159 Responses to “Our Obama Moment”
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The People’s View
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Smartypants
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Steve Benen
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The Obama Diary 
My “Obama moment” has lasted since 2007! Where to start? ❤
Indeed. Everyday has been a moment. But on a very personal note, the day he responded to my letter asking for help for my native country. And how saved so many lives there from the ravish of Ebola.
What a wonderful story to hold in your heart forever. ❤
JackieO, congrats on first!
My “Obama Moment” has been since 2007 too. He captured me then with his intellect, his ideas, his stated priorities, his unassuming manor, his humor, his sincerity, his style, his family, his faith, and most decidedly with his message of hope.
He captured me then, and he’s never lost me.
I’m despairing today, that we will no longer live in the comfort of knowing that he’s in control.
I’m especially sick at heart knowing that his brilliance and accomplishments are being followed up with a buffoon by the name of Trump.
My “Obama Moments” will continue past January 20th, and I’m keeping my 2007 Hope alive in knowing that “My President for Life” will still be working on my behalf in the future.
Obama/Biden Forever
Me too, Grace, Agree all the way with you: My “Obama Moments” will continue past January 20th, and I’m keeping my 2007 Hope alive in knowing that “My President for Life” will still be working on my behalf in the future.
Congratulations, Jacqueline, and thanks for all your poetic thoughts.
Thank you!
Yes, and much of that time I have shared these moments here with all of you. What a miracle. Thank you, Chips, Nerdy, and everyone. You are family.
The “extended” Obama family!
Morning TOD. I think mine was on the night of the re-election. I hadn’t cried on the first, but the second really got to me.
Morning. I cried on both occasions. And (as I’ve mentioned a gazillion times since it’s a fond memory) my oldest granddaughter who was coincidentally visiting me on both occasions said, “Crying, again?” – big smile on her face, as I forced her to hug me (again!).
http://www.mccormickplace.com/about-us/about-us.php
• Assembly seating for 18,000 people
From the moment he spoke in 2004 I’ve experienced daily portions of “Obama Moments”. He inspired me on so many levels, in so many ways. I never worried about America, not once in 8 yrs. Even with the republicans screwing up Congress, running obstacle after obstacle in his path… I never fretted about him, about his abilities, about our Home. His heart has been true and his spirit geared, connected directly to the needs of the people.
I tear up constantly now, sad that he will no longer be the elected leader of this country.
My best Obama moments are seeing videos like the above posted one (thank you Nerdy) where folks talk about him, express their love and joy and honor that we were so lucky… so “blessed” (said by this atheist 😉 ) to get to know this great human being. That so many Americans got to interact with him, FLOTUS and VP Biden is not only astounding but exactly the way things should be in our country.
And without the Obama Diary, I know for a fact I would have missed so many Obama moments because our media refused to show them to Americans. We are probably the best informed “Obamacrats” on the planet thanks to another amazing human being- Chips.. and the Legend known as Nerdy Wonka. I’ve said it a lot- because I mean it: I am forever grateful to you TOD, Chips & Nerdy… and President Obama- thank you for empowering all of us.
Hear, hear! Perfectly expressed, sherijr. I am so extraordinarily grateful for the intelligence, joy, security, progress, decency and dignity the Obama years have brought us, and so happy to have been able to share them through the TOD community. Thank you!
Thank you & to everything you said: I agree totally 🙂
DITTO!! DITTO!!!!! DITTO!!!!!! to sheri’s comment and grabamop’s too…..and all others. We all know we all feel the same! 🙂 I just said to my husband last night (as we watched the news) that I was NEVER scared or worried about decisions he would make, either foreign or domestic, because I trusted him. I knew with 100% certainty that it would be well-thought out, discussed with all the right people. I knew with 100% certainty that he would do every.thing. within his power to keep us safe and move us forward as a country. Also said I was never embarrassed, never even had a remote thought that I would be embarrassed when he/they traveled around the world.
We’ve been blessed beyond what we deserve.
Yep you expressed exactly how I’ve felt all these 8 yrs, tnmt. 🙂
tnmtngirl, you express my thoughts exactly. I have just luxuriated in the certainty that whatever was happening, it was being handled the very best way. It has been such a relief, especially after the previous 8 years, to feel that complete confidence. We have indeed been blessed beyond what we deserve.
