Obama responds to 8-year-old's letter

[sabra]

Source: WAVY

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - What started out as a homework assignment for an 8-year-old boy ended with a big surprise.

Jaymond Armstrong chose to write a letter to then presidential candidate Barack Obama. He's a 3rd grader at Hendricks Elementary School in Shelbyville, Indiana.

...

Armstrong said, "Well he just looks like me."

Jaymond's mom, Susan Armstrong said, "I think he really identifies with him because Jaymond is bi-racial. His father is African-American and not at home, not in the picture."

...

The letter made its way to Mr. Obama while at a rally in downtown Indianapolis just a week and a half away from the election. Days after Mr. Obama won, the Armstrong's got a surprise.

Jaymond said, "I saw Obama for America and then I was like yes, yes finally a letter."

Jaymond read part of the letter. He said, "Thank you for your support and for taking the time to write to me even though your arm was broken."



Read more: http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/strange_news/offbeat_wish_ind_Obama_responds_to_8_year_olds_letter2117068

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[GreenPartyVoter]

1. How sweet :^D

[hendo]

2. I would hope

he hand signed it (Obama that is).

[sabra]

3. he did...

[hendo]

13. What i mean is

that it could be printed on as part of the printing process. Just the fact that the signature is in blue ink and the letter is in black does not indicate that he hand signed it.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. The three bits of advice at the close of the letter are great

If you go to the link, you see the close of the letter and Obama's signature. But the paragraph above it caught my eye:

"I leave you with three bits of advice that will make your life more fulfilling: Look out for other people, even when it does not directly benefit you; strive to make a difference everywhere you go;and get back up every time you are knocked down."

[awoke_in_2003]

15. If only 1/3

of our population followed these 3 steps, think of how much greater this country would be.

[judasdisney]

5. Lincoln did it first

How shameless of you, Obama, following in such footsteps.

[Miss Chybil]

6. That's cool. nt

[smiley]

7. I was more impressed with the fact that...

the kid was from Shelbyville.

do you suppose he hates kids from springfield?

[awoke_in_2003]

16. Only the ones...

who come to town via the ferry wearing an onion on their belt :)

[pageman551]

22. They want to get the lemon tree back

That's why he's writing Obama.

[Ilsa]

8. What a beautiful child! I don't care for the mohawk, but he is adorable! nt

[bermudat]

12. Awwww. I thought the Mohawk was too cool.

[LeftyMom]

24. Little kids with mohawks are awesome. nt

[Ilsa]

27. I guess I'm showing my age and traditional approach. (My boys don't have mohawks.) nt

[RamboLiberal]

9. Way cool - be great if Obama continues with this

Maybe a letter or two a week! Great we have a president who inspires children to write to him.

[snappyturtle]

10. I am teary eyed...how sweet! We have a compassionate man soon

to be our President. Thanks for posting this WAVY!

[Libertas1776]

11. He (Obama) is gonna be one of the great ones...

A poster above mentioned this quote from the letter:

"I leave you with three bits of advice that will make your life more fulfilling: Look out for other people, even when it does not directly benefit you; strive to make a difference everywhere you go;and get back up every time you are knocked down."

Now that is really the words of a great letter and a true Democrat.
Do you think a rethuglican pres like McCain would have said "Look out for other people, even when it does not directly benefit you." HELL NO! Then again, he probably wouldn't respond in the first place

But if he did right something he'd probably say something like "Dear Jaymond, Your on your own, oh and tell mommy to buy you a shiny new toy cause the economy needs it!"

[Xipe Totec]

14. That man has class n/t

[redstatelefty]

17. Reminds me of the Flat Stanley story

A story that came out during the campaign revolved around a class project that had Connecticut second-graders sending letters to a lot of famous people, including Alex Rodriguez, John McCain, Mark Spitz, and Nancy Pelosi. The only response came from Obama:.

What a class act Obama is. And what a change from the boorish lout who currently occupies the White House!

[wryter2000]

18. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[Catherine Vincent]

19. Lovely story!

And I love the "three bits" advice.

[BoneDaddy]

20. Would love to see Obama with a Mohawk

givig the presidential address...how cool.

[Bette Noir]

21. What a nice man.

May I vote for him again, please?

[rosesaylavee]

23. Not right away

You have to wait another 4 years. :P

[AwakeAtLast]

25. I'm getting more and more proud of Indiana!

First it goes blue, now this story. It's awesome! :bounce:

[wildfire74]

26. Shades of Joe Biden

I love how his third bit of advice is straight out of Joe Biden's mouth, if you get knocked down, get up! On the campaign trail, I loved the passion that Joe always delivered that line with, like he really believes what he says! How refreshing! I guess it seems like the old silver fox is rubbing off on him!