The Great Emancipator
Mocked and vilified in life
Stares down from his portrait
At the new President’s wife
My dear Mr. Lincoln
As you look down from on high
May we present Mrs. Obama
With a tear in our eye
What’s puzzling about this latest bout of Obama-phobia is that recent developments in Syria have generally been positive from the standpoint of U.S. interests.
Obama has accomplished goals that most Americans endorse, given the unpalatable menu of choices. Polls suggest that the public overwhelmingly backs the course Obama has chosen. A Post-ABC News survey asked Americans if they endorsed the U.S.-Russian plan to dismantle Syrian chemical weapons as an alternative to missile strikes; 79 percent were supportive…..
The mystery is why this outcome in Syria is derided by so many analysts in Washington. Partly, it must be the John McCain factor. The Arizona senator is in danger of becoming a kind of Republican version of Jesse Jackson, who shows up at every international crisis with his own plan for a solution, sometimes through personal mediation (as with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt), other times demanding military intervention (as in Syria). Because McCain is a distinguished figure, he commands respect even when his proposals have no political support at home.
@BarackObama is criticized for getting the right result on #Syria http://t.co/NEhEfCEkhL Why? via @IgnatiusPost pic.twitter.com/KqwSXgrsRT
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) September 19, 2025
Not so Obama. He can propose what the country wants, succeed at it and still get hammered as a failure.
"Unique moment in Iran's history http://t.co/l8lt4HgNXo Economic reasons justifying political reasons to talk to US” pic.twitter.com/4oMzJw564X
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) September 19, 2025
Worth revisiting this based on developing news of the past few days….. Iran’s FM, who will lead the Nuclear non-proliferation talks. Spent 30 yrs. in US.
Once an Outcast, Iranian Minister Carries Hope of Easing Tensions http://t.co/37L6mXrkDG A man America can work with? h/t @blakehounshell
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) August 27, 2025
UT or Chips: whenever you get around to it…. just delete my post in moderation. Don’t know if anybody is still awake. TY
What’s puzzling about this latest bout of Obama-phobia is that recent developments in Syria have generally been positive from the standpoint of U.S. interests.
Obama has accomplished goals that most Americans endorse, given the unpalatable menu of choices. Polls suggest that the public overwhelmingly backs the course Obama has chosen. A Post-ABC News survey asked Americans if they endorsed the U.S.-Russian plan to dismantle Syrian chemical weapons as an alternative to missile strikes; 79 percent were supportive…..
The mystery is why this outcome in Syria is derided by so many analysts in Washington. Partly, it must be the John McCain factor. The Arizona senator is in danger of becoming a kind of Republican version of Jesse Jackson, who shows up at every international crisis with his own plan for a solution, sometimes through personal mediation (as with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt), other times demanding military intervention (as in Syria). Because McCain is a distinguished figure, he commands respect even when his proposals have no political support at home.
@BarackObama is criticized for getting the right result on #Syria http://t.co/NEhEfCEkhL Why? via @IgnatiusPost pic.twitter.com/KqwSXgrsRT
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) September 19, 2025
Not so Obama. He can propose what the country wants, succeed at it and still get hammered as a failure.
Worth revisiting this based on developing news of the past few days….. Iran’s FM, who will lead the Nuclear non-proliferation talks, spent 30 yrs. in US.
Once an Outcast, Iranian Minister Carries Hope of Easing Tensions http://t.co/37L6mXrkDG A man America can work with? h/t @blakehounshell
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) August 27, 2025
"Unique moment in Iran's history http://t.co/l8lt4HgNXo Economic reasons justifying political reasons to talk to US” pic.twitter.com/4oMzJw564X
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) September 19, 2025
You’re my inspiration, UT! Thank you. (Of course, it didn’t hurt - when I saw your soul-searching comment about the portrait vis–à–vis the First Lady - that I’m looking up from my desk at my own framed historical portrait of Abe! Having moved to the Land of Lincoln, it was one of the first things I put up on the wall when I arrived.)
Thank you so much Jacqueline! I saw the poem under a comment I had made and I was blown away again at your incredible talent. I could NEVER come up with such a beautiful poem.
Thank you for sharing your words, spirit, and talent with TOD.
So here you guys are. I knew it. Everything I start rambling, everyone leaves.
