreds of accidents because of driver inexperience with the conditions.

The article stated that Obama “jokes about his new hometown.” Ummm, ABC, it is impossible for one to have a “new” hometown. Your hometown is your hometown no matter where you may be living.

“I’m confident we’re going to get it passed,” he said.
“Get it passed”?! There’s no question on THAT … just on how many Republicans He can drag in by removing as much of the “Democratic” content as needed.
He’s a closet Republican, with an awe of rich people. Soon, people will be wailing for the return of John Edwards … who made HIS money by brains, not be being a corporate stalking-horse.

“Your hometown is your hometown no matter where you may be living.”
Obama’s “hometown” is the same as that of most of those He’s cultivating: prep school.

“But no one is going to elect a man who created on his cancer stricken wife.”
That sounds gross.
That should read cheated not created.

“Tell it to “tough” guy Obama. Half of US oil goes to the robo-war military He’s unleashing on … Pakistani peasants.”
Belle star (aka Blue Fairy) said nothing during the strikes on Pakistan during the election.
What a fraud you are.

We don’t know Obama’s sexual wanderings, or care about John Edwards’ (OR Caroline Kennedy’s).
Better Obama were less suck-uppy to rich white guys, perhaps.
Anybody near a teevee should watch Gibbs bombing AGAIN with press … maybe he should try Al-Arabiya.

“We don’t know Obama’s sexual wanderings, or care about John Edwards’ (OR Caroline Kennedy’s).”
“we” being right wingers who pretend to be left wingers.
Of course you don’t care.
You would love for Edwards to run and get slaughtered.

I grew up in NC – and North Carolinians don’t know what to do with snow (except the ones that live in the mtns, they’re a bit more practiced). North Carolina will shut down for two reasons, snow and the NCAA’s. My sister’s up in Chicago for school now, and is still shell shocked that they have yet to cancel any classes due to weather. But then I get shocked when CA (where I live now) will cancel school for smog days. Remember when it was a national emergency in Miami back in the 90′s when it got to be like 35 degrees?, everyone told them to quit whining, but most of the houses down there didn’t have heat. My best friend in school moved from Michigan and was always teasing us that we closed everything up bc someone saw a flurry – she would say “we literally walked to school in the snow, and by the time we crawled over the mounds the snow plows would make it would be uphill both ways!” Welcome to the South (or closer to it anyway) Mr. Obama – tell Sasha and Malia to enjoy their snow days off now bc they’ll get to make them up in June when it’s nice and warm!

“John Edwards had some great ideas for this country.
But no one is going to elect a man who created on his cancer stricken wife.
Its just not going to happen. ”
Sure they are! If the press doesnt report it, it never happened.
If Edwards had not gone to the hotel room to visit the little ba*****, err baby he would be busy being confirmed as AG.

” I think we have a little bit of a clash of cultures. When you have a buddy, you rib him, that is what you do. Southern style is not funny. It doesn’t understand yankee good times, wize cracks and jokes. They’re way too sensitive”…very interesting observation, and yes, you are correct. Historically northern states were populated with an immense influx of Irish, a very witty dry comedic humor, that has come from hundreds of years of immense hardship and invasion, oppression, and hard labor. SOuthern states are populated by mostly English ancestry who were attracted by it’s more mild climate, they endured, physically, less hardships though their weather did make them more vulnerable to disease, yellow fever for example. They are driven more by a society of manners and repression, a class society. While northerners were stuarts of the revolution, believing in all men should be given a fair chance at making his way, southern society was haven to loyalists to England, not wanting to get caught up in this idea of equality for all men. Even today, the south is plagued by class distinctions, and yes, the ‘insecure” aspect of the common man’s nature is more prone in a southern society than northern society. There is more expected politeness in southern society, as opposed to norther cultures that flourish on the quit tongues and an ability to toss out a dig. This is a very interesting exercise in two cultures getting to know one another. I think these boards are good. I agree it was a joke, a good natured ribbing. In these tough times, I think some northern ability to laugh and scoff would be a good thing.

“If Edwards had not gone to the hotel room to visit the little ba*****, err baby he would be busy being confirmed as AG.”
Probably not AG.
But I could certainly see him in a different cabinet slot.
Maybe health & human services? Or labor?

