May history judge this image well, with America soon to enter a time of reflection and healing.
red_dwarf
· 1 year ago
Obama is certainly embracing a moment of silence, whatever he might be thinking.
rednose - not so sure we can reflect or heal until the wrongs of the past have been righted - that includes a thorough investigation of all the crimes committed by the Bush crime dynasty and others, including 9-11, war crimes, etc. It may be 100 years or more before we have healed from the crimes of the previous generation. Let's hope it will be sooner - perhaps technology will step in and help us out this time around.
smallhandff
· 1 year ago
If he was asking the Holy Ghost to provide a can of ass-whoop that night, the H.G. wasn't listening unfortunately.
2008
· 1 year ago
I hope everyone is pitching in on registering and canvassing voters for Obama/Biden!
This comment below on McCain's character/personality sounds very authentic and the author reveals ID. (posted on another forum on economics):
MY HOLIDAY WITH JOHN McCAIN
It was just before John McCain's last run at the presidential nomination in 2000 that my husband and I vacationed in Turtle Island in Fiji with John McCain, Cindy, and their children, including Bridget (their adopted Bangladeshi child).
It was not our intention, but it was our misfortune to be in close quarters with John McCain for almost a week, since Turtle Island has a small number of bungalows and their focus on communal meals force all vacationers who are there at the same time to get to know each other intimately.
McCain arrived at our first group meal and started reading quotes from a stack of William Faulkner books with a forest of Post-Its sticking out of them. As an English Literature major myself, my first thought was "if he likes this so much, why hasn't he memorized any of this yet?" I soon realized that McCain actually thought we had come on vacation to be a volunteer audience for his "readings" which then became a regular part of each meal. Out of politeness, none of the vacationers initially protested at this intrusion into their blissful holiday, but people's buttons definitely got pushed as the readings continued day after day.
Unfortunately this was not his only contribution to our mealtime entertainment. He waxed on during one meal about how Indo-Chinese women had the best figures and that our American corn-fed women just couldn't meet up to this standard. He also made it a point that all of us should stop Cindy from having dessert as her weight was too high and made a few comments to Amy, the 25 year old wife of the honeymooning couple from Nebraska that she should eat less as she needed to lose weight. McCain's appreciation of the beauty of Asian women was so great that David the American economist had to move his Thai wife to the other side of the table from McCain as McCain kept aggressively flirting with and touching her.
Needless to say I was irritated at his large ego and his rude behavior towards his wife and other women, but decided he must have some redeeming qualities as he had adopted a handicapped child from Bangladesh. I asked him about this one day, and his response was shocking: "Oh, that was Cindy's idea � I didn't have anything to do with it. She just went and adopted this thing without even asking me. You can't imagine how people stare when I wheel this ugly, black thing around in a shopping cart in Arizona . No, it wasn't my idea at all."
I actively avoided McCain after that, but unfortunately one day he engaged me in a political discussion which soon got us on the topic of the active US bombing of Iraq at that time. I was shocked when he said, "If I was in charge, I would nuke Iraq to teach them a lesson". Given McCain's personal experience with the horrors of war, I had expected a more balanced point of view. I commented on the tragic consequences of the nuclear attacks on Japan during WWII �- but no, he was not to be dissuaded. He went on to say that if it was up to him he would have dropped many more nuclear bombs on Japan. I rapidly extricated myself from this conversation as I could tell that his experience being tortured as a POW didn't seem to have mellowed out his perspective, but rather had made him more aggressive and vengeful towards the world.
My final encounter with McCain was on the morning that he was leaving Turtle Island. Amy and I were happily eating pancakes when McCain arrived and told Amy that she shouldn't be having pancakes because she needed to lose weight. Amy burst into tears at this abusive comment. I felt fiercely protective of Amy and immediately turned to McCain and told him to leave her alone. He became very angry and abusive towards me, and said, "Don't you know who I am." I looked him in the face and said, "Yes, you are the biggest asshole I have ever met" and headed back to my cabin. I am happy to say that later that day when I arrived at lunch I was given a standing ovation by all the guests for having stood up to McCain's bullying.
Although I have shared my McCain story informally with friends, this is the first time I am making this public. I almost did so in 2000, when McCain first announced his bid for the Republican nomination, but it soon became apparent that George Bush was the shoo-in candidate and so I did not act then. However, now that there is a very real possibility that McCain could be elected as our next president, I feel it is my duty as an American citizen to share this story. I can't imagine a more scary outcome for America than that this abusive, aggressive man should lead our nation. I have observed him in intimate surroundings as he really is, not how the media portrays him to be. If his attitudes toward women and his treatment of his own family are even a small indicator of his real personality, then I shudder to think what will happen to America were he to be elected as our President. -- Mary-Kay Gamel Professor of Classics, Comparative Literature, and Theater Arts Cowell College University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California 95064 831-459-2381 (office); 831-429-8803 (home) mkgamel@ucsc.edu
thank you for your insightful post. It does reinforce my suspicions.
