by @zizii2
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Truer words were never spoken.
President Obama, ONCE AGAIN showed last night in his Immigration Executive Order speech, that he is guided by deep moral convictions that do not bend like a willow to breeze or choppy storms. Not even when lightening strikes, will you find this steeled man flinching an iota from his true North Star. He’s real. He’s Sui Generis. He follows the teachings of the leader of his faith. “Love thy neighbor as thyself”, and “I am My brother’s (and sister’s) keeper”
Time and again, this President of ours demonstrates that the core of his moral fiber is never perturbed by fame, glitz, nor rancid hate. Yet time and again observers and the bobbleheads are Shocked! Shocked that President Obama does not sway to the beltway religion or its airheaded acolytes. He’s called no drama Obama for a reason. He neither gets carried away when things are rosy. And neither does he sink into despair when things are rough.
We here on TOD know that he’s always focused on the long road. He’s always guided by the circuitous path that our forebears have trodden to gain their freedom, be they slaves, or Native Americans, or immigrants aboard ships into the unknown West, or women, or gays, or refugees fleeing war or economic peril. He’s learned the lesson of their tenacity over loooooooooong stretches of time.
I remember, in the run up to the 2008 primaries, many in the corporate media cashed in on the frenzied Obamamania that fueled the viral youtube videos Obama Mama, Will I. Am. “Yes We Can”, Obama Babies, and other hagiographic pieces, to publish umpteen cover photos, centerspreads, and stories about the young senator from Illinois.
For many of those who missed out on his initial impressive nationwide introduction during the Democratic National Convention in Boston 4 years earlier, the media buzz nudged them to take a gander at this young whippersnapper.
Yes a number of Americans raised an eyebrow at the electrifying candidate in the Summer and Fall of 2007 who outraised the “inevitable” Hillary by impressive margins, while leaving the entire Republican caravan all but a speck in the dust.
But the Democratic base coalition of voters, from Union members to African Americans, was not yet ready to entrust this “fancypants” with their nominating vote. He had to earn it the hard way. Heart by heart. Head by head. Callused hand by callused hand knocking on doors.
But most importantly, he did his homework. No frills. He hired an obscure numbers guy, Jeffrey Berman, whose expertise lay in knowing the byzantine math of delegate allocation better than anyone else in the world. Berman is the reason candidate Obama beat Hillary in the delegate count even in some of the states whose primaries he lost – like Nevada and Texas.
That diligence was a clear clue to how this young presidential candidate would conduct himself and his view of governing. It taught us that he does not chase after geegaws. He does SUBSTANCE, no matter how HARD!!!
The rest, as we all know, is history. He fought to win even when he had those serial 11 victories of caucuses and primaries in February 2008, the same way he fought to reveal his core beliefs in that Philadelphia Speech on Race, when the Jeremiah Wright hot potato threatened to sink his candidacy the very next month in March 2008.
Even when the primary battle went on endlessly long after it was clear he had emerged winner, Barack Obama never allowed personal animus to taint his contest against Hillary. And to his campaign’s surprise he was the one insisting while she rained “shame Obama” in Ohio, that his opponent’s tenacity was actually an asset he would like within his administration should he win the presidency. That is conviction!
So we’ve shared glee with him just as often as we’ve teetered on the brink of despair when he’s been roughed up by the sharks. Yet through it all he’s the one who has never flinched from his desire to do the Right and Just deed for ALL of US. In the process of showing us his nerve of steel, we too have been buoyed up.
Last night felt like we who dearly love this country, who feel battered from the seemingly Sisyphean task of making this a more Perfect Union, we who felt the sting of defeat just 2 weeks ago when we saw evil triumph at the polls. Last night smoothed the jagged rocks in our path just a tad. We too can overcome the giant globs of money and high decibels stacked against us.
Barack Obama did not give us a bed of thornless roses. Oh no. Like a cobbler he mended the spurs on our broken heels and taught us once again to giddy up and charge ahead toward that prize, to continue to bend that moral arc of the universe toward justice.
