20 Things You Didn't Know About Barack Obama! But Now You Do!
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008
by Peggy Butler
PSB COMMUNICATIONS
What does Chili, Muhummad Ali and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest have in common with Barack Obama? Not sure what the answer is? Read on for more details!
Okay, we know that Barack Obama is smart, handsome and the political equivalent of a rock superstar. But did you know that the energetic basketball fan is:
1. Left-handed. That's right, Obama is among hundreds of famous lefties that include Tom Cruise, director Spike Lee and former president Bill Clinton. Bravo, to the left-handers of the world.
2. A former smoker, Obama was encouraged to stop smoking by his wife Michelle, before entering the Democratic primaries. Way to go Michelle!
3. A bipartisan statesman, with an equal opportunity ideology. In 2005, Obama and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), co-sponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act". No, there's no need to check your eyes, or reach for your glasses, the 2008 presidential candidates actually co-sponsored a bill. My, how things have changed.
4. His father, Barack Sr., was the first student from an African country (Kenya), to be admitted to the University of Hawaii. Now, that's what I call keeping in step with your roots.
5. No stranger to being on the List of Firsts, currently Obama is the only African American in the U.S. Senate. How about that?
6. A unique individual inundated with courage and fortitude, in 2005, Time magazine named Obama one of the world's most influential people. Now, the world will see why Time made that selection.
7. Despite his lanky physique, Obama's favorite meal is chili. What? You would think that a guy this sophisticated would prefer something more exotic, like roasted lamb marinated in garlic, olives and wine sauce. But hey if he likes to cook chili, who am I to argue?
8. Okay, we all have hidden talents that only we are familiar with, right? When asked to identify his hidden talent, Obama responded: "I'm a pretty good poker player."
Ummm, I wonder if he has that famous painting of the dogs playing poker hanging in his office?
9. Instead of Barack which translated in Arabic means "blessed by God", friends and family call Obama Barry.
Barry, now that's a cool name for a man of Obama's stature. I don't know, but when I hear the name Barry, images of Barry Manilow singing Mandy spring to mind.
Whew!
10. Nearly 20 years ago when the movie "Do the Right Thing," appeared in theaters across America, Obama was among the millions who saw the film along with his future wife Michelle. It was the couple's first date.
11. Since giving the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, Obama's charisma has been compared to that of a rock star, and there's a good reason for that.
Not only has the Hawaii native, made history in the political realm, but the music world as well. He is the first politician to win two Grammys. They are for recordings of his best-selling books, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope . Now, that's what I call a multi-task politician.
12. He lists among his favorite movies Casablanca , The Godfather trilogy, Lawrence of Arabia and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest . Let's analyze this quartet, shall we?
The first movie is about Nazis and World War II, the second focuses on violence, especially the Mafia. The third film show cases the life and times of British adventurer T.E. Lawrence, and last but not least, Cuckoo addresses mental institutions.
Now when you think about the leading men in these respective films; Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Peter O'Toole and Jack Nicholson, you can see why Obama chose such diverse movies. To paraphrase Humphrey Bogart, "Here's Looking At You Barack!
13. As a child Obama's father herded goats. If the senior Obama were alive, I would say to him, from goat herder to potentially becoming father of the first president of African descent. Look how far we have come America.
14. No stranger to hard work, as a teenager Obama worked at Baskin Robbins scooping ice cream. Can anyone say Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae? I wonder if he can go to any Baskin Robbins and order a vanilla soft-serve cone without having to pay for it? Hey, I'm just asking.
15. Among his prized possessions is an autographed pair of red boxing gloves from Muhammad Ali. No disrespect Mr.
Obama, but if the polls are true, you will need those gloves in the White House, especially the first 100 days, the traditional period which determines how a president will guide the country.
16. If he had not decided to enter law/politics, Obama says he would have been an architect. Well, that's good news for America and not so good news for those individuals who dream of designing buildings and call Frank Lloyd Wright their hero. So instead of designing buildings, Obama can design a financial plan to alleviate foreclosures and put America on the road to prosperity.
17. Unfortunately few families escape tragedy, for Obama, the tragedy occurred 35 years before he was born.
In 1926, Obama's maternal grandfather, Stanley Armour Dunham, found the body of his mother, Ruth Armour Dunham. She killed herself. Stanley was only 6. Ruth Armour Dunham was 26.
18. Barack Obama makes no qualms that he admires Dr. Martin Luther King, and has quoted the man dubbed the most famous civil rights leader of the 20th century numerous time. His favorite quote is, "The Arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." For Black America, justice finally arrived on November 4, 2008.
19. A prolific reader, Obama's favorite books include everything from the Bible to the " Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison to the work of William Shakespeare. Boy, that's what I call a well-rounded reading repertoire.
20. Whether it's the jazzy improvisations of Miles Davis and John Coltrane; Bob Dylan belting out a folk song, Stevie Wonder dazzling the world with his soulful brand of music, the classical vibes of Johann Sebastian Bach or the funky sound of the Fugees, Barack Obama lists them as his all-time favorite musicians.
