WH Basketball Court

[spotbird]

I was going in and out of the room, with MSNBC on this am, so it's possible I misheard. Could someone clear this up for me?

The president doesn't really prohibit women from playing basketball on the WH court, does he?

[stray cat]

1. He usually plays with a group of guys - no women in the group

[spotbird]

2. Are women just not invited?

Or don't they know any who want to play with the president?

Interesting exclusion. Also, it must be a touchy subject since people unrecommended the simple question.

[stray cat]

3. i think not invited

[spotbird]

4. Help me out here.

Why is that ok?

[stray cat]

10. A group of guys that meet regularly to play basketball - seems like they should be free to play

because the president likes to do it to unwind with a team he normally plays with.

[spotbird]

15. OK. If the president likes it that way. Great.

Members of exclusive clubs have made that same argument for generations. Why should now be any different?

[Obamanaut]

27. I think this is more of a group of guys getting together for a pick-up

game where there will be hitting, pushing, self-adjustments, and generally male camaraderie. Where is the harm in that? Are we to also insist that every ethnic group be represented in proportion to the general population?

[spotbird]

29. I guess when the host is the

president, unintended appearances result.

[Xithras]

148. There's a fundamental difference between this and country or golf clubs.

When you're talking about golf or country clubs, you're talking about SOCIAL clubs, where people gather to socialize, talk, etc. Connections are made, business relationships are forged, markets are discussed, etc. Women excluded from those environments are placed at a very real disadvantage in the business world. It's dicriminatory, which is why the practice has been mostly eliminated over the past couple of decades.

Basketball games aren't social settings. Players are participating in a high energy physical activity that involves speed, stamina, skill, and just enough physical force to get the job done. People aren't standing around talking politics with Obama while they're playing basketball. In fact, they probably aren't saying much of anything except "Open", "Take the shot", and "Three points for Mr. Prez!". Competetive sports aren't about conversation and connecting, it's a physical contest between individuals. Women aren't being excluded from anything (except getting body-checked into the parquet by the CiC).

Besides, the point of a pickup game is the physical challenge. I generally don't play with people who aren't as skilled as I am, because there isn't much point in it. I can dominate them and score 40 points to their one, but there's no fun in that. You want to play against those who are a challenge, because that's how you break a sweat and that's how you get better. It's a fair guess to say that there probably aren't many women in the White House who could keep up with a group of men playing a competetive and contested pickup game. Physical size is very important in basketball (why do you think BB players are so tall?)

[spotbird]

150. There is prestige in playing with the president.

Your argument assumes Obama just happened upon these men and played with them, these guys could be anyone. The simple fact is they aren't just anyone, they are carefully selected because of who they are on their day jobs. Obama could really play with just anyone he chose, including purely social acquaintances, but instead he plays with this exclusive group, both sides benefit from the interaction. Like it or not, the very act of the game creates relationships, that's the very point of the exercise. There was also undoubtedly some opportunity for conversation.

[DefenseLawyer]

5. Yeah, there is a big sign "No Women Allowed!"

Those that refuse to obey are forcibly removed from the premises. Good grief.

[spotbird]

6. Why would they need a sign?

When they could just exclude them?

Or do you suggest a sign would be worse, therefore the exclusion is fine without it?

Please explain your sarcasm, I don't understand.

[DefenseLawyer]

9. Are you aware of any women in the President's circle of friends

and colleagues that have been "excluded" from playing? This isn't a pick up game at the Y. The fact that no women happen to be in the group does not mean anyone was excluded. If you know of someone that has, let us know.

[spotbird]

16. LOL. You can't be serious.

If he doesn't have any women friends to play with, that's a problem too.

He ought to be able to round up a token, that's how it's done.

[DefenseLawyer]

23. So that would make you feel better?

If they dragged someone out there that didn't want to play just because she was a woman? You want "a token" woman? You are just looking for a fight aren't you?

[marmar]

25. "You are just looking for a fight aren't you?"

And we have a winner.....

