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January 18, 2009 at 12:10 am #589498
TammiWSMemberI have checked out of politics since the election – needed a break from the constant info overload – but watching this today has me again feeling hopeful, excited, a bit choked up, anxious, and super happy!!
He is so freakin real, I truly believe he wants to unite this country and will if we are willing, and I’m finally going to have a President who speaks my language – not only about the issues, but he’s of my generation…
Its been a long time coming.
I cant wait for Tuesday!!!! :)
January 18, 2009 at 7:14 am #655327
AnonymousInactiveTammiWS,
You did not mention which generation your generation is.
I have noticed recent attempts by the news media to define Mr. Obama as the first post-baby-boomer president. There is some controversy regarding Mr. Obama’s birth records, but if he was indeed born in 1961, then he is a baby boomer. The baby boomers have been defined with no controversy for at least thirty-five years as those born 1946 – 1964.
January 18, 2009 at 7:25 am #655328
JanSParticipantScottB…there really is no controversy re: Barack Obama’s birth records. He is who he says he is, and there are birth records to prove it.Being a natural born citizen means he was born in the US. John McCain was born in Panama of US parents (father in the military)…on a military post in the Panama Canal area. No controversy there either. I think the poster means that he’s not older than 55, and definitely not in the 72 yo range that John McCain is in. I’m 61, born in 1947…and I consider Pres.-elect Obama in not quite the same generation as me. It’s so good to see that, someone being president who can relate to someone besides us “old geezers” – lol…
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-birth-certificate-photo,0,7688869.photo
January 18, 2009 at 2:02 pm #655329
Kayleigh2MemberI consider Obama to be a Generation Xer, like me. I think his birthdate is less important than his cultural touchstones—being mixed race, being a child of divorce, etc.
Tammi, I feel the same way. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this proud and connected to my country and my president.
January 18, 2009 at 3:44 pm #655330
mom2sorenMemberTammi, I’m with you! :)
January 18, 2009 at 5:14 pm #655331
JoBParticipantJanS…
When yo define a group by a twenty year time span… some of those born at the end of the span could well have mothers who were born at the other end of the span.. and that is a generation:)
you and i have something in common with Obama.. we are both bookender Baby Boomers:)
it’s just that we are literally old enough to be his mother:)
January 18, 2009 at 5:45 pm #655332
TammiWSMemberI’m 44, 1964, the other end of the bookend.
January 18, 2009 at 8:49 pm #655333
JoBParticipantthen i would say he more your generation TammiWS than he is mine…
i am not sure i expected to see the changing of the guard this early in my life… but perhaps it is a good thing and will generate the kind of change the other end of the bookend started:)
January 18, 2009 at 11:32 pm #655334
ellenaterMemberJanuary 18, 2009 at 11:37 pm #655335
WesMemberI am not knocking Obama by saying this, but the media hysteria, MTV work up, and reading various blogs and articles I have this very weird uneasy feeling that this is becoming cultish with Obama. He’s a man after all. Any ways I found this on wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality
Really I am just making an observation, not trying to knock Obama down.
January 19, 2009 at 12:09 am #655336
HMC RichParticipantWes, maybe about 52% may feel that way. The rest are hoping he will be a good president. Enjoy the inauguration everyone.
January 19, 2009 at 12:21 am #655337
AnonymousInactiveWes, is it possible you just don’t understand the relief and hopefulness being expressed? Relief at what we see as an end to bad governing that caused irreparable harm, and hopefulness in the promise of a better future. Obama is indeed a man. One that is fortunately capturing our attention when the country and the world need inspiring for us to get involved again. This is a big deal, to many of us, on many levels.
This isn’t a cult. It is genuine jubilation. The team we were rooting for and feel we need, won. That’s exciting. For those of us in America, and the world. If you were in the stands at a play-off game, would you really go home and worry about the joy of the fans? Would you send them to a link that stated this behavior coincides with a totalitarian dictatorship? I don’t think you would and there’s a lot more at stake here to be happy about than a championship.
