CNN

As I could understand how anyone in D.C could take offense to this, I actually do agree with Obama. I come from a southern town that sold its snow equipment because the government thought it was not needed.

Now, I won't mention what town it is, but I will say that just recently, the city panicked because they had just gotten 3 inches of snow. The schools, businesses, everything was closed.

With the nation's capitol, for security reasons, this cannot and should not ever happen.

Why are you "sucking' up so much CNN? This is not news, this is for the Weather Channel. Why don't you inform the public of the issues on the Stimulus bill . That would be more productive.

I think that people who live more to the North are more used to the winter weather than the ones living close to the South.
In North there is snow all the time, so people get used to deal with that different way than the ones who se snow only sometimes.
Like people from Canada 9 or Sweden or so) might be hot in 65 degrees, people from tropics will be shivering in 65 degress.....
But it is true that schools should be closed only when really really bad weather.

Val, words cannot even describe the idiocy of you or your comment.

Obama is right. Hell, even in New York City, schools and businesses generally stay open unless much more than a foot of snow is expected. Of course, a lot of people (mostly students and the elderly) stay home anyway, so it's often a little less busy, but it's far from a complete shutdown. It's been snowing more often that usual here this winter and today is the first day they sent out the snow plows (which are just garbage trucks with a plow attached to the front; not exactly expensive), mostly to apply salt to deal with the heavy freezing rain that took over this morning.

Come on folks. Lighten up when someone makes a joke. It rarely snows in Washington D.C. so they don't have plows to remove it. People there aren't used to driving in it so it creates huge traffic problems. That's the reason schools get closed. If there was a fleet of snow plows there, you would all complain about the wasteful spending for equipment that sits idle 364 days a year just in case it snows on the 365th day.

I grew up in Minnesota and lived in Virginia for a few years. The first winter storm I saw there had the news folks screaming "Siberian Express". As a Minnesotan, I thought 20 degrees and a few inches of snow seemed like an average winter day - no big deal. I also thought it was odd that it was January and nobody had drained their swimming pools yet. It's not better or worse. It's just different.

Occasional paralysis?

I lived there for six years. If they even THINK it will snow, the entire region goes into a ridiculous panic. But it is justified because I found their ability to drive in weather (any weather) to be appallingly bad.

My kids attend a private school in Dallas – this is their second day out of school, as a result of our ice storm. I welcome the day off, as people in these parts don't drive well on the ice. So far, 37 accidents...and counting.

Yes I'd imagine that the people who had applied for that position at the college might get uppity if they are overlooked completely so Mrs. Biden can be on staff, if that is what happened,your right that would be ridiculous" and if it were you that was overlooked you might be talking from the other side of your mouth. I'm quite sure you would be!!

My goodness. I agree with Chaco. It was a side joke, just for laughter. I lived in Germany for 12 years and trust me you don't know what snow is until you go there. They don't shut down school for nothing. The all city have to pretty much go dark with no power in order to shut down.

But it funny how you go to the different places and how things are done differently due having unusual situations. Just like people up north can't handle the hot weather in the south. They almost die, when 75-80 degrees hit. (ha ha ha) See people it's call laughter, try it sometimes it will do your soul good.

@Keith January 28th, 2009 1:41 pm ET
Stop giving this man publicity, the only people who care about him are the people who will not change their view point. They are already in his corner, so his rhetoric has no real effect, other then making him rich......Why are you Responding IDIOT!!!

To all of those that say Chicago is well-equipped to handle snow and sleet, that may be the case, no arguing that. However, sometimes the snow comes down so quickly and is so heavy that our "well-equipped" snow plows simply cannot keep up. Usually there is already several inches of snow on the ground before the snow plows even come around. That being said, safety of the children should come first and if it truly was a safety issue then the the schools were rightfully closed. I still think they're a bunch of wimps, but understand their position. It just irritates me to hear people complain of a dusting of snow and temps in the 30s when Chicago has had near record breaking cold and record breaking snow fall this year, and my daughter and I have yet to take a snow day! All Obama is saying is they could use some toughening up, Chicagoans find a way to make it to work and school through a foot of snow and freezing temps, and that's no walk in the park!

If all the children in the area would be provided the same secure transportation that the President;s children are receiving, I would think the schools should stay open. But........that is not possible.
So if he wants his children to go to school when it snows...then send them to a Chicago school!

This is the greatest country in the world; where, you can let others in-
on what is happening. It is a winter mix here in NEPA and you can be
having a great time, depending on how you look at the situation. My
snowblower has froze up since I last used it, so sitting by a warm woodburner and reading what is happening in your nations capitol is
something special. Just being able to email CNN is a privilege that we
have available to us. President Obama is looking for suggesions and
maybe we can be heard via the internet on supporting "the right stuff".

Please do not add anything Chicago to anyone in Washington...haven't we seen the effects of Chicago style anything so far....

No joke, our school system closes for too much rain, it's too cold and the 'chance' of snow. It's ridiculous.

May be I missed something. How is this news?

Yes, it is a matter of preparedness. I lived in Cincinnati for a short time, after living in northern Ohio most of my life, and was astounded at the way everyone freaked out whenever more than an inch of snow fell.

That said, what Obama said was a joke, and I'm sure the Washington DC road people were quick to tell him just why they had to close everything down. Who knows, maybe he'll give them more snow moving equipment and they'll be able to keep the schools open in bad weather! Good for teaching, although the kids will be disappointed...

And actually, Sasha and Malia are very bright kids who seem to like school – they were probably frustrated that they couldn't go!

I think the President has a point, I live at 4500 feet above sea level, at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The snow Washington is getting is nothing, they are measuring in inches, we measure in feet. Our winter storms have winds in excess of 60 to 70 miles per hour, 100 plus on the ridge tops, white out conditions, drifting snow, trucks blown over and this is just a basic winter storm, the big storms are even worse.

