General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDid anyone else see President Obama's commencement speech at Joplin High School last night?
Called on the graduates to remember that they have seen the best in people as they came to Joplin to help the community after the devastation of last years tornado and go out into the world and pay it forward. Very well done.
monmouth
(21,078 posts)I was just so happy to see the president not use it as a campaign speech opportunity, he showed himself to be bigger than the politics of the moment. Heck I was just impressed to see him there, I mean a high school graduation speech by the president of the United States in a town of 50,000 how cool is that!
bigbrother05
(5,995 posts)Think that his personal committment to real people is what drives the President
bighart
(1,565 posts)jwirr
(39,215 posts)then you need to take a closer look. This community was in a state of collapse and they worked together to make a come back. That is President Obama's entire message to the American people. The community is a visual of what we need to do to get out of the mess the world is in. While listening I smiled at the brilliance of being there.
bighart
(1,565 posts)only pointed out that it was not an overt campaign speech. I am sure his actions and support of the Joplin community have played well since the tornado, sometimes things are not about politics or the political value of a given act, but about being human and showing compassion.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)bighart
(1,565 posts)I just did not get the vibe that his speech was political in nature but more about encouraging these young adults to remember where they came from and what they went through so they become responsible, compassionate, generous, giving adults.
I know there are political ramifications for every decision and act by a politician but last nights speech seemed way above the political.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)bighart
(1,565 posts)It is refreshing to see a man of his caliber in charge.
malaise
(269,257 posts)for posting that link, I had not seen it.
malaise
(269,257 posts)Making it to Joplin yesterday must have been difficult after that heavy NATO weekend.
Can you imagine what that 'promise kept' meant to those kids and their families
bighart
(1,565 posts)goclark
(30,404 posts)thanks malaise!
I have read/heard many of his speeches but this had to be in the top Five...
for the message
for the way that he addressed the audience and did not make it a political speech at all
for the words that flowed with such eloquence for every age group, race, -political party
What a speech!
malaise
(269,257 posts)stonecutter357
(12,698 posts)alp227
(32,073 posts)heaven knows
(26 posts)so it's unnecessary...
Inuca
(8,945 posts)Very moving. And very clever.
bighart
(1,565 posts)He seemed so relaxed and comfortable, like he was talking to his own children about what makes a life have meaning.