Obama and the Media

ChetChesterson

Shared on Tue, 10/19/2010 - 09:37

 

President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, where he hosted the White House Science Fair to showcase the winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions.

 

It was Science Fair day at the White House.

In the State Dining Room, President Obama lingered at each of 15 science projects on display and chatted with the high school kids responsible for them.

Don't dare call them geeks or nerds. The president calls them "inspiring."

It was the president as layman as he listened to eleventh grader Amy Chyau from Richardson, TX. explain how she taught herself chemistry two years ago and then went on to develop an award-winning photo-dynamic therapy for killing cancer cells in the human body.

Another group of kids demonstrated a steering wheel they developed that detects and sounds a buzzer when a driver takes one of his hands off the wheel for more than three seconds.

Mr. Obama said it would discourage drivers who try to text or eat a burger while driving. He added that it would be a great thing to install on the family car once daughters Malia and Sasha start driving. The team that developed the steering wheel boasted they already have a patent for their invention.

"I am having so much fun," declared Mr. Obama as he appeared before an audience of young scientists and engineers in the East Room to comment on what he'd seen.

"It's inspiring, and I never miss a chance to see cool robots when I get a chance," he said with obvious admiration for the kids he met.

He said their work "is a testament to the potential that awaits when we inspire young people to take part in the scientific enterprise."

More often, it is athletic stars who get attaboys from the president. Since taking office, Mr. Obama has hosted 25 tributes for various college and professional sports teams.

"I thought we ought to do the same thing for the winners of science fairs and robotic contests and math competitions," he said to applause.

"Often, we don't give these victories the attention that they deserve. When you win first place at a science fair, nobody's rushing the field or dumping Gatorade over your head."

Perhaps that's a good thing, but we get his point.

The Science Fair gave Mr. Obama another opportunity to make a pitch for his STEM initiative - to improve student performance in the U.S. in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)

"Despite the importance of inspiring and educating our children in these fields," said Mr. Obama, "in recent years, the fact is we've been outpaced by a lot of our competitors."

He called it "unacceptable" for American 15-year-olds to be ranked 21st in science and 25th in math when compared to their peers around the world. His initiative is designed to move American kids to number one in both fields by the end of the decade.

And he noted the financial payoff available for kids who pursue STEM programs. He said more top CEOs in America have backgrounds in engineering than any other field.

Mr. Obama also announced that to further show his support for investigatory sciences, he taped an appearance on the Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters" program to air December 8th.

The Mythbusters will - at Mr. Obama's request - test the claim of the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes that he set fire to an invading Roman fleet using only mirrors and the reflected rays of the sun.

Mythbusters Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman were at the White House today, but declined to tell reporters how the president's Mythbuster project turned out.

Guess we'll have to tune in.

Mr. Obama said his only regret with doing Mythbusters was that "I didn't get to blow anything up."
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20019925-503544.html


While I personally disagree with his frequency of TV appearances and the celebritizing (is that a word?) of the office, I do agree with him in the fact that we DO need to get the American youth interested in Math, Science and other ventures other than spray-on tans and reality TV shows. The US ranks VERY low in the world stage for student scores in Math and Science (27th in Math and 22nd in Science) according to 2009 statistics, but apparently Obama's are newer.  Pretty shitty rankings for a prominent world power...but that's just my two cents.  We're being trumped by Finland, god damnit!
 

So, I ask the populous of 2o2p. What do you think? Do you think it acceptable for the President of the United States to spend as much time as he does in front of a camera and the Media? Or do you think there are more important things at stake that should warrant a little more office time and a little less TV time?

on an unrelated note, I think it's awesome that my spell check for Internet Explorer doesn't recognize "Obama". LOL Hell Yeah, spell check, Hell yeah.

Comments

FadeIntoBlack's picture
Submitted by FadeIntoBlack on Tue, 10/19/2010 - 10:05
It is, in many cases, the TV time that helps drive interest on the subjects that he is pushing. In this case, reinforcing the importance of math and science. So yeah, I think it's OK for him to be on the TV for those types of reasons. I may not agree with some of what Obama is pushing, but I am behind him in his push for education, universal access in health care (if not much else in that reform act), and control of some of the "rogue" elements of the financial institutions that don't care about the families their quick buck schemes ruin.
JPNor's picture
Submitted by JPNor on Tue, 10/19/2010 - 14:27
I'm a registered republican but I'm impressed with the way Obama has infiltrated the media beyond the major news stations. Love him or hate him, he is unquestionably a dynamic and likable guy in general. Social networking plays a huge role in our society and it's really helped celebrities seem closer to the public, so I don't see why it wouldn't work for him too - especially to grab onto a younger demographic that doesn't follow politics closely.
InfernalGiggler's picture
Submitted by InfernalGiggler on Wed, 12/29/2010 - 09:56
Since I work with the industry I can only agree with him on the point that STEM is a good program as well as most of the CTE programs that help kids find a pathway that guides from highschool to college and beyond into the workforce.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:27
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:28
welp, that didnt work... carry on
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:30
I am impressed you used the term "nary"
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:35
Good news! You were a bit mistaken... You aren't banned at all! Never was! Get back into the politics forum and work this whole thing out!!!
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:37
Sabres tell the truth, please. I can go and explain the whole thing here or we can keep it in PMs like before, but don't state things that are not factual. Thanks.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:39
Just venting, thats what blogs are for arent they?
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:41
And I still dont see where I used any names, so why call me out in public again?
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:42
You were never told that you couldn't post anywhere, only that if you couldn't get along with other members without violating TOS then maybe you should just avoid the political forum. Is that not true?
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:42
lol...like before.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:43
And thats exactly what I did isnt it?
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:45
yes which was a great choice cause it has kept you from violating TOS again. But you stated that you are "not allowed" to post in the political forum. Just clarifying is all. Thanks.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:45
Sounds like this shoudl actually go by way of private messages people. Just a idea.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:46
No problem, guess I now stand corrected.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:46
But you cant stay away can you Baine?! ;)
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:49
I wish I knew how to quit you.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:49
I got nuthin!!
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:51
Thats not what I heard...
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:55
jeesh... keep the homo-erotic comments in the PMs! ;)
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:55
It's a Non-Sexual Man Crush
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 10:57
Hey now...it certainly beats the never ending tirad as to who is right and who is wrong that was in here before? I am like a situation defusing baby! In all seriousness, if its going to be discussed, do it in PM, not the homo-erotic stuff,that stuff is just HAWT!
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 11:01
You sir disturb me
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 11:05
Love you to sizzel chest
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 11:08
When the political forum was made it was said that it would be more lenient as it will spark debates. At a forum I mod we do the same thing. It's the nature of the beast. If you don't like it don't go to that forum. The only time I step into the political forum at byoac is if someone reported something to the moderators.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 11:09
Princess Sizzle-Chest!!
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 11:14
I will give you this sabes, you are persistent stupid and very ugly but you stick with it
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 12:28
I love red Kool Aid
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 17:32
I like cheese
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 17:47
Red was always my favorite too!
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2007 - 18:38
I hate you
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/14/2007 - 07:50
I love you!

Join our Universe

Connect with 2o2p