Our highest pass sets at over 9,000 ft, try driving that during a winter storm, a trip that would normally take twenty minutes can take up to six hours. Our snow plows run twenty four hours a day during a winter storm, they hot seat the plows, drivers do twelve hour shifts, I should know I work for DOT. Get over it Washington, stop crying over a little white stuff.

Hey Brian, do you think you could get a law degree, get elected to the Senate and then to the presidency? Maybe you should think twice about who you call a moron. Perhaps the person who managed to slide their FWD Honda Odyssey into a tree?

Someone from Helsinki, Finland blogged that it was some 90 degrees below zero and schools were wide open. DC's climate is different from Chicago's. The Obama girls are now learning first hand.

I live in Michigan, and I am looking out the window at a foot plus of snow on the ground. I have to laugh my a– off when I read some of these drama queen comments of "Obama insulting his new neighbors". Get real some of you people..............a little snow in Washington is not like a little snow in Arizona. Toughen up eastern folks. It snows frequently enough in DC that it shouldnt look THAT foreign...LOL

To Gretta,

Maybe Sasha and Malia would like to go to school rather than "do fun things". Some children like school.

Spent 23 yrs in MI, only time school was closed was wind chill -27F.
Grew up in MD...School closed when school busses couldn't navigate the roads.
Now live in GA....snowed 3X in 11 yrs...stores were out of bread, milk, and snowshovels, with 2" on the ground.

Hate him all you want, he is our president. If you don't like it, leave town.

DC is not the only capitol city that cannot deal with snow. I have seen the same thing in London and Brussels. Even Detroit, with its poor economic condition, does better. I live in Houston now and we had a recent, rare snowfall, and people basically ignored it. Snow happens, even as far south as Texas, and municipalities should be prepared to deal with it.

This is hardly "mocking." Mocking is usually more serious and degrading.

This was just some light-hearted fun.

Too bad the MEDIA doesn't have a collective sense of humor.

Oh get over yourselves and lighten up.

We used to laugh because they would cancel schools in north Texas because it "MIGHT" snow the next day. Usually it never did and the kids just got a day off and the parents had to hustle to find child care while they were at work. (Work never seemed to get canceled no matter what the weather report was.)

I am a transplant to SW Missouri after growing up in Nebraska. Every road in the county that I live in is paved, and schools close every year at the first drop of sleet, or if we get more than an inch of snow. They bus most of the kids to school, even the ones that live in town of approximately 12,000 people. They do not know what salt is down here. Not only do the schools close, so do most businesses because they do not salt the roads or streets. Last year, after everything had been shut down for about the fourth day in a row, a radio announcer interviewed someone from the road maintenance department and he said he had not received any complaints. Needless to say, his phone started ringing before he even left the interview. Our local govenment in action. Totally rediculous!!!

You people are idiots. The reason they close the schools is because of the buses transporting the THOUSANDS of students on teh nations busiest highways. There are millions of cars, millions of people and oh yeah – they don't spend thousands of dollards on teh salt to get the highways, side streets, other side streets, and neighborhood streets.

Reality check folks. I

Having grown up in Phila I am used to things getting shut down because of a heavy frost!!! Now I live where getting 6 inches is considered a dusting!

Welcome to the South, Mr. Obama. We don't get snow often, but when we do, we stay home and enjoy it. Maybe that tradition can help to explain why you didn't include any Southerners in your "diverse" cabinet. (I still love you, though.)

Val in MA
Dictatorship for saying that schools should not close schools and businesses for a 2 inches of snow? You don't know what dictatorship is! We pay very high taxes to send our kids to school, and we consistently get a school closing for a couple of inches of snow in NJ. My company opened today, though. I don't understand why the public offices have to close. There is no "individualism" in this. These are different times and we all have to start working harder if we want to get out of this economic mess.

I am from the Chicago Suburbs and can remember that school was canceled once in the late 80's and that was due to extreme sub zero wind chills. Now, I live in Texas and cannot believe how the city closes down for a very little ice.

I was watching – and I don't consider it as a "mock." He was joking becaue of his daughters saying the weather in Chicago was much worse.
Stop being so nit picky!!

Dear Obama. Have pity. Here in Vermont we call them "flatlanders"; The poor souls can't help it but I know how you feel.

As a fellow Chicagoan, I totally agree with Obama! Ice? Please! Maybe he is the man to instill some Chicago toughness in soft little D.C.

It's all relative. I grew up in southern Georgia where it was unusual ever to see snow (an inch or 2 every 6-8 years). I lived in Atlanta, GA where an 2 inches of snow (every 2-3 years) could easily paralyze that huge city. Then I move to Chicago, IL and it took 6-8 inches to get everyone in an uproar. Then I moved to Bangor, ME where in winter my routine was to go outside and swipe 10 inches of snow off the top of the car. The guy who plowed the driveway had a scaled fee: $15.00 for up to 15 inches. Above 15 inches, the fee was $20.00. We paid the $20.00 about 2-3 times per winter. So, I find all statements about snow amusing, which is as it should be, since, to me, snow is the most magical of all weather phenomena and totally worthy of the most mirth. You go, Barack!

I vacationed in Orlando last week, high's were anywhere from 57 to 78 degrees. When I landed at the Orlando airport it was 67 and the workers at the airport had on winter jackets, hats, gloves and scarves. On the day that it was 78 we were sitting with our feet in the pool, (heated) and the life gurard had on a jacket and gloves. I felt like I was in the the twilet zone.

Perhaps Mr. Obama should pack up his bag of tricks and move himself and his family back to Chicago.

