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Subscribe to RSSNegotiations are stalled, neither party wants to budge, and President Barack Obama said he’s had enough.
This wasn’t about the fiscal cliff, though – it was about ice hockey.
In an interview with a Minnesota TV reporter, Obama urged the National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association, who left their second day of federal mediation Thursday without a deal, to get it together.
“The president of the United States shouldn’t have to get involved in a sports lockout,” he told WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro. “And I shouldn’t have to be involved in a dispute between really wealthy players and even wealthier owners. They should be able to settle this themselves. And remember who it is that’s putting all that money in their pockets.”
The NHL season isn’t officially cancelled yet, but commissioner Gary Bettman has suggested a “drop-dead” date sometime in mid-January – not long after the painful mix of tax hikes and spending increases would go into effect if Congress doesn’t reach a deal.
Obama was asked to “pull some strings” to end the lockout back in October, when he appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
But so far, he’s had as much success avoiding the “hockey cliff” as he has the fiscal one.
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Screw hockey... I waiting for the NFL play-offs!
Da Bears have had a massive injury riddled season, yet we are still in the hunt! lol
Meanwhile, all you right wing idiots, knock yourself out trying to collapse me... lmao@U
Fiesty ...
I must have some "beta" version as FR and NBC Politics are never collapsed for me. Sorry about Da Bears last week. Hell, sorry about my Saints!
As far as those posting about the President getting involved in "everything," the man gave an opinion.
For all you RWNJ's your boy Reagan did an awful lot more when it came to fielding strikes ....
That's right, Mr. President.
It's the FANS who always end up paying.
Hockey? Who want Hockey?
Even more important is to retire that Hockey Mom with lip sticks? oink!
Hockey, isn't that like professional wrestling on ice skates?
Obama commenting and injecting himself into NHL discussions?
Could have sworn he had something important to do. What was it? Oh, yeah...provide details on where he will cut entitlements, and drop his request for power to increase the debt ceiling whenever and how ever high he wants to.
Obummer is meddling in everything but being a president. As in the case he knows nothing about business and economics, he knows nothing about hockey and the business of running a hockey franchise.
It would be better if he learned how to get along with the politicians in congress and learned how to cut spending starting with the $800,000 to remove 47 letters from the MLK memorial.
A bag of cement and one of the illegal peons could cover that inscription in a few hours.
In hockey, what right do the workers have telling management how much management should spend on salaries? Or for that matter, if workers want to be the bosses, then they should start their own businesses after going to school, learning the position and putting up their own money. The average hockey player earns $3,000,000 and plays about 5 years. $3,000,000 is 60 times what an average American worker earns per year.
The salaries of professional sports players are ridiculous. If the $3,000,000 for one year is wisely invested, a player never has to work again in his life.
Tax the rich. Obuma loves hockey players...they're rich!
Zheng He, Try a little research before airing out on NHL players salaries! They make about a quarter of what NBA and NFL players make! Who is Obuma?
You deserve so much more than to be collasped.
I'll entertain the thought of a nice grocery store shoulder check in the canned goods section. Seeing stars yet? High stick to the eyebrow.
During a sports labor dispute it is easy to focus just on the players and owners, but there is so much more involved. The sporting arenas themselves employ a lot of people. Then there are concessions, parking, area hotels, bars and restaurants that depend on business from games - the list goes on and on. The LA King's magical Stanley Cup run last season (man, that was exciting) brought a resurgence of interest in hockey to SoCal, local businesses certainly could have benefitted.
Feisty, should da Bears and 49ers meet in the playoffs we'll just have to spank ya again!!!!
Hey, Zheng She, do some research before posting, and I agree with LIVE TO RIDE.
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
Meanwhile, all you right wing idiots, knock yourself out trying to collapse me... lmao@U
You know that's right ; you tell 'em GF
Well Feisty, the Pack is beat up just as bad if not worse. It will be the football 'lame duck' game of the week!What's the weather going to be like this weekend for the game?
Pigotry, looks like you are the one that needs to do some research. Despite the fact that the average NBA player is paid $5.15 Million a year, the average NHL player is still rich, pulling in $2.5 Million a year. I thought that you liberals thought that anyone who earns more than $250,000 a year is rich and needs to get their taxes increased.