The speech was a balm not only to those who will directly benefit from the reprieve that the executive order gives to undocumented immigrant families, but to the rest of us who yearn to have our own humanity in this country celebrated regardless of our background. We needed to feel that there was still some good left in this country that could shape the future we seek collectively.
Barack Obama. You pull us to love this country in all its infinite diversity.
In your Nobel Peace Prize speech you asked us to “Expand Our Moral Imagination”, to walk in another’s shoes.
America is ready. Laces tied. Running the Marathon
Adieu.
White House.gov
Furst? I swear I did not cheat
No, you didn’t !!!
#Iblamebt.
Welcome back. You were missed. The furst is on!
How completely appropriate, Zizi! Half way through your lovely piece, your MLK quote at the top is simply perfect. Thank you SO much for this.
Yep. MLK always captures it best. Evergreen Wisdom
Congrats zizi :)
And, thank you for this fantastic post.
“In your Nobel Peace Prize Peace you asked us to “Expand Our Moral Imagination”, to walk in another’s shoes.
America is ready. Laces tied. Running the Marathon”
Just perfect, zizi!!!
Much obliged, my brother
:)
Hi. Bye.
Nooooo don’t go. i’ve missed you. Hang around a little longer dearest Amk
Ah gawd Zizi, don’t encourage him.
Thank you for your lengthy contribution Mister :lol:
short & sweet. that’s moi.
egg.ZAK.leeeeeeee
:D :D :D :D
Short, maybe.
I pahdon thee.
This makes me feel sad. :(
Hey AMK. Missed you, friend.
hi jg. just had to pipe in on PBO’s latest grand slam. will be awol from tomorrow.
Wuss.
wonderfully useful sexy scientist?
Wickledly unmanageable scampish scallywag.
one and the same.
:lol: Good to have you back, Mister, even if I hate admitting it.
remember your mom’s saying (if she didn’t, well, she should have)? bitter things are good for you.
She never prepared me for boys like you, though. #ParentingFail
Aw, AMK, please don’t go again. The days are not as much fun without you.
Crikey Jackie, think of the peace we had around here!!!
I knew it. I knew it. You are made of puppy dogs’ tails (maybe not sugar and spice but still). Hope someone knows that old poem. Anyway I knew you would never ever ever leave for good cuz you are family. Am I right?
Good to “See” you AMK!
until next time
take care!
🌺
Thank you zizi for this heartfelt beautiful tribute to our beloved President.
:D
Zizi, this piece is a gem, beautifully written and felt from the heart. You expressed what we all feel, no mean feat when we’re all so overcome with the stunning courage and brilliance of our president. Thank you for this extraordinary tribute.
Excellent Piece Zizi. My goodness, just Brilliant.
Hello and bye Amk. Glad that you came back to TOD. Happy to see you.
Au :star: for Zizi.
The last post and the Tweets were fabulous, NW.
Merci
“…. he is guided by deep moral convictions that do not bend like a willow to breeze or choppy storms. Not even when lightening strikes, will you find this steeled man flinching an iota from his true North Star. He’s real.”
Gorgeous.
One of many lyrical lines from zizi’s post. POTUS raised me up last.
Zizi - simply wonderful and heartfelt peace. thanks for writing this. :-)
Gracias
As requested, my daily reminder of a couple simple facts ….
#BackBarack
oh, moderator ….
Freed :-)
Thank you friend :)
{{{{{{{{{{{{{Sir Bob}}}}}}}}}}}}
Thanks! :) Short, and simple
Thanks zizi for this excellent reflection, and touching tribute to PBO. :)
You’re welcome
“Barack Obama did not give us a bed of thornless roses. Oh no. Like a cobbler he mended the spurs on our broken heels and taught us once again to giddy up and charge ahead toward that prize, to continue to bend that moral arc of the universe toward justice.”
Zizi, this is just lovely, you have a magical way with words, honored to have this here, thank you.
:D :D :D Thanks for allowing me to here ramble on at will. Very much appreciate the oasis you’ve created for us.
the core of his moral fiber is never perturbed by fame, glitz, nor rancid hate.
friggin’ kenyan.
Ha ha! Habari gani bwana. :D :D
Go to bed.
It’s almost 7 am, but ok, if you insist. I am off. (On the road, battery is running out anywayz.)