Gosh, I feel like we are sharing the same heart, mind, senses! What you have written here is so true that it takes my breath away. Oh, thank you.
oh my goodness catrst, thank you so much for that.
I agree. Without the Obama Diary, thanks Chips and NerdyWonka, I would not be so informed about all the good that President Obama has done over the past 8 years. My favorite Obama moment is the night in 2008 he was elected. I was so proud of our country that I became a citizen in May 2009.
I didn’t know that Betsy – mucho Congratulations on your citizenship, that is so huge imo and what a wonderful story to pass on to generations of your family- that history that you share with President Obama.
Best decision we ever made and our second most proud moment was when all of us could vote for President Obama in 2012!!!
yes to all of this ❤
🙂
Ron Fournier, really Democrats?
good grief we all know Fournier and he’s horrible. Repub mouthpiece all the way. Glad they’ll be doing this in Baltimore … wonder if it’s open to everyone?
why are this drama…
just get together and vote….get on with….
I sent a message to the DNC about how disrespectful it was for them to have Fournier hosting one of their forums. Fournier has been nothing but nasty towards our President. There is zero reason he should be hosting any Democratic forum. He’s a Rightwing hack. I’d advise everyone to write to them or call them.http://my.democrats.org/page/s/contact-the-democrats
that is a great idea, pkayden. I’ll send them an email too and tweet them. Thank you.
As sherijr said: “From the moment he spoke in 2004, I’ve experienced daily portions of Obama moments.” Yes, you beautifully expressed what I’m feeling. I clearly remember seeing him in February 2007 when he came to OKC. We went. The crowd was so enthusiastic…..even here in red Oklahoma. There was something special about him. He spoke then about the issues he carried throughout his eight years. He is true to his core, always following his values. Amazingly consistent. I cried with joy both election nights, both inaugurations, with pride when he announced the killing of Osama bin Laden, with joy and pride when he went to Cuba…..there are so many moments.
Thank you President Obama for a great eight years. I slept calmly every night knowing you were in the White House.
Peter Daou is not helping with these silly, premature pronunciations.
We love you, POTUS44
Good Morning Everybody.
Now Republicans tell me again how this President is the worst president ever, and I will tell you that you are a bold face liar.
WOW – wish this was on all the MSM outlets. Authentic gratitude for real inspiration and action from our caring President.
The DCCC via ActBlue has farewell Obama stickers to vote on here: http://action.dccc.org/fun/obama-legacy-sticker?sc=em-share_obama-legacy-sticker Donate a minimum of $3. and the winning sticker will be sent to you. I rarely donate as I just can’t afford it anymore, but today I made an exception. I voted for: Still My President 🙂
okay be careful here, as this automatically sets you up for recurring monthly payments. I learned that after they emailed my receipts. It is easy to go in and stop the payments though. But I either did not see that part on the payments.. or they just automatically set it up that way. So caution.
This afternoon President Obama flies to Jacksonville, FL to attend wedding of his Trip Director Marvin Nicholson. “On Saturday, the president will travel to Jacksonville, Florida, to attend the wedding of a White House staffer,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in his daily briefing. “There will be no media coverage of the event. This is just a private event, and the president is looking forward it.”
So many moments…
As Sherijr put so eloquently, 2004 marked the first powerful Obama moment for many of us when we heard his Blue State/Red State speech at the DNC, but the labor of love we know as TOD has given us endless Obama moments to savor forever. Chips, wherever you are, eternal thanks for bringing us together, and to Nerdy Wonka, equal praise for keeping us going. Much love and appreciation to all the villagers!
FYI –
As confirmation hearings begin and new policies and procedures come before Congress, I’ve compiled a list of the Senate Democratic leadership of the 115th Congress. Please copy it and use it to call or tweet as issues come up to make our voices heard. We have the power to create change.
