Mar 17, 2009 8:53am
White House Fountains Dyed Green
EmailThe White House fountains are dyed green this morning.
No, not for the $165 million in AIG bonuses, silly — in honor of St. Patrick’s day.
They were dyed this morning by White House grounds staff, ordered by White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers in honor of the Chicago tradition of dying the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day every year.
Rogers told the Obamas her idea and the Obamas "loved it" according to a White House aide.
- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
Rick Santorum Sweeps 3 States 
Pentagon to Open Additional Jobs to Women
Happy St. Patricks Day! Our family arrived on the shores of this great Country over 340 years ago from Ireland.
Top of the morning to you! Have a great day!
Posted by: Ranger | March 17, 2009, 9:12 am 9:12 am
is it me or is all this obama partying and cocktail parties and such out of whack with the state of our economy. he is a modern nero.
Posted by: Joe | March 17, 2009, 9:21 am 9:21 am
This is polluting the water. They should set the standard first
Posted by: henry 5th aveneue | March 17, 2009, 9:21 am 9:21 am
I am so glad they have time for two parties and green fountains. Let’s focus on the important stuff. Yippee another party or two for Obama.
The Peron’s (Evita) are diminished in history due to the Obama’s.
Posted by: MNM] | March 17, 2009, 9:23 am 9:23 am
It’s refreshing to have life in the White House. Way to go I like the Green!!
Posted by: Alice | March 17, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am
Sure, dye… I heard it was tea!
Posted by: KR | March 17, 2009, 9:55 am 9:55 am
Saw that on the news this morning. I think it’s really cute. No snark, no sarcasm– I mean it. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, gang.
Posted by: moderate | March 17, 2009, 10:01 am 10:01 am
Dear God, do these people have no class?
Posted by: Keith | March 17, 2009, 10:07 am 10:07 am
MNM:”I am so glad they have time for two parties and green fountains. Let’s focus on the important stuff.”
From the story: “They were dyed this morning by White House grounds staff, ordered by White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers”
So you think the Social Secretary and grounds staff are the folks in charge of the important stuff? Maybe in a Republican administration. Actually, that would explain a lot…
Posted by: jhw539 | March 17, 2009, 10:11 am 10:11 am
yeah lets focus on the important stuff.. like this military hating president proposeing that our wounded and disabled veterans Pay for their own health care. what kind of lunitic have we got in the white house that he wants to force veterans that were wounded in the service of their country to pay for health care?
Is this the Obama way of destroying our military? and America at the same time? WHY is ABC AND CBS AND NBC running from this story? 5000 people protest Obama policies in Cinncinati, 2000 in St Louis, 1500 in Az.. all over the people are rising up against Obamas policies and ABC, CBS and NBC are trying their best to cover it up..Obamas numbers are plummenting and we are going to make sure in post and emails and billboards that people know of his fake concern for the middle class and the military.
NOW he is proposing that he is open to taxing healthcare benefits.. he now reverses himself and say the economey is ” fundamentally sound” lmao, he is a joke, where have we heard this before?
Posted by: Obama-LIVE FROM THE WAFFLE HOUSE | March 17, 2009, 10:13 am 10:13 am
“like this military hating president proposeing that our wounded and disabled veterans Pay for their own health care. ”
Citation please.
Posted by: jhw539 | March 17, 2009, 10:17 am 10:17 am
Leave it to the radical right-wing whack-jobs to criticize a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the White House. Next, I suppose, the Limbaughbots will criticize when the Obama girls have birthday parties.
Posted by: Howard Beale | March 17, 2009, 10:20 am 10:20 am
At no time did Obama suggest any of what you have posted. What he said was ALL options were on the table but that he did not support taxing health benefits. DO NOT LIE.
Posted by: Afton Girl | March 17, 2009, 10:25 am 10:25 am
“…military hating President…”
I find this incredibly offensive by Mr. or Ms. WaffleHouse. I am a veteran and I studied the positions of the candidates very closely during the campaign, on veterans and military issues. Let me tell you, Obama’s support for veterans was WAY ABOVE John McCain, who should have done better being a vet himself. McCain’s positions amounted to a sellout.
Posted by: Afton Girl | March 17, 2009, 10:28 am 10:28 am
Joe: it’s you.