So, the guy likes old school, can you blame him?
To everyone reading this commentary, I hope you learned something new about the Illinois Senator. However, for those who don't care one way or the other, may I say, I'm Peggy Butler, and I approve this editorial.
2. A former smoker, Obama was encouraged to stop smoking by his wife Michelle, before entering the Democratic primaries. Way to go Michelle!
3. A bipartisan statesman, with an equal opportunity ideology. In 2005, Obama and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), co-sponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act". No, there's no need to check your eyes, or reach for your glasses, the 2008 presidential candidates actually co-sponsored a bill. My, how things have changed.
4. His father, Barack Sr., was the first student from an African country (Kenya), to be admitted to the University of Hawaii. Now, that's what I call keeping in step with your roots.
5. No stranger to being on the List of Firsts, currently Obama is the only African American in the U.S. Senate. How about that?
6. A unique individual inundated with courage and fortitude, in 2005, Time magazine named Obama one of the world's most influential people. Now, the world will see why Time made that selection.
7. Despite his lanky physique, Obama's favorite meal is chili. What? You would think that a guy this sophisticated would prefer something more exotic, like roasted lamb marinated in garlic, olives and wine sauce. But hey if he likes to cook chili, who am I to argue?
8. Okay, we all have hidden talents that only we are familiar with, right? When asked to identify his hidden talent, Obama responded: "I'm a pretty good poker player."
Ummm, I wonder if he has that famous painting of the dogs playing poker hanging in his office?
9. Instead of Barack which translated in Arabic means "blessed by God", friends and family call Obama Barry.
Barry, now that's a cool name for a man of Obama's stature. I don't know, but when I hear the name Barry, images of Barry Manilow singing Mandy spring to mind.
Whew!
10. Nearly 20 years ago when the movie "Do the Right Thing," appeared in theaters across America, Obama was among the millions who saw the film along with his future wife Michelle. It was the couple's first date.
11. Since giving the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, Obama's charisma has been compared to that of a rock star, and there's a good reason for that.
Not only has the Hawaii native, made history in the political realm, but the music world as well. He is the first politician to win two Grammys. They are for recordings of his best-selling books, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope . Now, that's what I call a multi-task politician.
12. He lists among his favorite movies Casablanca , The Godfather trilogy, Lawrence of Arabia and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest . Let's analyze this quartet, shall we?
The first movie is about Nazis and World War II, the second focuses on violence, especially the Mafia. The third film show cases the life and times of British adventurer T.E. Lawrence, and last but not least, Cuckoo addresses mental institutions.
Now when you think about the leading men in these respective films; Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Peter O'Toole and Jack Nicholson, you can see why Obama chose such diverse movies. To paraphrase Humphrey Bogart, "Here's Looking At You Barack!
13. As a child Obama's father herded goats. If the senior Obama were alive, I would say to him, from goat herder to potentially becoming father of the first president of African descent. Look how far we have come America.
14. No stranger to hard work, as a teenager Obama worked at Baskin Robbins scooping ice cream. Can anyone say Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae? I wonder if he can go to any Baskin Robbins and order a vanilla soft-serve cone without having to pay for it? Hey, I'm just asking.
15. Among his prized possessions is an autographed pair of red boxing gloves from Muhammad Ali. No disrespect Mr.
Obama, but if the polls are true, you will need those gloves in the White House, especially the first 100 days, the traditional period which determines how a president will guide the country.
16. If he had not decided to enter law/politics, Obama says he would have been an architect. Well, that's good news for America and not so good news for those individuals who dream of designing buildings and call Frank Lloyd Wright their hero. So instead of designing buildings, Obama can design a financial plan to alleviate foreclosures and put America on the road to prosperity.
17. Unfortunately few families escape tragedy, for Obama, the tragedy occurred 35 years before he was born.
In 1926, Obama's maternal grandfather, Stanley Armour Dunham, found the body of his mother, Ruth Armour Dunham. She killed herself. Stanley was only 6. Ruth Armour Dunham was 26.
18. Barack Obama makes no qualms that he admires Dr. Martin Luther King, and has quoted the man dubbed the most famous civil rights leader of the 20th century numerous time. His favorite quote is, "The Arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." For Black America, justice finally arrived on November 4, 2008.
19. A prolific reader, Obama's favorite books include everything from the Bible to the " Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison to the work of William Shakespeare. Boy, that's what I call a well-rounded reading repertoire.
20. Whether it's the jazzy improvisations of Miles Davis and John Coltrane; Bob Dylan belting out a folk song, Stevie Wonder dazzling the world with his soulful brand of music, the classical vibes of Johann Sebastian Bach or the funky sound of the Fugees, Barack Obama lists them as his all-time favorite musicians.
So, the guy likes old school, can you blame him?
To everyone reading this commentary, I hope you learned something new about the Illinois Senator. However, for those who don't care one way or the other, may I say, I'm Peggy Butler, and I approve this editorial.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I am glad that scooping ice cream prepared him to lead this nation. "Would you like one scoop or two?"
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