Yup, Festering Redhead knows even less about her own team than football. The Pack will beat them up this w/e. Cutler is the biggest panty waste of a QB. The best thing about the Bears is Lovey, and he doesn't play. 49er's are going to get smoked by the Pats, and then they get the Hawks next. It's going to be a 12th man beatdown. And yes, shut up Prez, and get busy on fixing the world
The players don't even have enough money to pay for dental care...the greedy team owner pigs should spare more changes to our players.
Don't worry. Like a black hole, you will soon collapse due to your huge mass, with no need for assistance from the correct wing.
This president had best get to work to get this tax business taken care of and not spend his time with sports. Party time is over. In more than one sense of the word.
@Colorado-Man.... not only huge mass.... also do to her huge a$$...!!
Screw the NHL What about the Marine who has been sitting in a Mexican jail since August which Obama has done NOTHING about?
@Fiesty- Did you finally get your collapse exemption from the Owebama Broadcasting Company aka NBC?
Oh Oh, another union (NHL) demanding stuff....Takers......lol
Feisty, I was in Frisco,Nov 19th at Candlestick, when the 49ers really pummeled DA Bears!....I like both teams but, but
Crazy unions! Asking for rights, fair pay, decent working conditions, etc. What is this world coming to?
Good Grief!
too much profits to the greedy capitalist pigs...lol
unions should get a greater share.
Pigotry are you calling hockey players capitalistic pigs? Or are you envious that they can demand and obtain an average of $3,000,000 a year?
For once, Mr. Obama, you're right. You shouldn't have to (and shouldn't) get involved in a sports lockout, and you shouldn't have to (and shouldn't) be involved in a dispute between really wealthy players and even wealthier owners. This is not what we are paying you for.
Hey, todayopinion (#2.3), I was talking about those rich team owners.
If they moved the talks to Michigan I am sure they could get a fair deal. With our Gov. Snyder in charge how could it be any different for labor? Sarcasm
The President of the United States of America, the land of the FREE and HOME OF THE BRAVE, spending time mediating a bunch of hockey players and owners...
What a joke for a president he is.... wow this is SOOOOO important.
Pathetic...very pathetic.... like this is important...LOLOLOL.
Obama IS the BIG joke on the poor Americans...VERY POOR LEADERSHIP in this president.
Based on his love for the sport, I'm sure if this was the NBA instead of the NHL, he would have already forced his way into the negotiations.
The President with an opinion on every subject.
Go back to D.C., and show some leadership.
Mafia Unions lets just charge the fans more, screw the people who can't afford the tickets. Another Hostess in the making. The Fans should be protesting the Union greed
Quick, Barry! Go on The View, Letterman and Twitter...and save the NHL!! Those millionaire hockey players are getting screwed, how can they possibly live off of those wages?
Obama will protest and protect the union!
Not to many black players in the NHL, I guess they just don't care much for a game played by a bunch of white guys who are wearing masks and carrying sticks. But according to viknat there are a lot of mafia guys playing hockey now, you know great players like "Vinnie Sticks", "Slap-shot Santo", and "Joey the Goalie". I hope these hockey players hold out for a dental plan.
Forrest Grump
I want you to go out and play hockey with no mask & stick, you pimply racist. The government wants your estate taxed. oooooo boy we'll get 58 cents. LOSER
Ha Jay, you make a lot of assumptions, and they are all wrong.
The President of the United States should not be commenting on issues which don't affect the security of the U.S. or the well-being of the citizens of the U.S. The Office of the President of the United States is not a reality show.
So Joe, you want to restrict the POTUS's First Amendment right to freedom of speech?
You must be a conservative.
Really? Obama does late night comedy talk shows and raps! He's sooooooooooooooo cool! I'm going, to like, totally, like, friend him on Facebook!
A biracial kid raised by his mother, and then his grandparents after she died young being elected to the presidency of the USA twice is pretty cool isn't it JaxA. People like to tell their kids they can grow up to be anything they wish in America even the president, that is pretty cool, that is very cool, it does get any more cool. Who wants to join me in a chorus of "You Can't Touch This"?
With Obama in the office, the White House has become the headquarters for Comedy Central!
Yes they are having quite a laugh in the Oval Office, at the Romney campaigns expense.
@ Forrest... Yeah... you said it best.... for the democrats it's ALWAYS at someone elses expense!!!!
Of course because Democrats do not have to pay taxes right, they are exempt from the tax code, only republicans have to pay taxes is that what you think?
He moves from falling over the cliff to "Obama on Ice"!
Hard to migrate from community agitator to President.
ifunnygirl ...