He’s so utterly comfortable in his own skin, so completely grounded in good sense and human connection, they can’t touch him. So they’re reduced to childish taunts and insults, a reflection of their own troubled interior.
This!!!!!!
‘He’s so utterly comfortable in his own skin, so completely grounded’
This is exactly what I was thinking earlier today when somebody remarked that he was ‘haaaawwt’. It just struck me that his ‘hawtness’ was largely due to him being comfortable in his own skin and completely down to earth. Yes the physical piece is obvious, but it is thoroughly enhanced by his innner goodness and his sense of self.
Thank you, Zizi! Others have already shared a few of the quotes that stood out for me. I like your mind, and the way you always provide ‘references’, some sometimes new to me, or if not a revisit with an old friend.
O, I was going to add, thankfully their hatred has not, and will not, change him. While it may anger you and I, I suspect it provides a contrast that sharpens the way sane people perceive him.
hey I just saw this in my email from our gal Betty. It was encouraging. Her statement on PBO’s speech.
Superb zizi2!
:)
Screen capture it, since he has deleted it!!
Hey Bob, I just retweeted it - I see it in his TL so it’s not deleted. :)
It served a purpose for the media - only thing it couldn’t do was stop PBO from being re-elected - but sure got the GOP into the congress.
yup, their mission accomplished is the bitter fact.
Hi amk - I was thrown into utter dismay with the US election results - and 90% of the blame I give to the media. They NEVER talk of the stupid of the RWNJs - quite the opposite - make them out to be sane.
For a so called “advanced country” to accept the racism that has come to the forefront since 2008 is disgusting in the extreme
As a abuse surmounter I know from bitter experience that people who abuse power do not let go without a long and bitter fight. Our country had an entrenched power structure and our collective people power is threatening that. The President showed us how to use tenacity and the blessings of our innovation, work ethic, and compassion for one another to move forward no matter the opposition. I will never forget the lesson. We have to change public perceptions despite the propaganda just through the force of unremitting messaging.
The irony is that though the manipulation of information seems advantageous to some and they decide to bear false witness, the truth is that human beings hate being manipulated and once that process becomes exposed, they will retaliate harshly. The time will come when no one will admit in polite company that they were Tea Party (John Birchers) or that they persecuted the President. No one admits today that they were Birchers or that they supported Joseph McCarthy (one of the great witch hunters). Polite company today seems to include a whole lot of hate speech and small mindedness but we are gradually going to stand long enough against it that it will change. I see it already. There is such revulsion, as there always is to evil, among the good hearted towards this hate and greed. That will grow as the truth finds its way around the manipulators, as it always always will.
Everyone has an inalienable right to not vote, to vote stupid, against their own interests, with greed and hatred in their hearts. We can’t change that. We can only change our own efforts to get the truth out there and fake it till we make it when it comes to hope and faith that our efforts will eventually bear fruit.
OFA has been working on several fronts to change public perception and low and behold every one of those fronts is advancing. Its amazing.
Breaking News: FLOTUS has chosen Susan E. “Susie” Morrison as the new WH Executive Pastry Chef. Ist woman to hold that position.
:)
Thank you zizi for this beautiful tribute to a remarkable man and president. We are so lucky to be living this journey with him. For those politicos who believe HRC will pull those of us who supported him, they fail to grasp it is the character of this man that makes him so attractive. I never believed at this stage of my life I would TRUST any politician, much less a president, the way I trust him to do the right thing. And that character is completely lacking in the Clinton duo. I am so proud of how he has forged ahead with HIS agenda since the midterms. I am looking forward to every minute of the next 26 months he is in office!
There were many reasons I didn’t want Hillary to get the 2008 nomination (among them: PUMAs and WJC rattling around the WH with nothing to do) but this quote from David Geffen was so true.
“Everybody in politics lies, but they [the Clintons] do it with such ease it’s troubling.”
http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/22/cx_tj_0222varietybiz.html
PBO may be the first politician that doesn’t conform to Geffen’s observation.
The nation and world is blessed to have him.