The Senate Democratic Leadership for the 115th Congress:
Senate Democratic Leader and Chair of the Conference: @SenSchumer (202) 224-6542
Democratic Whip: @SenatorDurbin (202) 224-2152
Assistant Democratic Leader: @PattyMurray
Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee: @SenStabenow (202) 224-4822
Vice Chair of the Conference: @SenWarren (202) 224-4543
Vice Chair of the Conference: @MarkWarner (202) 224-2023
Chair of Steering Committee: @AmyKlobuchar (202) 224-3244
Chair of Outreach: @BernieSanders (202) 224-5141
Vice Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee: @Sen_Joe Manchin (202) 224-3954
Senate Democratic Conference Secretary: @SenatorBaldwin (202) 224-5653
The committee ranking members for the 115th Congress:
Agriculture: @SenatorStabenow (202) 224-4822
Armed Services: @SenJackReed (202) 224-4642
Appropriations: @SenatorLeahy (202) 224-4242
Banking: @SenSherrodBrown (202) 224-2315
Budget: @BernieSanders (202) 224-5141
Commerce: @SenBillNelson (202) 224-5274
Energy: @SenatorCantwell (202) 224-3441
Environment & Public Works: @SenatorCarper (202) 224-2441
Finance: @RonWyden (202) 224-5244
Foreign Relations: @BenCardinforMD (202) 224-4524
Health, Education, Labor & Pensions: @PattyMurray (202) 224-2621
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: @clairecmc (202) 224-6154
Indian Affairs: @SenatorTomUdall (202) 224-6621
Judiciary: @SenFeinstein (202) 224-3841
Rules: @AmyKlobuchar (202) 224-3244
Small Business: @SenatorShaheen (202) 224-2841
Veterans Affairs: @SenatorTester (202) 224-2644
Aging: @SenBobCasey (202) 224-6324
Ethics: @ChrisCoons (202) 224-5042
Intelligence: @MarkWarner (202) 224-2023
Joint Economic Committee: @MartinHeinrich (202) 224-5521
Thanks Meta…..
You’re so welcome!
Thanks, Meta! Not happy that Bernie and Joe Manchin have prominent roles! I don’t trust either one of them.
I HEAR YOU.
I really hope they don’t ruin us forever.
She’s so FUN
Awwww. Tears everywhere. Going to miss her.
Hello TOD Family! Happy New Year to you all. NERDYWONKA how can this wonderfulness be. Thankful for you and TOD every day. Happy New Year to Superhero Guiding LIght Chips. Peace and comfort and joy and health to you and yours all year long. This morning my friend sent me this Youtube video of the BET event at the White House on December 27. I feel sure it was posted here and celebrated, but I missed it and thought some one else might enjoy seeing it too. In fact, I have not watched it yet, just checked out the first few minutes and decided it must be my reward for Doing Things Today. One hour 21 minutes of Goodness. Just the opening…..just the OPENING….so happy for them and everyone there to celebrate their goodness greatness coolness steadfastness energy kindness and more more more.
“BET’s Love and Happiness: An Obama Celebration”
Thanks for posting. Looking forward to watch this celebration. Mrs. Obama, as usual, looks fab.
I know that we are supposed to be writing about the moment in time that President Obama made us love him. That moment in time when we just knew he was a once in a lifetime, amazing individual….I was taken at the DNC when he introduced himself to most of America…I knew right then that this man was something special and that I hoped and prayed that he would become more than just a senator from Illinois….
That said, I can not get the fact that our election was fraudulent and rigged out of my mind. We did not choose this man, he was selected for us by Vladamir Putin as a vendetta against Hillary Clinton, a payback from her calling the Russian elections in 2011, rigged in his favor. This is MUST SEE VIEWING. Pass this along…and PS. The President-Select is a liar. He will look you, the American people, straight in your eyes and publicly lie to us.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-lies-about-intelligence-report-on-russia-easily-spotted-849590851652
These thoughts echo my own. I would go further to add, that if we love our President and want to honor him as well as all of OUR hard work, we would be pounding the phones and DEMANDING another election take place!
neverontheright tailwagondog Jan 07 · 10:46:23 AM
I find it breathtaking that this man is about to be inaugurated given this report, his denials, and hundreds of other things that should disqualify him for the presidency. The implications of these findings (even though we knew or suspected them for months) along with Trump’s denial (despite his public urging of the Russians to hack the Democrats) and his rejection of our intelligence agencies are so far greater in scope and risk to our Union than Watergate.
But yet, while there is an outcry, people should be virtually out in streets given that this is a national emergency of untold proportions. Simply put, Trump will be an illegitimate president, and worst, probably is implicated in a scheme with a foreign government which attacked the United States. After he is inaugurated, we’re fooling ourselves if we think there will be any further investigation of what happened. What we know now is the final report and after he is sworn in, the GOP will bury it.