Your posts are the most disgusting and insulting on these boards ...
How anyone takes you seriously and votes your asine and idiotic posts up is beyond me. There must be a LOT of bottom dwellers that suck from your teat.
"Hard to migrate from community agitator to President."
Ha really, not as hard as you imagine or hoped, he has been elected twice now, you can imply he is loser all you want but he won twice, even though your side made it their number one priority to see to it that he didn't get re-elected. He did win election by the American electorate, so do you understand who is the loser and who is the winner, do you understand who got "iced", because it sure was not Obama.
Winning twice the vote of the losers still makes you a loser.
Ha Jimboza, how can winning the majority of the nations votes make you a loser, are you trying to convince us that the majority of Americans are losers. Here is the truth, you voted with the minority and you lost, and no matter how much you pout about that fact, it don't change that fact. Does pouting and denying that fact really make you feel better, because it won't solve the republicans problems, it won't put a republican in the Oval Office.
Actually... I have seen MUCH worse from the likes of Fisty, Bev, Seeking and many more.
You are obviously overreacting and a drama queen.
(oh yeah... and a hypocrite... since you find these simple comments SO disgusting but find nothing wrong with the filth that spews from the previously mentioned trolls.)
------------------------------------
Being elected twice doesn't mean he is EFFECTIVE in the role... it simply means that those voting are idiots.
I've seen several libs on these boards say that this person or that person "needs a bullet", "Should be shot", "kill them all" etc. and not a single word from those self-rightious libs who act like they are the saints and angels of this country. But Funny Girl says "community agitator" and you dirt bags go after her. Keep it up FG!
Ah, who cares what these liberal low-informed folks think about my comments.
But you are correct Mike, the three stooges of MSNBC have written more trash and vile in their posts than I.
Time to take off the politically correct gloves and resort to their level. What the heck, make politics fun!
@ Forrest, all that shows is that the average American is getting dumber, and there's more takers than makers.... Yeah, lets tax the rich another 2% which will be spent in 10 days, and raise our spending by 50%... Friggin' dopes!!! Oh, don't forget that Obummer now wants to have the power all by himself to raise the debt ceiling..... WTF??? You all for that??? hence my first sentence..
Back East,
The amount of money RobinHoody wants to take from the 2% crowd is such a low number for Big Gov, that those funds will be gone fast. It's an illusion to pacify far-left Progressives. When that money runs out, who's next?
Surprises on the New Year horizon when the administration policy investsments kick in. You know, those items not currently discussed. Read reports libbies for you soon will be investing more into government.
No let's tax the rich another 15% so they pay what I pay, another 2% would put them at 17% and still leaves me at 30%, or hey why don't you republicans demand that my taxes be lowered to 15% I don't hear any of you sticking up for me, I pay a much bigger percentage on my comparatively modest income than any rich person does. Low taxes or high taxes either way, but it should not be so disproportionate. But don't worry republicans won't raise taxes on the rich alone, they will blow the negoiations and Sequestration will kick in and that will raise everybodys taxes (that is the deal they agreed to, it was their idea) and I'm fine with that. Republicans can raise the taxes on 2% or on 100% of taxpayers it's their move, lets see if they keep your taxes low or sacrifice you for their campaign donors.
And what amount Forrest Grump do you pay in actual taxes (dollars) vs what the 2% rate is at 15%, in actual dollars? I bet those 2% folks pay more than you at your supposed 30%.
Hey, let's all go over the cliff together! Now wouldn't that be more fair? Everyone gets screwed by Obama equally! No deductions for ANYTHING, no corporate write-offs. All are taxed so that additional spending programs can be initiated!!!!
Happy then Forrrrest?
I appreciate the fact that the President is a sports fan. I also think that what he said was appropriate, and by the way, I'm not a Lib.
I would actually like to see him TRY to skate!
THAT would be hilarious!
Dribble a basketball - yes... Ice skate... no.
Imagine a cow on ice!
Ya, why is the President so worried about hockey? Oh, wealthy players, wealthy owners, forgot wealthy or successful people are terrible. What did Jan Brady say? Marcia, Marcia, Marcia... nope.... wealthy, wealthy, wealthy. Terrible people who make money.
You guys can poke at Obama all you want but I can remember GW Bush actually waiving at Stevie Wonder. Ha I laugh every time I think of that. I think poor George felt snubbed.
