General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums“Touch it, dude!” Mr. Obama said.
Jacob spoke first.
I want to know if my hair is just like yours, he told Mr. Obama, so quietly that the president asked him to speak again.
Jacob did, and Mr. Obama replied, Why dont you touch it and see for yourself? He brought his head level with Jacob, who hesitated.
Touch it, dude! Mr. Obama said.
As Jacob patted the presidential crown, Mr. Souza snapped.
So, what do you think? Mr. Obama asked.
Yes, it does feel the same, Jacob said.
from todays NYT's wonderfully touching story about Pete Souza memorable photo: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/us/politics/indelible-image-of-a-boys-pat-on-obamas-head-hangs-in-white-house.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1337817623-bv62ULyjDLN2GudC84fz+Q&pagewanted=print
malaise
(269,278 posts)self esteem. Oman is a genuine role model for these kids.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)He seems to gravitate to the little children, and they to him.
He seems to take his position as role model very seriously.
Bake
(21,977 posts)Children don't have to be told--they KNOW a good man/woman when they meet him/her. Can you imagine Bush, McCain, or Rmoney doing that????
I love our President. Let's make sure he gets another term!
Bake
MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)Yes, I was seeing this little scene in my mind when I read this.... Exactly.
These are probably more important moments to recall, long term.
30 years from now that kid will have this picture on his living room wall.
Ineeda
(3,626 posts)Nice.
chollybocker
(3,687 posts)"The President called me Dude. So I rubbed his head."
Best childhood memory ever.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)Oh, no, even I need brain bleach after that suggestion...
sorry, folks, really....aargh...
elehhhhna
(32,076 posts)Enrique
(27,461 posts)Control-Z
(15,682 posts)From The Ashes
(2,632 posts)closing the cover after changing his batteries!
Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)Swagman
(1,934 posts)Nay
(12,051 posts)hibbing
(10,113 posts)Hey,
Heheheheheehe, funny funny stuff, thanks for the morning laugh!!
Peace
rocktivity
(44,585 posts)rocktivity
rocktivity
(44,585 posts)From The Ashes
(2,632 posts)It's my first one. Hopefully not my last
RockyMtnGuy
(83 posts)Maybe it's just the angle, but it looks like Mittens may have had a little waddle tuck!
xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)are on to something.
Suji to Seoul
(2,035 posts)tridim
(45,358 posts)DevonRex
(22,541 posts)Do they run in Mormons or what?
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)I can't stop laughing at how bizarre they are
NickB79
(19,297 posts)I just said those same words to my daughter after she read the OP.
Not only would Romney not ever do something so loving and human, what kid would want to touch him in the first place? "Yucky, Mommy." "Please don't make me touch the icky man." Kids are pretty darned smart about these kind of things.
Now I'll take some of that brain bleach, please?
6000eliot
(5,643 posts)when he's holding them down and cutting it?
freshwest
(53,661 posts)yellowcanine
(35,704 posts)elehhhhna
(32,076 posts)with that quote used out of context in 5...4...3...
Baitball Blogger
(46,776 posts)SmileyRose
(4,854 posts)Thanks so much for sharing.
mac56
(17,575 posts)you seen it before I did. LOL
Was unintentional but it was good wasn't it! LOL
Thanks! You have no idea how bad I needed that.
mac56
(17,575 posts)They're comedy gold.
Greybnk48
(10,182 posts)He had to touch him to believe he was the same. What an amazing moment. An amazing moment in history actually.
madokie
(51,076 posts)Hell love him, not just like him. I guess the operative word here in what I just typed is 'right'
TahitiNut
(71,611 posts)I doubt there'd EVER be a President (or Senator, Governor, etc.) with whom I was in complete agreement. But I just cannot comprehend how any even marginally sane person can't see the obvious character and integrity in Obama, and see the profoundly healthy family he has. I remember the Kennedys quite well and the Obamas are clearly more than their match in "Americanism" and just plain beauty. The White House is graced by their presence.
colorado_ufo
(5,743 posts)and he is finally realizing that!
one_voice
(20,043 posts)thanks for posting.