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
If that story can be authenticated. McCain is TOAST!
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Sorry but it doesn't ring true to me. I cannot imagine McCain or anyone else saying "that thing".
donotmakemecomedownthere
· 1 year ago
"He looks in prayer"?
No. Prayers are for the weak. He is focused on the important arguments he will use in his upcoming debate.
See? No more religious crap.
There's no need to impose any kind of religion onto this photograph.
Ruttle
· 1 year ago
Less prayer - more action.
Steve_in_CNJ
· 1 year ago
some of us call it meditation. whatever it is, it's working.
John Aravosis
· 1 year ago
Well, considering that 92% of Americans believe in God, I'm sticking with prayer, and glad to see it. People need to see this side of him.
donotmakemecomedownthere
· 1 year ago
Then you have no right to ever complain about the righteous religious right, the Taliban, or any other non-scientific GOP creationist propaganda.
STOP all mysterious religious beliefs in U.S. politics. Make that separation NOW.
unrepentant_expat
· 1 year ago
Why? Must we be A Christian nation? Freedom of religion, but not from it? He'd stand a better chance as a Muslim than an atheist. I respect Obama a great deal and I doubt he's asking for handouts from God.
bunnyjump
· 1 year ago
Atheist and proud of it!
jebauer
· 1 year ago
Maybe meditation is a better word? There's nothing wrong with some quiet thoughtfulness... haven't seen too much of that in our recent history.
devlzadvocate
· 1 year ago
A most amazing day. My partner, two friends and I headed into the Wayne State University Campus in Detroit at 9:30 am for a rally with Barack, Michelle, Joe and Jill. We waited with 35,000 other people until 1:30 in the hot sun under hot kleig lights. We were able to get approximately 15 rows of people away from the podium. I never thought that would be possible. We got incredible pictures and video (and sunburn). Adding frosting to the cake, we ran into old friends, co-workers and neighbors we had not seen in years. There were so many happy people filled with hope, smiles and good wishes for each other, it seemed the we could overcome that dismal news of the day.
Inspiring leaders, words, visions and citizens!!!!
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
I would guess Obama is asking for God's will to be done, unlike the Republicans who pray for shit like floods to strike during Obama's speech, and other disasters against other people they don't like. I was reminded of how most Republican Talibangelicals try to divine the will of God when I saw this YouTube video of Sarah Palin. Listen to the prayer. Instead of simply praying to be instruments in God's will they are trying to tell God to elect Sarah Palin! Its amazing to me Republicans think they are more intelligent than God. I was always taught through theology classes that trying to force God to do your will is pretty much what Israelites considered witch craft. Instead, the proper prayer is to ask for God's perfect will to be done, and that you are willing to be an instrument of God's will.
That pastor of hers even has somewhat of a demonic voice, doesn't he? He sounds like the demon that possessed poor Regan in the movie "The Exorcist."
Steve_in_CNJ
· 1 year ago
to summarize: God answers all prayers, but unfortuately the answer is usually no.
blackwolf
· 1 year ago
lollllllll....cowboy! And with this last read, I'm goin' to bed....lolllll.
MNUSA
· 1 year ago
I suppose one could surmise that Dobson and his followers' prayers backfired. Seems like I remember a gorgeous evening for Obama's speech and a hurricane blowing in for the Repub convention. So do the Dobsonites use that as a recognition that God favors Obama?
Steve_in_CNJ
· 1 year ago
i know obama is religious. i'm trying to avoid the disturbing image of the football player "crossing himself" before the big game.
devis1
· 1 year ago
If there is a God, he listenend to this man.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
What, no make-up artist! :)
BarrieT
· 1 year ago
My thought too. He is not being fussed over by $5000 make-up artists and an entourage of people frantically trying to make him look good
devlzadvocate
· 1 year ago
I don't think it matters where a person gets their inner strength from when "fighting the good fight". I don't think a person needs to be religious to believe in prayer, but if so, who am I to judge them? As long as it doesn't become an obstruction, as it supposedly did in the Bush White House.
An_American_Karol
· 1 year ago
This picture reminds me of a picture of JFK taken during the Cuban Crisis. I tried to find it on the Internet but gave up.
debating john mccain and saving the world from nuclear annihilation are not entirely dissimilar.