What does that have to do with Obama complaining about a bunch of hockey players being too wealthy? Canadians must be in a flux... Socialism vs. Paying for a great puck slapper..... You know, Susan Rice spent most of her adult working life living in Toronto when not employed by a Dem president. Don't know if that has anything to do with hockey, just fun to mention. Oh Canada... (I don't know the rest of the anthem, sorry).
It has to do with republicans never realizing how stupid they can be, for instance he was not complaining about hockey players being to wealthy he was acknowleding that they and the owners do pretty well and should consider the fans, he was sticking up for the fans, ha you know he was sticking up for the sea of black and latino people you see at a hockey game. Go Figure, Gofigureit.
Well Forrest dump, I believe the qoutations in the article (quotes are supposed to signify exact wording) point to him as referring to wealthy owners, and and and and wealthy players.
Why do you double up on yourself.... looking out for fans, then poking fun at Dem latino and black people.... don't get where you are coming from. Do you live in Washington state? Maybe you are just toked up beyond reason. Ha.
Ha, it is not "Dem latino and black people" I am poking fun at.
@ Forrest... then if Obummer sticks up for the fans... (who pay all the players and owners income), than why doesn't Obummer stick up for the people who pay for everything in this country by being taxed...
TRY CUTTING SPENDING for a change!!!!
Well there you go Forrrrresssst Grump, how about responding to the question in #13.5?
Great question there Back East!
As the holidays approach, a beautifully sung song/message from the wonderful Louis Armstrong:
LOVE-
Please listen to it, it's so beautiful, particularly after seeing our president re-elected and a new year approaching.
We have all the time in the world
Time enough for life to unfold
All the precious things love has in store
We have all the love in the world
If that's all we have
You will find we need nothing more
Every step of the way will find us
With the cares of the world far behind us
We have all the time in the world
Just for love nothing more nothing less only love
Every step of the way will find us
With the cares of the world far behind us
We have all the time in the world
Just for love nothing more nothing less only love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMxRDTfzgpU
I thought it went something about saying to yourself what a wonderful world?
Another Obama bailout on the way. Hockey will be back and the players along with the owners will be a lot richer.
Yes how dare the president of the US bail out the American car industry upon which millions of Americans depend on for their livelihood, what a shameful, and awful thing to do.
he never "bailed" out GM. He stuffed their pockets with China cash so they wouldn't have to go through restructuring and take on normal operating debt. Instead Obama dumped the cash, and got the credit. The U.S. got stuck. But watch out, they have been charging that cash to production costs to launder the money by way of over production and sales at or below real cost. Money is all gone after this year.... hope the economy gets real good, real fast or GM will be sitting on lots full of cars it can't move, and dumping workers left and right.
Forrest Grump,
Gofigureit and "what" will never see the light of the sun. They are permanent bottom dwellers without a thought of their own or a care to the facts of life.
Layton there are a ton of Americans who's job depends on the American auto industry either directly or indirectly, whether they want to realize it or not. The thing is, not realizing the facts never changes the facts, now does it.
Forrest,
Facts are facts ... and while so many want to run away and state they are not ... it is what it is. The earth is warming, the demographics of the United States is changing, and yes there is irrefutable proof of man walking the earth 50,000 years ago.
Where to start. Mazda. Shut down its only American plant and is building its replacement plant in Mexico. Suzuki US division is pulling out of this country and returning to Japan
Now what is GM planning. They are stopping production of several hybrid models assembled in this country and importing its new "Spark" model made in South Korea.
Well, if that wasn't enough, GM also announced that its building it new manufacturing plants in China.
Back to foreign owned companies; Chrysler is no longer an American company as its own by Fiat. You do know what Country Fiat is located in don't you?
Layton & Forrest Grump, what was that you were saying about the American auto industry? Something about seeing the light of the sun.
What is truly unremarkable is your knowledge of what you are talking about.
Oh by the way since you both are so uninformed I'll give you a little education. When Obama bailout GM, the CEO who bankrupted GM was forced out. In gratitude for all he did, Obama gave him a $125 million retirement package rather then fire him for incompetence.
The only factory set up to build the "Spark" is in Korea as it's based on Daewoo Matiz, and as such no production lines in the US were set up for it. Makes sense to make some and tehn sell them here to see if the demand is enough to build here. Why invest hundreds of millions if people won't buy? That would be a bad business decision.
I'm sure that you also know that the GM China facoties are for manufacturing cars to sell in China. This has to do with Chinese import laws as well as cost of manufacturing. And you know that those profits return to the US? Right? It would be a bad business decision to build cars for China in the US and try to sell them that way.
