Happy Birthday, Mr. President: Barack Obama at 50: (TIME Mag tribute-Like you never seen him before)

Okay. I know many of you are thinking... .What the heck is anon72 up to now...!!!

Well I have to tell you, while searching around the web I saw this piece and looked into it.

I will be the first to say they (TIME) did an outstanding job-in many ways. One of them is how it made me look at POTUS Obama and his rise to get there. To be honest, the man deserves credit for getting to where he has.

I may not like and/or agree with his politics and actions, however, he is an American and living proof that anyone can become President- (see, I am not that bad of person )

This piece is a very nice tribute. I didn't look to rip it apart or anything-I took it for what it was and kept the politics out of it. So, without further ado.... enjoy and learn.
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In honor of the President's 50th birthday on August 4, 2011, TIME looks back at 50 milestones in Barack Obama's life, from his days in Hawaii, to his historic run for the White House and the highs and lows of his presidency

The Birth of a President
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Barack Obama, pictured with his mother Ann Dunham in the 1960s. Obama was born on Aug. 4, 1961, to a black father and a white mother. His biracial identity would play a critical role in his intellectual and political development.

Obama Returns to Hawaii
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Obama sits with with his mother, grandfather and half sister Maya in Hawaii in the mid-1970s. Obama moved to Honolulu in 1971 to live with his maternal grandparents, and would remain there until his high school graduation in 1979.

An Elite Education
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Obama examines his surroundings during a school field trip to a Hawaiian island in 1972. He attended a private school, Punahou, on scholarship from fifth grade through high school, which prepared him for an Ivy League education at Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

Obama Begins College
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An image of a 20-year-old Obama in 1980 at Occidental College. Obama started his undergraduate studies at the Los Angeles university in 1979 and stayed for two years. His political interests started at Occidental—in 1981 Obama spoke at a campus rally protesting the college's investments in companies who were conducting business in South Africa during its apartheid.

Obama's Father Dies
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Obama with his father in Hawaii in 1971. Barack Obama Sr. was killed in a car accident in 1982. "At the time of his death, my father remained a myth to me, both more and less than a man," Obama later wrote in his memoir, Dreams From My Father.

Obama Begins Work as a Community Organizer
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Obama holds a meeting with citizens on the south side of Chicago. Obama's first foray into grassroots politics began in 1985. He later credited his experience with teaching him how to build diverse political coalitions.

Source: www.time.com...


It continues from there. So, I say Check it Out. I come to understand him more and what makes him the way he is. And, I am okay with that. I am sure if I were to become President, people would be upset by my politics and would do everything they could to stop me.

That being said, I am sorry for the type of man he turned out to be but it wasn't all by his doing. I hope he is tossed out in 2012 and that ObamaCare and his other crazy things done will be overturned but all that being said, this article made me think twice about the man.

Being honest. (and, the Birth Certificate matter... the one they put out is full of errors and was falsified...but it doesn't mean he wasn't born in HI- I just wanted to clarify my stance in case an ATS member comes at me...)

He looks so happy as a child sitting on the fence, sadly, he fell off to the wrong side.
The photo of him and his father really touched my heart. Here is a young man, holding onto his dad with both arms, gripping his hand, so close to his heart. A love he so desperately wanted to hang on too.

SnF, out of respect.

ha! mid life crisis, financial crisis, nuclear crisis, weather crisis, food crisis, hes a regular captain crisis. He chose the wrong time to quit smoking lol

reply to post by Violater1


You are thinking like I did. Look at his face. So happy to be with his father-which from what I understand didn't really have much time with him-at all.

But, as any kid-anytime is better than none. Trust me I know.

Matter of fact, that picture hit me hard. The one that made me think of him differently.

Again, One doesn't have to like his politics and other things but he was a kid once etc. I bet you he would give it all up to be able to start life over with a father and mother watching over him. my 2 cents.

reply to post by anon72



I do have to say...he was a adorable child......the picture with his Father really pulls at my heart strings.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EARLY!.....Mr. President.....I do pray for you.