I will have to get used to our new President's condescending humor in our faces 24/7. I went 12 days without power in new england in December . Pipes burst, and icy trees fell on my house. I don't know what am I whining about anyway. Even the royal daughters are more hardy than I.

chicago is better equipped because of all the hot air them sleezy politicians breath. also chiucago uses, oh no, salt on thier roads were ecologically correct d.c. doesn't

Its truely sad how some hate this man so much that they even try to turn his light-hearted jokes into him being "elitest", and "getting tough" on his new neighbors, etc.... PEOPLE! IT WAS A JOKE! J-O-K-E! Its sad how many nutty people we have in this country....And these people actually get to vote! Scary.... Reminds me of the movie Idiocracy

Grow up! It's a common thing for northerners to say that people in the South can't handle a little bit of snow/ice. I live in the South and I have heard this all of my life. It's a joke. Get over it!

Point may be valid, but delivery and comment was not presidential or helpful in creating goodwill at this time.

Am reminded of old adage: don't pee in your own cornflakes.

Lighten up, people! He was making a humorous observation, and I don't think anyone in DC "took offense". A large number of them come from states who have serious winters, and they probably think the same thing! Why do you take everything so seriously???

re: Rush Limbaugh

What is the matter with all you liberals???? Have you lost your minds? NOW you are trying to tell people who to listen tO????
Some people LIKE RUsh Limbaugh and its their right to do so!
He makes a lot of sense...and THIS i s proving it more and more.
and I personally heard the entire interview and he did not say he hopes he fails....it was ONLY regarding his policies...Its just like you people and the liberal media to take it totally out of context to make it fit what YOU want! MY GOD...what is this world coming to!!!!!!

If Limbaugh got his way we`d all be living in a country run by the rich, for the rich. The middle class will disappear, the social safety net will be dismantled, government will be reduced to `the Pentagon` and will then be outsourced to the most politically connected, our environment will soon resemble the island of Haiti, the health system will exist only for the privileged and the press will be, well, him. He`ll be the King of Dittoheadland.

Obamas right. Just a decent excuse for those in Washington goverment to not work Again.

LOL...I love our new President, but man oh man is he a GEEK!

Dude...it's cold out. Cold:BAD...Warm: GOOD. We have that very clear here in Los Angeles. lol

I've lived in New Mexico, Detroit, and DC. Yeah, we Detroiters put those DC folks to shame when it comes to digging ourselves out of snow. Of course, if we ever had a wildfire in Michigan we'd look like keystone cops trying to fight it. Now, up in the mountains in NM we had to deal with heavy snowfall in the winter, wildfires in the summer, near-drought conditions at all times. I guess if you hit Chicago or Detroit with conditions like that a bunch of New Mexicans would be looking at us laughing asking us to "toughen up" too. So, having lived there, I cut the DC residents some slack.

Some of you folks need to lighten up. The man can't even joke around without people getting bent out of shape over trivial comments. You must never make sarcastic comments to your friends I guess.

GEEZZ he was joking around making small talk...and everyone gets all in a tizzy...pathetic
In other news...

Some of you need to seriously lighten up & remove the sticks from your spincters.
It was a joke.

Virginia resident, formal Chicagoean, I can say also I wish we had these days when I was in school. Mr. President is right on we joke as well about the schools closing, it's all in fun....CVS in the House 2100 E. 87th St. Class of 1979

Doesn't anyone have a sense of humor anymore? How do you make the leap from school closings to dictators in Cuba? from icy roads to tax cuts? from winter weather to resistance to change?

Lighten up!

GET A GRIP PEOPLE HE WAS JOKING

LOL!!!!

What a MORON.
He has now idea what it's like here in DC during a snow shower, ice storm, or even a dusting......these people here can NOT drive in this mess! I am from Maine.....believe me we had school all the time even when it snowed....but down here is another story. He's so interested in climate change, global warming....what about geographical change....You're not in Chicago anymore DORK. He such a RICH SNOB along with his pals (Reid, Pelosi & other Democrats!). We had 3 school bus accidents in Charles County Maryland alone yesterday with an INCH of snow..........these people are not use to driving in this crap....get over it OBAMA – safety is more important than your elitist views. Good Luck DC, with his attitude, the Gov't will never close again for Snow!

Watch it with the "east coast" generalizations. NY is east coast and gets walloped with snow and ice every year and we're pro winter drivers. Chicago isn't even on the right side of the lake to deal with lake effect snow like we get here.

He was being humourous people! jeez, no matter there are no funny conservatives (with the exception of Dennis Miller).

It's actualy all about lawsuits. A school bus goes into a minor skid and taps into something and you can bet the lawyers will swoop in like sharks in a feeding frenzy

Canadians laugh themselves silly over how parts of the U.S. come to a screeching halt at the first signs of snow. While the northern states obviously have learned to cope just fine; when one sees drivers in the south hopelessly out of control everytime a few flakes fall, we feel as though some winter training sessions might be the order of the day.

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE IT IS A FREAKING JOKE, YOU DAMN REPUBLICANS JEEZ GET A GRIP

"God hates you
God loves me
We're a happy family
With a great big hug
And a blasphemy to you
You can't say he loves you too..."

LOL!!!!

You think the GOP are divisive and bogus, then they haven't meet us. We are old school to the bone and trsut me, we are more divisive than right wing conservatives, we are more strict than that. LOL!!!

"He's the greatest dancer....that I ever seen."

Or he could call his school system pal and domestic terrorist Bill Ayres and have him blow up a couple of buildings to get the message. Except Ayres is so incompetent he might not get the job done.

As other people have stated, the difference between Chicago and DC is that Chicago gets this stuff all the time and is equipped to handle it, whereas DC isn't. Plus you have a whole lot of folks who don't know how to drive in the snow out there – which makes it even more scary.