And realize this….no future election will EVER be considered legitimate if this man becomes president. The election process and its legitimacy in the future will be forever tainted. And what’s worst, the GOP will be emboldened to tamper with elections in greater proportions with the process given the success of this intentional attack.
In a few days, we’ll go on and elect this man. We’ll polish up our boots, trot out the bands, and proceed with a farce of pomp and circumstance.
We’ve become a nation of sad fools resigned to the fate of a hijacked presidency and the end of our nearly 250 year-old experiment.
The founders would be horrified.
df, This comment reflects my thinking, along with every comment you have made regarding our needing a do over election. In any other country, if this happened, there would be a do over election. WHY? WHY? WHY? Like you, I do not understand any of this! Are that many people so into themselves that they just say, “Oh, it will be okay” and move along with their lives?! What is going to happen to people when so many things get so badly/go so wrong and it begins to impact their daily lives?!?!?!!? Then, it will be too late. We are all going to suffer. This is going to be bad. I keep thinking about not just our country, but the entire world–our allies and our enemies. As I told my husband two nights ago, he can tell himself it will be okay and that he will change once he’s really there (He insinuated that.). I told him if he believes that, he’s had way too much kool-aid to drink. That this man is 70 years old. He is NOT going to change. EVER. NO WAY! I said he’s evil, he’s ugly, he only thinking about himself and making more money. I am as stressed about this as you. The sleepless or near sleepless nights. On my mind nearly all.the.time. Regardless of what I am doing or whom I may be talking with, it is always there. Sigh…….thanks for sharing and for listening.
Totally agree with you and tnmtngirl. Well, a movement starts with one, so what are we going to do? I need answers as well because I totally cannot accept what is happening.
My problem is, I’m WILLING to raise the roof about this, but I have no idea where to begin or who to call that would help point us in the right direction! We have no time to waste! I would GLADLY love to put our brains together and get this thing rolling!! Ideas???
I sometimes see tweets and such indicating the unconstitutionality of this election, so maybe attempts to join an effort in place? I don’t tweet but somewhere soon, there has to be a surge in effort to change this or we are all doomed. I will be looking around myself.
I thought I could start with McCain, but I can NEVER get his office on the phone…Justice Dept? A Dem that’s out spoken somewhere? If a Dem brings this up, we’ll have to contend with the sour loser BS…but I don’t care. Would LOVE to have it be a moderate Republican though…I may just hone in on Jeff Flake…Any help is appreciated. WE CAN NOT JUST WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO COME ALONG!! WE have to do this NOW!!
How about Claire McCaskill???
Dear desertflower, my heart is breaking, my head is exploding right along with yours. Here’s the best idea I can come up with: Trust Barack. I was stunned by his acceptance of the election’s outcome, stunned by VP Biden’s official endorsement of the electors’ selections, and also stunned that HRC seemed to just walk away from a fight. But for the past 8 years, I’ve been able to trust PBO to know what’s truly happening, and to respond in the best possible way. I believe, I have to believe, he is still playing that long game, still working for everything he’s always worked for, and still our best most reliable guide to how we should go forward. For me that means, take a breath, continue to read and connect and speak out…. and trust Barack H Obama to lead us out of this quagmire. He will always be our president here, and for me that will always be an active leadership. Hard to imagine it’s not for him, too. Love and aloha, Susanne
{{{susanne}}} thank you. It’s not that I don’t trust him, I just feel like it’s up to us to speak out. He’s a sitting President and can not complain or say too much about this…what if we wait and nothing happens? Something WILL happen and we won’t like it. He is a fraud and ill prepared for the honor of being President…or dog catcher for that matter. I call him “President Select” because he was selected by Putin, not the American people. I am beside myself. Like I want to crawl out of my own skin. This is not normal. This is not the people’s will. This is a train wreck waiting to happen. I trust Barack, but Barack has had so much on his plate for the last 8 years, I bet he just wants to get the hell outta dodge and I don’t blame him one bit. This one’s on us….Are we too afraid to even TRY?
{{{df}}} Here’s my best guess: PBO first and foremost will protect this country, and an orderly process of elections and installment of new officials is essential to that. So though he must feel at least as horrible as we do about who DT is and what DT and his despicable Congress want to do, PBO will not lead us into the fresh hell of outright conflict. The only ones who would benefit from upheaval would be Putin and all the other slavering demagogues in the world who want to bring us down. So this has to be managed in accord with our values, our Constitution, and our goal of a better America. Every time I think, yeah, but remember the frog in the pot of water as it heats up, I just have to breathe and say to myself, Trust Barack. He’s not out of this fight; he’s just going to be approaching it from a new angle. And when he calls us, we’re ready.