I have heard words like yours used on right wing talk and religious broadcasting. It comes off as jealously and fear. The status quo is no longer in charge and you have no idea what to expect or how you will be treated when someone else has the power. I have a feeling you will fare better than you think.
I recently read an article stating that Obama’s overtures to conservative and religious leaders goes much deeper than any one has known or expected. And they have reported being pleased with the interactions. What that says to me, is the man is sincere in his promise to listen and work with all sides. More than I would like, actually. But entirely more fair and inclusive than the previous administration.
January 19, 2009 at 1:11 am #655338
WesMemberJT,
I did not mean to call him a dictator, he isn’t actually in office yet. It was the definition that I found true (IMO):
“A cult of personality or personality cult arises when a country’s leader uses mass media to create a heroic public image through unquestioning flattery and praise. Cults of personality are often found in dictatorships. (my edit: often, not always) A cult of personality is similar to general hero worship, except that it is created specifically for political leaders. However, the term may be applied by analogy to refer to adulation of religious or non-political leaders.”
I see this especially in the advertisement, books(kids books about Obama as a child?), media reports, song albums, people crying when they see him, getting worked into a frenzy over him.
I am glad we have a president, I am anxious to see what the next 4 years bring, I pray for Obama that he will be successful, and be led by his conscience, and be humble. But he is also a man.
This was my opinion, no jealousy and fear, my hope does not lie in him, I have no idea what the staus quo is so I expect anything and I believe I will be treated as a human. Because my hope does not lie in Obama, I know I will fare very well.
I just had this feeling about all of this obamamania being a little much for a President.
I’m done.
January 19, 2009 at 1:45 am #655339
JoBParticipantWes,
“when a country’s leader uses mass media to create a heroic public image through unquestioning flattery and praise.”
Obama’s popularity didn’t come from the mass media.. the mass media followed the popularity that already existed..
as for that unquestioning flattery and praise stuff.. have you watched FOX news lately?
not so much.
January 19, 2009 at 2:32 am #655340
AnonymousInactive“I just had this feeling about all of this obamamania being a little much for a President.”
The past 8 years were a little much. We’re celebrating the end of that, and the beginning of what will hopefully be change for the better. No need to rain on a parade with:
“I have this very weird uneasy feeling that this is becoming cultish”
That sounds like religious false idol paranoia. If your hope lies elsewhere, no need for uneasiness. As you say, he’s just a man and not likely to affect your hope and faith.
January 19, 2009 at 5:27 am #655341
TheHouseMemberWes, you’re not crazy and your statements are really dead on.
The people that are viewing Barak Obama as an idol are doing so simply based on emotional feelings. People claim that they are inspired, hopeful and relieved. These are all emotional feelings. Might I also cite yesterday when the crowd in Baltimore yelled “We love you Barak” and he replied “I love you back”. Hell, Ronald Reagan was my favorite President, but I sure as hell didn’t love the guy.
The job of a leader, coach, manager, etc., is to get a group of people performing at the highest level possible. That sometimes means telling them what they need to hear (not necessarily the truth) in order to set them on the proper course. In my opinion, Obama has simply seized the moment and run a brilliant marketing campaign. Does the man have any substance to him? No. Does the man truly have any iota of experience in managing government? No.
Now, many of you know that I didn’t vote for Obama but I fully support the President of the United States and he will fill that role Tuesday morning. I am hopeful that although he has not proven himself in the past that he has the CAPABILITY to do more than inspire people. He must lead the United States and make tough decisions.
The one issue with leaders, coaches and managers is that inspiration doesn’t build nations, win championships or turn great profits. Eventually, it comes down to EXECUTION.
Based on a few quotes yesterday, I can assure you it’s going to be an interesting 4 years.
And don’t get e started on his global warming statement yesterday…….