Ms. Dudette, it was dedicated to you. I will say it again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
UT and Jackie,I am running out of tissues here.
If I must go to the store at this hour, I buying chocolates.
The poetry and the picture is just too much.
I have a party to get ready for in 5-4-3-2-1!
Right, Ms. Dudette?
LP - I suddenly remembered this, from our President himself … if you recall, it was in TIME magazine in 2005 (but I don’t subscribe, so this page will have to do) …
What I See in Lincoln’s Eyes
By Barack Obama
Tuesday, June 28, 2025
Here’s the link to his article, from CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/28/obama.lincoln.tm/
I’m sorry to place this burden you, but you’re just gonna have to publish an e-book of poems. Make them all about our wonderful President, his Administration, FLOTUS and their family, the White House, his relationships with VPOTUS, the Congress…whatever.
YOU MUST! That’s all there is to it. This is your mission. Should you choose to accept it, I’ll be one of the first to buy/read it, promote it. :-D:-D:-D
This one’s for you, LP, for going to the trouble of finding these other glorious images.
In silent contemplation
The hearts and minds of good men
Come together in time
And all no longer seems lost
As we had feared
And we are suddenly stronger
And braver, ourselves,
Because these gentle giants dared
Can ya feel the love tonight, birthday girl? It’s coming from “all the kings (and goddesses, of which I am one) and vagabonds” on TOD! One parting song for you - but picture “somebody” in the White House singing it for you. Goodnight.
Absolutely beautiful, JOB! Oh how I wish TOD members cold find a way of getting together to listen to you reading your poems while sipping wine or whatever libations people fancy.
Oh, that made me smile, nath! I wrote my first poem around the time I discovered boys. When I was a teenager, I wanted to go to a coffee shop in NYC and read them to James Baldwin. But wine sounds better, sipped among a herd of TOD folk!
Age of Obama and Dudette (but nobody’s asking her age!)
Dudette - I’m sure we all wish you the happiest of birthdays - I know I do! My birthday tribute is the beautiful slideshow at this link (ignore the story - the pictures are worth more than 1,000 words!). Oh, and, it’s accompanied by music!
Jacqueline Oboomer, your poems are like ‘budda’ — Smooth & dreamy goodness! Write that book, woman! It is YOUR DESTINY!
Hmm, nothing like a deadline to get your juices flowing. Let’s say by President’s Day next year. There, not to soon, but far out enough to get some significant work done. Eh?
Okay, amk, you asked for it. Another story, this time about holy water. My grandmother (born in 1887) kept a little bottle of holy water by her bedside, along with her life-size set of rosary beads. Each night, she’d sprinkle a little holy water around her and say, “Into Thy Hands, oh Lord, I commend my spirit.” Now, we were a good Catholic family, and my mother sent her three girls to Catholic school, keep that in mind. But my mother could also curse like a sailor, if she found the “need” (she was raising three teenage daughters in the ’60s - you do the math). My grandmother was pretty much bedridden the last few years of her life, and my mother was the loving and dutiful daughter and only in her late 40s. However, I can remember clearly one night when my mother had tucked my grandmother in bed, and was coming out of her room, closing the door behind her. She turned to my two sisters and me and said, “If she splashes any more of that damn holy water on me, I’m going to kill her.”
As President Obama confronts and solves one challenge after another I’m constantly reminded of the irrepressible talent and goodness of most humans. Here’s but one of countless examples ….
Each of us must do all we can to replace that ‘tear of sadness’ with a ‘tear of joy’ and both our President, his exceptional wife and this young orphan help us to do just that.
Some people might recognize Nella Fantasia as the vocal renditon of the sublime Gabriel’s Oboe (the main theme from the soundtrack of “The Mission”). One of Ennio Morricone’s seminal works. I listen to it almost daily! [Sigh!]
We sure have elected the GOP to power - 3 disastrous years ahead
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/federal-government-scraps-climate-commission/4968816
“The Abbott Government has abolished the Climate Commission” Another climate change truther it would seem.
“In what is likely to be a harder task, the Government has also announced it is preparing legislation to scrap the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
Also set up in 2012, it has been provided with $10 billion in funding over five years to support private investment in renewable energy.”
White House.gov
Simply lovely.
Fully agree, theo! And, congrats on 1st!!
