Obama writes letter to daughters about their 'great adventure'

[RunInRed 19,631]

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love, Dad

http://www.parade.com/news/2009/01/barack-...-daughters.html

[bigsixfive 341]

When I write notes or letters to people I know and say prayers to God, I don't publish them. I wonder why he feels the need to do so?

[RunInRed 19,631]

When I write notes or letters to people I know and say prayers to God, I don't publish them. I wonder why he feels the need to do so?

Next Tuesday, Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President. On this historic occasion, PARADE asked the President-elect, who is also a devoted family man, to get personal and tell us what he wants for his children. Here, he shares his letter to them.

[bigsixfive 341]

Publicity stunt. You bit.

[RunInRed 19,631]

Publicity stunt. You bit.

The hate you spew for all things not in alignment with your own bent is sad...especially when it comes to a simple uplifting letter like this.

[bigsixfive 341]

Publicity stunt. You bit.

The hate you spew for all things not in alignment with your own bent is sad...especially when it comes to a simple uplifting letter like this.

Uh oh. You swallowed the hook.

I'm not spewing hate. I'm calling a spade a spade. If it was a simple, uplifting letter, his daughters would be in sole possession of it. Instead, he's perpetuating his perception of magnificence by publishing it. Its a publicity stunt.

[RunInRed 19,631]

Using your standard of keeping things private, one would think you are also adamanently against prayer in public schools but some how I doubt it. Correct?

Oh and btw, I kinda doubt Obama needs any publicity stunts at this point.

[tiger88 934]

I agree. Keep it to yourself barrack. The media loves you enough already.

[bigsixfive 341]

Using your standard of keeping things private, one would think you are also adamanently against prayer in public schools but some how I doubt it. Correct?

Oh and btw, I kinda doubt Obama needs any publicity stunts at this point.

You nailed me. I'm one of those "crazy, intolerant" Christians the media vilifies. But that's a different thread topic.

I disagree on your second statement. One of Bush's failures was his inability, or lack of any attempt to maintain a positive public image. Obama has to do the same thing or he'll suffer a similar fate at the hands the media (albeit no where near as severe). However, wow me with your leadership of the country and good decisions, not fluff pieces.

He officially has a track record of publishing private things to boast of his perfection to the public. How's that whole politician track record? Not great so far, but he really hasn't built much of a record yet.

[arnaldoabru 11]

Using your standard of keeping things private, one would think you are also adamanently against prayer in public schools but some how I doubt it. Correct?

Oh and btw, I kinda doubt Obama needs any publicity stunts at this point.

You nailed me. I'm one of those "crazy, intolerant" Christians the media vilifies. But that's a different thread topic.

I disagree on your second statement. One of Bush's failures was his inability, or lack of any attempt to maintain a positive public image. Obama has to do the same thing or he'll suffer a similar fate at the hands the media (albeit no where near as severe). However, wow me with your leadership of the country and good decisions, not fluff pieces.

He officially has a track record of publishing private things to boast of his perfection to the public. How's that whole politician track record? Not great so far, but he really hasn't built much of a record yet.

"One of Bush's failures"-what were some of the others?

[RunInRed 19,631]

Here's an interesting question I have. For those of you (seems like the vast majority who post on this board) who did not vote for Obama and who hate (insert softer adjective) him, is there any thing he can do over the next four years that would make you vote for him for re-election?

I ask because I remember watching Dennis Miller (no Obama fan) on O'Reilly right after the election and he stated that for the sake of the country he hoped Obama did so well over the next four years that he would be enthusiastically campaigning and voting for him in 2012. Would most of the anti-Obama posters on this board fall into this same category or not?

[OldNewby 27]

Using your standard of keeping things private, one would think you are also adamanently against prayer in public schools but some how I doubt it. Correct?

Oh and btw, I kinda doubt Obama needs any publicity stunts at this point.

You nailed me. I'm one of those "crazy, intolerant" Christians the media vilifies. But that's a different thread topic.

I disagree on your second statement. One of Bush's failures was his inability, or lack of any attempt to maintain a positive public image. Obama has to do the same thing or he'll suffer a similar fate at the hands the media (albeit no where near as severe). However, wow me with your leadership of the country and good decisions, not fluff pieces.

He officially has a track record of publishing private things to boast of his perfection to the public. How's that whole politician track record? Not great so far, but he really hasn't built much of a record yet.

