I knew I liked this kid for a reason...

[cobalt1999]

www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/sec/2006-10-26-florida-cover_x.htm

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Joakim Noah did not want to go to the White House with the Florida Gators after they won the men's NCAA basketball tournament in April.

"I thought, 'Why would I go there?' " he says. "I have different views from who's in power."

Coach Billy Donovan and his recalcitrant star had a long talk. Donovan convinced Noah a boycott would taint his teammates and their title and a visit to the White House was not the same as an endorsement of President Bush's war policies. Noah agreed to go.

The behind-the-scenes drama, which they are talking about publicly for the first time, is indicative of their complicated relationship. Donovan is a Republican who backs the president. Noah is an independent who doesn't. Never the twain shall meet.

Except, somehow, it does — on the court, where Noah embraces Donovan's team-first approach, and off, where Donovan appreciates Noah's deeply felt humanism.

"We definitely have completely different political views, different views on a lot of things," Noah says. "I still think he is a great mentor."

One is a conservative with slicked-back black hair, the other an idealist with a ponytail. They love and respect one another on many levels and agree to disagree on the rest.

...

[BOSSHOG]

1. I would never be in that position

but I wouldn't go the white house with bush as resident.

My somewhat similar act of rebellion came in August 2002 at my retirement ceremony from the Navy. The retiree gets a lot of attaboy letters from the Governor and Mayor and there is also one available from the White House. I got my Certificate of Appreciation signed by President Clinton. The last sentence:

"My best wishes to you for happiness and success in the future.

Signed, Bill Clinton, Commander in Chief.

I loved hearing that read over the PA System.

Billy Donovan would not have convinced me to get my picture taken with that military deserter living in the white house.

[grizmaster]

2. Being a prop for the murder monkey is just plain wrong

Donovan was wrong, and I'm embarassed to admit I graduated from the same school as him (PC). I was taught there to make ethical decisions and stand by them.

[VeggieTart]

3. Correct me if I'm wrong, but...

Back in the '90s, weren't there athletes invited to come to the White House who refused because they didn't like Clinton's morals or some such? And I wouldn't be surprised if they were condemned for it. Yes, yes, I know, Clinton didn't have the machinery at his disposal to steal an election the way * did, and Clinton didn't engineer an illegal war based on trumped-up evidence, and Clinton wasn't such a naked panderer to the ultrawealthy, blah, blah, blah. But you respect the office, even if you can't respect the person holding it. If Noah was determined not to go, he could have faked an illness. Or he could have just gone and been a good teammate.