And So What if the Man Doesn't Want to Meet the President

James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers is making headlines today because he doesn't care to travel with the rest of his Super Bowl Champion team to the White house to meet President Barack Obama. It is customary for the president to invite the title-earners of our nation's major sports leagues and even NCAA championship teams to the White house for a ceremony to celebrate the team's accomplishments.

Harrison insists that the reason he will not go has nothing to do with political affiliations. Instead, he simply feels that the invitation to Washington isn't very personal since it would be the Cardinals traveling to meet the president had the Steelers not come back to win the game at the end of the Superbowl. In Mr. Harrison's opinion, if the President really wanted to meet the Steelers, he would have invited them at a different time before now.

The last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl, George W. Bush was President of the United States. Guess who didn't travel to Washington to meet President Bush with the rest of his team? You got it - James Harrison. I don't recall hearing any outrage in the media when Mr. Harrison declined the invitation of our last president. This story was leading the news on Sports Center today. I heard it mentioned on national radio. I think members of the mainstream media are just shocked that there is even one person on God's green earth who is not clamoring to meet President Obama. I guess the thinking was that when Harrison snubbed President Bush - that was to be expected. It was no surprise to the media-types that someone would decline an invitation to meet with the incompetent Bush. However, to decline an invitation from President Obama - well, that's just downright un-American isn't it? If James Harrison wants to stay home instead of going to the White house that is his prerogative. Personally, I find it ridiculous that he doesn't want to go but surely no more ridiculous now than it was the last time the Steelers were world champs.

For the record, I would love to meet the President of the United States. The History teacher in me will not let me feel otherwise no matter how much of a Republican I may be. To be in the same room with the most powerful person in the world would be an awe-inspiring experience whether one agrees with his policies or not. It would be something to see anyway. Besides, I'm sure the little smokies, rotel dip, and other snacks will be first-rate.