Posted by: Howard Beale | March 17, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am
New Republican Proposal: cancel the easter egg hunt at the White House. We must focus on more important issues during this desperate economy. Excuse me while I throw up.
Posted by: Howard Beale | March 17, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
The people who are focus on the negative or who are skeptical of what the Obama’s do need to find closure some other way. They need to accept the fact that their party and ideology has navigated our ship of state aground and they are at fault because we have been heading this way for the last 25 years. They need to accept that there is a new captain with a new crew who is going to repair this damage ship while turning it on a new course. Everybody (1st class down to steerage) is going to share in the sacrifices and the rewards on this new journey. Everybody!!!
Posted by: thomas | March 17, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
It’s reminiscent of dying the Chicago River green. Cute.
Posted by: MayBee | March 17, 2009, 10:42 am 10:42 am
Now what good would a big St Patty’s day party be if you didn’t dye the fountain water green…
This is the party president….
Posted by: samhiguchi | March 17, 2009, 10:49 am 10:49 am
The Obamas are hosting not one but two parties tonite at the WH to celebrate St. Patrick’s day.
I wonder what they will serve…
Posted by: Plumber | March 17, 2009, 10:49 am 10:49 am
No, these people have no class. They are not irish, and why would you dye the water green. If this is where his thinking is, we are in serious trouble, but we already know we are in serious trouble with him and Joe Biden. I simply cannot believe that he has no more sense than he does. This partying shows you exactly where he is – the most liberal man to ever occupy the White House. What a shame for all the people that care. Turn the water orange next time, for Kool-Aid Day.
Posted by: Jane | March 17, 2009, 10:58 am 10:58 am
Plumber:”The Obamas are hosting not one but two parties tonite at the WH to celebrate St. Patrick’s day.”
Every president has hosted St. Patrick’s day parties for decades – it would honestly be a scandal if Obama did not. Do you not understand the role of the head of state at all?
Posted by: jhw539 | March 17, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Jane: you are exactly right. No more partying! Times are tough. People are out of work. They should cancel the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the White House as well. We don’t need the expense of all those kids there, having fun! To Hell with ‘em. In fact, no more holidays of any kind as long as these people are in the white house. No Thanksgiving. No Christmas Tree. Let’s wait until we get a REAL family back in the white house. You know, a real Republican family, one with real honest family values. Not these people.
Posted by: Howard Beale | March 17, 2009, 11:03 am 11:03 am
Do you not understand the role of the head of state at all?
~~~~~~
The role of the head of state in a crisis is to have two parties on St. Patrick’s day?
Posted by: Plumber | March 17, 2009, 11:04 am 11:04 am
I’ll bet Saint Reagan, even though he was Irish, did not do anything as trivial as have a party!
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | March 17, 2009, 11:05 am 11:05 am
Where were all these party-poopers when Bush hosted a St. Patrick’s Day dinner last year?
Posted by: Afton Girl | March 17, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am
William J. LePetomane: Be nice. No need to go fishing – the right wingers will say something stupid without being baited.
(Reagan, of course, famously lunched with the Taoiseach on St Patrick’s day at a Tip O’Neill Capitol party.)
Posted by: jhw539 | March 17, 2009, 11:12 am 11:12 am
So much of the Chicago way has come to DC, why not color the fountains as well?
Posted by: mad | March 17, 2009, 11:13 am 11:13 am
Howard: You are so right as long as “these people”, your words, not mine, are in the White House it is scarey. You must be the liberal of all liberals. If you saw what I see everyday, children hungry, wihout a place to sleep at night, you might just want to cancel a lot of things in your life, so get off of my case.
Posted by: Jane | March 17, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am
Just wait until the Obama girls have birthday parties at the white house and watch for the screaming and table-pounding from the right-wingers.
Posted by: Afton Girl | March 17, 2009, 11:18 am 11:18 am
They were dyed this morning by White House grounds staff, ordered by White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers in honor of the Chicago tradition of dying the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day every year.
————————————–
More of the Chicago Way.
Posted by: mad | March 17, 2009, 11:18 am 11:18 am
Jane:” If you saw what I see everyday, children hungry, wihout a place to sleep at night, you might just want to cancel a lot of things in your life, so get off of my case.”