But I suspect that Sasha and Malia will soon learn what most Southern children learn – we don't complain about snow days, we look forward to them and take advantage of them. Not like they don't have any fun things to be doing at their new home!

When we were transferred to DC during my husbands Marine Corps tour, we had to laugh everytime they shut down the govenment and the schools. My favorite was these two guys on the radio, whenever it showed would start saying – MILK, BREAD, TOLIET PAPER.

It was funny. Maybe you had to be there.

You think DC's bad? It's 60 degrees in LA today and people are wearing ski jackets!!

You people need to get a sense of humour. Good God.
By the way, we're expecting 11 inches of snow in Toronto today... I spent almost 2 hours this morning before work playing in it with my dog. Most of you could benefit from doing the same – good for body, mind and sense of humour. I'm sitting at my desk now and public transit will take me home tonight at 5 – on time.

You folks on here that are "offended" are hilarious!!! Get the you know what, out of your you know what! He thinks DC is weaker than Chicago when it comes to snow, SO WHAT! Just say you don't want to accept CHANGE and go on about your day.....

@VAl in MA, get a grip hater. The President has a right to joke and make comparisons to whatever he likes. Have you ever heard of "icebreakers"? Here's a hint, you use those to bring ease to attendees at meetings. So cynical.

This post is in response to the Rush article...No more comments are being alowed on it. If you would actually take a moment to listen to what Rush said you would understand that he wants Obama's policies to fail because he does not believe they will be good for Amercia. Rush is being taken out of context. Please be informed and take time to understand where some one is coming from before you throw them under the bus. Rush wants America to be succesfull as most of us do.

I am in north Texas where we had ice and sleet overnight . The problem here is that we have it so seldom no one is prepared to deal with it, whether it is the government with sand and ice or the public with their inability to drive due to inexperience with these weather conditions.

You people need to get a sense of humour. Good God.

Oh my God...they got 2in of snow and a tad bit of sleet...SCHOOL CLOSED.....Are you kidding me here....BUCK IT UP YOU WIMPS......you haven't seen anything...you haven't felt anything until you fell -25 air temp with a -50 degree wind chill....you have got to be kidding me......If we closed up evrytime we had 2inch snow fall or a tad bit of sleet......We would be hibernating til March..Don t be such baby's.....Even Obama's kids know what a real winter is........

Val in MA –

I am just DYING to know what exactly you're on about...
Especially since your assumed party took the USA further toward collectivism than any other government in our history.

Or did your morning talk radio not discuss that this morning.

Now we know why there are no lay-offs in the media. You keep your jobs by making news from anything. SMART!

Val in MA – Sheesh – Lighten up! He was joking. It was a JOKE, get it? He's not becoming dictatorial simply because he made a funny comment about DC not handling weather.

We lived in Alaska for 20 years and now we are in the south. We, too, make jokes about everything closing down at the very threat of snow. I have a good friend who just moved south from Colorado and when it snowed here last week, she was the only one to show up for work. It is a joke and the President was JOKING. Some of you people over-react to the point of sounding ridiculous. hahaha, he teased about school closing, so now he's becoming a dictator...gimme a break, Val.

Canadians laugh themselves silly watching some parts of the U.S.

Let it snow,let the cold wind blow and dont forget to sign the anti Limbaugh petition at dccc.org.

Obama doesn't consider that most parents have to get their kids to school on their own. Their kids aren't delivered by limo, with secret service agents watching.

Oh brother. People , meaning Repubs, need to lighten up a bit. Have a sense of humor for goodness sake! It was a joke.

WOW slow news day

Let's just move the White House and government to LA. An earthquake now and then aint so bad

I grew up in NW Pennsylvania Allegheny Mtns... the school buses followed the plows and we went to school every day... never had a snow day Kindergarten thru Gr 12... in January it was 30 below and we always had a least 3 days a week of snow or ice storms... when we came home from school, my mother would send us out for "fresh" air!!

LOL! It is hilarious that those who do not like Obama will take every opportunity to criticize EVERYTHING he does and says. Even joking about the weather.

You guys are SO predictable!

I love it... Al Gore waddles up to Washington to hock his wares of "Global Warming and impending doom" on yet another frigid Washington snow day... a day that paralyzes the capital and practically shuts down the federal government via absenteeism.

Al, your timing could not possibly be worse.

I can just hear Chicken Little Gore now, "No, really, I mean it... it's really going to get warm. I mean it this time... "

School Closing!!! In Atlanta, the chance/thought of snow causes the entire city to shut down. Not only do all the schools close, people will raid the grocery store for water, milk, cereal, eggs etc. based on the chance of snow.

We can't get cold rain without the schools closing because the rain MAY FREEZE.

Shannon, using your logic...money shouldn't be spent after 9/11 for things that have not been used in 8 years.

I certainly take some liberties with the above statement, but I'm not sure even in Chicago equipment is immobilized for such a small amount of precip.

Streets and San garbage trucks can be retrofitted with plows, we are not talking huge expenditures.

Traffic on pavement can assist, even if salt or sand is unavailable. Temps will be rising as well.

Living in NC I understand where the people in Washington are coming from on this. If we get a few inches of snow everyone freaks out because everyone is scared to drive in the snow. At the first snowflake all the bread and milk are gone from the grocery store.

I bet the Obama girls aren't complaining about the "no school" policy though.

Now if hell was freezing over...

I think Obama ought to call one of his mob buddies that hung out with Tony Rezko, like maybe Freddy The Lip Rosano, and get him to come to DC and beat some sense into some people.

Sure, criticize him for suggesting people toughen up a little and live up to their responsibilities without allowing a bit of snow and cold to stop us from performing our duties. Horrors! He dare not speak to such matters. Keep us a nation of wimps, Mr. President.

