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Coach K Tells Obama: Focus On Your Game

By SusanUnPC on March 19, 2009 at 12:51 PM in President Barack Obama

(Click on the image to read all the stories listed at Memeorandum.com.)

coachk-s

I erupted LIKE a VOLCANO yesterday when I went to the White House Web site in a futile effort to find the time of PBO’s California town hall meeting.

I could NOT believe that the very first image that THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE WEB SITE DISPLAYED was Obama picking teams for the NCAA March Madness play-offs. Why not an image of Obama talking to a woman and children, formerly middle-class and now homeless, without food or basic necessities? That’s what Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt would have shown had they lived in an age with the Internet. FDR wouldn’t have prioritized an image of himself as the hip president who was obviously posing for the camera during his aren’t-I-clever selection of NCAA teams. In fact, FDR (I bet) would have forbade such an image.

See my original story, “PBO’s Priorities: While the Nation Fumes and Burns, “Nero” Plays a Game.”

The full title is “[UPDATEx2: Live Blog PBO's Costa Mesa Townhall] PBO’s Priorities: While the Nation Fumes and Burns, “Nero” Plays a Game” — but is really the IMAGES BELOW THE FOLD of his Web site that I took — with my screen capture tool — that you must see. Here one of the images again, in case you missed the first story (click to see the larger version):

picks-s

Here’s something else that I found exceptionally odd. This is the White House Web site master’s “name” for the image he posted of Obama making the picks:

brackets2009_hero.jpg” alt=”brackets2009_hero”

WHY is the word “HERO” in the title of an image showing him making NCAA picks?

See all.

ALSO of note: You and all taxpayers PAY for the White House Web site. We deserve to see a site that properly prioritizes the issues, even if they are not the favorite issues of PBO.

  • Portia Elizabeth

    I am so glad to see someone with cred scolding BO for having the time to PLAY, but who can’t seem to do his job as POTUS. It just seems absurd that That One is bragging about wasting time that could be spent trying to help our country!

  • bill

    I love basketball and sometimes hear the ball bouncing like the soundtrack in Hoosiers, but this is immature, self-centered behavior on the part of the leader of our nation. I still see him as a calculating, corrupt, cynic so who does this behavior play too?

    • oowawa

      so who does this behavior play too?

      Sports are a distraction from the problems of everyday life. I would assume that this presidential presentation is also meant to turn our minds away from our very real problems. It’s kind of like a feint, a “hokey-doke.” Never mind that man behind the curtain, sports fans; keep your eyes glued to the court, and forget about what’s going on outside.

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  • Lyn

    Oh NO, Poor Coach K, I wonder if he has any idea how many bots will probably attack him and tell him stupid things like “Obama is working to hard it is good he is relaxing” Quit picking on Barky….

    • Athena the Warrior

      I just sent an email to him thanking him for doing so. The email actually goes to one of his assistants.

    • beebop

      I am not a Duke fan, but you gotta love Coach K. He called out the bouncing fraud.

  • JohnnyB

    You can bet that our Pres never would have disclosed his 2008 tournament bracket list last year as it would have cost him the election. Pick one to win, you want the other to lose. Kind of like War. We like the Taliban when they fought the Russians, now we have to eliminate them. Hard to pick the winner.

    I think we should allow the Pres to have a little fun as he is in the hottest seat in the world 24/7.
    An impossible job for anyone to handle well.

    • Portia Elizabeth

      Ya know what?
      He wanted the job, he campaigned for it from the moment he got to the Senate, he lied, cheated and stole from Hillary to get it.
      He goes on holiday almost every weekend and has parties evry week.
      So excuse me if I want him to do his damn job instead of preparing ELABORATE bracket boards for the NCAA tournament instead of doing one effing thing to make sure my mother doesn’t lose her home.

    • Dawn

      I don’t care that he took the time to fill out a bracket & have some fun on ESPN
      BUT
      #1. It shouldn’t be the 1st thing on the website, it should be a footnote or a link, it reflects that this is his priority not an issue.
      #2. That ESPN reporter just got more time with the President than dozens of qualified journalists have gotten over the last couple of years to ask questions about issues.

    • beebop

      An impossible job for anyone Barry to handle well.

  • mountainaires

    Good for the Coach. Maybe Jay Leno should ask Obama what he’s doing THERE as well.