[spotbird]

28. Not that you care

But I posted because really didn't know if I heard the story correctly, largely because I couldn't believe it would be true. Not to fight.

I've never entered the camp that believes what Obama does is right because he does it. It gets me in trouble here all the time. You'll be glad to know that I generally avoid political discussions here because they are pointless.

[DefenseLawyer]

30. If you think this constitutes "political discussion"...

Well, you at least have the "pointless" part right.

[spotbird]

33. The exclusion of women from social

circles, even this one, is legitimate political debate.

The fact that those who support Obama reduce the discussion to personal attacks immediately demonstrates they loathe real conversation.

I have my answer. You can move on now.

[Heidi]

157. What horsesh!t. I have stuff I do with female friends, other stuff I do with male friends,

and stuff I do with groups of male and female friends together. Never planned it that way. That's just the way it usually is due to convergence and divergence of interests, the time we all have available, etc. For you to read something nefarious into the president's circle of basketball buddies and to actually suggest that he invite a "token" women (whether the woman wants to be there or not) says a heck of a lot more about you than it says about the president.

I vote with the poster upthread: "looking for a fight."

[Flying Dream Blues]

142. Flamebait, more like, but thanks for the laugh! nt

[Divine Discontent]

31. "I generally avoid political discussions here because they are pointless. "

well you found an important one to post on, and I hope we can get to the bottom of this.

(justifiable snark!)

[spotbird]

34. When other sports clubs

practiced exclusion based on race, it was a credible concern. But when it's just girls who are left out, well, that's different.

[Divine Discontent]

39. I do not mock the concern, I am pointing out the comment you made only, and saying

without any evidence you make a post on it. And it seemed a bit comical to wade into such a potentially hot button insult lobbed at the president over what you 'might' have heard. I agree, if women are not allowed, even if they asked, then that'd be rude. He may be concerned they'd get hurt and people would question why he's playing against women. If they're not allowed at all, anytime, then that's ridiculous, but - there's nothing I've heard stated that bears that fact.

best to you!

[spotbird]

46. Apparently is is true,

at least according to the talking heads on MSNBC. Does the policy bother you now?

[Divine Discontent]

49. if it is true, then yes, I highly doubt that if a female guest just happened to be a

basketball enthusiast and asked to play on the court, that she'd be barred. However, if a story every came out that showed that's what happened, then yes, I'd be upset. But not if she wanted to play BB with the president. He might not do that now, as president, even though he has in the past.

[spotbird]

79. So if Obama only happens to invite

men, that's fine. It's just a coincidence.

MSNBC made the report, you need to complain to them if it's false.

[leftynyc]

104. Can't speak for the poster

but yes, I would be fine with him inviting whoever the hell he wants. I couldn't possibly care less.

[spotbird]

110. If he excluded other groups,

from networking opportunities at the WH, say white people or black black people, that would be fine as well?

[leftynyc]

114. THAT's what this is about?

Networking? I just thought he played for relaxation and I believe he's entitled to relax with whoever he pleases. I don't expect him to be "on" 24/7. He's a human being and he likes to shoot hoops - big deal.

[spotbird]

116. If this isn't about networking

why does he invite political colleagues and not old friends or sports stars? Obama does it to create relationships, you can be damn sure those who are invited attend for the same reason.

If it was some other closed club, the exclusion would be an issue. Because it is a contrived situation where women are excluded because it's a guy's sport, well then the girls just have to suck it up.

[leftynyc]

123. I'm a girl

And like I said, I couldn't possibly care less. Have some women complained about this or are you speaking on their behalf?

[spotbird]

125. Good for you

Not every member of any group on the receiving end of a discriminatory practice cares. If you were a political type in Washington who didn't get face time with the president which would help your career because the opportunity is closed, you might care. Maybe not.