#TrustBarack
Yes WE Can
Thanks Bob! :)
Indeed another gem, Jacqueline! …….that picture of Mrs. Obama, reminds me of this poignant moment as well.
Beautiful. Isn’t there another one where the President is standing alone, quietly staring up at another portrait of President Lincoln?
I believe I know the picture you a referring to, but can’t find it right now……. have you seen this one?
President Obama, invited Daniel Day-Lewis, into his private residence to see an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Isn’t that glorious!!!!! Thank you so much.
Here is President Obama, in an almost identical frame as Mrs. Obama
And I believe I found the picture you originally referred to….
To be in a room with President Obama AND Daniel Day Lewis-now that’s heaven.
Thanks for another brilliant poem, Jackie. I read your poem the other day, but I haven’t went through all of the posts from Tuesday, yet!
Thank you, LP, this is one of my all-time favorite photos.
What’s puzzling about this latest bout of Obama-phobia is that recent developments in Syria have generally been positive from the standpoint of U.S. interests.
Obama has accomplished goals that most Americans endorse, given the unpalatable menu of choices. Polls suggest that the public overwhelmingly backs the course Obama has chosen. A Post-ABC News survey asked Americans if they endorsed the U.S.-Russian plan to dismantle Syrian chemical weapons as an alternative to missile strikes; 79 percent were supportive…..
The mystery is why this outcome in Syria is derided by so many analysts in Washington. Partly, it must be the John McCain factor. The Arizona senator is in danger of becoming a kind of Republican version of Jesse Jackson, who shows up at every international crisis with his own plan for a solution, sometimes through personal mediation (as with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt), other times demanding military intervention (as in Syria). Because McCain is a distinguished figure, he commands respect even when his proposals have no political support at home.
Not so Obama. He can propose what the country wants, succeed at it and still get hammered as a failure.
Worth revisiting this based on developing news of the past few days….. Iran’s FM, who will lead the Nuclear non-proliferation talks. Spent 30 yrs. in US.
Why you make me cry Jacque? But your words, your poem … so lovely.
Jacquel is a true talent, isn’t she daisydem?
Happy Birthday, Dudette!
Thanks sjterrid! :-D
Oh my heart.
Nice .
UT or Chips: whenever you get around to it…. just delete my post in moderation. Don’t know if anybody is still awake. TY
What’s puzzling about this latest bout of Obama-phobia is that recent developments in Syria have generally been positive from the standpoint of U.S. interests.
Obama has accomplished goals that most Americans endorse, given the unpalatable menu of choices. Polls suggest that the public overwhelmingly backs the course Obama has chosen. A Post-ABC News survey asked Americans if they endorsed the U.S.-Russian plan to dismantle Syrian chemical weapons as an alternative to missile strikes; 79 percent were supportive…..
The mystery is why this outcome in Syria is derided by so many analysts in Washington. Partly, it must be the John McCain factor. The Arizona senator is in danger of becoming a kind of Republican version of Jesse Jackson, who shows up at every international crisis with his own plan for a solution, sometimes through personal mediation (as with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt), other times demanding military intervention (as in Syria). Because McCain is a distinguished figure, he commands respect even when his proposals have no political support at home.
Not so Obama. He can propose what the country wants, succeed at it and still get hammered as a failure.
Beautiful words to match a beautiful pic. JOB, you have some serious talent here - thanks :)
Worth revisiting this based on developing news of the past few days….. Iran’s FM, who will lead the Nuclear non-proliferation talks, spent 30 yrs. in US.
You’re my inspiration, UT! Thank you. (Of course, it didn’t hurt - when I saw your soul-searching comment about the portrait vis–à–vis the First Lady - that I’m looking up from my desk at my own framed historical portrait of Abe! Having moved to the Land of Lincoln, it was one of the first things I put up on the wall when I arrived.)
Simply beautiful, JackieO
JOB, your beautiful soul shines through your poetry.
Thank you so much Jacqueline! I saw the poem under a comment I had made and I was blown away again at your incredible talent. I could NEVER come up with such a beautiful poem.
Thank you for sharing your words, spirit, and talent with TOD.
Thank you again, UT - and all - you made my morning!
So here you guys are. I knew it. Everything I start rambling, everyone leaves.
Ms. Dudette, it was dedicated to you. I will say it again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
UT and Jackie,I am running out of tissues here.
