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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPresident Obama Appreciation Thread
Examining the misery and nasty of Trump is necessary but disheartening. So with thanksgiving tomorrow I figured we could lift the spirits going into the holidays by remembering with appreciation the last time America had a real President would be a marvellous way to go into the long weekend.
So to kick it off three words to describe President Obama, I am going with
Graceful
Insightful
Compassionate
Poeraria
(219 posts)I miss having a presidential president.
Soph0571
(9,685 posts)I miss him too
Botany
(70,442 posts)Stuart G
(38,410 posts)lamp_shade
(14,814 posts)50 Shades Of Blue
(9,916 posts)Even if I ever disagreed with him about anything, I was still always soooooo glad he was president, and dreaded the day he left the WH.
rzemanfl
(29,554 posts)safeinOhio
(32,633 posts)and I just happen to be half Irish too.
Soph0571
(9,685 posts)cilla4progress
(24,714 posts)but will try to, anyway:
Smart
Cool
Inspiring
Soph0571
(9,685 posts)Authentic
conscientious
Straight forward
cilla4progress
(24,714 posts)niiiiiice! 👍👍👍
Aristus
(66,275 posts)cilla4progress
(24,714 posts)The breadth of your knowledge never ceases to amaze!
Care to give a nutshell history lesson? Or would you recommend I simply Google it?
Aristus
(66,275 posts)But the historical version is that Marcus Aurelius was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", the rulers of Rome beginning with Nerva after the death of Emperor Domitian. The Julio-Claudians, and the Flavians, of whom Domitian was the last of three, were family dynasties in which a family member, however well or ill-qualified, succeeded the previous emperor. This led to trouble when incompetent or crazy men like Caligula or Nero took the throne.
Nerva decided to break the curse by starting an adoptive dynasty. The Emperor would adopt as his son a well-qualified potential successor (usually a successful general with administrative experience) and groom him to be emperor when he died. Nerva selected Trajan, who selected Hadrian. This led to the peaceful, prosperous reign of Antoninus Pius, who selected Marcus Aurelius.
Aurelius broke with the tradition that had given Rome nearly a century of peace, and decided to let his son, Commodus, succeed him. 'Gladiator' portrays Commodus as murdering his father to seize power, but Aurelius most likely died of the plague that was ravaging the empire at that time. Commodus, around 19 when he succeeded, became drunk with the immense power that came with the office, and ignored the immense responsibilities that went with it. He has been portrayed as shallow, narcissistic, and even crazy by popular culture. But historians think he just wasn't very bright, accepted bad advice, and ignored good guidance.
Commodus' reign is seen as the dividing line between the Golden Age of Rome, and the beginning of the decay of the empire.
One interesting footnote: The movie 'Gladiator' actually portrays an attempt by Marcus Aurelius to convince his general Maximus, to succeed him, adhering to the adoptive tradition. A move thwarted by the embittered Commodus, who murders his father before the succession is announced. Maximus is portrayed as hailing from the Roman province of Spain, just as the real-life emperor and general Trajan did.
cilla4progress
(24,714 posts)Thank you. History is incredible. The more things change...
Arthur_Frain
(1,836 posts)Class
Soph0571
(9,685 posts)prestigious
righteous
authentic
Arthur_Frain
(1,836 posts)After putting up with 3 years of the orange turd knee jerking and tweeting his way through his policy decisions, Id say.....
Measured.
Soph0571
(9,685 posts)that is Trump
Arthur_Frain
(1,836 posts)Never knew how much though. The contrast is numbing.
LyndaG
(683 posts)Admirable
Empathetic
Charming
Laudable
Praiseworthy
Estimable
Judi Lynn
(160,448 posts)A HERETIC I AM
(24,360 posts)(This should open to a large format pic)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKadEPvX0AIw0SR?format=jpg&name=large
Link to tweet
Sasha is stunning in this pic. Both girls are gorgeous, but Sasha has certainly grown into a beautiful young woman.
ornotna
(10,793 posts)He was a good man.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Cha
(296,780 posts)and what a great idea to talk about the positive things we are grateful this Thanksgiving.
Loving, Courageous, and a Wonderful sense of humor
Locutusofborg
(524 posts)Rasmussen Reports. And the Gallup Poll had President Obama at 63% approval in a retrospective job approval rating after he had been out of office for a year.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/obama_approval_index_history
https://news.gallup.com/poll/226994/obama-first-retrospective-job-approval-rating.aspx
yellowdogintexas
(22,216 posts)Demsrule86
(68,455 posts)and maybe ever...you saved the economy, helped usher in Gay marriage (my daughter thanks you too), and saved millions of lives by passing health care...not other president was ever able to do that...and it was a big fucking deal!
VOX
(22,976 posts)Add: truthful, composed, gentlemanly, empathetic, tolerant, enduring.