We can, and will, have differences with the president and his Administration on issues, particularly on the shaping of economic policy (single-payer, Mr. President). But, it's nice to see that we at least have a leader who understands what a picket line is.
From The New York Times this morning:
Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and other top Obama administration officials have canceled plans to attend a United States Conference of Mayors meeting this weekend in Providence, R.I., because local firefighters will picket the event over a contract dispute.
The cancellation has angered organizers of the meeting, who said they had worked with White House officials to plan the program and had been counting on them to play a major role. Tom Cochran, executive director of the group, said the meeting would focus on how cities could benefit from President Obama's economic stimulus law.
"We’re just absolutely frustrated that the White House has decided at the request of a union to boycott our meeting," Mr. Cochran said Thursday. "This is the worst economic crisis we’ve had since the 1930s, and this will be first time ever when there’s not one representative of the federal government here with us."
I'm sorry Cochran is angry but, you know, the best "economic stimulus" the country could have is a stronger labor movement. If you don't get that, then you shouldn't be running an organization dedicated to improving the economy.
Kudos to the president--you know his folks would not back out of the meeting without the nod from the top guy.
[Note: sorry, have to run to meetings so may not be able to respond til much later]