There is a picture posted on another site that show Obama surrounded by a number of black Africans. Everyone in the photo is relaxed and happy.

It called to mind many other pictures of him surrounded by people of different colors and nationalities and ages. So many show people with the same engaged, happy expressions on their faces.

The thought came to me: He truly is a Man of the People. ALL of the People. Just like "All lives matter."

With President Obama, there was no need to remind people that "black lives matter (too)" and that white lives were suddenly "losing ground" because he was only going to look after his "own" people.

We were all his own, and he was ours. I was never prouder to be an American, and I was happy for my black friends and co-workers for seeing that example of accomplishment that reflected their identities.

Heck, if there were ever an Italian-American president I would be happy. It would be a fun thing for me to imagine big pots of tomato sauce simmering in the White House kitchens.

It might not be as important to me as Obama's election was to the Black community, because Italian-Americans aren't still suffering systematically from prejudice in this country. Unfortunately, many of my ethnic group have moved on to being "White" and are convinced that everything is slanted to advantage all those "n-words" and that "hardworking people like them can't get a decent break".

They don't remember their moms and dads, grandparents or great-grandparents being called "dago" and "wop". And even if they heard the word today, it could never measure in pain to the "n-word".

That makes Barack Obama's accomplishments more noteworthy. He had to appeal to the larger part of America's better nature in accepting him. All whats-his-name has to do is appeal to the worse in a small portion of America and let them spread the ugly.

Just posted a silly idea of what might have been going through Queen Elizabeth II's mind as she was dealing with the gold-plated turd some regard as a president.

So, I thought, let's play a game. Alas, I have neither the resources nor the skill set to post actual pictures from the meeting and paste little thought clouds over the Queen's head, but it still seems like fun to consider the infinite universe of possibilities.

There's an old line about, "Not for all the tea in China", that only geezers and biddies will recall. For some reason (probably the association of tea and the British Empire's past in dealing with China) I think that may have originally been a British English expression.

So, what are your thoughts on her thoughts?

. . . Or in the name of any Republican whose politics and/or values are pure crap, this is the way to do it.

[link:https://www.oxfamgifts.com/gifts/manure/|


Someone struggling to get out of poverty gets a useful resource, and your "favorite" politician gets a lovely card letting them know of your gift in their name.

The key point that I wish to make is that Stephen Miller is Jewish. He has been compared with Joseph Goebbels with eerie accuracy; but the fact remains.

Many of Israel's current policies and actions towards the Palestinians in their midst are questionable. Despite my concerns, I can understand, on some level, the motivation behind them. The fear of being vulnerable as a minority people in the larger world who need a national homeland to ensure their continued existence is deeply seated in their collective psyche. It does not justify their injustices, but the thought processes that inform their actions are fathomable.

Stephen Miller's thought processes are not. He has obliquely allied himself with alt-right marchers who shout "Jews will not replace us." while carrying Nazi flags. What could possibly be the desired end-game for a person in his position?

A lack of heart and empathy for those outside of one's own in-group has some logic behind it. It it short-sighted and incomplete, but not without some immediate value in regards to survival, if not morality. Miller's lack of empathy seems almost unselective. Who or what does he care about? In his indifference to the plight of others, what does he seek to gain? What, precisely, is his vision of the "proper" state of this country, and the world?

Thanks to The Rochdale Herald for this update on the Administration's decisive plans to help with gun violence in our schools.

It's frankly exciting to see that Our Dear Leader's impressive leadership initiatives are being reported in international news. No doubt,The Potus With the Mostest loves it when the World Community recognizes his efforts.

Also, many thanks to The Rochdale Herald for following America's lead in making English the most important language on earth. This is yet another one of President Trump's ambitious agendas fulfilled through aggressive "America First" policies and his own "lead by example" strategy of always using "The Best Words".

Taking the advice of another DU member, I am posting a copy of a submission I created for another thread in the Oregon sub-forum :
____________________________________________________

To my newly discovered DU compatriots:

The rules here are still a mystery to me; I've never started a thread before.

Am I posting in the right sub-forum? Is what I am doing considered kosher, (or halal, or just plain copacetic)?

All I know is that an old school mate of mine is running for office in Oregon's 2nd Congressional District. She needs to raise a certain amount of money just to get on the ballot, apparently; which tells you what you need to know about politics in this "democratic" country.

Her name is Raz Mason. Whenever I heard her speak at a college community event or for a classroom presentation, I always thought to myself, Raz has GOT to run for office.

She is smart and extraordinarily articulate. She is one of the most principled people that I have ever known. Her convictions are forward-thinking and her desire to serve is sincere.

For those who might think that I am ladling on praise out of a sense of "cronyism", allow me to be frank. Ms. Mason and I had a falling out as often happens between friends. My own culpability in the conflict is clear to me after some self-examination.

In the years since we parted ways, I have never doubted her essential integrity. If she had been running for office in my area of the country, I would have voted for her in a heartbeat.

Raz Mason is campaigning for a position in a state clear across the country from me. There is no personal gain for me in extending my support to her aspirations. However, for the sake of the ideals that I hold dear, I am pleased beyond measure to help her in any small way that I can.

So, I am asking people from Oregon to consider this candidate. I am asking anyone with a concern for the state of our country to whet their curiosity and take a look at what Raz Mason has to offer -- not just for one district in her home state--but for our country as a whole.

Please consider giving even a modest amount to Ms. Mason's campaign. I knew her very well at one time, and I guarantee--she is not a person to squander money on selfish concerns.

Raz Mason has an impressive intellect. She is also determined and has heart that encompasses the whole spectrum of humanity.

Thank You for your consideration.

To my newly discovered DU compatriots:

The rules here are still a mystery to me; I've never started a thread before.

Am I posting in the right sub-forum? Is what I am doing considered kosher, (or halal, or just plain copacetic)?

All I know is that an old school mate of mine is running for office in Oregon's 2nd Congressional District. She needs to raise a certain amount of money just to get on the ballot, apparently; which tells you what you need to know about politics in this "democratic" country.

Her name is Raz Mason. Whenever I heard her speak at a college community event or for a classroom presentation, I always thought to myself, Raz has GOT to run for office.

She is smart and extraordinarily articulate. She is one of the most principled people that I have ever known. Her convictions are forward-thinking and her desire to serve is sincere.

For those who might think that I am ladling on praise out of a sense of "cronyism", allow me to be frank. Ms. Mason and I had a falling out as often happens between friends. My own culpability in the conflict is clear to me after some self-examination.

In the years since we parted ways, I have never doubted her essential integrity. If she had been running for office in my area of the country, I would have voted for her in a heartbeat.

Raz Mason is campaigning for a position in a state clear across the country from me. There is no personal gain for me in extending my support to her aspirations. However, for the sake of the ideals that I hold dear, I am pleased beyond measure to help her in any small way that I can.

So, I am asking people from Oregon to consider this candidate. I am asking anyone with a concern for the state of our country to whet their curiosity and take a look at what Raz Mason has to offer -- not just for one district in her home state--but for our country as a whole.

Please consider giving even a modest amount to Ms. Mason's campaign. I knew her very well at one time, and I guarantee--she is not a person to squander money on selfish concerns.

Raz Mason has an impressive intellect. She is also determined and has heart that encompasses the whole spectrum of humanity.

Thank You for your consideration