Politics aside... Is Obama's life-story inspirational to you?
@valentinesdiner (1214)
United States
September 9, 2009 4:16pm CST
For just a moment, put his politics aside whether you agree or disagree.
After listening to the schoolkids speech yesterday, I wondered if we could agree taht Obama's life story of making it to Harvard, putting in years of community work then his meteoric rise in politics is in some ways inspirational, an American success story.
What do YOU think?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
9 Sep 09
I can't say whether it's inspirational or not because all his records are sealed. We don't know how he got accepted, if he had sponsors, who paid for his education, if he got financial aid or scholarships or if some benefactor paid his tuition. So without knowing any of that, I can't say how inspirational his Harvard education is.
After listening to the speech I was struck by what he left out. He made it sound as if he was raised by a single mother, but she was only single for a couple of years. When he lived in Indonesia, she was married to Lolo Soetero who was a government relations consultant with Mobil Oil, so they weren't quite living in dire poverty as he suggested. He talked of lessons at home and not attending the American school, but he did go to an Indonesian public school, the same one that the kids of the leaders of Indonesia go to - so probably not a bad school. He also went to a private Catholic school for two years while living there. So, he wasn't homeschooled by a poor, working, single mother as his speech might lead you to assume.
When we get the real story, then we will know if it's inspirational or not.
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15594)
• Puerto Rico
9 Sep 09
I believe his lifestory is quite inspirational. To be raised by only a mother and then his grandparents he could have ended up on the wrong tracks. He stayed in school and studied and did the right things. His story should be inspirational to most look at what he has accomplished and for sure its an American Success story.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
9 Sep 09
Really? You just described a whole lot of people, including my own children, except for the grandparent part. And everyone who knows them will vouch for their integrity. You don't get that with Obama.
@lelin1123 (15594)
• Puerto Rico
9 Sep 09
When you see a black man raised by a white women and no father usually they go down the wrong track of life he didn't and that is to me inspirational and then to make it to President of the United States come on that is quite inspirational to me. I'm guessing alot of you guys just don't like him. I do and support him every step of the way. Remember we all have our own stories and some are good and some are inspirational, I believe his is especially becoming the first black President. What a great story!
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
10 Sep 09
Any kid raised by any mother who turns out well is inspirational. I'd actually call it inspirational if millions and millions of campaign dollars hadn't be available to Obama and he won despite the odds. He wasn't even the underdog. But, all in all, his election was historical and we won't even get into the debate whether or not he is the first black president. 
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
10 Sep 09
It might be inspirational .... IF I could believe anything he says.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
9 Sep 09
Not in the least. My humble beginnings were much more inspirational and, unlike Obama's fictional version, the complete truth. Sorry, but I trump him by millions.
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
9 Sep 09
Valentinesdiner,
Tell me, what's so inspirational about it? I never read where he had to actually work his way through Harvard or even community college as many, many young folks do. As far as his "meteoric" rise in politics, please! If this man had been vetted in the normal way that the mainstream media does with every other candidate for president he wouldn't have made it past Iowa! Now that's real inspirational!
