"A prophet is not without honor save in his own country." (China townhall photos)

[Clio the Leo]

If anyone is STILL unsure why the Nobel committe chose him, all they needed to do was sit and watch him work that rope line at his townhall in Shanghai, see all of the young CHINESE students, standing and cheering, their eyes fixed upon him with smiles brighter than a thousand suns.

The WORLD understands .... maybe one day we will too.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. I did not elect a prophet, I elected a president

a leader of a REPUBLIC, that I can hold up to his promises.

The mere idea that he is a prophet is offensive and anti democratic... no, not un-American, anti democratic.

[Clio the Leo]

2. You elected a man who is changing the world....

.... there is more than enough proof of that. You and I both know it.

And not only CAN you hold him up to his promises .... as you know since you were listening, he just INVITED you to do so. Yep, hold his feet to the proverbial fire, "it helps me to make sure I'm doing my job" he said.

Of course, one of the things *I* like about the man is that he can appreciate a good metaphor and is not prone to hyperbole. ;)

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I elected a president NOT A PROPHET

and that is my point.

By the way, some may say that we may also be seeing the ascendancy of a new superpower while the other one declines. So I guess you are right, history is moving...

[Clio the Leo]

6. Well, I can tell you one thing.....

.... be he prophet, priest or king, you elected someone who knows what allegory is. That's for sure.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Prophets, priests or kings are NOT elected

is this so hard to understand?

Paging Mr. Jefferson...

" the people, to whom all authority belongs." --Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane, 1821. ME 15:328

"Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." --Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:429

"I consider the source of authority with us to be the Nation. Their will, declared through its proper organ, is valid till revoked by their will declared through its proper organ again also." --Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1792. ME 8:301

"Independence of the will of the nation is a solecism, at least in a republican government." --Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ritchie, 1820. ME 15:298

"What government can bear depends not on the state of science, however exalted, in a select band of enlightened men, but on the condition of the general mind." --Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 1817. (*) ME 15:114

"The government of a nation may be usurped by the forcible intrusion of an individual into the throne. But to conquer its will so as to rest the right on that, the only legitimate basis, requires long acquiescence and cessation of all opposition." --Thomas Jefferson to ----, 1825. ME 16:127

http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff0300.htm

The mere idea that we have a prophet is insulting to my republican fiber and I mean that in the traditional EARLY republic way...

I guess Thomas Jefferson is also doing summersaults.

[Clio the Leo]

10. Oh you know Tommy would have been all up in the Kool Aid. ;-) NT

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. No he would not, but that is ok

[Clio the Leo]

14. But only because Kool Aid had not been invented yet....

... otherwise.... ;)

Thanks for keeping my thread kicked up btw.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. That is why we had that major fight

between him and Adams, yep, he did drink the kool aid indeed NOT!

[jasi2006]

35. Well, we have elected "fools" when voting for Presidents.

did you have the same problem with that?

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. Yes,and your point?

I will call on folks engaging on cult of personality, whether that is the fool called George Bush, or Barack Obama the Prophet...

We elect people to hold office and we have a job as citizens. Part of the job is not to deify them... does not matter WHAT PARTY THEY ARE FROM. Citizens USED to get this... democratic concept, using democratic with a small d, just as I used republican with a small r in another post.

[roguevalley]

62. This annoys the hell out of me:

"The WORLD understands .... maybe one day we will too."

You seem to think that if we don't all slavishly follow his every pronouncement then we are somehow apostate? God.

[jasi2006]

34. Why is "prophet" and "president" mutually exclusive?

I voted for a president who may be a prophet, servant-leader, etc. I have no problem with a president having unusual capabilities and sensibilities.

[nadinbrzezinski]

37. Prophet implies in the traditional sense, sent by GOD.

and inspired by god. A readying of Samuel is in order I guess.

[Clio the Leo]

43. A reading of Saints Merriam and Webster wouldn't hurt either.....

Main Entry: proph·et
Pronunciation: \ˈprä-fət\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English prophete, from Anglo-French, from Latin propheta, from Greek prophētēs, from pro for + phanai to speak — more at for, ban
Date: 12th century
1 : one who utters divinely inspired revelations: as a often capitalized : the writer of one of the prophetic books of the Bible b capitalized : one regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God's will <Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah>
2 : one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight; especially : an inspired poet
3 : one who foretells future events : predictor
4 : an effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prophet

But was that definition really my original intent? ..... lol, i'm not even sure if *I* remember now.

