[cross-posted by the author]
I believe most political decisions are made on the basis of an emotional affiliation to one or the other major political party, even if we're all very good at rationalizing about this or that issue to justify it "logically." I believe, too, that there are all too many elected to serve in Washington who lose their way and become more interested in lining their pockets than in working on behalf of the voters.
I believe I have seldom seen a more decent gesture by any sitting President than the one pictured above. I wonder what Steven Colbert, the man who promised to feel the truthiness of the news at his viewers, will feel when he considers this image from May 8th, making its rounds now on the internet.
There's nothing here about federal intervention in state's rights; there's no judicial activism on display; there's nothing about unfair executive compensation, overpriced health insurance, CIA briefings, weapons of mass destruction, or environmental protection in the picture. There's just a young man, curious if his haircut feels like the President's, perhaps the most powerful man on the planet - and the President of the United States bending down to indulge the curiousity of somebody else's son.
In my gut, this is evidence of the confidence and priorities of a great leader who respects everybody he meets. Today, the world is dealing with a very different sort of President in the United States than they have ever had before.
This is a man who not only values children, and families, but who has the willingness and courage to show the world his unscripted compassion.
Incidentally, Fox News took little notice of the significance of August 28th as an anniversary date in 2008, when Democrats nominated Senator Barack H. Obama to run for President of the United States.
