Sorry, this is a bit mushy...the moment Michelle decided Barack was "the one"

[Jackeens]

I've been reading David Mendell's 'Obama: From Promise to Power', it's excellent, a nice balance to Obama's own books - true, Mendell comes over as a fan-boy at times (not that there's anything wrong with that......... :blush:), but he's critical too, especially of Obama's desire to be all things to all men.

Any way, he's considerably less mushy on the Michelle/Barack romance than most articles I've read, but I really liked his account - based on an interview he did with Michelle - of how she decided Barack 'would do'.

She had an alcoholic uncle who, by the nature of his illness, was in a mess. At the time Barack was a high-flying Harvard boy, the world at his feet, etc, etc. When Barack met the uncle at a Robinson family gathering she wondered how he'd treat him. With impatience? Even contempt? It was critical to her, which makes me admire her even more than I did before.

But she talked of how he spent time with him and treated him gently, with respect and kindness. And that's when she decided Barack was "the one".

Hey, I'm not arguing that this proves he's the Messiah - honestly! - or guarantees that he will be a great president, I'm just saying it seems like an indication of genuine humanity and empathy, which makes a hell of a change from went before. And I related to it - I dumped a boyfriend 10 years ago after he refused to even 'waste' a moment of his time with an alcoholic - but sober - aunt at a family gathering. I decided he wouldn't do. :-)

[firedupdem]

1. You can tell the type of person he is just based on the things he's

done even as a community organizer. I know I would have gone for the money in some big job, but he chose to help people. That's one of the reasons I supported him early. I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. His choice to do that kind of work spoke volumes to me.

[InvisibleTouch]

2. And just contrast that with some of what we know of Dubya's life...

...blowing up frogs with firecrackers, joking over executions. It's a whole universe of difference.

[firedupdem]

4. Yes it is. I know this Democrat is happy he's in office!

:woohoo:

I cannot wait to see Bush leaving town!

[EraOfResponsibility]

5. I didn't know Bush did all that as a youngster

damn.

[Jackeens]

6. Bush/Karla Faye Tucker

In the year following Karla Faye Tucker's execution, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson questioned Governor Bush about how the Board of Pardons and Parole had arrived at the determination on her clemency plea. Carlson alleged that Bush, alluding to a televised interview which Tucker had given to talk show host Larry King, smirked and spoke mockingly about her:

In the weeks before the execution, Bush says, "A number of protesters came to Austin to demand clemency for Karla Faye Tucker." "Did you meet with any of them?" I ask. Bush whips around and stares at me. "No, I didn't meet with any of them", he snaps, as though I've just asked the dumbest, most offensive question ever posed. "I didn't meet with Larry King either when he came down for it. I watched his interview with Tucker, though. He asked her real difficult questions like, 'What would you say to Governor Bush?'" "What was her answer?" I wonder. "'Please,'" Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, "'don't kill me.'" I must have looked shocked — ridiculing the pleas of a condemned prisoner who has since been executed seems odd and cruel — because he immediately stops smirking.

[pipi_k]

23. When I first saw that

for all his talk of "Compassionate Conservatism" and Christianity, I thought that George W Bush was either steeped in the very evil of Satan himself, or extremely mentally ill.

Either way, I decided that he would NOT be a suitable leader of this country...way back in 2000. And I was right.

He may not be the Spawn of Satan, but he is a dyed-in-the-wool psychopath.

[AwakeAtLast]

7. That's just the tip of the iceberg

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[sandnsea]

10. I keep remembering the "whining pool"

I know it's petty, but ridiculing his daughters in public like that, it just said so much about him. I keep contrasting that to the absolute adoration Obama has for his daughters, even while acknowledging that they aren't special to anybody else, unless they earn it of course. A whole universe of difference, indeed. I am so excited to have them in the White House.

[glowing]

11. What's this about the whining pool? I haven't heard this one.

[sandnsea]

12. The pool in Crawford

One source told The Sunday Tribune a swimming pool was built on the ranch when the then teenage twins complained there was nothing to do there, leading their grandmother, Barbara Bush, acerbically to dub it 'the Whining Pool.'
https://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2004/jan/11/bushes-set-to-rage-at-criticism-of-terrible-twin-d/

Bush daughters Jenna and Barb begged Dad to install a pool for them at the ranch, which he subsequently dubbed “the whining pool.”
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=13127

I would never embarrass my kids to the public like this. Parents poke fun at their kids, sure, and then they drop it. They don't carry it on for years. That's when it turns into abuse. Like I said, it's a petty thing, I guess that's why it bothers me so much. It's completely unnecessary but he just has to take jabs at those girls anyway.