[Divine Discontent]

155. you spoke for me, even if you didn't know it, so thank you! and,

I think post 44 is important in this discussion. He cannot even remotely risk the political firestorm if something happened I could just hear it - "the lady who was injured has family who are now asking why the president would even risk her health by playing a contact sport with a female", or if he was accused of brushing up against a lady's breast or an affair or whatever - so I think this is truly a no-brainer for him and the WH.

[jbnow]

158. If what is true? Have a link? Still vague. nt

[blondeatlast]

35. Correction... "justifiable" snark. Otherwise, spot on. nt

[Divine Discontent]

40. ooh, good point, I have to start putting that word in front, because I was just laughing at the

comment of one not daring to get into political discussions but then posting an accusatory post that appears to deride the president as sexist. I certainly don't find sexism funny, but that comment of the OP's, yes, very funny!

thanks for the advice!

[marmar]

32. For the record, I'm not in this alleged camp...when he's wrong, he's wrong...

..... but quite honestly, an innuendo-based post on something someone thought they heard a certain way would make the Enquirer cringe.

[spotbird]

36. So it's the sourcing you have a problem with?

If the story was true, you'd object to the practice?

That's interesting. Unbelievable, but interesting.

We're done.

[marmar]

38. You were done several posts ago, mon ami.

nt

[blondeatlast]

43. No more calls, we have a winner! Thanks for the sanity.

:thumbsup:

[mopinko]

50. yup np

[ncteechur]

7. I think he should invite some women to play...maybe he has and they declined

I honestly don't think Michelle would approve of him creating a court for men only--and I don't think he would based on how he interacts with his wife and girls and other women.

[spotbird]

26. It's a little bit of a stretch to believe

anyone invited by the president would decline, or that the WH wouldn't make that known if it is truly the reason for the segregation.

The most logical answer is that he likes it that way.

[Kokonoe]

8. The House of Representatives has a regular basketball game.

They wanted to play at the White House court, and were invited to play.

[wilt the stilt]

11. I don't think they are excluded

I do think there are very few women over 45 who can compete and for the most part most of the players are at least 45. I played basketball with a former women pro with the first Women's professional league. She was a contemporary of Ann Meyers. In that age group women were just not competing yet. I probably played 2,000 games with this women

[Berserker]

12. I even heard

that he got the idea from Muhammad Ali last year. Ali told him he never invited a woman to go a few rounds with him in the ring and no one said a thing. :sarcasm:

[spotbird]

13. Strange false equivalency. nt

[Berserker]

17. Strange original post. n/t

[spotbird]

20. I suppose if you could respond on topic, you would. nt

[marmar]

14. Some posts just make you say, "WTF?"

:wtf:

Are you serious? Or just seriously bored?

[spotbird]

18. It must be truly

indefensible if the best you've got is personal insults.

[marmar]

22. Whatever you say.......

[blondeatlast]

42. More "performance" "art"...(Separate quotes intentional.)

Note the "I'm not sure if I heard this right..." so the OP can't run from the fact it might just be utter BS.

It may be a performance, but it's bad art--OR--It may be art, but it's a bad performance.

Or both.

[marmar]

51. I vote for both.

[WeDidIt]

19. I don't know if you've ever played basketball

but the game can get kind of rough.

[spotbird]

21. Maybe that's it. nt

[WeDidIt]

24. It's rare to see coed basketball games.

I know I've never witnessed one.

Edited to add: I know I've seen some women's basketball games that were rougher than the men got, though. :evilgrin:

[Xithras]

146. I've played coed basketball. It's never ended well.

It's a rough game, and women tend to be smaller physically, and the two tend to be a bad combination. You have hands flying around trying to grab basketballs that end up grabbing or bumping breasts, people get indignant, etc.

Plus, it makes shirts vs. skins REALLY hard.

[blondeatlast]

37. It's possible you misheard...

Sure. :eyes:

Of all the things one can get pissed about...

[spotbird]

41. No, they went back to the story

If this is a way relationships are forged, why wouldn't it be a problem?

Other than the people who are attacking for the sport in this thread. There aren't many real answers as to why this isn't an issue in this thread. Closed clubs are a problem.