And yes, Chrysler is owned by Fiat. But that would NOT have been possible if the company hadn't been shored up by the bailout. And if that had not been possible, then workers would have been unemployed and Chrsyler would not have been bought. So NOW you want to fuss at the influx of investment funidng made possible by the bailout too?
And yes, let's look at Mazda and Suzuki. Why are they moving plants outside the US? Because the set up they have is no longer profitable specifically because the American Car industry is back. GM sales have dramatically eclipsed theirs and as such they need to lower some costs and/or shorten supply chains to become more competitive. This is proof of good news for the American car industry and that thigs are working!
what happened - your position is a study in contradictions. You fuss about and misrepresent the good business decisions made by car companies to maximize opportunity, stay in business, insure car manufacturing jobs are still in the US, return profit to our shores, and the efforts of the President to make sure direct and indirect jobs are being supported. Yet you also accuse others of not knowing "what you are talking about."
An enormous amount of Americans kept their jobs related to the auto industry because of the presidents actions, you can try and spin that any way you wish, but it does not change the fact. This is a good thing, and trying to make it sound like a bad thing just does not make any sense.
BTW Chrysler was already owned by Daimler quite a few years before Obama got involved, isn't that right what happened, yes that is right, so don't act like that is a result of the bailout.
Matthew & Forrest Grump
It's not the president's job to pick and choose who will work in this country and who won't. Until you understand this you are living in a fantasy as Obama is borrowing money to make sure the ones he wants to work, work while forcing others on to government assistance.
When reality punches you in your face and it will sooner rather then later, your going to be going crazy trying to blame it on Bush.
it just getting to hard to answer people who think they have the right answers when they don't.
what happened - it IS the President's job to help this country stay on top. That won't happen when all of our manufacturing is outsourced, multi-nationals received unneeded subsidies (and STILL move manufacturing off shore). Without Americans working we will eventually become a third world nation.
"When reality punches you in the face" (i.e. - when YOU look at the entire picture and the issues involved) you will see that you are arguing against long-term US economic growth. And no, I don't blame this on President Bush, although he did help. I blame it on deregulation started by President Reagan and continued/enhanced by Presidents after him. I blame it on "investment companies" that practiced vulture capitalism. I blame it on a tax system where it benefits American companies to off-shore AND the greed of those companies. I blame it on the fact that the companies decided to avoid environmental regulations - forcing long term negative impacts on people for short-term capital gains for their investors. Their attitude is "F--k you, I'm getting mine", is completely unethical and unacceptable.
Calling all Swift Boats Veterans! Hurry up and put those ads out there. We Cannot have Eggplant for Sec of State!!
dreel don't forget 4 dead in Ohio.
Get real who cares about a bunch of meat heads on ice.
Obama won,the GOP lost. Ha he ho.
If you don't like hockey, don't post ffs. I love hockey and soccer. I care and I hope a deal gets done. Go Obama! Make them get a deal done!
Another person will get in,,
these professional sports team owners are too greedy.
greedy pigs...oink.
swine - drunken pig (s-wine: 4 of 5 letters are wine, drunken pig! 80% alcohol level)
Meat heads
For everyone complaining about Union greed take a minute to read more than just this article to get your information about the NHL lockout. The owners want to cut the players share of the revenue by14%, meaning the players would only get 43% of the revenue while the owners got 57%. The players and their union have repeatedly come to the table with various deals, all at about a 50/50 split, but the owners continue to refuse the offers, or to even negotiate until the players give in almost entirely to what they want. Then there are the issues of contract length and price caps. On top of that, the players don't even get paid during the lockout. Its not the players who are being greedy. Its the owners.
Can these greedy hockey owners solve such problems themselves. The President is firmly committed to the free market and doesn't want to intervene. Besides the president is super busy to deal with an unruly child - Speaker Boehner - so there will be a solution to the fiscal cliff.
The GOPTP has pushed the country toward a cliff; but in the end, it's the GopTP that will be hanged on a cliff-hanger.
BTW, that infamous Hockey MOM [pig] with lipstick...her son just had a divorce.
.
Army reservist Track Palin gets to keep his guns - good - and his tools, plus some $30,000 cash, while Britta keeps her jewelry and her bank account. He is supposed to keep his own gun..that's why it's a divorce..sharing his gun is a marriage