Ray January 28th, 2009 12:49 pm ET
Insult your neighbors – that's a good way to make friends, Barack.
Open mouth – insert foot – rely on O-bots for defense of said insult.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh dear. You take things way too seriously. Sweetest Ray, let go of your anger. And then you can become a Ray of Sunlight.

Having lived in places with more snow, I must say, Washington doesn't deal well with winter and the little snow it does receive.

It's going to be okay, Ray. You are loved.

I live in Arlington and even thought it was ridiculous how people reacted over a little snow. Even after all the news last year about DC adding more plows, replacing all their old plows and putting all the drivers through new training. They even came up with a new plan to make clearing the city of snow and ice easier. Seems like a waste of money if they are still going to shut everything down.

Ok, Repubs flip out over a simple joke in 3...2....1..

Regarding the comment by VA in MA – May be you should have been a citizen of a country like Cuba or Venezuela, its not too late (you can apply to go there) since you clearly hate the United States of America as indicated by the hate filled lies about our democratically elected leader.

Do you have to donate to CNN or something to get your comments posted? I see the same names getting their comments posted, sometimes multiple ones a day, but I've let hundreds to date and have not gotten a single one posted. It's really disheartening, CNN

School in the Chicago Public schools is pretty much cancelled every day. I guess if you go to a private school, he has a point.

Obama mocked the entire country before his election. Why would anyone expect anything different after the election?

Brian – That's very disrespectful to call our President a Moron. Did your parents teach you anything about respect?

He was just joking. Let him screw something up first before you start with the name calling.

O'Hare routinely shuts down for snow

Well, the Goracle is in town you know.

Val in MA,

As the rest of your argument contains the logic of a complete idiot, I can only assume you mean the President would fit in well with leaders like Castro and Chavez because of his similar skin color? I guess he would kind of "blend in" from that standpoint, I guess you're right. Well now, wait just a dog-gone minute! Castro is in his 80's, right?! Are you saying our President looks old and wrinkly?? How dare you!!

Eat crow, Val. We have a black man in the Oval Office!

While it was probably meant as a joke, the rest of you who say DC should operate as normal are completely clueless. DC is not a State and as such it is a District. They do not (nor should they) have equipment to handle ice storms, because they happen so infrequently.

The Midwest and the Northeast are better equiped to handle this, because that is a much more frequent occurance up there. So before everyone goes "I agree with President Obama" read your facts.

Now for all of you who say President Obama was being elitist...it was clearly a joke so get over it.

To "Val in MA"

So now that Bush is out you become a believer in thinking for yourself?

It's hilarious to see posters upset at the President's obvious jestful statement. They must be bitter and clinging to their road salt.

A little humor never hurts unless you have a bone to pick. I actually never thought "O" had a sense of humor. Maybe he should also lighten up on Biden. His humor was even funnier. Living in Colorado we have learned to drive in all kinds of weather. I usually dont stay home unless the snow is more than 8 inches.

pretty arrogant.............now that is change we can believe in

Have we Americans really lost our sense of humor? When that goes. there's no hope left at all

Where is Al Gore's global warming when you need it? Some food for thought about global warming.

Don't worry, Mr. President. I live in Virginia Beach and my son's school was cancelled at the THREAT of snow! We sat at home all day and never saw a single snowflake! I used to live in Michigan, so I understand your amusement.

I'm from Chgo and I agree with President Obama. The only time a school or a business, close in Chgo due to the weather is when the furnace or pipe breaks but never directly because of the weather especially snow. It can be 30 below zero & windy or a blizzard, if the furnace it working & no busted pipes, you are expected to attend even if the streets are not plowed. I understand the South, since cold & snow are rare but DC, yes they are whiners. I guess we have bigger things here to whine about like the ridiculous dibs parking in here Chgo after a snow storm

With this economy, there should be no jokes, levity or happiness of any kind by anyone. Anyone who makes a joke or laughs at one is unAmerican and should be in jail.

Funny stuff originally From Minneapolis,MN and now live in suburban Washington,D.C. school has been cancelled for 2 DAYS....for 1 1/2 inch of snow....it ridculous...oh well our 2 kids like it...school was cancelled in MN if it was a blizzard or -30 below without windchill...

How does a story about some playful teasing become a testament to Obama being a dictator?

Wow, you right wingers really need to get a grip.

President Obama would have more of a chance convincing Republicans to put the country's good before party idiology than getting Washingtonians to adopt a Chicago-view of inclement weather.

Neither is likely to happen during his presidency.

Val in MA- what was that all about? You are REALLY reaching there.

You have got to be kidding me. Is that all it takes to get you Pres. Obama-haters worked up? It was a joke – pure and simple. I grew up in Chicago and I now live in Virginia and both areas just handle winter weather differently. Sure, Chicago NEVER shuts down and Virginia shuts down, especially where I live, as soon as the forecast predicts snow. Ok – I'm kidding now. I am actually quite fond of Virginia's and neighboring D.C.'s policy to close down when the snow is on the way. I don't want anyone around me to "toughen up" in this area. I like it this way – but would I really get upset because President Obama made such a light-hearted suggestion. I'm sure President Obama is not drafting an executive order to "toughen up" the folks in the area so calm down. Lighten up people – I'm sure you will have more substantial issues to complain about in the future.

So true. Granted, Washington isn't very well equipped to handle the snow. Then again, Washington isn't well equipped to handle much of anything.

Thanks,

Compared to Chigago Washington must be like living in FL for him and his Family hahahah

@ Val in MA "Oh boy. Here we come, dictatorship at its best."

___________________________________

Oh please, dictatorship because he made a joke about the weather?!? I live in Iowa and the first snow/ice storm of every year we all joke that everyone has lost their ability to drive. It's a joke for crying out loud!