    I am learning to loathe this president more than the last president…

    Here’s something else at Memeorandum:

    Tax Cheat Corporations owe hundreds of millions in taxes, but get billions in taxpayer money!

    http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jqr4UotRftClHlFwgJmVYnR7xDJgD9715GI01

  • Lyn

    nd it just keeps getting better…http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/19/lovely-13-bailout-recipients-owe-220-million-in-back-taxes/
    Thirteen of the companies receiving billions in federal bailout money owe a total of more than $220 million in delinquent federal taxes.

    That’s the word from the chairman of a House subcommittee overseeing the federal bailout of financial firms. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia said Thursday that two of the companies owe more than $100 million apiece. In his prepared remarks, Lewis says that the House Ways and Means subcommittee on oversight discovered the delinquent taxes in a review of records from the IRS.

    The revelation is sure to spark outrage on Capitol Hill, where the House is expected to vote Thursday on a bill that would impose steep taxes on employee bonuses at firms that have received bailout money.

  • I’m a Linda too

    I just loved the obviously correct statement, and he was a supporter.

  • sandi78

    Susan, the White House web site now displays the same level of dignity,decorum and credibility that the current White House tenants display, ie none. It’s no more than Obama’s new campaign web site.

  • ziggy

    Why is Obama still campaigning? Here’s a simple answer: Because a very active, high profile campaign is currently being conducted against him.

    With the President’s person, policies, and administrative competence under constant attack from the right-wing press and media, he’s pretty much compelled to devote some time and effort to PR work to counteract those influences.

    Sorry you’re distressed that the President took a few minutes out of his day to talk about basketball. Apparently he really likes basketball–something I just don’t get, to tell the truth. Or maybe he was sending a subtle message to America’s left-handed voters…

    • sandi78

      I forget, was everyone happy when Bush was appointed? Yes? Then there was no “camapign” against him, or Clinton, or any other president? I see. Only against Obama. Poor guy, to be singled out like that. He can always resign if it gets too much for him, but right now he is the president and it’s past time for him to start behaving like he’s the president. Get off the campaign trail and govern the country. That’s what he wanted to do, well, that’s what comes along with the White House to live in and all the perks anyway.

    • Obama: Dubya II Electric Boogaloo

      sniff, sniff, sniff….boo hoo hoo.

      Oh cry me a river. Anything but taking responsibilty for Captain Kumbaya.

      Gee, I’m surprised you didn’t just say that we’re all KKK style racists too.

      • ziggy

        Why would that have even crossed my mind?

        • Ferd Berfle

          Let’s see–primarily because you’re a babbling idiot who can’t even spin your bullshit in a dead language such as Latin, as you so amply demonstrated last night, Zippy. Ya think?

          Why don’t you quit while you’re ahead and go to one of the skid-row sites devoted to the adoration of That One. You know, bumrus.com or webebamboozled.org or igotthethunderbirdinthebag.net

    • Lyn

      That is pretty funny, Almost all of the MSM and the major TV stations coddle him and cover up how bad he is doing.SOME time? ALL he does is whine and complaign about anyone that dare criticize him and then sends out emails to the attack dogs and little bots to defend the precious. what a joke.
      Please help me the Republicans nand a couple people like Rusn and Glenn and a tiny % of all the blogs are being mean and comnplaining just because I had people sign 1400 page spending bills with OUT reading them, Mommy Mommy they are picking on me wah wah wah

      and now of course he has to waste more time flying all over for town halls, leno and next week is taking another hour of prime time because what he really wants is his own Pravda.

      Its just like in the primary and Ge any reporter that DARED point out the smallest criticism of the One, got kicked off the plane.

      • ziggy

        Hey, it’s not really our fault that the average elected republican is such a slow reader.

        They’ve apparently got some comprehension problems, too. They seem to have thought one wetlands restoration provision was a financial aid package for marsh mice.

        • andrew191

          It’s wonderful to see the “Progressive”, “Forward thinking”, “Visionary”, and “Hope and Change” Obama zeolots become reduced to apologists and excuse crafters. There will be a point where the stench generated by the Obama administration will overwhelm his army of air fresheners. Your can of Glade will soon run out ziggy.

          • Lyn

            How dare those Republicans not be able to read a Bill longer than Gone With the Wind in less than the 10 hours they had to vote on it.