NYC Liberal
(20,138 posts)J/k, what a wonderful story!
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)Hannity is going to poop bricks.
Bwahahahahahaha
NYC Liberal
(20,138 posts)Remember that?? Fox and right-wingers are impossible to satirize.
deutsey
(20,166 posts)yellowcanine
(35,704 posts)Lugnut
(9,791 posts)President Daddy.
Stinky The Clown
(67,838 posts)There is so very much more in the picture than just the president being nice to the kid.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)It's absolutely beautiful in so many ways!
Volaris
(10,278 posts)" well, since we live in an era where an African-American can be elected President, there is no problem with race or poverty in America anymore, unless it comes from those uppity blacks trying to get stuff they don't need from the rest of us" (and YES, I actually HAVE had some of them say this to me, oblivious to the implications of what they are saying).
But here's the thing, as this kid's query proves: many people still can't believe it's true, or possible, or whatever,...they think that somehow, Obama is different than they are, and need proof to the contrary, and that says that we still have a ways to go. But it also tells me that the President is smart enough to KNOW this, and is willing to offer of himself whatever is needed to shorten that gap.
If Jesus of Nazareth had a sense of humor, as well as humility, I imagine that kid is kinda how Thomas felt.
I am so proud of this Man. And despite the fact that he is far from the Liberal God-Icon many of us believe he CAN BE, I want him re-elected. Now I'm going to work. Night, all. =)
AC_Mem
(1,979 posts)Our President.... our Representative. A World Leader
And a friend to our future leaders.
Shine on,
Annette
TBF
(32,139 posts)Tennessee Gal
(6,160 posts)I may have nightmares.
TBF
(32,139 posts)I love that the liberal media frequently referred to W (and to Repubs in general) as being "comfortable in their own skin."
But when you contrast their stiff, stick-up-the-ass tension and rigidity with Obama's truly relaxed manner, the comparison is stunning.
Rhiannon12866
(206,712 posts)magical thyme
(14,881 posts)Kids say the darndest things. Even before they can talk!
Now, someone please pass the brain bleach...
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)of all the wrong things - the singularly cretinous expression of Little Boots, the crying baby...
Both of the Obamas seem drawn to and so completely at ease with kids and that little boy is cuter than hell.
Dumbya the nightmare
closeupready
(29,503 posts)auburngrad82
(5,029 posts)ellenfl
(8,660 posts)sarge43
(28,946 posts)SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Sid
Control-Z
(15,682 posts)I'm practically crying at this point. Our president has stolen my heart. Fact.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)Spazito
(50,590 posts)and excellent article about it.
Thanks for posting this, it was a great read!
RFKHumphreyObama
(15,164 posts)A class act through and through
Robb
(39,665 posts)I'm just overwhelmed by stuff like this. Of course he gets it, gets what the kid means about how his hair... So cool.
Thanks for the story.
rocktivity
(44,585 posts)And at the age of FIVE? It took me seven years to learn that I should hate my hair...
rocktivity
Robb
(39,665 posts)Nice.
reACTIONary
(5,796 posts)Harry Monroe
(2,935 posts)MiddleFingerMom
(25,163 posts).
.
.
This man is just naturally and truly epic at times.
.
.
.
goclark
(30,404 posts)Thanks
That's My President
cilla4progress
(24,798 posts)for this quality, not to mention what he has done to bring our economy back and push for civil and economic justice, well...
it will be the end of the end. There will be no hope for us. Which is fine, in a karmic way. I'm sorry for our youth, however. And I'm sorry for being a downer, but I find the objection, the racism, the stupidity (of those on the right) truly disturbing and depressing. Trying to deal with it, but haven't found a way to, yet.
hue
(4,949 posts)lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)bigwillq
(72,790 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)AsahinaKimi
(20,776 posts)so cute though!! kawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ne! ^^
thesquanderer
(12,000 posts)...to cut your hair."
