Skirmishes resolved at living room summit

“Because I Said So” column for The Commercial Appeal

August 6, 2009

Barack Obama and I will be the first to tell you that it’s not easy being president. Oh, sure, the hand waving and goodwill junkets, and even the budget stuff, is simple. But sometimes there is discord among your people. Occasionally there is a situation in your country or, as I refer to it, living room, that requires immediate attention and I, the president, am the only one who can attend to these matters.

Recently, with so many of my little countrymen out of work for the summer and home all day right here in my rose garden, there has been a loss of patience and inflammatory remarks made, some lashing out in anger and frustration. Tempers have flared.

I’ve tried to be diplomatic about it like a good leader and sit all parties involved down to discuss the matter like adults … (read more)