[Divine Discontent]

44. ok, so is the story they're saying that he refused to let women play BB with him?

if so, it could easily be that he knows if a woman gets injured playing a game of BB with him, people will scream what in the WORLD is he doing playing a contact sport with a woman!

[KittyWampus]

47. listen deary, basketball isn't golf. And I'm sure his daughter Sasha has played with him.

here is a photo of Obama playing with some women in April.

Get a life.

?w=279

[spotbird]

70. Your hostility is misplaced

MSNBC reports the game at the WH is closed. Your pictures only support the argument that the reason the WH doesn't allow women isn't a good one.

If this discussion makes you so angry, you really should let MSNBC know their reporting is inaccurate.

[KittyWampus]

45. Sasha plays basketball and I have no doubt he plays with her. He welcomed The Huskies this Spring

though I doubt he played with them.

Here is a photo of him playing with some women in April.

?w=279

During election season, I am almost positive he played with women.

Obama lauds UConn women's basketball team
By ANDREW MIGA Associated Press Writer
4:10 PM EDT, April 27, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has welcomed the University of Connecticut women's basketball team to the White House, saluting the squad's national title and undefeated season.

The president, a former high school player and avid hoops fan who still plays pickup games, paid tribute Monday to coach Geno Auriemma (aw-ree-EH'-muh) and his club during a championship ceremony.

The Huskies dominated women's college basketball this season, going 39-0 and beating opponents by an average of better than 30 points. They capped the season earlier this month in St. Louis with a 76-54 victory over Louisville. It was Connecticut's sixth national college championship and third perfect season.

[ipfilter]

48. WNBA?

Women have their own professional league. Women have their own teams at the collegiate level. I don't see anyone complaining about that. This might be a valid argument if they were playing slow pitch softball or volleyball on the WH grounds. Some sports are coed, some are not.

[TwilightGardener]

52. The game is for his personal relaxation, not some sort of equal-opportunity display.

Maybe he doesn't want to risk elbowing a woman in the mouth or boob or stomach, or knocking her down. Maybe he doesn't have any women in his circle who can really play well at his level. Maybe he just wants to play some damn basketball for fun and competition, without worrying how it looks.

[Enrique]

53. he invited 15 congressmen and cabinet members to play

a reporter asked Gibbs at a press briefing, why no women? Gibbs said, good point.

[philly_bob]

54. UNREC because I think Prez is supportive of women's sports. n/t

[Connie_Corleone]

55. Maybe the women didn't want to play basketball with a bunch of men.

I know I wouldn't want to, considering how physical the game is and all.

But, let's turn President Obama into a sexist instead. It's so much more fun.

If women were playing with the men and one of them got hurt, then the media would say that Obama likes beating up on women.

[spotbird]

58. You wouldn't play basket ball with the president? nt

[Connie_Corleone]

59. I don't care who it is, I wouldn't play such a physical game with a bunch of men.

[blondeatlast]

65. I play b-ball, and no, this pretty good point guard/cebnter would pass

on playing with a Chicago streetballer.

I doubt I could even gain possession.

[philly_bob]

153. In my youth I played mixed men/women basketball.

This was in left-wing circles in Detroit. The only difference was that when the game would start getting wild -- you know, a couple steals, out of control scrambles -- the women would call time-out. We'd chill out a little and catch our breath. And then we'd start playing again.

No biggie. It was still fun.

[jbnow]

159. That's no excuse. Obama has been president for almost a year

but he still doesn't know how to make men and women have bodies that are the same strength and size to make coed contact sports practical? How hard can that be?

[KatyMan]

56. It's a fucking pick-up basketball game

and the poster up thread was right: there's a big sign outside the court that says "no gurls alowwd", and they have a fort in there too. There's also candy. Any girls that try to come in get thir pigtails pulled, but girls can't get in because there's a guy at the door with a frog, and all the girls get grossed out by it, so they run away.
Fuckin hell...