What a bunch of sissies in D.C. !!!!
I'm in Minnesota where it's 0 degrees right now and there's ice everywhere and I'm about to go out and have lunch.
The beat goes on!!!!!!!!

Get a grip, haters.
"Dictatorship?" "Individualism?" "Insult your neighbors?"
Bush gives the "one fingered victory salute" and not a blink. This guy cracks on DC being "Chicken Littles" at the hint of snow and he gets...
OUTRAGE!
Did the storm keep you from getting your Prozac delivery yesterday? Lighten up. Hell will freeze over before the knee jerk, know-nothing haters grow up...

Mr. Obama is right. I live here in DC where I moved from New England 20 years ago. I've always been amazed at the way this area panics at the first hint of snow. Did you notice that even his daughter thought it was wimpy to close the schools?

He is welcome to go back to Chicago.....

Hey OBama....I wouldn't cite Chicago as an example for anything....higher murder rate last year than combat deaths in Iraq...yeah...what a model...and we have it's prodigal son...what a treat.

Obama just doesn't get it. It's called "CHILD SAFETY".

DC isn't as prepared as cities who regularly gets ice/snow. But because you think it's "silly" – let's put hundreds of school buses on the ice-slick streets of DC.

Kids will be bleeding and crying after the accidents – but hey – at least they won't be perceived as "wimpy" by Pres BO.

I can not wait for the earth cooling to start. That migh help lower our heating bill. I want to know how hot it must get to freeze the earth or how cold it must get to warm the earth. I know a idiot like Al could tell us. He is just stupid along with the other enviromnet wacos.

.People make fun of us in Texas when we get a little ice, but the reality is five people died yesterday because of a little ice in Texas. I personally do drive if there is even a bit a snow or ice on the road because I do not know how to drive in the ice and neither does the rest of the people on the road. I have never been outside when it was colder then 25 degrees and I would be scared for my life in the winter time in Chicago or Canada or Alaska. But, it is ok to make fun of me as I will be making fun of New Yorkers when they are acting like it is a crisis that they have a few days of 90 degrees.

Brian January 28th, 2009 12:55 pm ET

Good idea, insult the new neighbors in the community…that usually goes over well. Moron
_______________________________________________

You must be calling someone in your family a moron....

Certain people in DC can't handle anything.

"Mocking" is one added value that comes to the WH now -

To all the clowns that are taking this so seriously on here. The man is only kidding. Good grief. Poor guy can't even make a joke. Everybody is so tense because this man is president. That's terrible.

Am in Toronto and the snow outside is terrible and all schools are opened.

I love my new President!!!

With that being said, "President Obama I can not stand snow, ice or sleet, so closing down the city is always a good idea to me when the that stuff is on the ground". I do not like to skate out of my house and I was literally skating to the Metro this morning. LOL

Again, I just love my new President but lay off us DC residents, we are not use to that kind of weather. Enjoy your day off Sasha!!!

to Val in MA – Get a life, it was a joke you ignorant moron

Being a native of Northwest Pennsylvania, myself, I have to say that Pres. Obama is right on in his observation, as is his daughter on her noting that school was never cancelled in Chicago! It was a rare occurrence and we would have to wait a half hour for the bus sometimes, just standing in sometimes 2 feet deep snow! Although, I must say I think it is not as much a function of geography as it is the times, too, as even my hardy, humble hometown now cancels school at the THREAT of an ice or snow storm...we had to endure it, but I think they are being softer on kids now...having just made that statement so stereotypical of "the older generation" back in MY day, I now feel officially "old" at the ripe old age of 42

Hey folks, nothing wrong with a little good-natured ribbing.

Zee January 28th, 2009 12:44 pm ET
This was funny, but you know what else is funny, how every little comment the President says becomes a news story.

You must have missed the story yesterday. Someone held a door open for Obama and he said "thank you". It was VERY Presidential. I feel the turnaround in America already!

a) that city goes into a tizzy over RAIN
b) sand gives traction on ice

you mean "awaiting censorship?'

"DC residents are used to derision from chillier quarters of the country over their city’s occasional paralysis in the face of winter weather."

They should also be used to derision over their country's constant paralysis in the face of partisan shenanigans.

On the other hand, here in Evanston, just north of Chicago, they refused to close schools during our recent bitter cold snap when the Fahrenheit temperature dipped below -18 degrees and the wind chill was -30 degrees. I thought that was rather excessive and irresponsible on the school districts part. There are plenty of school children who walk to school in our area. We decided to keep our daughter home that day.

Duh, Obama.... they close the schools to keep the kids at home and safe. D.C does not have the equipment to plow properly; bus drivers do not know how to handle the buses in those conditions. It just makes sense. Now if Obama wants to be a "tough guy" and get the buses on the road and one happens to be in an accident, then the blood will be on his hands. Why does Obama shoot his mouth off about stuff he knows nothing about? Fix the economy and leave the good people of D.C. alone.

I hear that!!
I'm a Chicagoan now living in KY, and the kids will have school cancelled if there's a half inch of snow. Sheesh.

of couse his kids school was cancelled...it is a private school run by liberals who cannot handle even an inch of snow/ice...i grew up in buffalo and we would laugh at the city/towns that would close for this amount of snow...and is everything obama says news worthy...well when was the last time he had a bowel movement i bet cnn would post that

Please...there's no insult here...this is just hypersensitive whiney bitter sour-grapes from GOPers who can't take some friendly ribbing. Go cry in your strained peas and leave the work of the country to the adults.

Next time I hear obambi say "folks" I'm going to puke. It "people" stupid!

Wow Val. So because Obama makes a few light-hearted comments about SNOW, you call him a dictator and TROLL about how he doesn't understand individualism?

Can we say TROLL!!! Loudly?

The fact is, it was just a joke. But trolls have no humor, I suppose.

