Travesty! Obama Refuses To Meet Murrow High’s Chess Champs!
It might be the worst thing President Barack Obama has ever done.
The commander-in-chief is neglecting to make time for teenagers from Edward R. Murrow High School (1600 Avenue L), who were crowned national student chess champions, winning the title for the eighth time this April.
While Barry Obama has made time for the San Francisco Giants, the Indiana Fever, and even the 1972 Miami Dolphins, he’s got no time for pawn-pushers – even if his predecessor did meet with the team in 2004.
New York Daily News has got the scoop:
[Coach Eliot] Weiss has made numerous requests of the White House via email and post, but has been rejected each time — and each time, the White House suggests that the leader of the free world is just too busy.
“Due to the volume of inquiries and the time constraints of his schedule, the President must decline the majority of meeting requests he receives,” the White House wrote to Weiss in October. “We have reviewed your invitation, and unfortunately, President Obama will be unable to accommodate your request for a meeting.”
It’s particular distressing, Weiss said, because Murrow’s 2013 victory may have been its greatest, with the pride of Midwood besting 1,500 teams from 49 states at the tournament in Nashville, Tenn.
… As leaders themselves, Weiss’ team members know how important an Oval Office could be to their sport and their school.
“A meeting with President Obama could have a positive effect in this neighborhood and even the borough,” said Alexis Paredes, 17, a senior and star player who is originally from Moscow and ranks as an international master. “So many schools have great basketball teams or soccer teams, but not many schools can say they chess team that has won so many nationals.”
While the U.S. President isn’t saying much for himself, Brooklyn’s Borough President Marty Markowitz has a mouthful for him.
“Edward R. Murrow High School and the surrounding Midwood community are understandably proud to be home to America’s reigning ‘kings and queens’ of chess,” the borough president told the News. “Our borough has a growing tradition of excellence in ‘the royal game.’ which also includes the stars of ‘Brooklyn Castle’ in Bushwick. They are all stellar role models of mental mastery, and we here in Brooklyn celebrate their triumphs both day and ‘knight’!”
We have no idea what the president could be doing that’s more important than this.