By Mark Rhoads -
News reports indicate that members of the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors do not want to visit the White House because of their dislike for President Donald Trump.
A few days ago, President Trump did receive the 2016 Clemson University NCAA champion football team at the White House. Last Jan. 16, only a few days before he left office, former President Barack Obama hosted the Chicago Cubs for their visit. Apparently the tradition of inviting sports teams to The White House goes all the way back to 1865, when President Andrew Johnson invited two amateur teams to visit.
I don't care how old the tradition is, I still think it is a dumb and tacky tradition and here are my reasons:
Professional teams get all kinds of accolades and monetary awards for winning a championship and I don't see why they should be political props for any incumbent President of either party. I would much rather see special dinners and receptions for first responders such as police officers, firefighters, hospital workers, and other ordinary Americans who have volunteered to be safety officials for their communities. These people too often do not get the recognition they really deserve and are far more worthy of White House recognition than professional athletes who are paid very well for their work.
Just imagine how big a memory and how much it might mean to the widow and children of a fallen police officer to be invited to a state dinner at the White House for a foreign head of state. Their place at a table would be far more honorable than inviting the same Members of Congress, wealthy donors, and cabinet officers who usually jam the tables at such events.
The White House is supposed to belong to all the citizens of America, and should be used to honor those who normally would not get such an honor, but who certainly deserve one.
