Obama Jokes Washington Needs to Toughen Up -- Weatherwise

I loved it!

This was really funny and something I've been waiting for. Not only was this statement accurate for DC but seems like most of the mid/ lower East Coast. I'm from Germany and I couldn't believe when I moved here how intense people here get about the weather. I live in Philadelphia and as soon as 10 snow flakes fall from the gound, the local stations make the weather a Top News Story and call it a blizzard. As soon as the gound seems to be covered that's a reason to cancel schools. I understand the issue about trying to keep people safe, but for crying out loud, it's common sense to drive carefully in snow or the like and not like some idiots.
At my daughters school they have not had recess outside for a couple of days now and if they do go outside and snow is on the gound, they're not allow to touch it. Isn't this what being a child is all about. Having fun, in this case playing in the snow. More than just DC needs to toughen up but also to lighten up. If you don't like the winter, move to Fl or CA.

Did I miss something? It was a joke! I don't recall us jumping on W for any of his jokes. I think it is refreshing to know that some children in America WANT to go to school DESPITE the weather. Now that is worth commenting about!

Man, you people need to lighten up! Bush could get away with making up words, not being able to pronounce a country and more and you are complaining about light hearted comments about weather- GET a freakin life and feel greatful you now have a president who is THINKING!

I live in the south and used to live in Ohio. Sometimes we do joke about the panic a little snow or ice causes too, but we realize they are not equipped to handle it when it happens down here. They don't have the plows and personnel to make the roads safe. I'd like to know if Obama would like to make his cute comments to any of the families whose family members died this past week because of a little snow and ice.

I'm a moderate Republican who didn't vote for the guy but his comments made me laugh.

Now it's true that private schools even here in the Midwest will call off frequently at the hint of weather, like DC. But stating such isn't as funny. I disgree with him politically, but his tiny humorous jab was a good one.

DC is full of weenies in more ways than one. Man, so much material to work with, where do you even start?

With the weather. Still LMAO :)

It's really hard to laugh when I think about my grandfather who while trying to make it to work in an ice/snow storm several years ago skidded on a bridge into a river and was killed. I was also in an accident in the blizzard of 1993. Prior to those incidents, I would try to be brave and be the only one at work. I now sit at home like others.

It was ice not snow you idiots. I too have lived in chicago and wisconsin blah blah...that you can drive on or walk...ice is just a little bit tougher to navigate.

I'm not an Obama fan but this was pretty funny.

Do you know what? He was making a light-hearted joke. Even if he were not joking, he didn't say anything wrong. Some of you people are so full of hate and anger that you lost the election, you'll jump on anything he says.

Some of these comments are hillarious!I know everyone is not an Obama fan (and I am) and I dont expect them to be. To each his/her own! But Im sure everyone knows the saying about opinions...so dont expect the world to stop revolving because you feel the way you feel!

Snowjob...did you read it? How do you know? Im sure the representatives are smart enough to do their jobs...let them!

I have to say I agree with President Obama. When it comes to winter weather, DC really needs to toughen up. Please don't stop reading when I tell you I am from Chicago because I have also experienced winter in DC. I did an internship there from January to May in 2007. I loved DC but anytime a there was a single snowflake or the tiniest bit of ice people acted like the end of the world was coming and stocked up on groceries, toilet paper and other necessities. Practically every school in the entire city (and also sometimes even the capitol building itself) and most of the surrounding areas closed. Also, apparently no one in DC has ever heard of snow removal or even salt. Snow and ice are there to stay until they melt or until spring comes. All in all, DC is a great city that I hope to move back to, but the question remains: Why are DC people so shocked by winter? After all, it comes every year.

AAHHH President Obama, let's stay on track, economy, jobs, terrorism....Snow days are built into the system so the children received required days. PERHAPS, THAT OUTRAGEOUSLY POSH AND EXPENSIVE SCHOOL 'baby' their students. Has anyone wondered why the man of the prople, MR, 'I AM JUST LIKE YOU" DIDN'T ENROLL HIS DAUGHTERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL? GEE. NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIS DAUGHTERS!!!!!