And thanks again for keeping my thread kicked.

[jbnow]

4. That word doesn't change the essemce of the point

It's a saying used under such circumstances for people who are not prophets...since we don't have a lot of prophets running around

[MoJoWorkin]

8. I don't think your one vote "elected" him. Many votes did, and "many" are still quite happy WE did

[Clio the Leo]

11. More votes than anyone in history...

... did you know that? Random fact: He was elected with almost 10 million more popular votes than ANY other US President.

Yep, EVEN more than George W. Bush. (ha ha)

Feel free to borrow that for your next cocktail party.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. This has NOTHING to do with being happy or not

by the way if I am going to get technical neither you or I elected him, the Electoral college did. You and I elected ELECTORS... but I am sure you knew that, or perhaps not.

And again this has zero to do with the President of the US, but saying that he is a Prophet. That smacks of cult of personality and it was insulting when Bush was president, well guess what it is just as anti democratic now.

Got it?

[Politics_Guy25]

16. Good lord have mercy

The hatred against President Obama on this site is APPALLING. DISGUSTING. It makes me want to vomit. Literally, I am having a hard time not hurling right now. I think most of DU would be happy if Sarah Palin gets elected in 2012. That way, you all can go back to complaining.

It's sad when George W. Bush was given more of a chance than President Barack Obama is. Perhaps we should bring back W? Makes me SICK. SICK. SICK. SICK.

Cleo, on the other hand, I totally GET the meaning of your post and 100% agree. Thanks for these wonderfully moving pictures of a truly historic figure who will not only change the United States but America as well. Huge K&R.

As far as the rest of the rhetoric on this site, it would make Free Republic proud.

[NBachers]

19. Sheesh- God Forbid anyone have a moment of undisturbed Barack Obama enjoyment

This is the one that finally pushed me over the edge to the "Ignore" button

[HopeOverFear]

26. I put him on ignore

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. Once again, since you are dense

this has NOTHING to do with the POTUS... but a developing cult of personality. I find it just as anti-democratic when done by the "left" as when done by the "right."

If you have no clue why that is, perhaps readying the founding fathers and True Believer is in order.

[gtar100]

61. I think you're too hung up on what the word means to you.

Can you appreciate for the moment that there is a man who is held in high esteem around the world, who isn't hell-bent on "conquering" nations with a mighty force, and happens to be the elected president of the US. As an American, I think that's a good thing. I believe we are more greatly protected by good will than we are by threat of violence. The point I got is that there seems to be an appreciation for Obama outside the country that is lacking stateside. The whole "Prophet" thing I believe was a metaphor, not a literal descriptor. But carry on with your crusade*, I just wanted to throw my two cents in.


*And by crusade, I don't mean to imply that you are invading Muslim countries in the name of Jesus. Just want to be clear.

[ashling]

17. I don't believe anyone saif HE was a prophet

The allusion to the biblical metaphor speaks to the fact that he is being treated better in China than here. Period, end of story.

But then you knew that

sheesh!

[nadinbrzezinski]

Re-read the OP...

and I will call Lefties on this cult of personality as I used to call righties on it over the last eight years.

IT IS anti-democratic and goes against the founding principles of this nation.

[Bonobo]

39. .

[Skip Intro]

21. Nor did I. Don't like the fawning, rock-star worship either. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. THanks somebody else who gets it

:hi:

[vaberella]

47. No I don't think you or the poster above you gets it.

I have a post on that, thatI will do...hmm....Now.

[Clio the Leo]

51. Oh dear ........ I'm scared.

(puts on protective helmet and eye wear) :)

[vaberella]

56. It's not that bad. ^_^. n/t

[Chulanowa]

22. It's a turn of phrase

Jesus christ, do they even teach advanced english anymore? Or does the power of the douchebag override such an education?

[treestar]

24. It's a metaphor

geez.

[phleshdef]

27. What an immature, overreaction from you.

It was the idea of the quote, shame on you for taking it so literal.