[spotbird]

57. When it's a fucking golf game

it's not ok. Or a club. Who makes the list?

[KatyMan]

61. Basketball is a lot more physical than golf

so that's not a valid comparison.
Anyway, I don't actually care about this, so I'm going to refrain from participating in this thread. It's a waste of time over a non issue.

[Zywiec]

62. As long as straight, white guys are not making the list up

of who can play, it's not a problem.

:shrug:

[Lance_Boyle]

60. They're invited, but they all leave when assigned to the "skins" team.

What a stupid thread.

[kentuck]

63. The President is a very competitive basketball player.

He plays to win.

He knows elbows can be thrown. It can get very physical. He enjoys the competitive nature of the game. Men are, by nature, more competitive, in my opinion. Although women are very good at the game.

[blondeatlast]

64. The White House is his HOME. Let him choose to invite there--

or let us choose the guest list for your birthday party. Geez.

[spotbird]

71. If I become president

you can scrutinize who I exclude from regular social gatherings as well.

This is how connections are made, but women don't need that sort of access.

[Blue-Jay]

66. He should invite a bunch of women to the game

and dress 'em up like cheerleaders.

[Romulox]

67. Men have the right to seek the company of other men. Same for women.

:hi:

[spotbird]

83. Just so the girls know their place. nt

[Romulox]

84. Ridiculous. nt

[spotbird]

117. Those girls should know

that not all political conversation should include them.

[Romulox]

144. Ummm, your OP is about a BASKETBALL GAME.

You seem to have lost focus, because you're now speaking of "political conversation".

[spotbird]

145. Would you feel better if it was about golf? nt

[Romulox]

149. I think the similarities between the two games are so few to make the analogy tenuous...

Basketball is a grunting game about constant motion. Golf is a game about driving around in clown cars, drinking, and schmoozing. Also, golf is a game in which there is no reason whatsoever people of different skill levels and athleticism cannot enjoy together, since one is ultimately competing against one's self.

In short, you'd have a case if it was a men's only golf outing. I doubt many deals are being made above the rim, at any rate.

[geek tragedy]

68. I've heard that if he uses a locker room, women aren't allowed in either.

Seriously, this is some stupid PUMA shit.

[spotbird]

73. If he was excluded from

a Pentagon insiders club because of his race, that would be an outrage.

[geek tragedy]

109. And if c-a-t spelled "dog" it would be a different world. nt

[SidDithers]

69. Yes he does...

Can't believe nobody has shooped this yet, to go with this silly OP:



:hi:

Sid

[dionysus]

72. he puts his cigs out right on the hardwood too.

:eyes:
nominated for fail of the day.

[spotbird]

74. Huh? nt

[dionysus]

78. he clearly an awful man... but seriously, your OP was an imaginary sexism FAIL.

:shrug:

[spotbird]

81. That's harsh

You think he is an awful person because of this? My opinion is that he is insensitive to the opportunities women miss because they aren't allowed in, but you seem to have taken a giant leap.

[dionysus]

86. LOL

[blondeatlast]

92. Paranoia? 7--needs work. Irony/sarcasm/humor--you get a perfect 10. nt

[spotbird]

93. Paranoia?

It's a new personal attack, so I'm curious if you made it up out or whole cloth or think some part of the story is paranoid? Was the report on MSNBC paranoid? Or is it paranoid to repeat it?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

75. This is a joke, right?

A big fat fucking joke?

[spotbird]

77. Yeah, it is definately a joke.

People ought to be able to keep whoever they want out of their gatherings.

Why would anyone see it differently?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

82. I'm personally upset he doesn't play basketball with paraplegics.

I can't wait to see him dunk on some sorry ass kid with muscular dystrophy.

That would be fucking cash, yo.

[spotbird]

85. So women are handicapped?

And none of you hear the parallels to historic discrimination reasoning?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

87. Are you saying handicapped people aren't as good as women?

Why are you full of hate?