Hillary Clinton is going to be an extremely hard sell - harder than a rock
“Everybody in politics lies, but they [the Clintons] do it with such ease it’s troubling.”
my feelings exactly
Zizi, what can I say? You always manage to cut to the core in such beautiful and thought-provoking language and ideas. Thank you so much for bringing back all these incredible memories of who this man really is.
It was a pleasure refreshing my own mind of his awesomeness. Stellar human being
Beautiful post Zizi! thank you.
As always zizi, brava.
Thanks LL. I hope you are fully mended up now
Sighs. No, I’m not. Now it’s in my sinuses. If I wake up still feeling like crap, off to urgent care I go. And I think I’ll ask my doc for a referral to an ear/nose/throat specialist.
beautiful post, zizi. and thanks for the speeches- it is always wonderful to see and hear these great moments in this great presidency again.
Zizi2, I cannot express how deeply good this is, and how much it means to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Susanne,
Observation about your comment a couple of threads back, and to PropaneJane’s comment on the last thread front page.
“even with rational explanations, like the reality that most immigrants serve in low-paid jobs that you don’t want for yourself, the fear remains…”
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/11/21/the-president-in-las-vegas/#comment-1195117
When I was growing up, the cliché was about “Japanese gardeners.” It was pervasive in American culture, from TV shows to daily life.
But the majority of the children and grandchildren of those gardeners do not mow lawns for a living. They are part of the professional segment of our society. If you tried that cliché on a GenX or Millennial, they probably wouldn’t know what you were talking about.
What this says to me is that higher education, whether vocational or collegiate should be a path available to everyone living in this country. Could never understand the GOP attacks on Rick Perry when he said that Dreamers residing in Texas should pay in-state tuition fees at TX public colleges — who in their right mind want aimless, unemployable youth with bleak future prospects hanging out with nothing to do but get into trouble?
thanks for elaborating on this theme, arapaho. it is obviously far more complex than my snarky quip could encompass. there is undoubtedly fear from americans with big student loans, who see high tech jobs going to immigrants. and the truth, as you say, is that though many immigrants face a life of low-paying jobs (doctors and lawyers driving cabs, for instance), their children and grandchildren are likely to be extremely competitive in the job markets many americans are hoping to break into.
pbo also touched on the issue of employers preferring to hire undocumented workers, paying low wages, skirting taxes, and refusing benefits. agriculture, service industry, day labor- these and many others have exploited the current immigration system. in new mexico i met many undocumented people, and nearly all were working in these three sectors, living in crowded conditions, afraid to access medical care or education, and beholden to criminal interests that brought them in.
so i’m thrilled that the president is providing a means for immigrants to normalize their lives. now i hope our educational system can rise to the challenge, and encourage and support every child to reach their potential. hawaii is also full of immigrants, many speaking languages our schools are not prepared to teach in or from. now is the time to give our teachers and our school the wherewithal for the next generation of successful americans.
and thanks to propane jane for condensing the topic into a memorable tweet!
Yes, I agree with everything you said.
That’s exactly why immigrants are among the hardest working Americans — to see their children benefit from what America offers.
I understand the fear of immigrants — even if you’re a professional you are aware that lower paid workers could displace you.
That’s exactly why we need to level the playing field, so everyone is paid fairly for the work they do.
Instead of having a reasoned discussion about how to level the playing field for everyone, rather than tipping the scales toward the 1% who don’t need it, GOP respond by attacking the President and this Administration.
Plutocracy 101.
honestly, i think that’s why pbo is always laughing- ‘that’s all you’ve got, bro? no governance, no policy, no rational argument at all? ya just don’t like my face?’ :)
Arapaho, stupid cliches have been used against every immigrant group. Italians were either criminals, ditch diggers or spaghetti makers. Then their children and grandchildren went to school just as the Japanese, Irish, German, Polish and other groups did. And lo and behold, the poor comical Italian immigrant became a lawyer, physician, financier, governor, senator, professor and business magnate.
In other news, I confirmed this afternoon with the help of Amazing Nephew of LL that my modem is fine. It’s my laptop which seems to suck at utilizing wifi to its optimal level. So, I may be in the market for a laptop tomorrow. Early Merry Christmas to me.
