In an amazing test of skill and dexterity today, President Obama killed a fly in mid-air much to the amazement of CNBC reporter John Harwood.
(CNBC screenshot)Photos (1 of 1)
In amazing show of athleticism, Obama kills housefly in mid-air
By Jimmy Orr | 06.16.09
UPDATE: PETA has responded to President Obama’s killing of a fly. Click here to read the shocking details…
Who says President Obama is weak on defense?
It was almost like watching that scene from Karate Kid when Mr. Miyagi showed Daniel how to kill a fly with his chopsticks. Except it was the White House version of it. And no less dramatic.
President Obama played the part of the seasoned Sensei while CNBC’s John Harwood was the hapless kid played by Ralph Macchio. Yes, it was high drama in the East Room today.
PETA has yet to issue a statement, but we couldn’t sit on this pivotal story waiting for one. We just had to go with it.
Yawn
Obama was speaking to Harwood about the administration’s efforts to improve financial regulation. Normally that conversation would be about as exciting as watching paint dry. Actually watching paint dry would probably be more interesting.
Thankfully a housefly wouldn’t leave the president alone disrupting the interview numerous times. That’s when Obama’s razor sharp reflexes kicked in. (see video below)
Presidential skill
In a move only rivaled by President Bush’s ducking of two flying Iraqi shoes back in December, President Obama nailed the fly in mid-air sending the insect to an early but much deserved grave.
It wasn’t as though Obama set out to kill the fly originally. He warned the fly more than once. “Get out of here,” Obama told the fly, waving his hands (to express the seriousness of the situation).
Harwood, noting the relentless nature of the insect, said to the president, “That’s the most persistent fly I’ve ever seen.” But not once did the reporter offer to assist Obama.
That’s when Obama took things into his own lightning fast hands pulverizing the insect like Miyagi or even Chuck Norris might do.
Moments passed before a stunned Harwood stammered, “Nice…”
Cool Hand Obama looked at the humbled reporter and said, “Now, where were we.”
Celebrate
That’s when Obama decided to spike the football. And do a little dance.
“That was pretty impressive, wasn’t it?” Obama said gloating over his fresh kill. “I got the sucker. What do you think, Gibbs?”
His press secretary must have been stunned as well as he didn’t respond to the president’s question. Obama then directed the CNBC’s cameras to focus in on the body of the lifeless fly. You could say the photo of Obama towering over the trophy was somewhat reminiscent of Sarah Palin’s photo with the moose she shot a few months ago.
After Harwood composed himself, he told his CNBC colleagues that this might be Obama’s “make my day moment.”
Let’s see Dick Cheney question Obama’s credentials on national defense now…
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3. Paul | 06.16.09
That fly was deprived of its constitutional rights…no trial by a jury of its peers, etc. I demand an independent investigation!!
4. Chris S | 06.16.09
I catch house flies all the time IN MID AIR WITH ONE HAND. Swatting a fly that has landed is nothing to brag about.
5. Rob Loara | 06.16.09
What a waste. $10 million dollars of CIA technology - just ruined by Obama. When WILL Cheney and friends leave him alone?
6. Greg Bates | 06.17.09
So much for not worshipping the guy. Give me a break…a fly? Wow, I just can’t wait to see what he does next. You know, like stopping Iran and North Korea? Just a thought. You people are stupid.
9. Card-carrying Buddhist | 06.17.09
Obama, so ready to kowtow to fundie Christians and Muslims and Jews, seems oddly unafraid of offending his Buddhist constituency.
11. Elizabeth Brackett | 06.17.09
It’s such a human moment. It’s a feat that a number of us have tried and missed. But where was the squirt from the Purrell bottle?
12. Bill Ainslie | 06.17.09
First off in the Karate Kid they were catching flies in mid air with the chopsticks… they didn’t kill them they let them go.
The left leaning media will go to any lengths to make Obama look like the hero and this is just another worshiping moment for them.