I keep hearing ” Protect our country from enemies foreign and domestic” knowing that this is the oath that he took all those years ago….and I hope that he can….thank you for trying to comfort my weary mind….this keeps me awake nearly every night and occupies my mind in my waking hours…no matter what else I’m doing at the time. My husband spent more than 20 years in the US Navy, protecting our country and far from his family all those years….that can not be all for naught.
Reading your comments of who to contact, McCain and McCaskill -neither of them inspire confidence in me. McCain is not the maverick he may have been once (I never paid attention) so we keep looking. I too lose sleep every early morning, filled with anger more than fear.
🙂 🙂 It’s not that I have confidence in McCain…its that at least he recognized that we had an issue between DT and Putin….it’s not a leap to think that he could be talked to in that regard. Claire? She was the Dem in charge of DHS committee…that is all:)
I haven’t been able to get all the words out about what the Obama Adminstration means to me yet. I like so many others start in 2004 with the DNC speech. Then I read his book. I’ll keep working on the words. But the number one thing is that he has changed my life for the better. The whole family is all grace and class.
For The Record ….
take care everyone … btw, my ‘Obama Moment’ is on the horizon ….
Russian spy.
Bobfr – how long will you have us wait to hear about it?
You’ll all know the moment it happens, Judith 🙂
Hahaha!! GO Bobfr!!
I first saw Barack Obama on Oprah on his book tour interview for Audacity of Hope. Upon seeing a clip of his previous speech at the Democratic Convention and hearing his views from his book and Oprah trying to persuade him to run for President I bought two of his books. I read the books and found I agreed with most of his thoughts. I decided to actively support him. He was the first Presidential candidate I ever donated money to and actively worked to elect. He changed my awareness towards civil responsibility and needing to do more than just be informed and vote. He inspires me!
This one moves me deeply every time I witness his take off on Marine One. HZ
The video on the Obama moment just makes me cry. I’m so happy he has been our president and so sad he is leaving the presidency.
Avondale is not too far, but many incomes, away from my home. It is a beautiful neighborhood of older homes, large and small, with many backing up to the St. Johns River that is close to downtown. I drive through there weekly as I go about doing errands (I drove through there yesterday). Glad PBO is coming, but no way would I try to drive through there today.
GA TODville.
What a wonderful thread, one to savor. Love the personal experiences shared here.
Video had so many wide-ranging comments of inspiration, it must have been very difficult to edit (so many choices, so many people truly inspired, motivated, and uplifted.
Some tweets ton continue the theme (I’ve collected more to post here, before we do say farewell to POTUS, FLOTUS, VP and SLOTUS).
Cuba:
On Veteran’s Day 2016:
Reminder of what we’re losing…
Michelle Obama applauds and embraces Barack Obama after he delivers his memorable Yes We Can speech on January 08, 2008 after losing the primary to Clinton. This was the moment that I knew that President Obama was someone special.
yes this speech after a LOSS just floored me, I remember calling my mom right after completely marveling at this person who could turn a loss into inspiration and HOPE.
This is my same moment…JER…i posted this same video below…
Just spotted via an ABC News story that FLOTUS and VP Biden will also attend the President’s farewell address in Chicago! It will “be followed by a ‘family reunion’ for alumni of Obama’s former campaigns, according to a save-the-date sent to alumni.”
WOW…
This is really beautiful:
there was a time when i did not read the comments section but i have started to do so… i am so amazed at the lies and dribble that people really believe..this is because they have been fed lies and conspiracy theories from the RW entertainment Complex…and the MSM has not reported the truth…they have cast doubt on the President…
Rachel reported on the unclassified report of the Russian hacking investigation…from the FBI, NSA, CIA….but she kept saying…IF we can believe the report…she couched all of her statements with IF…if you do not believe the report…then do not report it…but to cast doubt on a report of such magnitude..is irresponsible…
contrast that skepticism with how she responded to the “heroes” of a good number of progressives & libertarians (aka scumbags: snowden, assange, greenwald)
On a personal note, President Obama made it possible for me to stay in my home after the housing crisis…felt especially hard in AZ….through Making Home Affordable. I am more than grateful. Also, the ACA allowed for my husband to recareer (again) and found a job that he loves…teaching Dr’s and surgeons how to use EMR. Before that, he was a banker with integrity…and he got shoved out of banking…just as well. So many times I thought that I would be living under a bridge somewhere, terrified that we would be homeless….many sleepless nights until we were able to get this done with his life line. I would thank him and hug him, cry, and tell him that I could not be where we are today were it not for his efforts. Much love to you, President Obama.