[DemBones DemBones]

60. +100

[knowbody0]

3. I will sleep on these images

thanks!

[MoJoWorkin]

7. It is so comforting to see young people all over the world respond to Our President

with smiles and praise. This is is a TOTAL turn around from how Bush and America were viewed just a short time ago.

Why on earth would any American not be proud? President Obama continues to make astounding progress in improvement of world relationships--- and yes, PEACE. The Nobel committee knew exactly what they were doing.

I am so sick of whiners, and naysayers.

[NBachers]

18. Thanks for sayin' that

I was really enjoying this thread until the usual thuds of incoming mortar shells started crashing around me.

Then they refuse to let go of it, they just keep thudding away, post after post after post . . .

Thanks for ending it on a more positive note -

off to bed

[Hannah Bell]

23. have you ever lived in asia? the students are hand-picked, & smiles

are guaranteed.

it's not just obama; it would be the same for anyone.

maybe his reception was somewhat more smiley than the norm--so what?

there's no content here, just PR.

[Clio the Leo]

25. lol @ "somewhat more smiley"....

.... yeah, I'd say so. And the complete joy-tinged nervousness with which they asked their questions was telling.

It was more than just them being poilte. They were down-right star struck. Considering this was the American President and they were Chinese students .... I dont really have a problem with that.

[Hannah Bell]

33. you don't get it.

[Clio the Leo]

41. oh I get it...........

.... I'm just disagreeing with you. ;)

[Hannah Bell]

44. no, you don't. the form of your disagreement shows me so.

[Clio the Leo]

45. No trust, me I get it.

I even said what you said before you said it.... ;)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=3621&mesg_id=3708

[Hannah Bell]

48. no, you don't. not at all. you've never been to a choreographed function in asia.

[Clio the Leo]

50. like I said ...... they were all plants. NT

:eyes:

[Hannah Bell]

52. you don't understand what i'm saying. even lowly public school functions

are highly choreographed, with lots of non-sincere nervous smiles.

but you don't get it because you haven't been there, & the "sincerity culture" of the us is your frame of reference.

[Clio the Leo]

53. "non-sincere nervous smiles"?

Yeah ... you didn't even watch the event last night did you?

(and I dont think that you understand that, at this point, I'm yankin' your chain a little bit) ;)

[Zen Democrat]

20. I don't think it matters what he's called ... he's a game-changer.

And I do think the original post about a prophet being without honor in his own country can be stretched to include a dynamic young president who wants to change the world.

[quiet.american]

28. Clio... well said. Great post. nt

[Peacetrain]

29. Great post Clio!!!

Now off to work with me..

[AspenRose]

30. Oh Clio, when are you going to learn that quoting scripture on an Obama thread

does nothing but invite scorn and ridicule.

Girl, you know better than that! :spank:

(*patiently waits for the inevitable "messiah" comments*)

Half :sarcasm:, half serious

[Clio the Leo]

40. heh heh..........

:evilgrin:

I just wish they would STOP CRUCIFYING HIM!!!!! :rofl:

angelic praise noise ---> ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!



.... I cant help it sometimes, it's like a scab I have to pick at ....... MUST! ..... PICK! ....... THE! ....... SCABBBBBB!!!!!



But, then again, looking at the response to the thread .... maybe the prophet in question has more honor than I thought. ;)

[AspenRose]

55. Oh that is just wrong.

In a deliciously naughty sort of way. :rofl:

[mcablue]

49. Matthew 13:57

"And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.’"

Aleluya.

[rebel with a cause]

58. It basically translates to......

the gift that someone possesses is recognized elsewhere more so than in their own home, hometown, and such. A person of vision is often thought a fool by those closest to them. What I was taught by someone who studied the bible religiously. O8)

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[rug]

42. Here's the next line.

Matthew, chapter 13.

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.


58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

[Clio the Leo]

46. That's right.....

.... He went to China. (but I have a newer translation, it could be wrong.)

[smiley_glad_hands]

54. great post, eff the haters. eom

[JimWis]

57. Thanks Clio. Great pics. K&R

[firedupdem]

59. Rec'd! Nice post! n/t

[Enrique]

63. nice photos, but the prophet thing is ridiculous

Criticism is not crucifixion.