Hi Jake, I like this new photo of yours, it's updated and it's easier for us to recognize you on tv. Unlike the previous one where you were still younger, it kinda decieves people. I'm just glad that you updated it..but of course your sarcastic journalism is at its highest level as always. I'm talking about the post "Welcome to Washington, President Obama."

"people populated much of Appalachian mountain "...the Appalachian area was populated much later. The south, during colonial times of the revolution, does not even go as south as florida, rather, Georgia. And those states were populated with English, in fact, during the revolution there were a good many loyalists as there were in New York, another bastion of proEnglish sentiment during the revolution. The Appalacian area was populated later with folks of Scott heritage as has New Hampshire, which also suffers a painful lack of sense of humor. Most of the hardships endured by them lend them to a social strain of fatalism, but that's another discussion. We are talking about the south proper. And the northern states with Irish heritage that obviously did not fall victim to fatalism as the Irish in those areas rose to levels in government and business and brought with them a coping mechanism of dark dry humor. Of the loyalist English, New York Loyalists headed back to England after the revolutionary war. In the south, they stayed and endured and continued the english culture. During the civil war, the English influence was so prevalent in the south that England actually had some associations with Confederate leaders as to their possible involvment in the war, as northern alliances were more in common with France (again - the idea that each man was equal to any other which spurred the French revolution). Clearly no one can argue that southern culture isn't one of a more class structured society, and manners and station are much more prevalent. Duels for honor were still taking place even post-revolution in the south. Talk about not being able to take a little ribbing! Northern culture is one of wize cracking, more humor, ribbing one's friends. As another poster put earlier, if you look at the comedians or comedic writers of our day - Jay Leno, David Letterman, Ben Afflec, Matt Damon, Ed Burns, Conan OBrien, Steve Carrel...all from the north. More specifically, nearly all from the boston area. there are cultural differences. To rib someone in Boston is not to insult them. It is a show of being equal, of feeling close enough to them that they have your confidence that allows them this privaledge. If someone in Boston is only always been polite to you, then they hold you are arms length. They do not see you as someone they can confide in. A southern man's insult is a Northern man's show of comradery.

While us Southerners don't get much frozen precip and therefore are not prepared for it the folks in Chicago seem to have problems with heat. In July of 1995 Chicago had a heat wave and 521 people died of heat related causes. The inhabitants of the city of Chicago were not prepared to handle the heat just like the South is not prepared for the infequent snow.

IT WAS A JOKE, FOLKS!!!

Obama will learn that he can't joke with the media who are constantly trolling to make something out of nothing. There are many things of importance going on, but folks like Jake Tapper chose to make something out of nothing. How silly.

This is sooo funny!!!! In Manitoba, Canada school buses run and children go to school unless the windchill is above -40...that means the temperature is about -25F with a breeze. We also need about a foot of snow before we call that a real challenge for driving. Ask Sarah Palin, she can tell all about in Alaska, next to Russia!!! Joe 6-pack will tell you the same!!!

Obama has a sense of humor, so get used to it. Just last week I called a University in New England and I mentioned it was freezing in Florida and she laughed. It was freezing in Florida for us, but to her our 50 degrees meant summer for her in NE, but for us here who are so used to warmer weather 50 degrees is cold. Funny, I lived in New England and didn't mind the cold, but now that I got used to warm weather the cold is no longer an option for me, unless I'm going snow skiing. It's hard to get out of bed when it's so cold. I like getting up to birds singing and sound of waves and bright skies. I love new England also, just miss the cold for one day only, than glad to be outside hosing the garden and barbecuing. When the boomers flock to Florida in next several years, that's when i'll go back to New england as I'm sure Florida will be too congested again.Stay warm