XOXOXOXO
Much Love…df…much love..((huggs))
Thank you, sweet pf:) Thank you as well, dear meta:) We’re fine now…but it was only because of him. Truly. Love and hugs right back at you.
The crowd in Avondale, with supportive signs, has grown. It is windy 41 degrees in Jacksonville today. But the crowd is happy and excited about getting a chance to see PBO. I was in and out the weather for most of the day, and it is bone-chilling cold. Much of Avondale borders the ST. Johns River, so it is even colder. So glad that the neighborhood is braving the weather to see and to show support for PBO on his way to Marvin’s wedding.
Local news just showed the motorcade driving through the neighborhood. Marvin is marrying the daughter of Steve Pajciic a long-time attorney, former state legislator, and democratic supporter here in Duval County. The daughter, Helen, worked on PBO’s campaign in 2008, like many young people at the time, she took time off from college (Princeton) to be one of his advance people. Many members of the Pajcic family have hosted fundraisers for Hillary Clinton and been involved in local and state politics in one form or another for many years.
Thanks so much for your local reports! Love the details.
This was the speech that made me know…I wanted Barack Obama to be my President…i did not think our country would elect a black man as President…but i went out and worked for him just the same…
It was a truly brilliant speech in the face of defeat. It was then that I knew that he had so much fight in him and that we would make it with the help of a LOT of grassroots effort. One of my favorite moments from 2008.
Me too, prettyfoot. I honestly didn’t know much about him, but after this I felt that I’d always known him– like he was my better angel, my dear brother, my guiding light.
Some lovely photos from the Obamas’ last party in the White House.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4097492/Inside-Obama-s-final-star-studded-party-Bash-goes-2am-Meryl-Streep-Mccartney-SJP-Chance-Rapper-dance-floor.html
Monie
@MonieTalks_1
The “new guard” Dems will leave people of color out just like a Bernie Sanders primary commercial. Their excuse: identity politics. Exit.
Monie
@MonieTalks_1
Attn the “old guard” Democrats who constitute a majority of Blacks, Latinos, Asians, LGBT, the “new guard” does not want you. Time to exit.
The Deplorable One is going to be miserable for however long he will befoul the office of the presidency because he will never be as popular or as beloved as PBO is. At every turn he will be unfavorably compared to PBO. PBO’s popularity will increase even more post-presidency as more realize how good we had it with him in office. There will be groans of regret and mea culpas from those who mistreated him, lied on him, voted against him and obstructed him. They will know the bitterness of those who traded gold for dross, and the idiot at the top of the dung heap, will rue the day that he thought that it would a good business move to run for the highest office in the land. Like a character in a Greek Tragedy, his hubris got him what he wanted, but it will be a hollow victory indeed. He will not be able to attract the “best people” and those who run to his standard are not people that he respects or likes. Comedians will eviscerate him, A-Listers will continue to hold him I scorn, and the real billionaire movers and shakers will continue to despise him, cynically supporting him only to serve their own ends. World leaders will deal with him when they have to and use him when they can (all they have to do is appeal to his vanity and greed), but they will not flock to be seen with him, or eagerly bring their spouses and children to meet him. Everyone, even the hapless, fearful, greedy, and ignorant ones who voted for him, will turn from him in shame and regret. While all of this will be going on, there will be many to point out that he is nowhere near the man and the leader that PBO is. The bitterness and envy will eat him up. The name that opened so many doors for him and his awful progeny, will be worthless. We do not have to wish ill upon him or to give our hearts and minds to hate, sorrow or anxiety, he has wrought his own destruction.
, he has wrought his own destruction.
Truly, he has within him the seeds of his own destruction. The ancient Greeks knew about hubris, and depicted in tellingly in their plays. I feel, myself, like we are living in a Greek tragedy right now. I just wonder what act we are in? How close are we to the climax and resolution? The dramatic tension is about to pull us all apart. However, I agree with CEB’s keen analysis of him and his future.
