SRW’s 4-1/2 cents: OK, maybe it’s just me but does this strike anyone else out there as just plain wrong? Somebody! Get the President a PR Czar – QUICK!
(Photos courtesy of SRW)
From Foxnews.com, July 27, 2010:
President Obama will make history as the first sitting president on a daytime talk show when he visits with the ladies of “The View.” But he’ll be missing out on another historic occasion — the Boy Scouts’ Jamboree marking the group’s 100th anniversary, right in the president’s backyard.
The Jamboree kicked off this week at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, where organizers had invited the president to speak to the 45,000 scouts in attendance. (SRW: and possibly over 80,000 in total attendance along with the historic first simulwebcast in Boy Scout history. See this: A SHINING LIGHT ACROSS AMERICA Just saying…) All three of Obama’s predecessors have made it to one Jamboree while in office.
But the president will instead be traveling Wednesday to New York for a taping of the ABC show, as well as Democratic fundraisers and a stop in New Jersey. The talk show appearance comes as campaign season moves into full swing, but also amid efforts to cap the Gulf oil spill for good, contain the damage from an unprecedented leak of Afghanistan war documents and battle Arizona over its immigration law — set to go into effect Thursday. Obama also has an out-of-town event planned for Friday in Detroit.
CLICK HERE for the full Fox News article
The Jamboree is held once every four years. This year’s festivities mark the organization’s 100-year anniversary — scouts are scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., and other regional attractions in connection with the celebration.
Every president is typically invited, though not all are able to attend. Obama’s three predecessors each made it to one Jamboree in person. President George W. Bush spoke in 2005, President Bill Clinton in 1997 and President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
Though Obama typically reserves his exclusive interviews for network and cable news shows, he appeared on “The View” as a candidate. “The View” is hosting the president as part of its “Red, White & View” series highlighting political guests. Creator and co-host Barbara Walters said Obama’s appearance, along with the past appearance of First Lady Michelle Obama, shows “The View” can play the role of news source.
“This shows that both the president and first lady feel that our show is an influential and important source of information and news,” she said in a written statement.
But Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a fellow Democrat, scoffed at the idea of a president appearing on such a show. Rendell told MSNBC, at one point comparing “The View” to “The Jerry Springer Show.”
32 Comments
Thank you for bring story this to all of us. The main stream media did not pick this up and if they did it was pushed as a side story. I too was a scout and enjoyed that time of my life, I am now 62 and still remember those wonderful days with my troop. Thank you for speaking to our future leaders at the 100th Jamboree and by the way love your show Dirty Jobs. I, along with my twin brother, am a owner of a Construction Management and Engineering firm, so we can relate to the “jobs” that you bring to the screen. We have seen many dirty jobs in our travels throughout the world. All the best. Keith
Thank you Obama. You may have forgot that many of these scouts are of the age to be voting in the next election. Thanks to your hard efforts, they will join us fellow gop’s.
By the President (who by the way also happens to be the honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America) not showing up, his actions spoke volumes. It was not only a slap in the face to all those in attendance but it also tells people how little respect he has for the Boy Scouts and anyone who is not directly in a position to further his political agenda in general.
Dear Mr. President:
The Boy Scouts over the past 100 years has done countless of service hours for their communities and Nation. This year marked our 100th Birthday. Why did you miss our birthday celebration at the National Jamboree that only happens once every four years. The View is on every day for 52 weeks a year.
“For nearly 100 years, the BSA has created a strong foundation of leadership, service,and community for millions of America’s young people. The organization is committed to inspire and prepare future generations.
“Our goal is not simply to recognize 100 years of service,” said Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca. “Our
expectation is that this anniversary will lay the foundation for making the BSA better and stronger for its next 100 years.”
The BSA’s 100th Anniversary is a purpose-driven celebration. Every element is geared toward delivering
meaningful results for the BSA’s constituents—growing membership, increasing manpower, and maintaining
financial strength while also engaging local councils and enhancing public awareness and perceptions of
Scouting”
Mr. President, I fully expect the scouts will be around to celebrate it’s 200 the birthday. What will become of the View? What were you thinking?
This action of yours, just another example of how disconnected you are to the people of this country. I am looking forward to exercising my right to vote this November and to vote in 2012. Mr. President, maybe the VIEW would hire you in 2012, if they are still around.
Should the President have made the effort to attend Jambo? Absolutely. It was a historic moment for a movement that will be around long after we are gone. Having said that, I am HIGHLY disappointed in the behavior of our Scouts who openly booed the President. I don’t agree with what he did, but we Scouts are supposed to be above that…examples of leaders in this Nation. Yes, we do have the privilege of free speech, but that needs to be tempered with behavior more befitting the morals and principles most of us in Scouting hold so dear. The booing was beneath us. There are better ways to get our message of disappointment out than to act like this.
On the other hand, I would have loved to have been there to hear SECDEF and Mike Rowe speak. Simply awesome!