[CoffeeCat]

13. ...and the fact that he would let the entire nation...

...know that he called it the "whining pool" speaks volumes as well.

Sociopathic parents often disparage their children in public, in an effort to discredit them or to get
people to view them in a negative light. Children of sociopaths are often very worried about being
exposed, and children usually have front-row seats to their parents' dysfunction. Many times, these
kids are abused.

I worry when I see any parent ridiculing or speaking negatively about their child. It's always a red
flag for me, that this is a parent who is protecting their own secrets, and doing so by trying to
trivialize or discredit their child.

[glowing]

18. That is rather pathetic and stupid. There is nothing to do at that ranch and it

was bought as a staging prop. It was also rather telling when that one daughter called the her dad from Ellen's show... she was so timid and asking if it was ok that she had called. That dysfunctional Bush clan family needs to leave this country or at least stop trying to rule the country.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

20. Bush is just plain selfish. And sadistic.

In Texas, you really can't do anything outside without having a swimming pool!!!

Not during the five months of the year that are hotter than hell.

He wants people to plop over and die of heat exhaustion...remember when he "jogs" and likes to see if the jogging companions have to stop running in the awful heat and humidity????

:wtf:

[BeyondGeography]

3. Is not and never has been a shit

She knew he was special and she still feels that way.

[tilsammans]

8. Tolerance. Empathy. Caring. Warmth. Humanity.

The opposite of what we've suffered through for the past eight years.

What a wonderful example BHO sets for all!

:grouphug:

[sandnsea]

9. Maybe it's growing up biracial

or living in so many different places - but he sure seems to have more plain goodness than anybody I've ever encountered. I don't think he tries to be all things to all people. I think he so knows exactly who he is that he knows nobody is going to move him off his course, without very good argument. I suppose once you know that, then it's easy to bring everybody into the room with full respect and graciousness. Most of us aren't nearly that evolved. At least I know I'm not.

[CoffeeCat]

14. You know what I've always wondered about...

...but I've never mentioned it. I've never seen it mentioned anywhere.

During the debates, Hillary accused Obama of voting "present" during an important bill that
protected children from sexual abuse. Obama seemed upset about what Hillary said and he
mentioned that sexual abuse happened in his family, and that he would never take that
subject lightly. That's all he said about it.

Nothing was ever said again.

There was abuse in my family, and I understand what that does to a person. Even if you
weren't abused, when everything around you is chaotic--you cope. Many children cope by
stuffing their pain. Some resilient children, have a deep understanding that something
is very wrong. It's like they're beyond their years. They become more empathetic and
strong and very self reliant--due to being raised like this.

I've often wondered if that is where Obama gets his deep, wise and compassionate personality
that seems transcendent.

[firedupdem]

15. Did you watch the CNN interview tonight? If not, I hope you get to

see it. I think his upbringing in general has really defined the way he is. It's quite an amazing story and the way he described his life gave me a lot of insight into his personality.

[ellacott]

21. That moment in the debate has stayed with me also

I also remembered how he told Hillary that he sponsored that bill and that he has 2 young daughters and doesn't want anything to happen to them. Hillary had nothing to say on the subject after that.

I also wondered about the abuse in his family.

[JeffR]

16. The President Elect shows a whole bunch more sense & sensitivity

in dealing with others than many here on DU do. That's why I voted for him. If he lets me down ultimately, so be it, but this guy is smart, he's empathetic and he's informed of his own accord. Hard to expect more from a president.

[AZBlue]

17. Wow. He just sounds like such an amazing person.

And one I will be SO PROUD to call my President!

[ellacott]

22. Me too

Another story that touched was was told by a young lady who didn't have enough money for an airplane ticket. Obama was in line with her and offered to loan her the rest of the money she needed. They exchanged addresses and she did send him the money. She showed a letter that Obama sent her back.

[NYC_SKP]

19. It says a great deal about him, how he treated that uncle.

That's my guy, that's my president!

:toast:

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