IIwould say that we are in the rising/ascending action of the plot; it will be really interesting to see that what the turning point/climax will be. How ever the plot winds and unwinds, it will be the likes of which we have never seen nor imagined.
WATCH LIVE: President Barack Obama departs Avondale home – http://www.news4jax.com/live/watch-live-secondary-livestream-from-news4jax
That’s what I’m SAYING! SO…WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT?? Leave it to the GOP congress? I.DON’T.THINK.SO.
Barack Obama forever changed black America
Peniel E Joseph
The president justified the faith of generations who persisted in loving America – even when the nation refused to love us back
Black America’s conception of ourselves was forever changed by Barack Obama’s presidency. For African Americans, the first family helped to unlock the transformational potential that always existed in democracy’s beating heart, but which too often excluded black Americans. Today, that is no longer the case.
Barack and Michelle Obama changed how black folks thought of themselves and the wider nation they lived in. Obama’s attainment of the nation’s highest office illuminated the depth and breadth of black genius in American society, helping to inspire millions of young people to dream bigger dreams.
For black America, the euphoria of election day in 2008 did not elicit post-racial fantasies articulated by the mainstream press. Instead, the presence of the Obamas on the world stage confirmed deep-seated truths about black excellence, love and humanity that we’ve always taken for granted despite white denial of these very truths.
Barack and Michelle Obama, along with their intelligent and energetic daughters Sasha and Malia, set a new standard for American society, normalizing the once unthinkable prospect of having a black president and first family in the White House. Together, they broke powerful barriers installed by the nation’s brutal history of slavery, Jim Crow and institutional racism.
For eight extraordinary years, Obama and his poised, elegant and brilliant family occupied the domestic and world stage in a way that offered new models of excellence for millions of black children living in a society that continues to marginalize their hopes and dreams, accentuate their mistakes and errors, and place too little values on their lives or deaths.
One picture of Obama’s impact on black children remains especially poignant. A five-year-old African American boy visiting the White House asked to feel the president’s hair, as if to assure himself that the leader of the free world not only looked like him, but had similar hair as well. It’s one of the defining moments of Obama’s presidency. It illustrated how the very fact of having a black president unlocked new worlds of hope and possibility in millions of people – young and old –who never imagined that such a thing was possible.
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Michelle Obama revealed a remarkable ability for grace when under pressure, even when faced with hurtful myths that she hated America. She responded to racist assaults, character assassination by rightwing pundits and blatant lies by conspiracy theorists and alt-right fanatics with a now legendary poise. And Michelle’s defiant black beauty in the face of online trolls – who compared her to animals and used racial slurs against her – helped make her time as first lady both inspiring and instructive.
For millions of black girls and women, Michelle Obama became a role model both for her astonishing educational accomplishments and political achievements in the White House. Her public resilience in leading a charge to promote healthy eating across the nation, including providing nutritious foods for economically and racially segregated youth living in poverty, was illuminating – as was her willingness to speak truth to power at the Democratic national convention, where she acknowledged living in a house built by slaves. Moments like these cemented her soaring stature nationally and solidified the special place she holds within the hearts of black people everywhere.
This is just sad…
😦 I have thought this many times….
me too, df. My son has 1.5 yrs of high school left and I am glad he’ll be going off to college. I am uncertain that I’ll continue to have social security disability much longer w/Trump and his band of govt dismantlers. I am trying to prepare for the worst.
You will be in my thoughts and well wishes. We’re all going to need them. They will do only for themselves and not for ordinary Americans. They are takers. That is all.
you are right. and you df will also be in my well wishes.. we’ll hang / fight together 😉
// As his time in office comes to a close, President Obama will return to Chicago to deliver his Farewell Address on January 10, 2017 at 8 p.m. CST / 9 p.m. EST. //
https://www.whitehouse.gov/farewell
How Michelle Obama expanded the definition of a First Lady
Margo Jefferson
The rules imposed on her were constricting. So she expanded them and, in the process, won people over without betraying herself
When Michelle Obama entered the White House, she had to contend with two onerous legacies.
The first was a stale clutter of expectations and prohibitions about the proper role of the first lady. The second was a cluster of stereotypes deeming black women unfit for any such role.
A first lady was expected to display gracious manners, wear tasteful
clothes and support worthy, uncontroversial causes. Whatever was hers alone – education, expertise, passion – had to be adapted to the needs of her husband’s presidency. She was there to please and enhance. A black woman, by contrast, was the opposite of that. Or that is, at least, what we’d always been told.