Wow Val. So because Obama makes a few light-hearted comments about SNOW, you call him a dictator and TROLL about how he doesn't understand individualism?

Can we say TROLL!!! Loudly?

The fact is, it was just a joke. But trolls have no humor, I suppose.

It's funny because it's true. I grew up in this area, but went to upstate NY for college. I just have to roll my eyes every time the city goes into panic mode and shuts down over an inch of snow.

I agree, if you live anywhere except the Northeast, Midwest and the Pacific Northwest you need to toughen up. We endure a winterlong blitz of snow, freezing rain, sleet and blizzards. We can handle anything! I lived in NC for a few years and anytime there's a hint of any winter weather things just shut down. Come on peeps...toughen up!

So lets put his kids on a bus on roads that aren't prepped and are icey and see what he says when the bus slides off the road into a ditch. But being as his kids are escorted to a private school it armored cars I'm sure he could care a less. The thing he has to remember is that we don't have the equipment like Chicago does to handle these storms, albeit this one being pretty mild.

I second his mockery. As a Vermonter who has lived in DC for 3 years, I welcome President Obama's derision!

I know what Obama means..when I was a kid our superintendent was from the Colorado mountains, and she rarely canceled school for us because Missouri snow is minor compared to the Colorado snow.

I hope the first daughters enjoy their first snow day at the white house.

Believe me, you people, Obama is mocking everything American, including snow in DC. Get real, The One hates America and its diversity.

Hey Obama... maybe your kids don't have to walk to school or ride a bus, but most do.

How would you like it if your kids got into an accident "because of some snoflakes"???

idiot...

It was – 44 below zero where I am and i still had to go to school and work...BUCK UP PEOPLE

I felt the same way when I moved to WA from UT. It snows an inch up here and everything comes to a standstill!

Guess its the global warming.....oh I forgot we have to call it climate change so it covers every possible situation.

I didn't vote for Obama, and I still don't agree with a lot of his ideas...but I have to be honest...the guy is likeable.

Wow Really President Obama you want kids and buses to drive on ice??? What a caring man you've shown yourself to not be. Further proof of the type of man we elected. Enjoy your 4 years I hope it goes by fast.
God Bless the common sense of the people who did cancel school to make sure children and teachers were safe today.

I agree with Obama. I am from New York and the snow and ice we had here yesterday and last night would have been off the streets by now in New York. The way they handle snow in the Wash D.C. area is ridiculous! Why don't they take a cue from the Northern states?

You also have to remember that Chicago and the mid west have the equipment to remove snow such as this because they have it all the time. The problem is, these are just fleeting occurrences in DC and they don't have snow removal equipment to suck up the drifts and drop them in the Potomac.

Living in a suburb of Buffalo, New York, which people in other areas of the country think gets snow all year round, I too have to laugh at how everything south of PA stops dead in their tracks when a little snow falls. By the way folks, Chicago, Syracuse, New York, Rochester, Albany, they all get more snow than we do! Hang in there Washington DC.

He talks tough now, but just wait until Obama turns the big 50. He'll wish the White House was in Miami.

As usual, President Obama is right on target. I lived in DC for 4 years and people start stocking up on supplies and abandoning their cars on the side of the road every time there is a dusting of snow. It is hilarious. We had more than a foot one year and the whole city was shut down for nearly a week. Maybe the stimulus package could include a few snowplows for the district.

For once Mr. President, I agree you with you. Although I still had to come to work in Arlington, VA today.....

I grew up in Chicago. I can relate! I now live in Phoenix and when it rains hard out here people panic and drive crazy!! Chicago weather can "toughen" the bravest of souls!!! I just don't want to shovel anymore snow, ever!!!

I notice he still does not answer straight questions from the press that are not pre-arranged. I also notice the democrats can not seem to explain Milton Friedman's economic truths that won a Nobel prize. I guess that is why our history books lie about Roosevelt's New Deal. The democrats are now attacking Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and others. This does not shock me. The democrats still don't want to explain LBJ and the death of JFK and RFK. Don't take your freedom of speech for granted.

You said it Mr. President! You southern folk are so soft! You make fun of us northerners when it's cold up here and you can go to the beach, but when you get a few flakes you totally freak out!

Come on....where is your strength? Southerners are so SOFT!

LOL

The reason school is cancelled is due to the conditions of the roads when ice is on them. They are treacherous and can lead to terrible accidents. Cancelling school takes many people off the road eliminating increased chances for accidents. Shut up Obama.

I grew up in Canada. This is entirely amusing. People freak out so much about a little snow down here. I live in New Orleans and you should have seen my husband and his family running around the house and taking pictures. And then the people that I work with thinking the roof was going to cave in for less than an inch of snow that melted in an hour.

I'm with Obama on this one.

I used to live in Minneapolis,MN and there were times DC would look positively balmy and comfy compared what we experienced.

The President is correct. When it comes to winter weather, the people of DC are wimps. They have 2 inches of snow and the whole city shuts down. Try living in Chicago, or even the northeast.

Then you might not complain so much

In winter weather, everyone must be cautious.....it really depends on the roads. Sorry Mr. President, there are way too many people being killed due to snow and ice on the roads each year. However, I still love ya!

I just recently moved to the area from Chicago myself and was telling my colleagues the same thing.

This is laughable!

I grew up in Iowa and the school superintendent's theory was "If the bars are open, the schools are open." 30s would be light coat weather and at 45 degrees we would running around in shorts and bikinis talking about the heat wave – and meaning it. One of the worst days weather-wise I had was in DC and that was with less than four inches of snow. The city was brought to a stand-still and even the Metro was out.

Speaking for those of us who live in the "Great White North" ... we quite often chuckle at the responses to weather that we see on the US weather forecasts. If you think its tough when you get a few flakes, try -35 celsius with a windchill factor on top of that! BTW ... -35 celsius = -31 fahrenheit.

