Politics, Schmolitics

I have never been much for politics (or history for that matter). I guess I always felt that we weren't getting the whole story on someone, events or something, and the propaganda was always swayed in a certain political direction (aka: Fox News, CNN, MSNBC). This years election was no different and I have continued to blog about my own little world as if history had not been made.

As an American, I respect the fact that America decided to elect Barack Obama to lead our country. Now, when I say respect, I don't mean that I agree with the choices of my fellow citizens, but I support Obama in the dreams that he has for this country (because, isn't that the American thing to do?).

I would have to say that the most frustrating thing about this years election has been the fact that Americans have made President Obama out to be some kind of God, hoping that once in office he would be able to change this country around for the good. Common sense tells us that this is not an overnight project, but one that could take years. I, like every other American, wants the economy to improve...not only for me but for my future children, but holding on to the "patience is a virtue" statement is key in this long road that we have ahead of us.

With that being said, I have a picture and facts about President Obama that makes me feel like he is one of us. President Obama isn't God. He is a man that has been chosen by the American people to lead this country down a road of recovery and help reinstate that American dream that we love so much.

This picture was taken at the inauguration on January 20th, 2009. I feel that this picture gives a sense of warmth as President Bush and President Elect Obama exchange a laugh. I apologize for not being able to quote where I found this picture (this blog has been on my mind for quite sometime). I can only imagine what they had a laugh about the morning of one of the most important events that occur every four (or eight) years and it makes me smile.

Surfing the web, I came across 25 things that you may not know about President Obama (http://www.webook.com/landing/25-Things-About-Obama). Like the above picture, I felt that reading this list helped me to realize that President Obama is just a regular person, just like you and I. The only difference is his accomplishments throughout his life has thrust him into leadership of our country.

1. Barack Obama met his wife Michelle at work.

2. He was an intern and she was his supervisor.

3. In Swahili, Barack means "one who is blessed."

4. In high school, he was known as “O’Bomber” because of his basketball skills.

5. Obama scooped for Baskin-Robbins in high school.

6. When living in Indonesia, Obama had a pet ape named Tata.

7. Obama has read all the Harry Potter Books.

8. He loves playing Scrabble.

9. Obama hates the current trend of young men wearing their pants below the waist.

10. Obama grew up in a tiny apartment in Honolulu, Hawaii.

11. Before moving to D.C., Obama had his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber.

12. He's the ninth cousin of Brad Pitt and the eighth cousin of former Vice-President Dick Cheney.

13. Obama loves to cook chili.

14. Obama can bench press 200 pounds.

15. When Obama was a senator, he used a desk that belonged to Robert Kennedy.

16. Had he not been a politician, Barack Obama says he would have liked to have been an architect.

17. One of Obama’s favorite TV shows is “The Wire.”

18. Obama is related to Former U.S. Presidents George Washington, James Madison, Harry Truman, and Jimmy Carter.

19. Ben and Jerry’s created an ice cream flavor in honor of Obama’s campaign, “Yes We Pecan.”

20. From 1992 to 2004, he taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School.

21. Obama was elected as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review.

22. In December 2008, Time magazine named Barack Obama as its Person of the Year.

23. Although a smoker in the past, Obama has said he will not smoke in the White House.

24. Obama’s favorite musicians include Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bob Dylan, and Stevie Wonder.

25. Obama was sworn in as President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

Unlike some Americans, my support lies with President Obama despite my casted vote for an opposite party. It's amazing the hatred that many Americans hold on to and as I grow older I realize that as far as we have come as a country, hatred is still prevalent in America. I wish for God to bless our President and give him the grace and courage to lead our country in the right direction.