What a beautiful way to truly celebrate the 250th Anniversary. The Obamas did it with Grace and dignity. Thank you Norm for sharing the opening. When I see this type of event happening I remember that we do have hope for the future.
My heart is still full of the inspired moment of seeing America at our very best with the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. Thank you, Norm, for your commentary and for these wonderful pictures. Feeling the JOY, the LOVE, the GRACE, ---all the feels!
Quite the rewarding day for quite the legal scholar who uses his powers for good - thank for sharing further joy with your words and images of such a momentous day!
"And a belief that qualities of character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion, a sense of duty and honor, those things matter in our public dealings, just as they do in our private lives."
I often wish I could stand up in front of a MAGA rally and ask the audience:
"Do we still value these quintessential American qualities?
As a teacher, would you want me to teach your kids how to lie, cheat, steal, and bully? Or do you want them to be honest, respectful, and kind to their peers? If that's how we're raising our children, then we need to have a president who is a role model for those American values. Don't you agree?"
I have to hope that at least some of them will recognize the contradictions of their own support for a paragon of vice such as Donald Trump.
Tears came without conscious thought as I read about the sane, intelligent, artistic, thoughtful and beautiful manner of the celebrations of the Obama Center's opening. Your eyes, your ears were there for us all.
Norm, I love your behind the scenes post and photos so very much. I'm weeping with joy - and with hope! Sometime I feel such regret at what we've lost, but your phrasing that this terrible era is a sandwich makes me hope for that outer slice of better bread. Your joie de vivre gives me such inspiration and I am so greatly appreciative of you hard work for democracy.
A "shining star" in the midst of the curtain of darkness created by Trump and his ilk. The country desperately needed a respite and an uplifting moment. The Obamas and the other former presidents, together, provided it. E pluribis unum.
"'...a promise that all … would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Obama presidency felt like a huge payment on that note, and the past 17 months like a massive debit.'" Well said.
Thanks also for the articles on Social Security and public health.
A fine accounting from an magnificent addition to the city of Chicago. The contents of the building and the reporting reflect an optimism that we definitely need today. It is an honest celebration of our 250th anniversary.
"This note (the Declaration of Independence) was a promise that all … would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”"
It's clear that we have a lot of work yet to do. For some, these words strike hollow today, as liberties, lives, and the very pursuit of happiness have been lost or have gone wanting.
This was our country’s real celebration of our 250 years
My thoughts exactly!
You said it right and I truly hope it will be the celebration also for the new beginning overcoming the present crisis.
What a beautiful way to truly celebrate the 250th Anniversary. The Obamas did it with Grace and dignity. Thank you Norm for sharing the opening. When I see this type of event happening I remember that we do have hope for the future.
My heart is still full of the inspired moment of seeing America at our very best with the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. Thank you, Norm, for your commentary and for these wonderful pictures. Feeling the JOY, the LOVE, the GRACE, ---all the feels!
Quite the rewarding day for quite the legal scholar who uses his powers for good - thank for sharing further joy with your words and images of such a momentous day!
"And a belief that qualities of character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion, a sense of duty and honor, those things matter in our public dealings, just as they do in our private lives."
I often wish I could stand up in front of a MAGA rally and ask the audience:
"Do we still value these quintessential American qualities?
As a teacher, would you want me to teach your kids how to lie, cheat, steal, and bully? Or do you want them to be honest, respectful, and kind to their peers? If that's how we're raising our children, then we need to have a president who is a role model for those American values. Don't you agree?"
I have to hope that at least some of them will recognize the contradictions of their own support for a paragon of vice such as Donald Trump.
Tears came without conscious thought as I read about the sane, intelligent, artistic, thoughtful and beautiful manner of the celebrations of the Obama Center's opening. Your eyes, your ears were there for us all.
Norm, I love your behind the scenes post and photos so very much. I'm weeping with joy - and with hope! Sometime I feel such regret at what we've lost, but your phrasing that this terrible era is a sandwich makes me hope for that outer slice of better bread. Your joie de vivre gives me such inspiration and I am so greatly appreciative of you hard work for democracy.
A "shining star" in the midst of the curtain of darkness created by Trump and his ilk. The country desperately needed a respite and an uplifting moment. The Obamas and the other former presidents, together, provided it. E pluribis unum.
This made me cry. Oh, to have a humanitarian President who has grace and dignity again.
I love this.
I also love the way Jill is looking at Joe in the photo of the former presidents.
Norm, hope you got a chance to speak to GWB. He has the power to stop this shit.
To say nothing is to be an accomplice.
That opening ceremony was fantastic. The two of us got weepy numerous times. Thanks, Norm, for sharing your photos!
"'...a promise that all … would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Obama presidency felt like a huge payment on that note, and the past 17 months like a massive debit.'" Well said.
Thanks also for the articles on Social Security and public health.
A fine accounting from an magnificent addition to the city of Chicago. The contents of the building and the reporting reflect an optimism that we definitely need today. It is an honest celebration of our 250th anniversary.
"This note (the Declaration of Independence) was a promise that all … would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”"
It's clear that we have a lot of work yet to do. For some, these words strike hollow today, as liberties, lives, and the very pursuit of happiness have been lost or have gone wanting.
Thanks Norm for this wonderful opportunity to watch this from your perspective, I wish I was there to see in person but your narrative is perfect!
How lovely.