People were busily projecting negative stereotypes onto Michelle
Obama from the moment her husband began campaigning. She was pushy and sullen. She didn’t smile enough. She undercut her husband’s extraordinary tact and diplomacy by airing her reservations about his running for office. And how dare she say out loud that she’d spent most of her adult life not being proud of her country?
When Barack Obama won, her mandate as first lady was to win people over without betraying herself. And I wasn’t alone in worrying that she was too cautious and conciliatory at first. She called herself “mom-in chief”, applied herself to children’s health and the needs of military families. Appropriate womanly interests.
I know you have to reassure much of the white public, I thought, but
don’t pander; don’t tamp yourself down. And in fact, she didn’t. She
took more, not fewer risks. In hindsight that “mom-in-chief” looks
clever, even cheeky. She got rid of “lady”, which is too genteel. She
turned “mother” – so formal and pious – into the more informal “mom”.
Then claimed authority by seizing hold of “chief”.
She reminded people of all the women – moms and otherwise – who work hard and efficiently every day wherever their work takes them. She was taking both legacies and divesting them of their constriction so as to compose and improvise a new model.
The Obamas have donated their daughters’ White House backyard swing set to a local organization serving those in need. It was apparently offered to the Trump family first, but they declined, I guess because it’s not the requisite fake-ass gold.
If Putin had offer it to Trump he would have accepted it with pride.
I’m just glad the Trumps didn’t get it! Too nice for them. Ugh.
I saw on CNN that nearly 2 million people attended President Obama’s first Inauguration in 2009. I’m thinking that’ll be a record hard to break in future.
And I smile.
Read the entire thing. Joy Reid is a national treasure.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/01/07/the-questions-donald-trump-needs-to-answer-about-russia.html
He chooses the very “best” people…
When I think I haven’t shed enough tears over my beautiful and wonderful President Barack Obama, I see another awe inspiring video. Thank you OD for allowing me to be a part of this journey with you. You have made my life so much happier because of all you’ve shared of the President and his family. The Obama’s left us dignity within ourselves. Left us to inspire others. I will miss him dearly but look forward to his journey outside of D.C. as a civilian. God bless you all!
My Obama Moment began when that skinny man with the funny name spoke at the DNC convention. I’ve followed him ever since and will continue to do so.
I’m eternally grateful to a wonderful, lovely spirited and gifted woman named Chipsticks for providing a blog space for “all things Obama” and for a young future Leader named Nerdy Wonka for continuing said blog that is called The Obama Diary. It has brought people from all over the World who respect President Barack Obama together and it has been a blessing 💕
An Obama Moment,,,
Thanks, TnMtnGirl for recommending this vid…
He has other great political videos. 😍👍. Just as good. 😊
If David Frum keeps this up, he could be the statesman of this era, much like Howard Baker was during Nixon era. Please, please, please. Keep at it!!!! Do any of you follow him on twitter?
Yes, I follow him. I don’t trust him fully, but during this campaign season, I regularly would send him “Bravo” tweets after some of his best takedowns of Trump. We’ll see how long it lasts! So far, he’s been great. We’ll see.
Powerful.
amk….I saw you:) {{{{amk}}}}
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2017/01/07/a-president-for-all-people/
I have so many President Obama Moments” to celebrated, it is very hard for me to choose the best one.
there is no way I will ever forget when PBO or FLOTUS, or VP & Dr. Biden (and those who are lucky to work with them), reached out to the people most people in their position would not give a second thought to the:
— grieving families,
— native people,
— wounded,
— janitorial staff,
— law enforcement doing sentry or routine accompanying dignitaries,
— frail from age and sickness,
— forgotten,
— abused and exploited by others, customs,
— prisoners,
— disabled,
—- people/communities discriminated against,
— poor or who lack material wealth or position,
— young and young adults, students,
— nature,
— etc..
Like I have always done during his presidency, I will be replaying videos of all events by PBO, FLOTUS and members of their team/
I replay them when I am:
– happy;
– sad, and
– especially when I need to reassure myself that things will get better … and that what seems impossible at first will happen when all the pieces are place … and if you bring others along …. and if you never loose sight of your north star.
and the reactions of millions of ordinary people when Team Obama visited other countries