Posted on 08/05/2012 9:46:53 AM PDT by John Semmens
President Obama has been calling Olympic medal winners to congratulate them on their victories. However, some have found the calls somewhat disconcerting.
A gold medal-winning athlete who asked that his name be withheld for fear of retribution said he has mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, its flattering to be called by the President. I mean, with all hes got on his plate, the idea that hes got time to talk to me is something special.
On the other hand, I found his insistence that you didnt win that a bit unnerving, the athlete admitted. I know Ive had a lot of help along the way. I never thought I was in it all by myself. But everyone competing has had helpeven the ones that lose. I relish the opportunity Ive had, but in the end I still had to outrace my competitors. Surely, I merit some credit for rising above that competition.
Press Secretary Jay Carney defended the Presidents message saying if he had his way everyone would get medals. The victory really belongs to all of humanity. Every champion is the product of every influence that exists or ever existed. His own contribution is vanishingly small in the grand scheme of things. So, basically, the President is right. The ones getting the medals didnt really win them. Somebody else made that happen.
In related news, in a campaign speech in Ohio, President Obama hammered Mitt Romneys tax plan saying that it unfairly leaves too large a share of the nations wealth in the hands of those who created it and contrasted it with his plan that carves up the pie more fairly because its based on need, not greed.
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news posts you can find them at...
http://azconservative.org/2012/08/03/dems-move-to-block-military-vote/
“its flattering to be called by the President. I mean, with all hes got on his plate”
I needed a good laugh this morning!
He interrupted a golf game to call.
Of all the time of history, these great Olympic winners have to be congratulated by the worst president in the history of our nation.
I'll bet they did! Should we pray for them?!?
Obama is right. My tax money went towards building the swimming facilities where the athletes trained. I demand a piece of every gold medal. (snicker) Another good one John.
Out of the park, John!
I guess it’s a good thing I’m not a medal winning olympian.
5.56mm
“You didn’t win that on your own!”
on this tax the Olympic gold medals...I don’t think the athletes should be taxed on their hard won medals. I did not know $$$$ went along with it, however.
When it comes to the actual $$$$ I do think they should pay income tax on that as additional income the same as the pro golfers do or anyone who wins a lottery or awards on game shows. But not on the medals....Otherwise the next thing we can expect is all our military personnel who have been awarded ( as opposed to won) medals of distinction or for heroic actions will be taxed on their Purple Hearts or Bronze Stars or Legion of Merit awards or perish the thought, the MOH!
tee hee
Then there is a mobile phone in "Golf Cart One"?
Then there is a mobile phone in "Golf Cart One"?
You had me going until the press sec’s comment!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.