Obama snow days: First lady grounded

[babylonsister]

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/03/obama_snow_days_first_lady_gro.html

Obama snow days: First lady grounded
Posted March 2, 2009 7:25 AM



Snow blew across the White House grounds this morning as a snow storm "Marched" up the East Coast. (Photo by Ron Edmonds / AP)
The Swamp

by Mark Silva


President Barack Obama, who voiced his wintry discontent the day that his daughters' school in Washington closed "because of what... some ice?'' may have to hold down his objections today.

"School is closed,'' the Web-site at Sidwell Friends this morning advises parents, as three to four inches of snow have accumulated on the ground throughout Washington and more is on the way.

The last time this happened at the separate campuses of the private school that Obama daughters Malia and Sasha attend, Obama couldn't hold back: "Can I make a comment that is unrelated to the economy, very quickly?" Obama asked at the White House, amid comments about the economic crisis gripping the nation. "It has to do with Washington. My children's school was cancelled today because of what?

"Some ice?" Obama sniffed.

Back home, they said, schools never close for this. It has been more than a decade since Chicago Public Schools canceled classes due to winter weather -- Jan. 4-5, 1999, according to the district, after heavy snow, followed by an ice storm.

Today, Sidwell and schools throughout the Washington area are closed beneath a fluffy white blanket. But the president may be hardpressed to voice any objection today, considering this announcement from the White House this morning:

. "Monday, March 2, 2009 - The First Lady's "Read Across America' event - previously scheduled for today at the Library of Congress with the NEA and Secretary Arne Duncan - has been cancelled due to inclement weather.''

[Jennicut]

1. My daughter has the day off from school too, bad storm here in Connecticut

I was so hoping we were done but March always has one last storm for us. :(

[babylonsister]

2. If it's any consolation, we woke up to 35 degree temps here in TX.

It sure is pretty from here, but I don't miss that weather (originally from NY); it's been a long, cold one for you guys.

[Jennicut]

5. Ouch, in Texas? Glad to know we are not the only ones with cold weather

New England does not ever get too cold really, but we do get our share of snow sometimes into mid April. I think Chicago has got to be extremly cold at times, the Obamas have toughed out years in bad weather. :)

[willing dwarf]

3. But snow days are a lovely childhood tradition!

I'm disappointed in our president if he doesn't get that! Maybe it's just an east coast thing? We cherish our snow days! The kids wake up easier and they're eager to get out there to go sledding, make snow forts and when possible skate on the pond. Then inside for cocoa and crackers.

What could be better than a snow day?

Only a scold or someone who grew up with no sense of the complete and utter joy of a snowday would question their value! Where is the glowing memory of happy childhood if you don't love a snow day?!

[Frustratedlady]

4. Amen! Everybody scoffs at me because I get so excited when it snows.

I love a good blizzard or two in the winter and some of the best ones always come in March. Her's hoping. Snow brings out the "kid" in even the older folks.

[ejpoeta]

6. it's a bit different for parents then kids. i remember how exciting a snow day was.

though it was very rare when i was a kid. it seems they get snow days for anything these days!! gosh, during the blizzard of 77 kids got stuck AT the school. snow days were so fun when i was a kid. now when there is a snow day, it's just a day when the kids drive me CRAZY!!!! lol.

[demokatgurrl]

8. I agree. In my entire 4 years of high school

I recall two snow days. TWO. I live in PA, we get plenty of snow but back in the "stone age" when I was in school, things had to be pretty bad for schools to close. Where I live now, they close school in advance if snow is PREDICTED, any snow at all.

[alsame]

9. Same here. I grew up in NY and we rarely had snow days, it

had to be really heavy accumulation for the schools to close. Now it seems that an inch or two shuts down the entire school system.

[msanthrope]

13. I grew up in NYC--we had 2 snow days from K to 12....

And both days I played in the Park, sledding on any hill I could find......

It was glorious......

(child is home today.....when it stops snowing, we are making a snowman...)

[Drunken Irishman]

11. The last snowday I ever had was in elementary.

And I live in Utah, home to the 2002 Winter Olympics and winter hell.

It could snow 12 inches in only a few hours and the schools still would not close.

[PM Martin]

15. Chicago is at the center of the "lake effect" weather.

The midwest as well as southern Ontario is always prepared for any amount of snow/ice that comes in.
Washington DC is in the "sub-tropical" climate zone. Snow is not common, so 1-3 inches will bring them to a halt.

[Beacool]

7. I'm at work and it's still snowing.

:(

[ColesCountyDem]

10. What folks in DC call 'inclement' I call 'get up 30 minutes early and shovel the driveway...

I guess it's just different, here in the Midwest.

:shrug:

[Ocracoker16]

12. DC has a bad snow removal system

They have a limited number of plows, because DC doesn't get much snow. They typically clear the main avenues and dump tons of salt on them. However, they really don't do anything in the residential neighborhoods. I live on a residential street that has a bus line on it, but they don't seem to care about that.

For those of us who haven't had the experience of living in an area that gets much snowfall, a little snow can seem daunting. For the kids who get out of school it is a source of much joy.

[ColesCountyDem]

17. Oh, I know. I've been in DC...

An additional problem DC has is that 99.4% of the drivers there haven't got a clue about how to drive in snow.

;)

[AnnieBW]

18. DC Area Snow Removal Plan

Wait until it melts.

I'm from Pittsburgh. My husband is from Indianapolis. We know snow, and how to drive in it. We always laugh about the usual freak-out about snow around here. But neither of us went in to work today, either. I had the day off, and my flight out of BWI was canceled yesterday. He telecommuted.

[rasputin1952]

14. I find that pic amazingly majestic...

as for kids/schools/parents/workers etc...safety first.

And I would like to see some "Snow Angels" Malia and Sasha angels would be fine...but Barack and Michelle angels would be cool as well...would be sort of like a Teddy Roosevelt moment...:D

[Fire1]

16. That sure is a beautiful picture. I'd love to have that blown up

and framed.