Happy Birthday Barack! How ever old you REALLY are!

Watch out for those sharks you're swimming with!


GO RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!

They forgot this picture...

www.420magazine.com...

I'm sure he's a decent hard working man who loves America. But that doesn't equate to being a good President unfortunately. He won't ruin America and I don't believe he's trying too. Unfortunately for him I believe he will be remembered in history books as the first black President and that's about it.

If health care sticks he will probably get a mention for that but for all intents and puposes he's not doing a whole lot either good or bad enough to make a note in history worth remembering. He seems utterly lacking in being a leader.

reply to post by anon72


Happy 50 years "O" and the pictures of his past do say alot about the man so many chose to hate for some reason.. It wasnt an easy task stepping in the hotseat knowing it was going to be a ruff ride. In some ways 1 thinks he wanted to be the first as some say in order to open doors for others but not to be remembered in history as first. I think he looked at it like this may be the only chance for new thoughts(change) to enter the position and he took the risk KNOWING IT WAS A MESS UPON ENTRANCE and for that I can respect him for many others would of said I AM NOT CLEANING UP BUSHES MESS and would of stood to the side wondering about lost.

Observed the risk taken and hardships spoken of he but atleast he broke the Old world mold with his effects on the younger generations. A LEADER IS DESIGNED FROM INSIDE NOT BY THEIR SKINS EXTERIOR INFLUENCE.

Peace

Originally posted by JennaDarling


They forgot this picture...

www.420magazine.com...

Oh, you mean this photo.


Just like Bill, he didn't inhale

The photo w/Barack Obama, Sr. (at an airport?) Is sad but does it speak as a metaphor for who BHO, Jr. Would become. Its heartbreaking to see the child holding so tight to an elusive "mythical" parent (if only I lived w/my dad my life would be better). As an adult, I think Jr. Is still clutching at what ifs (if only everyone did everything I want everything would be better).

Now instead of his issues and traumas including only the Obama, Dunham and Soetaro families, like 200 million of us have been drawn into his insecurities.

He is in a position that is way over his head and range of coping skills.

Originally posted by JennaDarling


Just like Bill, he didn't inhale

wrong, obama said "I inhaled, frequently, that was the point"

Originally posted by JennaDarling


They forgot this picture...

www.420magazine.com...

You beat me to it.

Well, I try to do a nice thread on Obama-for his birthday and I only get a few responses.

You can't say I didn't try.

I guess it is true what I have been hearing recently.

People just aren't into Obama anymore.

Interesting.

It is a nice post, good job. He's here in Chicago "celebrating his birthday" by charging 35,000 dollars each to attend the party. Also 10,000 for a picture with him. Everybody deserves a birthday party, but this in my and many other peoples opinion is over the top. He seems to be cut off from how serious the current fiscsal situation really is. Turns my stomach! Nero anybody?

www.chicagotribune.com...

Oh anon...you big softy.


I gave you a S&F, enjoy it because that isn't gonna happen often.

It's good to step back and realize that these politicians are people too, that they were kids, had parents and grandparents, and yes, even make mistakes in life.


Except for Tea Party politicians...we all know they are reptillians that were hatched.

reply to post by OutKast Searcher


Well thank you Sir.

You are correct... we need to step back every once in a while and look at these people who are leading us... (into what or to where remains to be seen).

I will say, honestly, that I do have a better understanding of Obama... but, only to say with what I know now, he needs to be voted out of office.

With his father being a socialist type and his mother with her secret dealings with the CIA (well working for them in some capacity), his running around with Bill Aryes and the alike. I do truly understand how he got "there".

With that, Happy Birthday and I hope he enjoys many more---out of the White House.

Ahhhh...what the heck.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!



/TOA

reply to post by The Old American


You a funny one but I like your style.

As it is always pointed out.. it is hard not to like Obama on a personal level.

I just wish he would have grown up in more of my way of thinking. Rather, like most of the rest of America does.

I wonder how much money he will clear with these parties all over the place.