James Harrison to skip White House visit.

[SidSmythe]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

Face it ... Harrison was excited about his new contract, til he saw how much O'bama takes out it.

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

Perhaps Harrison is afraid that Obama will take his recent signing bonus that he worked so hard to earn and spread it out among everyone in the DC area?

[Oviedo]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

He's a whack job. Nothing he does surprises me. Good thing he can play football or he'd be in jail somewhere.

Yeah I have the same thoughts about him. One heck of a player but the man is missing a few IQ points.

He isn't smart because he decides to exercise his right of free choice

Maybe he just isn't into publicity stunts and feels the President may have a few more important things he should be doing rather than "hang with the boys." I don't think that the Constitution outlines one of the President's duties as getting pictures taken with winning sports teams. Probably not high on the Founding Fathers priority list.

This is much ado about nothing.

[SteelCzar76]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

On one hand i respect Silverback's decision to stand firm regarding his disregard for the visit. I'm saying,...if he truthfully feels as though it's a waste of time and or unimportant,...then why should he cater to the "Dodo bird over the cliff" mentality and go along with something simply for the sake of pleasing others ?

But then again,...i feel that when the highest office (in theory) in the entire world (let alone the 'free' world) invites you for a visit, you should accept as matter of respect and or duty. (No matter whom is currently serving as 'figurehead'.)

"You'd be doing it for Honor and Duty James,.....not dishonoring yourself by following Lemmings"

[snarky]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

^^^^
I disagree with this. If the president asks a person for help or counsel as it relates to the execution of his actual job, a good citizen would provide that help and/or counsel.

On the other hand, nobody should feel compelled to participate in a photo-op.

I forget if it was Reagan or Carter that started this tradition but I think it's pretty stupid.

[stlrz d]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

^^^^
I disagree with this. If the president asks a person for help or counsel as it relates to the execution of his actual job, a good citizen would provide that help and/or counsel.

On the other hand, nobody should feel compelled to participate in a photo-op.

I forget if it was Reagan or Carter that started this tradition but I think it's pretty stupid.

I did some googling and found that it goes way back. I couldn't find anything that stated who officially started it or anything like that, but a news article about Reagan's passing that stated teams (baseball) have been invited to the White House as far back as the presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant.

Perhaps Carter or Reagan made some kind of "official declaration" or something like that?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

^^^^
I disagree with this. If the president asks a person for help or counsel as it relates to the execution of his actual job, a good citizen would provide that help and/or counsel.

On the other hand, nobody should feel compelled to participate in a photo-op.

I forget if it was Reagan or Carter that started this tradition but I think it's pretty stupid.

I did some googling and found that it goes way back. I couldn't find anything that stated who officially started it or anything like that, but a news article about Reagan's passing that stated teams (baseball) have been invited to the White House as far back as the presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant.

Perhaps Carter or Reagan made some kind of "official declaration" or something like that?

Andrew Jackson was President in the 1830's

[stlrz d]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

^^^^
I disagree with this. If the president asks a person for help or counsel as it relates to the execution of his actual job, a good citizen would provide that help and/or counsel.

On the other hand, nobody should feel compelled to participate in a photo-op.

I forget if it was Reagan or Carter that started this tradition but I think it's pretty stupid.

I did some googling and found that it goes way back. I couldn't find anything that stated who officially started it or anything like that, but a news article about Reagan's passing that stated teams (baseball) have been invited to the White House as far back as the presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant.

Perhaps Carter or Reagan made some kind of "official declaration" or something like that?

Andrew Jackson was President in the 1830's

Whoops...was supposed to be Andrew Johnson.

Guess I got my mind on my money and my money on my mind. Wait...I don't have any money!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

I may not have as many Benjamins as I would like...



...but I still have a few Jacksons left in my wallet!

[SteelBucks]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

Here's an update from Bouchette on this "non-story".......I like the last sentence.


Fear of flying why Steelers' Harrison will skip White House visit
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers linebacker James Harrison gave little reason for not wanting to join his teammates for their visit to the White House Thursday.