An_American_Karol
· 1 year ago
lol
devlzadvocate
· 1 year ago
Wow, so many judgemental people here who pretend to be non-judgemental, but you are just as bad as the fundies when you say, "Prayers are for the weak". It is equal to their, "Don't pray and you will go to hell". Prayer can be meditation, meditation can be prayer. Either can simply help you reach a state of mind you wish to reach. You don't NEED to pray or meditate for a material 'thing" or an action to occur. You don't have to pray against somebody or for somebody. People can "pray" or meditate to reach a "peaceful" or relaxed state of mind.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Does it really matter what he is doing? It shows a very pensive Obama before a major conversation and debate about this country. I think it is a very moving picture.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
BTW it is a heck of a lot more moving than the picture of Bush reading "My Pet Goat".
devlzadvocate
· 1 year ago
Bush reading My Pet Goat caused me a movement, but I won't tell you what kind.
devlzadvocate
· 1 year ago
Actually, so do I. I think it drives home the "aloneness" of a candidate and his or her ideas and the preparation needed to defend them.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Nicely said.
houstonray
· 1 year ago
Don't care whether he's praying, meditating, thinking, or sitting in total silence...it's a great picture and shows me that he's a human being, just like all of us.
Very nice image...
sherifffruitfly
· 1 year ago
My imagined caption: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, courage to change the things i can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
Seems to fit him somehow.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
I clicked on the link and it reminded me of something I noticed the night of the debate. If you look at those pictures you will see him hugging Michele after the debate. Cindy McCain came on stage and McCain more or less ignored her, she walked behind him.
I thought to myself at the time what a difference between two couples. What does this say, I am not sure, but of the two couples there seems to be genuine feelings for each other in the case of Michele and Barrack.. McCain on the other hand always has Cindy with him, always behind him and I have yet to see the two embrace.
Like I said it probably means nothing but I personally think it just makes the Obamas more real.
houstonray
· 1 year ago
Very interesting observation!
Rob Mule
· 1 year ago
The Obama family unit...warm, loving and mutually supportive...are as needed in our wayward country as much as the high-flying Wall Street clowns need our money.
MNUSA
· 1 year ago
It appears that the Obamas really like each other. No perfunctory cheek bump for them.
CitizenTwenty
· 1 year ago
Suggesting a Caption for this photo: "Please... Let those who watch this exchange... See... That I'm the one who's telling them the truth."
Rob Mule
· 1 year ago
Prayer, contemplation or meditation...Does it matter? Active introspective use of the brain...God, we haven't seen that in a while. I find this image very reassuring.
henrythefifth
· 1 year ago
Would love to see a pic of McCain just before the debate...getting painted up like a trollop.
Rob Mule
· 1 year ago
While Cindy's trying to find an uncollapsed vein...
Rob Mule
· 1 year ago
Family values at McCain's level of unfathomable wealth have to be very limited. Cindy jets to Vail and Johnny to DC...different houses can keep lots of different secrets...Johnny & Cindy Lou were cell phone players long before the internets.
MNUSA
· 1 year ago
The Repubs and the power-hungry religious right will never give credit to a Democratic candidate for having deep faith. I remember seeing a photo of President Clinton and Vice President Gore also in prayer before a meeting. They were never given credit for their faith. I support Obama because the Democrats have always had pro-family policies, universal health care, affordable day care, a living wage, family and medical leave, etc. The Repubs are actually very anti-family.
All Comments
rednose - not so sure we can reflect or heal until the wrongs of the past have been righted - that includes a thorough investigation of all the crimes committed by the Bush crime dynasty and others, including 9-11, war crimes, etc. It may be 100 years or more before we have healed from the crimes of the previous generation. Let's hope it will be sooner - perhaps technology will step in and help us out this time around.
This comment below on McCain's character/personality sounds very
authentic and the author reveals ID. (posted on another forum on economics):
MY HOLIDAY WITH JOHN McCAIN
It was just before John McCain's last run at the presidential nomination in 2000 that my husband and I vacationed in Turtle Island in Fiji with John McCain, Cindy, and their children, including Bridget (their adopted Bangladeshi child).
It was not our intention, but it was our misfortune to be in close quarters with John McCain for almost a week, since Turtle Island has a small number of bungalows and their focus on communal meals force all vacationers who are there at the same time to get to know each other intimately.