    • beebop

      He wouldn’t have to defend his job if he’d just do it. See how simple that is? Even if he does hate America and doesn’t give a damn about what happened to people’s life savings, he could pretend to. You know … one of those moving speeches we hear so much about.

      He is one shanked golf ball. So far off the green he can’t even see the hole. Loser with the big L.

    • bill

      I’m not right wing, just have always hated corrupt Chicago politics having seen how it impoverishes the state. He’s taking large sums from AIG and Fannie Mae for his campaign and then decrying bonuses rings very hollow. No different than his promises to Maytag employees in Galesburg, Il while he was a senator. Just words.

  • Tony

    What foreign dignitary will get the shaft this week because Obama was too ‘overworked’ with March Madness picks?

    • sandi78

      Lucky there’s that gift shop in the White House.

      • candymarl

        Queen Elizabeth gets an Obama bobble head. Film at eleven.

      • Lyn

        Maybe since they like polls the can have one set up at the gift shop online and each week we get to vote on which souvineer they give to the visators that week.
        I was thinking thos cute little Tshirts that say “future President” can be nice gifts for the little kids from UK, Kenya since who knows they too can grow up and be our POTUS since they don’t have to show any pesky proof they are Natural born cits

        • Obama: Dubya II Electric Boogaloo

          My vote is for the Chia Obamas

  • DAB

    He obviously thinks that photo-op governance will do the trick for him because he’s oh so lovable. I suspect that a growing number of the American electorate are getting a wee bit tired and irked at his constant presence. Can’t he just give us all a break and disappear for a while? You know what they say about familiarity breeds contempt….

  • rw

    Good for the coach to tell the dummy to stick to what he’s suppose – to pretend – to be doing.

  • Doc99
  • JozefAL

    How about this news item posted at IMDb.com?

    TV Execs Would Like Obama To Bail Out Of Primetime
    19 March 2009 2:36 AM, PDT

    At a time when the earnings of the television broadcast networks are plunging, the decision by President Obama to hold another news conference in primetime during a sweeps month is provoking anger among some network executives, TVWeek observed Wednesday. The president’s news conference, set for next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., will cause the networks to juggle their programs and in some cases eliminate episodes. TVWeek suggested that the news conference will particularly affect the domination of Fox’s American Idol, which will air on Wednesday and Thursday next week instead of Tuesday and Wednesday. Idol will now face challenges from a CBS Survivor special on Wednesday and NCAA “March Madness” on Thursday. Moreover, as one industry insider told TVWeek, “Every time the president disrupts primetime, the networks lose another couple million dollars. … In this economy, that’s the last thing we need.”

    What gives? How dare the networks worry about something as trivial as mere money when HE has a chance to speak in primetime? Didn’t the network ratings show a significant gain the last time HE spoke on the tube? Oh, wait. That’s right. When there’s no commercial adtime to sell, the networks don’t give a rat’s ass about ratings. Maybe they could work out a deal with HIM to sell commercial ads during HIS press conferences and addresses to the nation.
    Hell, I wish these network execs had been as worried when all the previous Presidents chose to waste airtime, interrupting television programs that were more important to many viewers than anything a President might have had to say. (I’m still more than a bit ticked off from when CBS decided to waste an hour of primetime programming to cover Bush 41′s surgery. I don’t know whether they wanted to be the first to announce Bush’s death or if they really thought that many people would be interested.)

    • termo

      You expect Obama to postpone his press conference and interfere with his viewing of the NCAA Tournament? Have you lost your mind? Come on. Obama does have his priorities. What would Obama’s key advisor, Buddy Reggie Love, think of that?

    • candymarl

      Oh hell no! Bail out major corporations. Bail out banks, Bail out Hollywood. Bail out prime time TV.

      Veterans? Too expensive according to so-called liberals that waved the flag when Bush was Pres.

      Now that Bush is gone? The military, active or veteran, are now evil. Funny thing is the right-wing, for all of their faults, called this one.

    • Lyn

      He was JUST on primetime, If anyone wants to hear his latests lies, I say watch osome of the 24 hour news channels, leave Prime Time shows alone unless there is an emergency. WHY does he feel the need to take over prime time every month?

      • sandi78

        I’m not into basketball at all, but that doesn’t mean I want Obama coming along messing with my prime-time viewing.

