Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Feb 17, 2011 at 7:45 pm

Just great. Many of the individuals represent companies that do little or nothing to advance America's industrial strength. Twitter, Facebook, NetFlix, Yahoo produce absolutely nothing of substance. Apple and Cisco outsource much if not most of their manufacturing overseas. When is our president going to work with companies and individuals who value substantive American industry and American workers for long-term benefit of our country.

Of course this trip is probably primarily a fundraising junket. So I guess we can expect more of the same - nothing.

Posted by foxy, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Feb 17, 2011 at 8:40 pm

That's right, the President should have invited real productive Americans like Fox News! They created many more jobs in America than companies like Facebook that keep building bigger office buildings in our city.

Posted by Joseph E. Davis, a resident of the Woodside: Emerald Hills neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2011 at 9:54 am

It's unfortunate that the President didn't invite any buggy whip or whale oil manufacturers as well.

Posted by WOW, a resident of the Menlo Park: Fair Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2011 at 12:12 pm

Um...Maybe it's because these companies are a positive force in our economy right now. With the exception of Yahoo, they are all hiring!

Foxy, please tell me you are being sarcastic. ;-)

Posted by Not living under a rock, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2011 at 1:06 pm

Bob, have you paid any attention to what's been going on in the Middle East over the past 3 weeks?

Its been well publicized that the Egyptians mobilized their quest for freedom by utilizing social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

I've never used Twitter and I'm not regularly on Facebook, but the fact that these companies/tools are seriously impacting the way our world functions, and in many for the benefit of everyday people over despots and tyranny and small-mindedness, is undeniable.

Posted by member name, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Feb 18, 2011 at 1:22 pm

No wonder this president is out of touch. He dines with the rich and famous. He only USES the working and middle class for photo op opportunities.

Next time he has to give a major policy speech, why does he not use the palatial home of Larry Ellison...and then have lunch with common people. Oh wait, then he will have to face the realities that we all live with...

Posted by out of touch?, a resident of another community, on Feb 18, 2011 at 1:30 pm

"No wonder this president is out of touch."

How is he out of touch? Any more than other politicians?

Seems that John Beoner, the leader who will shut the government down in March, who said this week he doesn't care about job losses, who said yesterday those famous, never to be used again in politics, words ("read my lips...") is rather out of touch.

Seems to me. Please share.

Posted by Hank Lawrence, a resident of the Menlo Park: Sharon Heights neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2011 at 7:49 am

Please refer to this web link for a more detailed description of the dinner party.

Web Link

Posted by Commoner, a member of the Woodside High School community, on Feb 19, 2011 at 9:47 am

Bob asked when is our President going to "work with companies and individuals who value substantive American industry and American workers for long-term benefit of our country." Are you forgetting America's auto industry? Or, Intel's manufacturing plants in the U.S.? Or, how about the Obama Manufacturing Bill "Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010"? There are many other examples of companies and individuals that he has worked with but none of those matter to you because you are hell-bent on proving something to yourself.

Some people will hate our President (our current one or a Republican one) no matter what - so how's that workin for ya?

Loved your comment, Foxy!

Posted by MP Pro, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2011 at 12:34 pm

Or, he could eliminate the enormous costs of these little coffee klatches, and use the cash to fund more abortions--which actually WOULD be good for the economy overall (unlike Obamacare).

Posted by MP Pro, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2011 at 12:38 pm

By the way, "Foxy." Fox News is trying to "create or save" jobs in the only way it can: indirectly. For example, in opposing enormous government spending programs that will destroy far more jobs than they create.

Posted by out of touch?, a resident of another community, on Feb 19, 2011 at 1:03 pm

mp pro:

"...in opposing enormous government spending programs that will destroy far more jobs than they create."

Please give examples and proof that governmental spending in a recession costs jobs. especially "far more" jobs?

UI? for every buck in extended benefits, over a buck and half of economic activity is created, far better return than tax cuts for the wealthy.

Saving GM? obviously saved jobs. But you were against that, right?

Building infrastructure? C'mon, you prefer bridges that fall apart like a couple years ago in Minnesota?

Posted by POGO, a resident of the Woodside: other neighborhood, on Feb 19, 2011 at 5:47 pm

I don't think our President is any more or less out of touch than any other of our elected officials.

That was not a compliment.