“You Yankees can have it!”..awesome!! Now, be patient, and when the man is sweating his arse off, and dying in heat, ask him “excuse me, sir, you feel’n a bit peaked??? perhaps, you’re not tough enough for our weather down here???? eh???” Play with it!! can’t we all just play a bit???? IT FUN! Try it!

I remember going down to Georgia for a wedding and we get off the plane and it’s over 90 a nd there’s guy everywhere just casually wearing pants. My husband (die hard Bostonian) is sweating bullets. He turns to me in the taxi and says “Pants. Why is everyone wearing pants?” I said” it’s their thing. They wouldn’t last a single new england winter, but heat, they can take heat. They can farm a field in heat. It’s what they do” Laugh folks. It was funny.

This is the first time I’ve fully agreed with Pres. Obama! As a native of Rochester, NY, I’ve had to chuckle as the lack of courage I’ve seen in the places in which I’ve lived: Los Angeles, DC, and Indianapolis.
Be it rainstorms in LA, a dusting of snow in DC, or a few inches of white stuff in Indiana, all of them cause all sorts of unnecessary accidents, delays, and school closings.
Truthfully, I blaim a sue-happy society for a lot of the overly cautious decisionmaking.

It was just a joke people. Was are some of you making a big deal out of it.

Shame on you Mr. Obama. I have been one of your staunch supporters, but your glib comment on Washington’s ability to handle a little snow was completely rude and unnecessary. Come on out to my house and scrape some ice off the sidewalk so the school kids don’t hurt themselves getting to the bus. Watch out, don’t get cocky!

He was giving some people a little ribbing, and nothing more. Some of the comments on here are absolutely childish and shameful.
When President Bush was elected, he enjoyed a high approval rating because most people were giving him the benefit of the doubt. As an independent, I was among them.
Our new President has hit the ground running. Whether or not you agree with his approach, it is a fact that he is working extremely hard to do what he thinks is right.
He is the President of the United States of America, dealing with unprecedented foreign and domestic situations.
As Americans – not Republicans or Democrats or whatever – we all need to put aside pettiness, do our part, and offer our support. Anything less is purely unpatriotic.
My father is a lifelong Republican, and when I show him some of the comments that I see online regarding our new President, he is thoroughly embarrassed, as am I.
Fifty years ago, no one would have behaved this way, regardless of their political bent.

He’s so right! Washington doesn’t get much snow, and when it does, it’s a big deal. It’s fun, even for adults! Chicago is too cold!
Obama is doing well so far. I just wish there were no politics involved in running the government. Ha!

A University Somewhere needs a history lesson. Colonies in the South during the 1700′s were inundated with tens of thousands of Scots, Irish and what we call Scots-Irish to the point that certain areas were known as Little Scotland etc. In fact, NC has more citizens of Scottish Ancestry than any other state or country
Scots, Irish and Welsh people populated much of Appalachian mountain area and spread west from there. Irish were also imported by the thousands to drain swampland around New Orleans because they were considered expendable. I could continue, but you get the point. Obviously there were plenty of English as well but to put the whole attitude towards manners down to Irish vs. English is simply wrong (and you’d better not call anyone at a Feis or Highland Games down here English unless you want to see some bad manners).
Furthermore, to condemn an entire region to humor-limbo because a few people can’t take what was obviously an offhand joke is a ridiculous generalization.

Obama is such a clown.. he can barely find his way into the white house…

Obama is such a clown.. he can barely find his way into the white house…
Posted by: as if | Jan 28, 2009 3:34:40 PM
============================
365 Electoral Votes
That is a pretty darn nice way to get into the White House
Unlike the hanging chad wonder George W. Bush. v Gore and the it as just as close v Kerry.
What a difference 4 yrs make.
This “clown” is YOUR PRESIDENT.
His decisions guide this country. A little respect please.

he is really insesative people are dieing in the south do to this weather.
does he not understand this weather is deadly south of the mason line. and he makes jokes. next hurrican will be compared to a afternoon brease in chicago.

Good sense of humor!
Mr. President, get use to it, you may be here for 8 years or even the rest of your life, Washington is addictive. In doubt, ask the Clintons.
But if you must, go back to Chicago, and deal with Blago and the rowdy impeachment proceeding.
You may learn another thing fast, some of us don’t take kindly to even a joke about our beloved Washington.

“some of us don’t take kindly to even a joke about our beloved Washington.”
Right wing fun loving arrogance.