"One of Bush's failures"-what were some of the others?

I thought you kept the list.

[arnaldoabru 11]

Here's an interesting question I have. For those of you (seems like the vast majority who post on this board) who did not vote for Obama and who hate (insert softer adjective) him, is there any thing he can do over the next four years that would make you vote for him for re-election?

I ask because I remember watching Dennis Miller (no Obama fan) on O'Reilly right after the election and he stated that for the sake of the country he hoped Obama did so well over the next four years that he would be enthusiastically campaigning and voting for him in 2012. Would most of the anti-Obama posters on this board fall into this same category or not?

Probably if he could keep from running up huge deficits, keeping the economy from collapsing,preventing huge job losses, foolish and unecessary wars, allowing torture which puts us on the same level of those we curse, and from having shoes thrown at him.

[OldNewby 27]

Here's an interesting question I have. For those of you (seems like the vast majority who post on this board) who did not vote for Obama and who hate (insert softer adjective) him, is there any thing he can do over the next four years that would make you vote for him for re-election?

I ask because I remember watching Dennis Miller (no Obama fan) on O'Reilly right after the election and he stated that for the sake of the country he hoped Obama did so well over the next four years that he would be enthusiastically campaigning and voting for him in 2012. Would most of the anti-Obama posters on this board fall into this same category or not?

Although I voted for John McCain, I have made my feelings known on this subject.

But, I'm not quite as well known as Dennis and Bill.

[CCTAU 3,872]

Signed,

PeeWee.

And placed in the wailing wall for all to see......

[bigsixfive 341]

I ask because I remember watching Dennis Miller (no Obama fan) on O'Reilly right after the election and he stated that for the sake of the country he hoped Obama did so well over the next four years that he would be enthusiastically campaigning and voting for him in 2012. Would most of the anti-Obama posters on this board fall into this same category or not?

I agree with Miller. Obama's level of success as president impacts the lives of everyone here and the future of this country. I might not like Obama or his political ideology, but my allegiance lies with the US. I really want him to be successful, but all signs are pointing to the opposite at the moment. You don't lead a nation with fluff pieces covered by Entertainment Tonight or Vogue. You lead with morally and ethically righteous actions and decisions and by surrounding yourself with people of high integrity. His past, even including his time as a presidential nominee, hasn't reflected that capability (like many politicians, sadly), but I hope he pulls it together for the sake of the country, and soon.

[Tigermike 4,245]

Here's an interesting question I have. (As normal you overvalue your ability to ask questions.) For those of you (seems like the vast majority who post on this board) who did not vote for Obama and who hate (insert softer adjective) him, (Some disagree with him on several (a lot of) issues and you say we hate him. It's not hate, we just don't have a man crush on him like you do.) is there any thing he can do over the next four years that would make you vote for him for re-election? (Yeah if he were to make a complete about face on several issues and if the dims were not led by the far left.)

I ask because I remember watching Dennis Miller (no Obama fan) on O'Reilly right after the election and he stated that for the sake of the country he hoped Obama did so well over the next four years that he would be enthusiastically campaigning and voting for him in 2012. Would most of the anti-Obama posters on this board fall into this same category or not?

The morning after the election I posted my intentions. They have not changed. But if you expect me to be a servile worshiping sycophant with a boy crush on Obama. Forget about it

[AUBURNJAC 53]

Anyone who doesn't see this as a publicity stunt is JADED! He wants America and the world to percieve him as this great leader and great father, blah blah blah! I DO NOT and WILL NOT ever trust a word that comes out of this mans mouth! Now, that said, I hope and pray to God that I am proven very wrong about him and his ability to lead. I hope America makes a complete 180 and goes back to good and prosperous times. Will my opinion of Obama change if that happens? I don't think so, b/c when my intuition tells me that I shouldn't do something or trust someone, I have learned to listen!

To me, Obama is like one of those "medicine men" from the wild west days... "Come one, come all, try Uncle B's elixer!, It's the greatest discovery ever and will cure everything from warts to the common cold". "I promise you folks, one bottle of this and you'll never be sickly again"!!!!!!!!!!!

Were people desperate for medicines then? Heck yeah! Back then, a common cold could kill you! A cut by a rusty nail could kill you! They bought false promises from charasmatic, very persuasive men that rode through town! They bought into bull****, just like America has bought into Obama!

That's all, Have a nice day!