Tony Hawk Skateboards at White House

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 06.19.09 | SJ Mercury News

[bootless]

Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk on Friday took a brief ride at the White House as part of a Father's Day celebration.

Hawk, 41, skated in the grand foyer and the nearby Old Executive Office Building, with the permission of White House officials.

[bootless]

I'm speechless. Why, why, why is it okay for 0bama to treat the White House - OUR HOUSE - as a skate park in an attempt to ... I don't know... be the Cool President, the Nontraditional President.

For me, it just says "Thug."

[bootless]

Have at it...

[HiTech RedNeck]

Is Hawk himself a big Rat booster? I thought he strove to keep nonpolitical.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Perhaps Sarah Palin could invite him to skate on some ice at the Alaskan First Mansion.

[trisham]

“Thug” is just one word amongst many that are appropriate for this administration.

[Doogle]

it's a wonder they didn't give him a “fly over” just to impress skateboarders.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Thug, no. Hawk does not stand for that. I say cheap trick.

[trisham]

I wasn't referring to Hawk. He's just a dope.

[bootless]

I wasn’t referring to Hawk as a thug. I generally like him.

I was calling 0bama a thug.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I’m surprised they didn’t let him skateboard on the desk!

[cotton1706]

This is a little over the top people. The Roosevelt children rollerskated all over the house.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I’m glad there’s nothing going on in the world — like North Korea, a major recession, Iran, two automakers bankrupt, collapse of the dollar, corruption, etc.. Does Mr. Obama have no fiddle?

[bootless]

There’s a difference between a couple of 40-pound kids rollerskating, and a 180-pound skateboard pro. And unless the Obamas adopted Mr. Hawk, there’s a difference between little kids playing, and a photo op stunt like this. Sorry.

[Cheetahcat]

Oop’s he is white that is going to be a tough one for the Zero to deal with.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Supposed to be tied to Father’s Day. What about Mr. Hawk’s kids or dad, shouldn’t they have been part of it too?

[garyhope]

Is it just me, or am I wrong to think that at 41 years old, you should have given up skateboarding and riding those little bitty bicycles a long time ago.

Isn’t it time for some people to let their “inner child” go and become adults?

There are too many people that are highly skilled at trivial pursuits. Grow up.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well, I rode a bicycle through the halls of my high school a few times.

[bootless]

Well, I certainly watched my son play enough Tony Hawk Nintendo games to check out the real thing. He’s very talented, and obviously trains hard for what he does. While it’s a nontraditional sport, I respect him for his dedication, and he seems to be a clean-living individual. No problems there.

I have a problem with this happening inside the White House and the Old Executive Building. Besides the inappropriateness of it, the wear and tear on the historic structure is more than day to day use.

[Tigerized]

Just when I think the NObama administration CAN’T sink any lower, they come up with some new way of kicking us in the nuts.

And I thought the Clinton Christmas Tree (with the condoms) was in poor taste. I stand corrected.

[mountainbunny]

Is it just me, or am I wrong to think that at 41 years old, you should have given up skateboarding and riding those little bitty bicycles a long time ago.

Sure, most of us quit skateboarding in high school or college, but if he can make an honest living doing so, why not?

If his body and mind allow it, he should go for it. Same with every other sport or pastime. Good for him for remaining in such great shape.