[spotbird]

89. No, you did. nt

[dionysus]

88. ROFL

*dunk* "and 1, bitch!"
:spray:

[piratefish08]

76. At least the hula hoop court is still coed.

Confirmed by undercover insider video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1CKgYkl3ls&feature=related

[WeekendWarrior]

80. Oh. For. God's. Sake.... nt

[ChickenHawk]

90. Is there a link to this article?

[spotbird]

94. It was live on MSNBC

this morning.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

91. This involves the House basketball team coming to play at the WH.

There are grumblings because it gives a chance for these men to network with the President without any House women given the same accessibility.

[spotbird]

95. That's it in a nutshell. nt

[spotbird]

96. And apparently others

are invited for these sessions. It's not a little pick up game with some old friends, it political types getting some time to bond with the president. No girls invited.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

99. I can't understand all the blowback you're getting by relating this.

Some of the responses are really nasty when they don't even know the facts.
:shrug:

[spotbird]

102. There are some people who

support Obama blindly and there are others who just want to make dialogue about issues at DU impossible. Both groups are represented in this discussion.

[Name removed]

113. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[proteus_lives]

97. The OP is made of FAIL.

[spotbird]

98. Redundant

If the president wants to play basketball with old friends, that's one thing. What he is doing is giving important men all over Washington a ticket to a special bonding session with him that similarly situated women don't get. Apparently, that's fine. There was a time that exclusion from professional social opportunities was not so enthusiastically supported.

[Liquorice]

101. This is not something I had considered, but now that I have, you are absolutely right. nt

[spotbird]

103. Wow. Thank you. nt

[JeffR]

100. Best thread ever!

:popcorn:

[supernova]

105. This is stupid

The Pres shows all kinds of support for women in lots of ways, large and small.

And don't forget he lives with a bunch of women.

If his way of seeking male bonding time is playing basketball with a group of other men, I got no problem with that.

We all need our own friends and co workers.

[spotbird]

106. It isn't a bunch of high school classmates

These are the movers and shakers of politics in Washington.

He lives with one woman and two girls, none of whom are in the Cabinet or congress etc. Maybe he can hold teas for the political type girls who don't make the basketball cut and not let the men's club in there, wouldn't that be special?

The president can play basketball, but when he does it to form political bonds to the exclusion of women, it sucks. Even if some of his best friends are women.

[supernova]

107. Don't forget Mom in Law

"when he does it to form political bonds to the exclusion of women"

I think you're assuming something that hasn't been born out by experience with this particular individual.

There are more useful things to be upset about,

[spotbird]

111. You're right, his mother in law lives there

And this makes it OK to hold social events that exclude women.

It is true that there are more important issues, but this does show insensitivity.

[supernova]

119. I would be more inclined to agree

with you if I felt that women members of congress didn't have access to the President. This was the case when there was a lot of back room dealing in men's clubs --access to which Obama would not have either in earlier times).

Clearly that's not the situation today.

"but this does show insensitivity"

Yes, of course. He's a guy, a human being. Asking him to be sensitive all the time is not realistic. He needs down time. We all do. Heck I have times when I'm not 100% fond of men either. We we will get there, but we are not there yet. So, that's why I say there are more important things to worry about, like making sure the PO includes reproductive health services for women.

[spotbird]

124. Assuming the president didn't realize

the consequences of these games, it has now been pointed out to him.

He can have his down time with friends, not with a closed group of people who will be given superior access because of their sex. It sucks.

[geek tragedy]

112. There aren't any white people in his bedroom at night.

Glenn Beck must be right about him hating white people.

[supernova]

122. LOL!

[knixphan]

128. LOL!!

nice.

[Curtland1015]

161. Bwahahahahaha!!!

This topic is ridiculous.

[NeedleCast]

108. Sometimes I go out drinking with my male friends and we dont invite our wives/girlfriends

Does that make me a bigot?

[spotbird]

115. Are you in a position of power?

Do you invite people who would like to influence you and exclude women invitees?

[blondeatlast]

118. Question: Were women espressly excluded? And I do mean in the legal sense.

Just curious.