He even mocks his own ancestors, or our founding-fathers, and their traditional Christian values.

I say the same sort of things to people in Tampa, FL whenever it gets to be in the 30's as the low temperature, with highs in the 50's and 60's. It only lasts a few days each year, but you couldn't tell from people's reaction.

DC is waiting for global warming to solve their icy road problems.

One day the schools here in Nashville closed because of less than an inch of snow. When I told my sister in Canada the news, she said they had thirteen inches that day and her kids went to school. I can understand problems in areas where snow is unusual and removal equipment isn't available, but........ half an inch? President Obama is right.

Is someone going to get uppity became Obama made a joke?

RE the Jill Biden post: the logic of some of you people is ridiculous. The implication seems to be that Dr. Biden 'stole' someone else's position. It seems that some people think because Joe Biden has a good paying job, Dr. Biden shouldn't continue teaching. So let me get this straight – if one spouse has a high paying job, the other should simply stop working so as not to "steal" a job from someone else?

What a joke.

Being from the midwest I hear where President Obama's coming from. The first time I was on the East coast and snow stayed on the ground it was shear panic. Buisnesses and governmental agencies were saying they should have closed earlier before it started sticking.

WAKE UP AMERICA,THE SCIENCENTIFIC COMMUNITY DOES RECONIZE' THE DANAGER WE FACE,THIS DANGER IS REAL,LOOK AT WHEATHER,OUR POLUTED OCEANS,THE CONTINUED LOSE OF SPIECES,THERE IS NO REASON MAN CANNOT PASS AS WELL!

Hey. Mr President. being a former resident of the NE now living in Atlanta. I can vouch for the ice, I slide my then brand new Honda Odyessy into a tree and caused 5k worth of damage.

Before he's criticized for saying what he said it was just a joke.

The difference is that Washington DC, because it doesn't experience winter weather at the same level that Chicago does, isn't as equipped (and they aren't as equipped because situations like today are not an every day occurrence in D.C. and therefore it would be wasteful to spend money to prepare for something like this that only comes along every so often like it does in D.C. as opposed to every day or every other day like it does in Chicago) to deal with it and therefore they shut down.

Oh boy. Here we come, dictatorship at its best.

President Obama should have been a president of countries like Cuba or Venezuela – he'd fit perfectly with leaders like Castro and Chavez.

We are not collective thinkers here in U.S., Mr. President, we are individual thinkers. What may be good for you or for your daughters may not necessary be good for every individual citizen of this great country. it's time you learn this little nuance called "individualism".

i WISH OBAMA WOULD GET THIS TOUGH ABOUT REPEALING BUSH'S TAX CUTS FOR THE ELITISTS, THE PATRIOT ACT,ILLEGAL WITRETAPPING, AND GETTING RID OF THE "NOT FEDERAL AT ALL" FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS.

IN THE CONSITUTION IT CLEARLY STATES TO PRINT AND/OR COIN OUR OWN CURRENCY...SO WHY ARE WE PAYING TRILLIONS IN INTEREST TO PRIVATELY OWNED BANKS WHICH THE PUBLICKNOWS AS THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

WE SHOULDNT BE PAYING INTEREST TO THESE PRIVATELY OWNED BANKS TO PRINT OUR OWN CURRENCY...

Lol...I live in Texas. And just the thought of ice on the roads closes businesses and schools all over the city. We don't deal with ice/snow well down here!

The toughness missing from Washington does nott relate only with the winter weather! It also relates to not having the toughness to face and accept change that the american people are asking from their politicians to step up to the plate!

Being originally from Minnesota, I have to agree with Sasha and our President. We need those folks on the east coast to toughen up a little. Which is very easy for me to say as I moved to Arizona and it's going to be a blistering cold 65 today with a windchill at 62. Brrrrrrrrr.

Good idea, insult the new neighbors in the community...that usually goes over well. Moron

Global Warming is out of control... someone call Gore!

If you Demos can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen! The playing filed does not always have to be level in your favor! Ol Rush is spot on in his assessments of you Liberals. He exposes your innuendoes, platitudes and la-de-da's all the time. Your attempt at talk radio to counter him was a dismal failure! The rest of the world has a right to express their thoughts, and too even disagree with you mean spirited socialists with out fear of any reprisal or repercussion either! Otherwise we have nothing more than a communist state!

I know what you mean Mr. President. I lived in Alaska and they NEVER closed the schools but once during a white out in the 6 years I lived there. Here a snowflake falls and everyone panics.

There you go, Pres....Let's start mocking those in your new town! Way to extend the hand of friendship and understanding.

That's funny. The delegations and representatives from the Southern states must be reeling, saying "Show Off!"

Insult your neighbors – that's a good way to make friends, Barack.

Reminds me of his quip to Hillary, "Your ok, Hillary" when asked if she was likeable person.

Open mouth – insert foot – rely on O-bots for defense of said insult.

I have to say that DC in this regard is a Southern city. Most people there don't have the experience of driving in snow. The react like little old ladies who break for everything.

Funny.

Having spent three years in Chicago a number of years ago......I can relate to what President Obama is getting at. Winter in D.C. is a walk in the park compared to what people in Chicago experience each year. I've never been so cold in my life as I was those years in Chicago......swore I'd go to a desert environment and stay......and I did, and I have.

This was funny, but you know what else is funny, how every little comment the President says becomes a news story.

Finally he said something I agre with. I was stuck in DC once because of an ice storm, the idiots were putting sand down. SAND???????
I could not believe the capital of the most powerful nation on the planet (at that time) couldn't deal with ice.
Teach Obama...teach.

U go! We've go a foot here and expecting more, Its winter folks, deal with it!