        Tuesday is NCIS night. And The Mentalist, and now Dancing with the Stars(maybe the Obamas could do that next season!). Take your stupid lying “press conferences somewhere else. Jeez, how to piss off the whole country.

        The networks don’t have to carry his wonderfullness, and if he keeps doing this, they just won’t.

  • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

    I can’t believe this Tar Heel (born and reared, and most of my family went to UNC) is agreeing with Coach K…

    What is the world coming to??? :-)

    • termo

      “What is the world coming to???”

      . . . March madness.

      • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

        LOL – and there ya have it!

        Except this madness seems to have started a while ago – huh – maybe it’s left over from LAST March?

  • termo

    Come to think of it I think it would not be too late for Obama to take lessons on leadership, organization, and setting priorities from Coach K.

    Obama should start with his book: “Beyond Basketball: Coach K’s Keywords For Success”

  • kinthenorthwest

    You know I am actually starting to feel a bit sorry for the black race and the reputation that Obama is giving them.
    Obama made history as the first black man to become president of the US. However, it looks like Obama is going down in flames. What does this say about and for the blacks.
    Almost all the other men who had firsts for the blacks did a much better job. Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and the many others who helped African Americans to really shine.

    Dont take this wrong but if Obama doesnt do some turn arounds in almost every aspect of his life or die in office he will probably go down in history as the biggest African American failure.
    Right now it looks like Obama will probably beat Bush’s ending poll records, which is not a record any human with any brains would want.

    • AlwaysAskWHY

      I hope folks don’t think that, because of the racist comments spoken here, that the rest of us in the Northwest are also RACIST. We’re not.

      I wonder if this writer will feel the same when, a couple of years from now he/she can actually get health care, a decent education, and a decent paying job without hocking his soul — or risking his/her life in the military to get an education, if he lives.

      UNDERFUNDED PUBLIC EDUCATION IS NOT AN ACCIDENT. The plundering elite NEED uneducated, programmable humans to do their bidding and fight their corporate wars-for-profit and power.

      CASE IN POINT: The plundering elite ALWAYS GO AFTER THE DEFENSELESS WHEN THEY HAVE TO CUT BUDGETS

  • Athena the Warrior

    Has someone posted this yet?

    http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/2009/03/breaking_news_barack_obama_pic.html

    Again, God forbid he miss a moment of the games. Also just ran across this item:

    http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/networks_grumbling_about_anoth.php

    All is not happy in TV Land because Prez Bo Bo is costing them money.

  • Becks

    I am sure Coach K. was respectful; I am in total agreement. People are living in tents, losing 401k savings and their jobs. I don’t want to hear about b-ball brackets, michelle’s arms and green fountain water. And going on Jay Leno…my God, I don’t know where this guy’s head is. Next he’ll be appearing on Amer Idol AND Dancing with the Stars. God save is all!

  • steel magnolia

    The next thing we’ll hear is that Coach K is a racist.

  • Sassy

    I really like Coach K, and it’s great that he understands that the economy is more important than basketball, where he has devoted so much effort.
    BO is determined to insert himself into every aspect of American life, and I am thoroughly sick of his grandstanding!
    I’ll make him a deal…stay out my sight, and I’ll stay out of his Democratic Party!

  • AlwaysAskWHY

    Oh, for God’s sake! Some of us out here don’t give a damn about sports, but in the face of the Bush administration’s mass-murder-for-profit in Iraq and Afghanistan of over one million human beings in an illegal war, including over 4,000 American and allied troops, torture, illegal surveillance, treason (outing a covert CIA agent and maybe killing people in that operation that was tracking WMD), changing science to protect cronie profits, and the most recent revelation of CHENEY’S ASSASSINATION SQUAD, we’ve been living a depressing and humiliating nightmare the last eight years. And, since the economic recovery is dependent upon “perception”, maybe a little macho man levity IS in order at this point.

    But ALWAYS ask WHY: WHY is Obama’s participation in this very normal macho man past time, which presidents have always done, being made into a national incident?? ANSWER: To distract you from the real criminals who have screwed us all into the wall: The Republicans and BUSH MAFIA, WHO HAVE STOLEN OUR DEMOCRACY, LIVES, OUR NATIONAL TREASURY (the sweat of the American People), our PRIDE IN OUR NATION, the world economy — AND THE DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE PROTECTED THEM FROM PROSECUTION — WHICH IS TREASON IN AND OF ITSELF.

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