I’m still not quite sure why are you ranting about the Whitehouse gardeners throwing $5 of dye in the fountain. Nor why you are so against an administration that is friendlier to the subsistence poor than any in over 30 years.
Posted by: jhw539 | March 17, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am
Jane: even though I am a moderate independant, I am agreeing with you. NO DAMN EASTER EGG HUNT THIS YEAR! People are hurting. Why the hell should the taxpayers pay for kids to come to the white house for an Easter party!
Posted by: Howard Beale | March 17, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am
“in honor of the Chicago tradition of dying the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day every year.”
Oh goody. More Chicago traditions from the mob-friendly fakes. Will it make people forget all about the “Obama” organization’s talking out both sides of its mouth about AIG “bonuses”?
Sure doubt it, but jeez this is tacky beyond belief.
Posted by: Pants on Fire | March 17, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am
mad: Chicago works, if you have ever been there.
Posted by: Howard Beale | March 17, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am
HAPPY ST PATTYS DAY!!
Posted by: ANGIE IN PA | March 17, 2009, 11:42 am 11:42 am
Every time St. Patrick’s day rolls around this Tlingit adds some green to my jacket in support of the Irish.
St. Patrick’s day also means spring is around the corner. More good news its 54 degrees outside :-)
I like this story for a few minutes the Irish and this story made me smile.
Posted by: Cooday | March 17, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
I am Irish-American and it looks tacky to me.
Posted by: Michelle | March 17, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
This is insane. A story no one will cover is that Obama is just about out of his allotted “White House party money” for the year. When Bush was in office he scaled that amount back because he knew taxpayer’s money could be put to better use or no use at all. Obama has blown through his “party money” Bush didn’t spend in 4 years. I guess Obama’s spending habits are the same across the board…
Posted by: Rebecca | March 17, 2009, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
Sounds like something Jed Clampett would do to the cement pond! (Re: The Beverly Hillbillies)
Posted by: Phryad | March 17, 2009, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
jhw539,
Every American president for 150years has attended the Gridiron Dinner, but Obama won’t. This guy has no idea about tradition, or what being president involves, or respect for the office of the presidency. He just likes the perks.
Posted by: Keith | March 17, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
“Every American president for 150years has attended the Gridiron Dinner, but Obama won’t. This guy has no idea about tradition, or what being president involves, or respect for the office of the presidency. He just likes the perks.”
ROFLMAO!
I love the parroting of right wing memes!
The Gridiron Club is not 150 years old.
And your chastising him of just loving the perks while he decides not to attend a white tie dinner party is hilarious!
Posted by: Ryan C | March 17, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
“I am Irish-American and it looks tacky to me.”
Let me guess…you’re a Re……publican?
Posted by: silky | March 17, 2009, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
“Jane: even though I am a moderate independant, I am agreeing with you. NO EASTER EGG HUNT THIS YEAR! People are hurting. Why the hell should the taxpayers pay for kids to come to the white house for an Easter party!”
Because the people that are hurting that bad aren’t paying for it and the President is the President and people are not.
Posted by: silky | March 17, 2009, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
“Dear God, do these people have no class?”
Dear God, do you have an ounce of perspective?
Posted by: silky | March 17, 2009, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
Folks let us try to remember exactly what Saint Patrick’s day is really about,Christian faith! Not everything green and beer drinking. Saint Patrick was known for his absolute trust in God that I am sure what he would want people today to think about. And the way this country is headed we really should be trusting God and less involvement of the government in our lives. Whatever they give us in one hand they will take back double with the other. My husband has lost his job and we are trying to get healthcare under the recovery stimulus act and having a terrible time doing it. I have had 20 different people give me 20 different answers to the recovery healthcare assistance. And when I talked to someone from Nancy Pelsoi’s office I was hung up on because I said the word crap out of pure anxiety of trying to just get my question said. I am a conservative and don’t trust either party.
Posted by: nora | March 17, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
@Jane,
I suggest purple for Kool-Aid Day; grape is my favorite!
Posted by: Lynn | March 17, 2009, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
MayBee:It’s reminiscent of dying the Chicago River green. Cute
I saw something about this on another article about the Chicago River. I thought it was too.
Posted by: Reeeee | March 17, 2009, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Since I’m Irish and I grew up in the great city of Chicago, I LOVE the green fountain!
I honestly can’t believe that some people posting here are bothered by the new sense of fun in the White House.