Oh zizi2, that is so beautiful. You are able to put into words how all of us here at TOD feel about this great President. Thank you!!!
Let’s face it folks: America doesn’t know how to deal with transformational presidents. We murdered Lincoln. We were so aghast at FDR that we wrote presidential term limits into the Constitution. And Barack Hussein Obama is in the same league of scaring the crap out of the Powers and Principalities.
You nailed it. We don’t know what to do with greatness when we encounter it.
bingo
only 3 transformational prezs in 3 centuries. Says it all.
tricky dick, clueless ronnie, criminal dumbya is what murka craves for.
I’m a student of history. The world suffers a dearth of great souls. We mostly choose time servers and sycophants. And for most of history, we couldn’t choose anyone at all. To paraphrase Gandhi: “Civilization. It’s a nice idea.”
But he is such a zero, no real surprise there!
:-) True MightyP, just nice to remind his sycophants about what a fraud he is.
I just love that the Snowjob “revelations” have fizzled out, and his hero Rand Paul voted to keep PATRIOT in place.
You’re cruel. Wait, Snowjob who??
{{{{{zizii}}}}} So well done, zizii, thank you very, very much. <3
Thank you zizi2. And thank you Chips for creating this space where our best hopes and most noble aspirations find expression and appreciation.
:-)
We are blessing one another here. That is what is truly happening. Thanks to everyone.
Awww, NancyP has a proud mamma look on her face.
I could look at those happy faces all night! What a relief from the haters.
{{{{Jacqueline}}}}!
<3
This is just so beautiful and full of truth zizi.
I think Congressman Horsford lost his re-election. That’s too bad. I like him.
Zizi2,
A spectacular, deeply researched essay.
Deep kudos to you.
This should be part of the Presidential archives, displayed as you turn the corner in both of PBO’s Presidential Libraries — the one in Chicago and the one on Oahu.
You’re a treasure, and an inspiration to all students, especially the ones lucky enough to enroll your classes. Simply wonderful, thank you.
A PBO totem!
It is indeed. This one is a keeper - TY
My honor but doesn’t hold a candle to zizi2′s piece.
You got that right!
This is beautiful, Yardarm! Thank you, and good evening to ya.
Thanks jc. Evening back atcha. Cold enuff for ya?
Brrrr. Might be worse in your area, but it’s 37 degrees here and feels like 3 or 7 … EEK.
You think you have problems?! A palm tree obscured my view this morning!1!1!
I hate when that happens!!!
(Gimme some of that!)
2and 9 here.
NOKIYAR! http://www.latinodecisions.com/blog/2014/11/21/gops-response-to-obamas-executive-action-could-define-2016-election/
They made this bed…now they shall lie in it.
lations - all hot air, no real action that counts. I fully expect a thug like christie will be the prez in 2017.
Just reading you for the first time in a long time! Happy to see you, AMK.
Hi nclb. I am that clb.
Nevah!
If you hang around this place you will see your hope spring back. Its the kind of spirit found here the creates an everlasting effect on the universe. Malice, though it seems so formidable, is what will simply hit a dead end. I heard this profound idea recently. Evil does not have the power to create or to destroy, only misdirect. We do the destroying. Our job then it to combat misdirection.
also happy to see you, amk, but not happy with your 2016 prediction!
just mark my words. rwnj’s will turn up in full force while the whiny, lazy left will go home.
marking.. with a big red X !! :)
Thank you, zizi…wonderful, as always. Off I go…
ok sleepy
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
nite TOD. Nite AMK
Beautiful thought-provoking post, zizi. Thank you so much!
You’re very welcome Jackie ;o)
perfect timing. ‘puter battery about to see its ghost.
see you toddys when the kenyan acts up again.
https://twitter.com/EricBoehlert/status/535941398613483520?lang=en
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/11/21/the-presidents-day-31/
zizi - Just wonderful! Everyone has said everything I could possibly think to say.
Thank you. PBO inspires
Zizi, thank you so much for this beautiful essay. Once again you always seem to express what we all see in President Obama. Thank God he decided to run.
Yep. He really is a gem. Thank you too.