[spotbird]

120. If only men are invited

there is no expression, except in silence.

[Nederland]

121. Women are allowed to play

Statistically speaking though, very few women play basketball. It's not surprising that there are no female basketball players in the WH.

[spotbird]

126. The Lawrence Summers

appointment makes more sense all the time.

Girls just have to accept they don't get the same opportunities because they're wired wrong.

[Nederland]

131. It's not a matter of wiring

Women just don't usually play basketball.

If Hillary Clinton had won the election and had a group of women playing field hockey once a week, would you be surprised if there were no men? I wouldn't, because very few men play field hockey. I have no idea why--I actually liked it when I played in gym class in middle school--but the fact is that very few men happen to play it. In fact, so few men play field hockey that when one tries to, it's a big deal:

http://www.planetfieldhockey.com/PFH/Item-View-10564-109

[spotbird]

134. HUH?

If Hillary led an other male only fraternity of select political insiders, it would have been a problem as well.

[Nederland]

139. That wasn't my question (nt)

[sabra]

127. Obama shoots hoops...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2iWA7oN_-QQ/SVT4Roh1A3I/AAAAAAAAC58/atPYmEn_7cE/s320/obama+shooting+hoops.jpg

[knixphan]

129. for the win!!!

[Codeine]

130. Have you ever played pickup basketball with men from Chicago?

It's a bruising physical game of streetball most of the time.

[spotbird]

132. He isn't playing with men from

Chicago. He is playing with members of congress and the cabinet. This isn't just a bunch of old friends.

[brendan120678]

135. But does the President play Chicago style, or...

Hawaii style? Or maybe Los Angeles style? or New York City style? Or Cambridge style? He never even lived in Chicago until he was out of college.

[spotbird]

138. Well, we do know when he plays with

political insiders, it's men.

There are lots of pictures of him playing with women elsewhere, so it must be something about the politics that makes it stag now.

[blondeatlast]

152. Overreach much? this is the g-d funniest thread in weeks... nt

[deaniac21]

147. Jesus, Obama smokes...the games couldn't be much.

[MidwestRick]

133. Huh?

So if the president's circle of basketball friends happens to be all men, there is a problem with that?

[spotbird]

136. It is not a circle of his old buddies

These are especially invited Washington insiders.

[MidwestRick]

137. I hope they...

aren't from K Street. Is there a list of these people who have played ball with the president?

[spotbird]

143. Some examples

Obama also rejected the suggestion that his basketball game with male congressional leaders was somehow sexist because no women were invited.

“I think this is bunk,” Obama said. He explained that he invited the regular House of Representatives pick-up basketball players. “I don't know if there are women who— were Members of Congress who play basketball on a regular basis,” Obama said. “I don't think there are. You know, I don't think sends any kind of message or signal whatsoever.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28578.html


http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20091022/NEWS01/910220347/-1/newsfront2/Congressman-Kratovil-hoops-up-with-Obama

[blondeatlast]

151. I thought you "amybe" "heard" thin on MSNBC (no doubt on Joe Scar's show)?

And now, to prove whatever the hell poiint you are trying to make, you are quoting Politico?

I need air; I am laughing too damn hyard here... :rofl:

[Brooklyns_Finest]

140. Too funny

This thread is not even worth a serious response.

[spotbird]

141. Are any closed clubs worthy of discussion? nt

[DaveinJapan]

154. Good thing the President isn't a boxing enthusiast, I guess. nt

[Heidi]

156. Why don't you send him a list of women you think should be in his circle of basketball buddies?

Please report back to us on how that goes.

[SoCalDem]

160. It's the "exclusion" of women.

Much like the way "some" businessmen would have boys-night-out at strip clubs, and of course they could not invite the "ladies"..and male bonding is a big deal in the corporate world...there used to be company golf outings too, at clubs that did not allow women, so the camaraderie of these events left the women on the outside-looking-in, and often wondering if THEY might be being talked about..