Wouldn’t you think that President Obama would have enough on his plate, with the precarious state of the economy, the battle over healthcare reform, teabaggers protesting against him in streets and the general malaise of the country? But no, guess again. This fearless leader has decided to go to Denmark on behalf of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid.

Now, lets back up to a week ago. This same president addressed the G20 summit in Pittsburg, where he along with other world leaders, decided to make a real commitment to climate change, as it supposedly will be the death of all of us. The United States even made an eco-friendly commitment to be the leader in reducing their carbon footprint. This was all great, and it sounded really, really promising, as the most powerful country was leading by example. Well, what a difference a week makes.

This week an eco-friendly agenda seems to be the last thing on President Obama’s mind. Why? Well, he flew to Denmark for 24 hours. Yes I said 24 hours. He flew to Denmark for 24 hours, with two, count them two, 747 planes (one is Air Force One and the other a look-a-like) and a military cargo plane that would haul his bulletproof limo, of course. And who joined him on this 24-hour excursion to Denmark, why it was none other than Oprah and her inner circle. This was not always scheduled this way.  Originally the First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah were to go and represent Chicago’s bid, but the president with all he has on his plate decided he needed to go to Denmark for 24 hours. This is supposed to be a president for a new technological age, a regular guy who cannot live without his BlackBerry and yet he could not find an eco-friendly solution to going on this trip? Would he not be able to get someone on his staff to set up an eco-friendly skype, ichat or other videoconference?

He does obviously, know Oprah who has made Skype part of our everyday vernacular, perhaps her staff could have could have helped out. But, no President Obama as we speak is winging his way to Denmark. Now, I wish the United States only problem was trying to get the Chicago 2016 Olympics, but alas that is not so. It is disheartening to see a promise made less than a week ago already not being lived up to. How do you expect millions of American to change their eco-habits when their leader doesn’t? Is this change you can believe in?  Yes we (hope we) can.

Tags: Air Force One, Barack Obama, BlackBerry, carbon footprint, Chicago 2016 Olympic bid, Climate Change, Denmark, Eco Friendly, eco-friendly solution, ecological footprint, First Lady Michelle Obama, healthcare reform, ichat, Michelle Obama, Obama, Oprah, planet forward, President Obama, President of the United States, Skype, sustainable solutions, videoconference