I thought the Clinton Haters were a nasty group of people. Come to find out, the Obama Haters are both nasty and petty. Come on, lighten up.
Happy St. Paddy’s!
Posted by: Jan | March 17, 2009, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm
OMG Rep. John Boehner is wearing a green tie. With all the people hurting in the world, what is he thinking. OMG, I wore green today and had a green smoothie.
About losing jobs, look into the management of the companies, are the CEOs hurting? Do they still have their summer lake houses? This recession started in Dec. 07, let’s not forget that.
Posted by: Nancy | March 17, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
1) Bush supporters used to call those who criticized Bush as “haters.” How nice to see that the Obama supporters have addopted this Karl Rove tactic.
2) Putting green dye in a frat-house fountain is appropriate. Putting green dye in a fountain in front of a Hooters Restaurant is appropiate. Putting green dye in the Whitehouse fountain is inappropriate. It showed an appalling lack of class, dignity and respect for the WH and all it represents, incuding the many great American leaders who have lived there.
3) If Obama wants to bring back dignity to the WH and the presidency, and honor to America internationally, he might consider not treating it like a college-freshman’s flop-house.
I put up with 8 years of Bush Jr, writing hundreds of pages about his scandals, and now we are stuck with someone who makes the Bushes look classy?
Posted by: PoliticaAmazon | March 17, 2009, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
Oh geez lighten up guys. Are you the same ones that complain whenever your neighbors put up Halloween or Christmas decorations?
Posted by: cantha krualiz | March 18, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
“Putting green dye in the Whitehouse fountain is inappropriate. It showed an appalling lack of class, dignity and respect for the WH and all it represents, incuding the many great American leaders who have lived there.”
Yes, truly, dying the water in a fountain ranks up there with Plessy v. Ferguson, Watergate, and Abu Ghraib . . . get real folks
Posted by: MCT | March 18, 2009, 1:23 am 1:23 am
I don’t understand all the fuss. It is a good idea for the White House to celebrate the holidays. All the Republicans should lighten up. If the fountain was dyed green by a Republican president there would be no debate. Besides Obama is Irish on his mother’s side. As for polluting water – a fountain was dyed not a natural body of water such as a lake or river. What’s the big deal.
Posted by: Anne | March 18, 2009, 10:15 am 10:15 am
I’m an American with Irish ancestors.
The White House is Our house and this dyeing of the fountain water looks cheap and tacky.
Not an appropriate image for such a stately place.
Did you know that the architect of the White House was Irish?
Also, why did both Obama and Hillary both meet with Gerry Adams, who is a notorious supporter of Irish murdering terrorists?
Posted by: Jennie Coyle | March 18, 2009, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
This is just to create a distraction from his failed economic policies.
Posted by: Kim | March 18, 2009, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm
omg,
i thought it was a fun idea until i read these comments.
its amazing how divided we are as a country.
hopefully an independent runs and wins because i am so tired of the back and forth fighting between both parties and all the sour grapes when the other wins.
Posted by: autoprt | March 19, 2009, 6:09 am 6:09 am
Who would of thought? O’Bama is just a good Irish laddie and we’ve been misspelling his name all along…
Posted by: Scott | March 17, 2010, 10:34 am 10:34 am
I suppose there is somebody out there that has a problem with the changing of the light on top of the Empire State Building for various events.
Lighten up people. It does not represent anything politically. If anything let it represent The Obabma’s love for Chicago tradition or to show respect towards all the Irish-Americans that live in this country, serve their country…
Does anyone remember the saying “If you do not have anything nice to say, say nothing at all” I can’t even imagine how peaceful this country would be if Americans lived their life by it.
For the record…25 year old white female caucasian, non-Irish.
Posted by: Karly | March 17, 2010, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Wow! So wonderful, I like it, thanks for sharing this with us. Congratulations! You have the wonderful writing & presenting skills. I am hoping in future same work from you.
Thanks once again.
Posted by: soham joshi | June 22, 2011, 8:50 am 8:50 am
I wish all the people that complain about things could be in the place of the other person that they are complaining about and see how long they survive. Like my grandma all ways said ” life is not that bad and if it is why are you still taking up space in it?’
Posted by: KISHA | July 11, 2011, 12:42 am 12:42 am