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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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15

Obama Goes En Garde!

The president helps boost Chicago's Olympic bid by fencing with light sabers

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(Newser) – Health care reform? Racism brouhaha? Barack Obama took a break from it all—and possibly worked out some frustration—on the White House lawn yesterday during a fencing demonstration, Gawker reports. The president and first lady brandished light sabers during an event promoting Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. Check out the pictures at left.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama play with toy swords as they host an event on Olympics, Paralympics and Youth Sport, Sept. 16, 2009, on the South Lawn of the White House.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama play with toy swords as they host an event on Olympics, Paralympics and Youth Sport, Sept. 16, 2009, on the South Lawn of the White House.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama uses a light saber as he watches a demonstration of fencing at an event supporting Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, on the South Lawn of the White House.
President Barack Obama uses a light saber as he watches a demonstration of fencing at an event supporting Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, on the South Lawn of the White House.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama fist bumps fencer Daria Schneider during a display of fencing, on the South Lawn of the White House, Sept. 16, 2009, during an event supporting Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid.
President Barack Obama fist bumps fencer Daria Schneider during a display of fencing, on the South Lawn of the White House, Sept. 16, 2009, during an event supporting Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama uses a light saber as he
President Barack Obama uses a light saber as he "attacks" Olympic fencer Tim Morehouse, Sept. 16, 2009, during an event supporting Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid, on the South Lawn of the White House.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama uses a plastic saber as he
President Barack Obama uses a plastic saber as he "attacks" Olympic fencer Tim Morehouse, Sept. 16, 2009, during an event supporting Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid, on the South Lawn of the White House.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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15 comments
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Lost_in_europe
Sep 17, 09 7:58 AM CDT
the 2012 London Olympics are expected to cost every single London taxpayer an extra $200 in taxes in the next two years...we also were told it wouldn't cost us a dime in extra taxes...Chicago, be smart..let some other city "win" the bidding to host the Olympics Reply
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+7
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Timinator2K
Sep 17, 09 8:05 AM CDT
Haven't you and the rest of the world been informed yet? The USA has an ENDLESS supply of money for our every single need and want...like the Olympics, for instance...and that health care thing that's being so bi-partisanly and cooperatively discussed here. The Olympics? Heck, we'd run it at a profit! Well, at least for Mayor Daley and all the Chicago politicians with their hands held out.
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+5
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Unaffiliated
Sep 17, 09 8:58 AM CDT
So there's nothing to be said about the enjoyment and entertainment value the Olympics provide? How about the universalism they inspire? Sure, the Olympics in practice aren't as perfect as the Olympic ideal (rampant commercialism, performance enhancing substances, even the fact that many countries give a $$$ prize to medal winners), but the ideal is a good and worthwhile one.
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lowstar
Sep 20, 09 8:09 PM CDT
Yes but you're not factoring how much money the city will make from the overwhelming tourism boost.
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Timinator2K
Sep 17, 09 7:59 AM CDT
"Take THAT!, Darth Limbaugh!" Reply
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+9

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