Just saw a meme declaring Beyonce refused to sing at the white house. I’m not certain she was even invited. I realize that could just be one of those posting to keep the pot stirred up. They’re designed to appeal to our emotions and they work. I’m as guilty as the next person when it comes to that, I will often leave a quick remark, a quip or some sarcasm. I did with that one: who cares? I don’t care.

This is nothing new, this denial to go to the white house by celebrities, sports teams, or those that really believe their refusal will somehow make an national impact. For me it fits in the category of cutting your nose off to spite your face. That is, of course, unless you would routinely have access to the white house, then it could be construed as a snub. But I’m a basketball player at the university and that will probably be the only time in my life I would be invited to the white house. If I’m a celebrity I could make a monetary donation of sufficient size to get that invite, or if the president happens to be a fan.

I’m just amused, for the most part when I hear about any of that. I’m especially amused when it by some celebrity. Do you really believe that your refusal is going to mean anything to anyone besides those proclaiming their “loyalty and admiration” of whatever it is you do. If you weren’t a celebrity do you think those same people would care what you do? They wouldn’t, it would be like me refusing an invitation to the Met Gala or something. Who cares! But then again as PT Barnum famously said; “there is no such thing as bad publicity, as long as they spell your name right.” Today they don’t even have to know how to spell, just make a posting using AI.

The white house, the peoples’ house it has been called. Heavily guarded, you bet it is. Yes, you can visit the public part of that house. I have never done so and have no plans to ever do that. I only live about an hour and half or so away but I’m not that interested I guess. Now, if I were to receive an invitation I would certainly go. Getting the VIP treatment, who wouldn’t want that for a few hours? It’s an opportunity to visit the white house, I don’t care who happens to be living there at the moment, that’ll change. I used to go to someone’s’ house to swim in their pool, I didn’t particularly like that person, but I loved the pool. I could put up with that person for that long. Same with the white house.

Well, the bottom line is it is a personal choice. If you don’t want to go, don’t go. The reality is that whoever invited you, isn’t going to lose any sleep because you said no. You do realize that 99% of the time it isn’t the president making that invitation don’t you? It’s just politics. A public relations thing. Your refusal doesn’t really matter at all. For me, be like Gump, drink all the free soda you want, and if asked, just give an honest answer. You’ll more than likely never be invited again. Well, unless there is some perceived advantage, some political points to be gained, then you might, but generally speaking, you got one shot.