McCain arrived at our first group meal and started reading quotes from a stack of William Faulkner books with a forest of Post-Its sticking out of them. As an English Literature major myself, my first thought was "if he likes this so much, why hasn't he memorized any of this yet?" I soon realized that McCain actually thought we had come on vacation to be a volunteer audience for his "readings" which then became a regular part of each meal. Out of politeness, none of the vacationers initially protested at this intrusion into their blissful holiday, but people's buttons definitely got pushed as the readings continued day after day.
Unfortunately this was not his only contribution to our mealtime entertainment. He waxed on during one meal about how Indo-Chinese women had the best figures and that our American corn-fed women just couldn't meet up to this standard. He also made it a point that all of us should stop Cindy from having dessert as her weight was too high and made a few comments to Amy, the 25 year old wife of the honeymooning couple from Nebraska that she should eat less as she needed to lose weight.
McCain's appreciation of the beauty of Asian women was so great that David the American economist had to move his Thai wife to the other side of the table from McCain as McCain kept aggressively flirting with and touching her.
Needless to say I was irritated at his large ego and his rude behavior towards his wife and other women, but decided he must have some redeeming qualities as he had adopted a handicapped child from Bangladesh. I asked him about this one day, and his response was shocking: "Oh, that was Cindy's idea � I didn't have anything to do with it. She just went and adopted this thing without even asking me. You can't imagine how people stare when I wheel this ugly, black thing around in a shopping cart in Arizona . No, it wasn't my idea at all."
I actively avoided McCain after that, but unfortunately one day he engaged me in a political discussion which soon got us on the topic of the active US bombing of Iraq at that time. I was shocked when he said, "If I was in charge, I would nuke Iraq to teach them a lesson". Given McCain's personal experience with the horrors of war, I had expected a more balanced point of view. I commented on the tragic consequences of the nuclear attacks on Japan during WWII �- but no, he was not to be dissuaded. He went on to say that if it was up to him he would have dropped many more nuclear bombs on Japan. I rapidly extricated myself from this conversation as I could tell that his experience being tortured as a POW didn't seem to have mellowed out his perspective, but rather had made him more aggressive and vengeful towards the world.
My final encounter with McCain was on the morning that he was leaving Turtle Island. Amy and I were happily eating pancakes when McCain arrived and told Amy that she shouldn't be having pancakes because she needed to lose weight. Amy burst into tears at this abusive comment. I felt fiercely protective of Amy and immediately turned to McCain and told him to leave her alone. He became very angry and abusive towards me, and said, "Don't you know who I am." I looked him in the face and said, "Yes, you are the biggest asshole I have ever met" and headed back to my cabin. I am happy to say that later that day when I arrived at lunch I was given a standing ovation by all the guests for having stood up to McCain's bullying.
Although I have shared my McCain story informally with friends, this is the first time I am making this public. I almost did so in 2000, when McCain first announced his bid for the Republican nomination, but it soon became apparent that George Bush was the shoo-in candidate and so I did not act then. However, now that there is a very real possibility that McCain could be elected as our next president, I feel it is my duty as an American citizen to share this story. I can't imagine a more scary outcome for America than that this abusive, aggressive man should lead our nation. I have observed him in intimate surroundings as he really is, not how the media portrays him to be. If his attitudes toward women and his treatment of his own family are even a small indicator of his real personality, then I shudder to think what will happen to America were he to be elected as our President.
--
Mary-Kay Gamel
Professor of Classics, Comparative Literature, and Theater Arts
Cowell College
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California 95064
831-459-2381 (office); 831-429-8803 (home)
mkgamel@ucsc.edu
http://www.americablog.com/2008/09/last-thing-m...
No. Prayers are for the weak. He is focused on the important arguments he will use in his upcoming debate.
See? No more religious crap.
There's no need to impose any kind of religion onto this photograph.
STOP all mysterious religious beliefs in U.S. politics. Make that separation NOW.
Inspiring leaders, words, visions and citizens!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEBnZJQZHJg
That pastor of hers even has somewhat of a demonic voice, doesn't he? He sounds like the demon that possessed poor Regan in the movie "The Exorcist."
Very nice image...
Seems to fit him somehow.
I thought to myself at the time what a difference between two couples. What does this say, I am not sure, but of the two couples there seems to be genuine feelings for each other in the case of Michele and Barrack.. McCain on the other hand always has Cindy with him, always behind him and I have yet to see the two embrace.
Like I said it probably means nothing but I personally think it just makes the Obamas more real.
"Please...
Let those who watch this exchange...
See...
That I'm the one who's telling them the truth."
Active introspective use of the brain...God, we haven't seen that in a while.
I find this image very reassuring.
Cindy jets to Vail and Johnny to DC...different houses can keep lots of different secrets...Johnny & Cindy Lou were cell phone players long before the internets.