#AskPOTUS About Sports, He Will Listen

Social media has redefined freedom. It has allowed us to live in a country where it is not only appropriate, but also acceptable and even encouraged to tweet questions at the President of the United States--and maybe, if you're worthy, get an @mention back. Yet while this advance in communications technology has brought about a magnificent new era of engagement between the American people and their leader, direct democracy at the speed of the Internet, it also has created trolls. Or maybe just enabled them.

President Barack Obama learned this the hard way while conducting the first ever presidential Twitter forum from his personal handle, @POTUS. The #AskPOTUS campaign invited people from all political walks of life to discuss the controversial issue of climate change. Of course, Americans got distracted, didn't follow the rules, and ended up asking off-topic questions about ISIS, homeland security, immigration, police brutality, and most pressing of all, sports.

In defense of avid sports fans, this is an exciting time of year. With the NBA Finals, NFL OTAs, the Belmont Stakes, the Women's World Cup, FIFA scandals and so much more on the docket, who has time to talk politics? In fact, it shouldn't come as a surprise that participants in Obama's chat asked questions like this:

.@POTUS will JR Smith heat up enough in the Finals to destroy the O-Zone and the Warriors? #AskPOTUS
— Nathen Vieira (@NathenVieira) May 28, 2015

And because we all know Obama is a hoops fan, it's also not shocking that the leader of the free world would have some thoughts and opinions, enthusiastically answering your question like this:

.@NathenVieira jr smith having a great season but the heart of the Cavs is Lebron. And no one can outshoot Curry - maybe Korver if wide open
— President Obama (@POTUS) May 28, 2015

But as with most things in life—and on the internet—there is always something out there that's better.

#AskPOTUS can I have the jeans that you threw out the first pitch in pic.twitter.com/liSSxeWLbs
— Lebron Fan #1 (@trillballins) May 28, 2015

#AskPOTUS I propose a tax hike on the wealthy that will affect Jay Cutler only…tax all of his contract, all…thoughts?
— Flows (@FlowsAndolini) May 28, 2015

Will you come to a Cincinnati @Reds game with me if I buy your ticket ? #AskPotus
— Esco Buxx (@DreamOfCodeine) May 28, 2015

Do you think Mike Francesa will still be doing #MikeZaun in 2016? #AskPOTUS
— Kenny (@Thepaintedman13) May 28, 2015

Shouldn't you be golfing or something? #AskPotus
— Chuck Nellis (@ChuckNellis) May 28, 2015

#AskPOTUS any chance you could sort out the FIFA mess after the presidency?
— james gaule (@jamesgaule) May 28, 2015

And just when you think Americans have completely lost sight of the issues threatening our future and the world as we know it, one of our nation's brightest heroes used his allotted 140 characters to ask the question that the president has yet to address:

.@POTUS What do you plan on doing about BOFA? #AskPOTUS
— Peter Laviolette (@fakelavy) May 28, 2015

Peter has a point, Mr. President. BOFA must be stopped.