If I must go to the store at this hour, I buying chocolates.
The poetry and the picture is just too much.
I have a party to get ready for in 5-4-3-2-1!
Right, Ms. Dudette?
Thank you LDS! :-D
Although I’m so pooped right now, might need to postpone the partying to later tonight.
{{{{Dudette}}}} HAPPY BIRTHDAY and so much more - may everything that’s good and loving always be part of your world
Awww, thank you, dear! {{{{ 99ts }}}}
Y’all are make me run out of tissue! :-)
Happy Birthdayyyyyyyyyyy…Dudette!!
One last thought provoking image inspired by JB’s poem………..
Oh dear God! Unbelievable.
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and MLK Jr. protecting our glorious president. GN ol’wiseone……. :)
LP - I suddenly remembered this, from our President himself … if you recall, it was in TIME magazine in 2005 (but I don’t subscribe, so this page will have to do) …
What I See in Lincoln’s Eyes
By Barack Obama
Tuesday, June 28, 2025
Here’s the link to his article, from CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/28/obama.lincoln.tm/
Thanks for posting this link. Great article. Great way to start my day.
Beautiful poem jacque. Got me crying again!
I’m sorry to place this burden you, but you’re just gonna have to publish an e-book of poems. Make them all about our wonderful President, his Administration, FLOTUS and their family, the White House, his relationships with VPOTUS, the Congress…whatever.
YOU MUST! That’s all there is to it. This is your mission. Should you choose to accept it, I’ll be one of the first to buy/read it, promote it.
:-D :-D :-D
This one’s for you, LP, for going to the trouble of finding these other glorious images.
In silent contemplation
The hearts and minds of good men
Come together in time
And all no longer seems lost
As we had feared
And we are suddenly stronger
And braver, ourselves,
Because these gentle giants dared
Oooo… see? Another good one.
You’ve got work to do Missy! (see my note above). :-)
You’re so funny, birthday girl! :)
I may be funny, but I will be hounding you until I see that book. Seriously!
Get some rest, funny birthday girl!
I hope your dreams are accompanied by music, tonight and every night!
{{{{ jacquelineoboomer }}}}
Can ya feel the love tonight, birthday girl? It’s coming from “all the kings (and goddesses, of which I am one) and vagabonds” on TOD! One parting song for you - but picture “somebody” in the White House singing it for you. Goodnight.
Absolutely beautiful, JOB! Oh how I wish TOD members cold find a way of getting together to listen to you reading your poems while sipping wine or whatever libations people fancy.
Oh, that made me smile, nath! I wrote my first poem around the time I discovered boys. When I was a teenager, I wanted to go to a coffee shop in NYC and read them to James Baldwin. But wine sounds better, sipped among a herd of TOD folk!
Age of Obama and Dudette (but nobody’s asking her age!)
Dudette - I’m sure we all wish you the happiest of birthdays - I know I do! My birthday tribute is the beautiful slideshow at this link (ignore the story - the pictures are worth more than 1,000 words!). Oh, and, it’s accompanied by music!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/lifestyle/the-age-of-obama/index.html
。☆。*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
Happy B’day
Dudette
★。／｜＼。★
。☆。*。☆。
Now tell us your age.
Thank you Amk!
I am a spry Nifty-Sumpta-Sump’n, of course :-D
Oh, what a beautiful birthday gift, jac!
Look at my amazing great President! I’m all verklempt! [sniffle, sniffle]
Thank you soooooo much!!!
Now, don’t stay up all night looking at those amazing images of our amazing great President! Happy Birthday!
No chance of that tonight. Barely have the energy to keep my head from falling onto the keyboard right now.
It will, however, be the first thing I’ll look at when I wake in the morning. He always brings a smile to my face. :-D
another one - 15th on this page = my favorite>: http://www.businessinsider.com/pictures-obama-babies-kids-photos-birthday-2013-8?op=1
I love all 40 of ’em!
They tried this one in my world 40 years ago - wasn’t true then either
Jacqueline Oboomer, your poems are like ‘budda’ — Smooth & dreamy goodness! Write that book, woman! It is YOUR DESTINY!
Hmm, nothing like a deadline to get your juices flowing. Let’s say by President’s Day next year. There, not to soon, but far out enough to get some significant work done. Eh?
Jacqueline, you are truly an exceptional poet!!