I’ve lived in the midwest as well as the south. In certain parts of the country they do not have the equipment (such as salt trucks) to deal with this kind of weather. This type of weather is more rare, so why spend the money on salt trucks that you may only use one time a year?
Secondly, if his kids went to public DC schools, they would not have had a snow day. And before any of you react–let me remind you that Amy Carter went to DC schools. It can be done.

Almost as funny as Obama trying to enter the White House through the window.
BO hates to look foolish—too late.

Global warming could actually mean more snow! You can have snow at 19 degress and you can have snow at 32 degrees. The former is light and fluffy the latter is heavy and wet. And with more moisture available at the warmer temps there will be more snow, sleet, and freezing rain in the coming years. That is what we are going to get more of because of our accelerated global warming/climate change due to our selfish overuse of fossil fuels.

I am glad someone is there to say Days of pampering is over. Wake up America. Walk with me and we will fight this recession.

It’s so true. I grew up in Michigan and went to school when snow/ice was coming down and there was already a foot of snow on the ground. Now I live in North Carolina and whenever snow is mentioned on the news people panic. Schools close, people rush to the grocery stores, newspapers headline the story…all for flurries.
Snow? So what..

Obama has a sense of humor, so get used to it. Just last week I called a University in New England and I mentioned it was freezing in Florida and she laughed. It was freezing in Florida for us, but to her our 50 degrees meant summer for her in NE, but for us here who are so used to warmer weather 50 degrees is cold. Funny, I lived in New England and didn’t mind the cold, but now that I got used to warm weather the cold is no longer an option for me, unless I’m going snow skiing. It’s hard to get out of bed when it’s so cold. I like getting up to birds singing and sound of waves and bright skies. I love new England also, just miss the cold for one day only, than glad to be outside hosing the garden and barbecuing. When the boomers flock to Florida in next several years, that’s when i’ll go back to New england as I’m sure Florida will be too congested again.Stay warm

While us Southerners don’t get much frozen precip and therefore are not prepared for it the folks in Chicago seem to have problems with heat. In July of 1995 Chicago had a heat wave and 521 people died of heat related causes. The inhabitants of the city of Chicago were not prepared to handle the heat just like the South is not prepared for the infequent snow.

Hi Jake, I like this new photo of yours, it’s updated and it’s easier for us to recognize you on tv. Unlike the previous one where you were still younger, it kinda decieves people. I’m just glad that you updated it..but of course your sarcastic journalism is at its highest level as always. I’m talking about the post “Welcome to Washington, President Obama.”

I have to say I agree with President Obama. When it comes to winter weather, DC really needs to toughen up. Please don’t stop reading when I tell you I am from Chicago because I have also experienced winter in DC. I did an internship there from January to May in 2007. I loved DC but anytime a there was a single snowflake or the tiniest bit of ice people acted like the end of the world was coming and stocked up on groceries, toilet paper and other necessities. Practically every school in the entire city (and also sometimes even the capitol building itself) and most of the surrounding areas closed. Also, apparently no one in DC has ever heard of snow removal or even salt. Snow and ice are there to stay until they melt or until spring comes. All in all, DC is a great city that I hope to move back to, but the question remains: Why are DC people so shocked by winter? After all, it comes every year.

Some of these comments are hillarious!I know everyone is not an Obama fan (and I am) and I dont expect them to be. To each his/her own! But Im sure everyone knows the saying about opinions…so dont expect the world to stop revolving because you feel the way you feel!

I’m not an Obama fan but this was pretty funny.

It’s really hard to laugh when I think about my grandfather who while trying to make it to work in an ice/snow storm several years ago skidded on a bridge into a river and was killed. I was also in an accident in the blizzard of 1993. Prior to those incidents, I would try to be brave and be the only one at work. I now sit at home like others.

I live in the south and used to live in Ohio. Sometimes we do joke about the panic a little snow or ice causes too, but we realize they are not equipped to handle it when it happens down here. They don’t have the plows and personnel to make the roads safe. I’d like to know if Obama would like to make his cute comments to any of the families whose family members died this past week because of a little snow and ice.

Did I miss something? It was a joke! I don’t recall us jumping on W for any of his jokes. I think it is refreshing to know that some children in America WANT to go to school DESPITE the weather. Now that is worth commenting about!

I loved it!