January 19, 2009 at 7:30 am #655342
AnonymousInactiveI totally agree it’s an emotion. That’s why I called it genuine jubilation. People are happy change is occurring, any change for that matter. And I don’t begrudge any one that feeling right now. Whether it translates into actions and Obama becomes a good leader, remains to be seen. For all of us. I imagine he’ll make plenty of mistakes along the way. He’s certainly not going to make everyone happy.
What I take issue with is all the cult/idol hysteria coming from the right. Crowds feed on each other and get excited. That is not an emotion, however, I am seeing in daily life or among any one I know. I would hope we’re all a little more pragmatic than that.
January 19, 2009 at 7:38 am #655343
angelescrestParticipantYeah, well I believe The Harvard Law Review was beautifully EXECUTED by Obama, the execution of which was described by the Pulitzer-prize winning (and Obama’s former Harvard Law classmate) John Matteson as “a feat of intelligence and dedication I can regard only with awe”. We have so lacked intelligence.
And, hey, he surfs.
January 19, 2009 at 8:35 am #655344
AnonymousInactiveJanS wrote:
“ScottB…there really is no controversy re: Barack Obama’s birth records.”
Google for
Barack Obama birth record lawsuit
January 19, 2009 at 9:10 am #655345
charlabobParticipantFiling lawsuits hardly constitutes “real controversy”. According to most of the BS I’ve heard from the right for the past 30 years, this seems more likely to constitute a frivolous lawsuit. Is anyone else becoming deafened by the clamor of worms turning? Or oxen being gored. :-)
January 19, 2009 at 9:29 am #655346
AnonymousInactiveTammiWS wrote:
“I’m 44, 1964”
So you are a baby boomer, Barack Obama is a baby boomer, and our two previous presidents were also baby boomers.
January 19, 2009 at 9:35 am #655347
AnonymousInactiveKayleigh2 wrote:
“I consider Obama to be a Generation Xer”
The U.S. Census Bureau disagrees with you, assuming Barack Obama was born in 1961.
January 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm #655348
Kayleigh2Memberhttp://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jan2009/ca20090113_417083.htm
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hNIYcOlVvU-kzjFaRvyCKszO0Izw
Scott, one of Obama’s best qualities from my perspective is that he is NOT a baby boomer, much as that generation would like to claim him.
JT–very well said.
Some hardcore onservatives still don’t get it…so many are standing slack-jawed, nails in their feet, not understanding the huge change that is sweeping over America and instead taking xenophobic, paranoid, and ultimately powerless jabs at the greatest leader of my generation.
Conservatives love emotion when it’s negative or simplistic, of course (jingoism, fear, hatred, divisiveness a la Palin). But when somebody creates positive emotion, they’re being shallow? Ohhhkayy….
It feels amazing to be an American again. :-)
January 19, 2009 at 1:11 pm #655349
TammiWSMemberActually my statement, Scott B was “I truly believe he wants to unite this country and will if we are willing, and I’m finally going to have a President who speaks my language – not only about the issues, but he’s of my generation…”
The former two Presidents may have been of my generation but one of them for damn sure didnt unite the country or speak my language.
And yes, Clinton is a boomer but when he was elected at 46 I was 28. He’s 5 years younger than my mom.
And House, the coming four years will be interesting – interesting to see what living in a UNITED States feels like for a change and interesting to see how the Republican party tries to reinvent itself rather than live in the shadow of Reagan. Nothing an R has to say is going to rain on our parade. :)
1 more day…..:)
January 19, 2009 at 3:18 pm #655350
AnonymousInactiveScottB, the only birth controversy is the one being created. It has been debunked repeatedly to no avail.
“Fukino (state health director) said she has personally seen and verified that the Hawaii State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures.”
In addition, “a researcher looking to dig up dirt on Obama instead found a birth announcement that had been published in the Honolulu Advertiser on Sunday, Aug. 13, 1961.”
Apparently the conspiracy to defraud Americans started 47 years ago. What quick thinking on the part of Obama’s grandparents.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html
PS – you do know that lawsuit was thrown out, right?
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