UT, thank you for posting it in such a lovely way.
Before I depart for more work and a bit of rest ….
And, then there’s this ….
Dude better listen …
#FORWARD Together
I love word-snob dogs!
I love it!
‘k guys. I’ll have to say goodnight. Thanks for the sweet words and birthday wishes. My heart is full!
See you later!
————————
This is Bryson Anders playing a One Republic piece on the streets of Spokane
Oh, Dudette!! You find gem after gem!!!
Hope everyone gets to know Bryson ….
One more …
sweet dreams dudette
oh Dudette, I didn’t know it was your Birthday yesterday- I am so sorry for missing this ‘holiday’ ~ Best wishes to you for a belated Happy Birthday!
and thank you for introducing us to Bryson Anders- loved listening to him this morning :)
oops ‘Andres’
Thanks sherijr! It’s still my birthday. Just started celebrating a couple hrs before midnight!
Got a little excited. What can I tell ya? :-D
I think Birthdays ought to be celebrated every minute- so enjoy.. and wishing you a spectacular day Dudette :)
Okay, amk, you asked for it. Another story, this time about holy water. My grandmother (born in 1887) kept a little bottle of holy water by her bedside, along with her life-size set of rosary beads. Each night, she’d sprinkle a little holy water around her and say, “Into Thy Hands, oh Lord, I commend my spirit.” Now, we were a good Catholic family, and my mother sent her three girls to Catholic school, keep that in mind. But my mother could also curse like a sailor, if she found the “need” (she was raising three teenage daughters in the ’60s - you do the math). My grandmother was pretty much bedridden the last few years of her life, and my mother was the loving and dutiful daughter and only in her late 40s. However, I can remember clearly one night when my mother had tucked my grandmother in bed, and was coming out of her room, closing the door behind her. She turned to my two sisters and me and said, “If she splashes any more of that damn holy water on me, I’m going to kill her.”
She didn’t.
Goodnight.
Sweet. I have a mother who loves to sprinkle that holy water on us, too. And on our luggage when we’re travelling. And on the car. etc….
Sweet! Never thought of the luggage or the car, but I still have my grandmother’s holy water bottle, so …..
It actually seems to work! Her luggage is always at least 10 pounds heavier than it should be, and she never has to pay a fine or take stuff out.
Proof positive! Ha.
Empirical evidence!
I love it! Quite empirical.
I bet your mom still has that holy water tucked away somewhere.
Ah, yes. Actually, I inherited the h.w. bottle! Maybe it’s my turn to start sprinkling my own grandchildren. :)
As President Obama confronts and solves one challenge after another I’m constantly reminded of the irrepressible talent and goodness of most humans. Here’s but one of countless examples ….
Each of us must do all we can to replace that ‘tear of sadness’ with a ‘tear of joy’ and both our President, his exceptional wife and this young orphan help us to do just that.
Good night/morning everyone.
Yes We Can
Thanks Bob for sharing this! You are truly a great soul! Yes, even in the midst of inevitable sadness joy and love is really what life is all about.
Wow, that young man is wonderful! I love it!
Thanks Bob! You ROCK!
Some people might recognize Nella Fantasia as the vocal renditon of the sublime Gabriel’s Oboe (the main theme from the soundtrack of “The Mission”). One of Ennio Morricone’s seminal works. I listen to it almost daily! [Sigh!]
https://twitter.com/Mercury1311/status/380639757740814336
The same twit that could Not handle Sarah Palin?
The woman is annoying.
https://twitter.com/Mercury1311/status/380642884199780352
We sure have elected the GOP to power - 3 disastrous years ahead
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/federal-government-scraps-climate-commission/4968816
“The Abbott Government has abolished the Climate Commission” Another climate change truther it would seem.
“In what is likely to be a harder task, the Government has also announced it is preparing legislation to scrap the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
Also set up in 2012, it has been provided with $10 billion in funding over five years to support private investment in renewable energy.”
No money. EPA is now in charge of climate change initiatives and they get money from fines if no obligatory.
No-one will be working on climate change Jovie - the 10% will be digging up the country for their own benefit.
If it is Thursday…it is Harold ” Keystone Pipeline Pimp j” Ford Jr. on Morning Joke.
Early Bird Chat!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/09/19/early-bird-chat-28/