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)Talk about being comfortable in your own skin. We have 5-plus months until Election Day, and don'tcha think there will be many more magic moments like this for Obama and continued gaffes and embarrassments for Romney?
patrice
(47,992 posts)learning relationship.
JBoy
(8,021 posts)beac
(9,992 posts)politicasista
(14,128 posts)Generic Other
(28,979 posts)Like a Norman Rockwell moment (in a good way).
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Skittles
(153,298 posts)that is just CUTE OVERLOAD
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)Solly Mack
(90,800 posts)Good tears.
pennylane100
(3,425 posts)BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)why would you think that it is a "great reply" to this post?
Or did you just forget the smilie?
pennylane100
(3,425 posts)of the link. Let him know that we all love Obama.
BlueMTexpat
(15,374 posts)But sometimes we can be a bit "tetchy" so that smilie really comes in handy.
BumRushDaShow
(129,950 posts)since you don't get the symbolism - thanks in part to the country represented by that avatar.
pennylane100
(3,425 posts)I posted the link to annoy the poster of that thread who thinks we spend too much time admiring Obama. I wanted he/she to know that we realize how special Obama is.
Robb
(39,665 posts)I was going to call your post "transparent," but I think it's got color to it.
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)If you can't understand the difference between what this photo and thread are about versus 'gushing over how Obama looks in a suit,' you are really lacking....something.
pennylane100
(3,425 posts)I wanted to the poster of the link to know how much we all love and post about Obama so that it would annoy him/her even more.
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)I enjoy a little gushing now and then. It makes me smile
Edit to add, there is nothing 'great' about that reply.In fact, just the opposite. Sourpusses need a time out
pennylane100
(3,425 posts)I wanted the poster of the thread I linked to know how much we admire our president. I cannot believe all the negative comments I have got, I will have to frame my posts more carefully. I just wanted to show him one of the many reasons why Obama is so loved on this site.
Raine
(30,541 posts)PotatoChip
(3,186 posts)The little guy may not appreciate what a big deal the pic is right now, but someday he'll have a great story to tell about that moment.
I just love how down to earth and unpretentious our President is.
yellowcanine
(35,704 posts)Obama rocks.
yesphan
(1,589 posts)CrispyQ
(36,557 posts)I do love that about Prez O.
rocktivity
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)boston bean
(36,225 posts)that is a really nice moment.
Response to bigtree (Original post)
Post removed
Tarheel_Dem
(31,257 posts)librechik
(30,678 posts)Seriously.
Hint: They love the "Touch it, dude" bit, and not in a nice way.
(Free Republic comes up third in a Google search for the photo. Popular.)
sarge43
(28,946 posts)ecstatic
(32,782 posts)That was so touching.
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)how much I adore that moment in time
obietiger
(500 posts)Great picture
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,227 posts)I'm not African-American, but I can say that for this young boy to realize the hair of the President of the United States feels the same as his, is just a testament of how far we've come.
I have to say when it comes to recent stories about race relations, I've been rather discouraged and depressed. From birtherism to the reaction regarding Trayvon Martin case, it just seems as though racism--although not nearly as institutionalized or open as it had been--is an albatross that we just can't beat.
This picture and the accompanying story shows that while we still have a long ways to go, we still have taken some significant steps towards Dr. King's dream.
Just to think 10-15 years ago we thought we'd never see a black president (Tupac even had a line in one of his songs to that effect). I had a political science professor in college who thought the only way we'd see a black president would be if he was a Republican because the conservative outrage would be too much. Now look where we've come.
mainer
(12,037 posts)That's the difference Obama has made.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)How cute. K&R
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,227 posts)Only in America....
sarge43
(28,946 posts)Story from the 1930's. Young black child was watching an old bi-plane rattle over his house. He shouted up at it, "Fly that thing, white boy." He knew there was no chance in hell a black man would be flying it. Today he'd shout, "Fly that thing, dude!"
Things do get better.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Well done, Mr. President, and well done, Jacob.