I agree with Greg above… when is he going to grow a pair and deal with Iran and N Korea?
13. Steve | 06.17.09
Really funny, nice diversion. Easier to do my work now, although I am looking forward to Fox news discussing the fact that the government interfered with a private fly and next the Obama administration will be slapping us around.
14. Simplicio T. Soriao | 06.17.09
Why embellish the act?
This reminds me of President Jimmy Carter who visited India and a fly hovered over him in the dining table. Much ado about nothing! Somebody swatted the fly as soon as it took off from Mr. Carter’s head.
15. Brian | 06.17.09
Mr. Bates,
the article is CLEARLY a humor piece. It’s the Onion meets the Christian Science Monitor. If such blatant satire is lost on you and Mr. Ainslie, surely any “observations” you have on world politics can’t carry much weight. I hope for your sakes you two are making an overly dry run at being humorous yourselves. But that’s probably not the case… Um, best of luck…
16. Jeff Dillon | 06.17.09
This is news…honestly? Stories like this make me sick. Aren’t there more important things the media should be covering? Many people have killed an insect in mid-air…usually much earlier in their life.
17. Chumba Wumba | 06.17.09
Obviously, the fly was in over his head with his mortgage and wanted to end it all.
19. Obam-dizzle | 06.17.09
The fly was release after a mojor debate in the senate then approve by the house for the sole case to cover up the headlines from North Korea talking smack 
North Korea said, ” Try something bishes” So the house says, ” Catching flies with chopsticks if for asian Buddist wussies, in America we kill!” Good job on all levels Obama, first on the suttle answer to North Korea while adding the racist factor of Mr. Mayagi. *Claps*
P.S. Anyone else get reminded of Guan. Bay? No trial? WATERBOARD THE FLY!!!
20. another card carrying buddhist | 06.17.09
C’mon card carrying buddhist, lighten up. Obama isn’t a Buddhist, and we can’t expect him to act like one. Of course, Obama could’ve pointed to the dead fly and say “May you be reborn in a better life.” (or should that be, “blessed be”? Buddhism teaches respect for all living things, yes, but unlike certain sects of Jainism, you’re not forbidden from killing if there’s a health hazard. Even Sakaymuni held up a glass of water during a sermon and commented that he was praying for all the living beings inside the water he was about to kill by drinking the water…
And for all you people foaming at the mouth, this article was indeed meant to be a bit of comic relief. If you can’t discern that, I agree with Brian…
21. Greg | 06.17.09
Even seemingly insignificant acts are critically important when the president performs them. This is why it’s news, and this is why all the world’s frogs are dying off.
22. cynthia | 06.17.09
I once killed a fly on the side of a Republicans head.
As far as, Iran and N. Korea go, they are their own countries. Thank the Lord I live in this one.
23. P. Mahlow | 06.17.09
I agree with what is the big deal. He is about to destroy our medical profession and the press talks hom up for killing a house fly.
Obama did nto what to be involved so he did not comment on Iran- I guess Iran is lucky it isn’t a housefly.
26. Rob | 06.18.09
People, get a life. It was funny. Nobody’s pretending it’s a policy statement. Lighten up.
27. jonloh | 06.18.09
I think some of you need to work on your ability to detect “tongue-in-cheek” writing.
28. Sam | 06.18.09
And where was the Secret Service in all of this action?! Unnamed White House sources have said that they now believe this fly had ties to North Korea.
29. Tariq Shah | 06.18.09
that was no fly, that was George Bush buzzing around…..someone please check up on Bush, he had secret US technology enabling him to be a fly on the wall.
Woohoo!
30. PBE | 06.18.09
Was not caught mid-air as reported! I have swatted flies on my arm and leg. Big deal. Oh yes, everything IS a big deal with Obama.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. @fetterless | 06.16.09
#leadershipstyles from #ahmadinejad and #chavez MousePhobia #ISHR pics to OHousefly victory glee - 2MUCH!