I am the mother of 2 Eagle scouts, both of whom attended the 100 anniverasy of scouting jamboree. Both will be eligable to vote at the next presidential election. Guess who this whole family (4 votes) will not be voting for? I don’t respect the man but I do respect the office. It’s to bad he chose the papparazzi over the boys. My sons told me what a deafening sound 45,000 boy scouts booing the video sounds like. Did you hear it Mr. Obama?
Addendum to posting.
Not only did you insult the Boy Scouts (President Obama), you also insulted this Girl Scout. I have been since first grade. For shame, for shame.
Mr. Obama’s disrespect of an organization he is honorary head and member of is an insult to those who granted him that status. Your actions are at best suspect. Your would rather work the media for the publicity it would generate to help your party. Wake up Mr. Obama. Those young men were expecting you to appear before them, not some PSA on a big screen. Is your party so desperate that you would snub an organization that helped in molding you as well as make you an honorary head of that organization? We will see come November if your choice for publicity helped or hindered your party.
Let’s think of it this way. If he had went to the jamboree, he’d be talking to the future voters of America.
Thank you, Mike Rowe, for your inspirational speech at the 2010 Boy Scouts National Jamboree! Someone had to make up for the canned video speech given by our “president” and I’m glad you found it important enough to show up IN PERSON and tell of your adventures in Scouting and to deliver the inspirational message that you did. I know the boys really enjoyed having you there and I’m sure it’s something they, nor you, will ever forget. Thanks again, Mike, you are a great American.
I’m a Boy Scout, right now very close to Star Scout. I completely loved the Jamboree except for the moment when we (the 45,000 + boy scouts) saw the President’s face come up in a recorded message. I completely lost faith in Obama after he didn’t show up to the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest organizations in America. On a happier note, I was so amazed to see Mike Rowe there. That moment made my day 100% better! I thank you for coming especially because you said yourself you wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Okay so I’m a boy scout and have been for a long time. I had some respect for him but not much and now I have absolutely none! I know for a fact that almost every scout at the jamboree this year including me have no respect anymore. To miss a once in a lifetime historic scouting event to go on a talk show(which he could have done anytime he wanted) and still made history for that too. I think his call on this on was just plan STUPID.
I am a life scout, soon to be Eagle, from New Jersey. I have just recently returned from one of my best experiences ever; the 2010 National Jamboree. I am speaking for many scouts who attended the Jamboree that it was a shame for the President of the United States to not show or even dare to step up in front of the future of America. Then he had the nerve to send a recording which he spoke for about 2 minutes. Some President! Many were hurt and angry at “The President”.
I’ve been against Obama since elections and I talked to many scouts about politics. I’ve talked to many scouts who loved Obama but quickly changed their minds. Good job Obama, now over 78,000 scouts and scouters hate you.
Anyway, that was just the one and only downfall for the Jamboree. The rest was a great experience. THANK YOU MIKE ROWE FOR COMING AND TALKING TO ALL OF US. EVERYONE WAS EXCITED THAT YOU CAME AND ENJOYED YOUR SPEECH!
I just have to say, I’m 17 years old, I will be turning 18 in 9 days, 4 months ago I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, I ship off to Basic Training on November 8th, I had the luxury of going to the Jamboree unlike a lot of you probably. I consider myself a republican and I DO plan on voting when the next election comes up. HOWEVER! despite all the reasons people could come up with on why I MYSELF should be dissing the president is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is, we had a lot of young boys there, in fact the troop I went with had 3 twelve year olds. The average age of the Scout there was probably 13-15 and I think Obama upset a lot of kids that wanted to see him JUST BECAUSE HE’S THE PRESIDENT! I think that was wrong and I’m disappointed in him, and in my opinion he owes the Boy Scouts of America one big apology.
Hey Mike, I was at the Jamboree and I thought you did great. I agreed with every word you said. But I thought it was kind of funny when they announced about a message from the president of the united states, at least 3/4 of the scouts around me started booing him. He turned down one of the biggest organizations in the world in order to make money.
Does he realize the loss. With over 40,000 youth present, 2 adult voters at home for each of them, 1/3 of those will reach the leagal voting age in 2 years. do the math that alot of active voters. Not to mention the ratio of Eagle Scouts in the Armed Forces in this Country, most of which are high ranking Officers. Talk about mocking the People below him. I’m just really disappointed in his choice. I know that the Women on the Veiw are very smart and highly watched. But these youth will be the leaders for tomorrow. The impact he could have had on them would have been priceless. But I guess they can always Youtube Ombama views later, when he loses the next election.
I have to agree with the majority of the persons commenting on this lack of wise choice by our “sitting” president. His lack of interest and verbal scoffing of the BSA has been noticed by tens of thousands of our youth and upcoming voting population. The Scout Law, as many of us know, holds 12 very important moral statements. When practiced, make for excellent citizens. I have not seen one of these 12 traits in him not even one day.