A well-placed source, however, later revealed the real reason for Harrison's reluctance to make the trip: He has a fear of flying and is a "wreck" whenever he must take team flights.

"Let me ask you a question," Harrison asked reporters who greeted him coming off the practice field today. "Why is it a big issue now that I'm not going if it wasn't a big issue the last time?"

Harrison, a backup linebacker for the Steelers when they won Super Bowl XL, did not join his teammates three years ago when they visited the White House of President George Bush.

However, his profile changed in four years. He was the NFL defensive player of the year and his 100-yard touchdown with an interception in Super Bowl XLIII was the longest play in Super Bowl history.

"Hey, James ain't changed," Harrison responded. "I guess my profile did but I didn't change. I'm not going because I don't want to go."

He added, seemingly in a joking manner, that the White House is not in the safest area of Washington, D.C.

"It's not a good neighborhood over there either," Harrison said. "It's a bad neighborhood."

Harrison said he was surprised at the reaction to his declining an offer to visit the White House.

"They're making a big deal out of this: 'Oh, my, James Harrison is not going to the White House, he must be a devil worshiper!'"

He said he will remain in Pittsburgh Thursday to "work out, run, get ready."

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

From ESPN.com's Page 2:

[feltdizz]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

I'm late to the convo but Harrison is an idiot off the field. I love him on the field but off of the playing field Harrison is the typical dumb jock. Now I read he is scared to fly? DC is 4.5 hours away by car...

I'm not a W fan but I was PO'ed when Joey opened his mouth in 2005. Just go and do the photo opt and keep it moving. Harrison is animal on the field but he seems to be an animal off the field as well. Dude needs to shut up when they put a mic in front of him.

He reminds me of Mike Tyson.. you just never know what Harrison is going to say... the "real reason" is more pathetic then the wack azz joke he attempted.

[pfelix73]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

Big deal. If he doesn't want to go, so be it- last time I checked, it was a free country...........

[frankthetank1]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

I'm late to the convo but Harrison is an idiot off the field. I love him on the field but off of the playing field Harrison is the typical dumb jock. Now I read he is scared to fly? DC is 4.5 hours away by car...

I'm not a W fan but I was PO'ed when Joey opened his mouth in 2005. Just go and do the photo opt and keep it moving. Harrison is animal on the field but he seems to be an animal off the field as well. Dude needs to shut up when they put a mic in front of him.

He reminds me of Mike Tyson.. you just never know what Harrison is going to say... the "real reason" is more pathetic then the wack azz joke he attempted.

that is one of the things i love about harrison. you never know what he is going to say. i dont see why its a big deal. if i was him i wouldnt want to meet the pres either regardless of who the president is. what did porter say? i forget, im sure it was dumb though. if harrison didnt go in 2006 and then went this year i would have a problem with that. at least he is consistent

[feltdizz]

Re: James Harrison to skip White House visit.

I'm late to the convo but Harrison is an idiot off the field. I love him on the field but off of the playing field Harrison is the typical dumb jock. Now I read he is scared to fly? DC is 4.5 hours away by car...

I'm not a W fan but I was PO'ed when Joey opened his mouth in 2005. Just go and do the photo opt and keep it moving. Harrison is animal on the field but he seems to be an animal off the field as well. Dude needs to shut up when they put a mic in front of him.

He reminds me of Mike Tyson.. you just never know what Harrison is going to say... the "real reason" is more pathetic then the wack azz joke he attempted.

that is one of the things i love about harrison. you never know what he is going to say. i dont see why its a big deal. if i was him i wouldnt want to meet the pres either regardless of who the president is. what did porter say? i forget, im sure it was dumb though. if harrison didnt go in 2006 and then went this year i would have a problem with that. at least he is consistent

I have no problem with him not going.... but the reasons given are beyond stupid...

"if we lost we wouldn't go to the WH.." well no tihs sherlock...

and who was Harrison in 2005? any back up who didn't go wouldn't be missed. I love Harrison on the field but off it...keep him away from the mic.