What does he say now?

Shortly after his inauguration, Barry made the following statement about "flinty Chicago toughness". I wonder if he felt the same as AFO flew him back from his failure in Copenhagen.

Late January, 2009

Washington, D.C.—Republicans in Congress are blasting President Obama for recent comments he made regarding his incredulity at the inability of Washingtonians to deal with snow and ice. His attitude is being billed as elitist and anathema to the consensus-driven agenda that Obama is pushing.

After snow and ice lightly covered Washington, D.C. and its environs on Tuesday, (late January, 2009) the president wondered aloud, “Aren’t you a little surprised that they canceled school for my kids?” He continued: “Because of what? Some ice? . . . We’re going to have to apply some flinty Chicago toughness to this town.”

March 2009

The Ultimate Washington Cover-Up: Snow!

Bob Schieffer Says What Every Child Knows: Peace and Contentment Can Be Found in a Blizzard

December 2009

Washington woke up a different place yesterday. No, I don't mean elected officials suddenly put aside partisan games.

No, Washington was - depending on how you look at it - the victim OF, or blessed BY, the ultimate cover-up.

We were covered up by a huge snow!

From the Capitol, where the Senate was locked in nasty debate, to the White House, Washington was transformed into a Winter Wonderland.

That's the thing about snow: The cliches come tumbling down with the first flakes. We can't help ourselves.

But even the torrent of words and descriptions we're heard a million times before can't beat the scenes that a snowfall paints.

There's an old Washington truth (another cliche to be sure) that where we stand depends on where we sit. A snow just underlines that.

Adults dread snow because it means school closings, snow drifts, detours and blocked sidewalks.

Children on the other hand love snow for exactly the same reasons - school closings, snow drifts, detours and blocked sidewalks.

Is that then a thought for the holiday season? That when we allow the inconveniences of modern life to overwhelm us, we miss what every child knows but can't really explain: that a change in the weather - the first snow, a sign of spring, a summer sunset - can make us smile and helps us to find peace and contentment.

Are there miracles?

I believe snow can be a miracle, but only if we allow it to be.