Where is his trustworthyness, courtesy, honesty, morality (when his wife and daughter have rented 30 rooms in Spain in the most lavish resorts – on taxpayer funds in these economic times – costing anywhere from $260/night to $6500/night!), helpfulness (blames others), kindness (oh yeah, to those that don’t work for a living), and duty to God? Have we seen any of these traits. If he were asked, in a board of review, how did you live up to the Scout Oath and Laws today, how would he answer? Oh right, I gave more stimulus money to those who dont work!
Maybe we should hand him the bill for the Jamboree and ask him to sponsor these youth and adults that give of their time freely! Go Scouts!!
Like Mike said “…The Eagle Award is not really meant for people who need to be dragged across the finish line.” The President made a decision based on what’s in his heart – what people think of him. A boy commits to his Eagle trek from deep inside his himself – this speaks volumes about his character. A US President not supporting such an incredible piece of history says a lot about his character. The President lost an opportunity to see how a Scout’s pledge to God and Country and his Honor to carry out that pledge makes for a great leader. No matter how much we point that out to him, we can’t drag him across the finish line…
Mr. Obama, What were you thinking? Thousands of volunteers WORKED the Jamboree to ensure the youth had an experience of a lifetime. Volunteers sacrificed to be there. It may have been leave/vacation days that otherwise would have been for a family vacation or maybe even a paycheck. Over the past two weeks there was a lot of sweat equity poured out for the future of our country! Yet, our president couldn’t make a short trip to speak?
Discouraging. It took me awhile to choose that word. It’s definition: depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action
When I sent my son off to the Jamboree, I fully expected that Mr. Obama would come address 100,000 consituents and future constituents. I am very, very disappointed in his decision. The View is on every day. The Centennial Jamboree happens once.
A disappointing decision, but not surprising. Personally, I’m glad he was true to himself and didn’t come. Mike Rowe was FAR better than he could have been and Defense Secretary Gates shined at the opening show as well.
Each day of the Jamboree there is a patch of the day. The patch for day 3 featured Obama. His visit was scheduled way, way in advance and so he canceled at the last minute. There was also a patch that featured the Presidential helicopter. This was absolutely his loss. Fort A.P.Hill is a short ride from D.C. he easily could have appeared at both locations. The View could have been taped in D.C.
Hope to purchase one of the “Dirty” shirts for my Eagle Scout.
I weep for America when our President finds it more important to appear on a T.V. show then at the National Boy Scout Jamboree. He missed a golden opportunity to inspire the youth of our nation who volunteer hundreds of thousands of hours yearly to improve our country. I hope all of you Scout leaders have taken note of this come the next election.
Why would Obama do this? I know he didn’t “forget” about the Jamboree. And to go to “The View?” You’re on TV nearly every day. But the 100th BSA Annerversary is never coming back.
For a president who claims to care about America’s youth he has a strange way of showing it. Instead of attending a historic event he goes on the View. This shows how out of touch he really is with the American people. This needs to be on every major news outlet. Let’s get the word out. Lets make sure everyone knows how foolish this descision was.
Thats just another reason why Mr. Obama will be a single term president
Obama chose his Hollywood moment when he dished with the women on “The View” over attending the BSA Jamboree. Doesn’t he comprehend that many of these 45,000 young men at the Jamboree will be of voting age by the time of the next Presidential election?!!! And that many of these young men will choose to serve this great country of ours.
“The View” is more fitting for Obama anyway. Look at all the 40,000+ votes he’ll miss from all the boys about to be voting and draft age.
I understand why the President chose the View over the Jamboree. On the View he would be around like minded people (except Elizibeth). At The BSA Jamboree he would be around literally thousands of people who have Morals, are Honest, they are Trustworthy and full of all the other traits that make a young man a Scout. So it is best he did not come, the Scouts are better off too.
Thank You Mike for coming out tonight, I really enjoyed your time on stage.
Yes, it’s totally wrong! He chose The View? Seriously? He chose that over the 100 year Jamboree? He can be on The View any time, the Jamboree happens once every four years. Bad choice. My son was disappointed he didn’t show up for the opening ceremony. I’m sure he disappointed the remaining 49,999 scouts as well.
But two thumbs up for Eagle Scout Mike! My son already snagged the T Shirt and will be excited to hear what Mike has to say.
Aside from the fact that “The View” makes me want to scalp myself, it definitely is not “an influential and important source of information and news.” Barbara Walters is kidding herself if she honestly thinks that. And the fact that the President is choosing this show, out of all the more credible news shows on the air, on which to make an appearance shows a lapse in judgement on his and his staff’s parts.
I support our president in a lot of things he does but not this one! To go on a “talk show” and put a fund raiser over the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts at their Jamboree is plan wrong.
History has and will commend the Boy Scouts for what they do for our boys, our society and our future – The View will go down as fight-fest television show and there will always be other fund raisers, you only get one chance for an event like this one.
Good to read Mike Rowe will be there, the kids will enjoying seeing him and hearing his words.