Photo of President Obama helping a young guest at the White House:

[Are_grits_groceries]

MT @petesouza: Pres Obama writes school excuse note for Alanah Poullard, 5, daughter of wounded warrior

Ha! Great photo!

[longship]

1. These little outreaches by Barack Obama speak volumes.

He engages with people very well. I only wish he would engage with the GOP with much, much more firmness.

But this kind of thing still warms my heart.

[malaise]

2. I hope her family gave the school

a copy - I'd be keeping that note

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. Word!

[madokie]

4. What a Gentle Man our President is

One of our better Presidents

[zipplewrath]

44. Gentle moments

There are folks I work with that are known jerks. Real asshats that everyone universally hates working with or for. And then you meet them outside of work and they have loving wives and families and they have fun and are artistic and volunteer at the local soup kitchen.

People can have gentle moments. They can have gentle tendencies with children or the unfortunate.

And then they go to work...

That's when they force feed Gitmo prisoners.

By the way most of us have those internal dichotomies.

[WatchWhatISay]

5. Endearing

I like his politics less and less, but what a warm and loving human being he is.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Yeah

I think an absence note from the President pretty much gets you off the hook for hooky! That's awesome!

[struggle4progress]

7. They never would have believed me if I'd brought in an excuse from the President!

I bet they'll believe her, though, cuz she's adorable! It's not fair!

[dotymed]

8. Too bad he will not

"HELP" the suffering masses of Americans.

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. Ya know?

I have a lot of policy differences with President Obama.
I have never had any problem with his personal conduct, and I love how he can really connect to children.

Even I wouldn't add snark to this OP. FFS give him one break!

[nonoxy9]

10. Ya know, grits, some of us are sick of these cute little photo ops

while our "awesome" president then turns around to ruin millions of lives with TPP and pushes to bomb innocent people in the middle east. They just don't tug all of our heart strings the same way they used to, sadly.

[Are_grits_groceries]

11. These "cute little photo ops"

with Wounded Warriors and their families do not make up for anything he has done that is hurting others. They do help some other people and remind him of the cost.

As I said, for all of my differences with him and I could start a "Come to Jesus" rant about them in a heartbeat, I do believe he does not and never will escape the shadows of what he has done and is doing.

I'll give him a break on these little moments because I think they would happen, photographer or not. I also would not want his job for all the wishes I wanted. I think these small interruptions with real people along with his family keep him from going batshit crazy.

Being completely unwilling to cut him an ounce of slack for this is not very different from the GOPeas who oppose anything he does.

[treestar]

67. that sheep backing away

[Richardo]

14. Yes, he's clearly a monster.

...thanks for that not-at-all inappropriate non-sequitur.

[Sheepshank]

18. So tell me, if you cant even appreciate one lighthearted pic

tell, me why the fuck you are here, because the bitterness doesn't seem to exude any thing to add to a DEM site.

[Summer Hathaway]

51. It's the bitterness that brings him here

because that's what DU is becoming - a site for people to spew their bitterness towards anything and everything.

I can't help but wonder what pathetic little lives these people lead.

[arely staircase]

75. asi es

Que pena.

[rtracey]

81. I totally agree

When I first started on DU, it was a website forum for Democrats to come on and share ideas, blow off a little steam, and figure out how to move this country in a good, progressive, liberal, democratic way. Now it has become a forum for many non-democrats to come spew their right-winged tripe, disguised as a democrat.... This would be like a democrat going on "Republican underground of whatever and doing the same. I for one have become disgusted at what I am hearing out of democrats about our President and some of the DU members...

[HappyMe]

23. I can typing!

[Richardo]

24. ...

Perfect.

[Bobbie Jo]

41. !

I lol'ed.

[Squinch]

53. .

[BeyondGeography]

28. He shoulda shown his true colors and stiffed that kid, whose 1% creds are clearly lacking

[snooper2]

29. you are doing it wrong...

[MineralMan]

30. Ah...something brought you out to post.

The President can do awesome things...

[AAO]

63. Lighten up, Francis.

[babylonsister]

66. Who is he pushing to bomb?

Last I heard, diplomatic means were being attempted. Might want to update your talking points.

[treestar]

68. Not many see it the way you are seeing it

It's not as if there were chemical weapons used, or as if we don't need to trade with other countries. He just disagrees with you on TPP, you are attributing bad motive there. Being President is not so easy - if you had the job it would not be as simple as you think.

[MADem]

80. Trash the thread then. Some of us are sick of people who never have a nice thing to say about

the POTUS, even when he does a very cool thing....

You don't have to look at the picture if you don't care for it.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. Such a bare unadorned bald statement as yours is false on the face of it.

Too bad he will not "HELP" the suffering masses of Americans.

You forget the Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare) and many other things he has done to help. Perhaps you don't credit him for betting his presidency and legacy on Obamacare and spending his political capital to get it done.

"HELP"

Caps and quotes?

[sharp_stick]

13. Fuck Me

The pathetic bleating of the continually outraged on this site, especially on a topic like this, is inducing a gag reflex that can not be believed.

[Stuckinthebush]

65. Couldn't have said it better

Bleating of the continually outraged

Perfect description of DU

[geek tragedy]

15. Must suck to be chronically bitter. nt

[Richardo]

16. Yes, I'm taking your outrage totally seriously....

...coming as it does as a result of such a provocative photo.

[ProSense]

19. Here's a post

"'HELP' the suffering masses of Americans."

...about a policy that helps those who "'HELP' the suffering masses of Americans."

Richard Trumka: A Working-Class Hero Helped Win Pay Rule for Home Care Workers (updated)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023690727

[Are_grits_groceries]

21. STOP!

Don't turn this thread into a policy debate.
JUST.DON'T.

Let others rage themselves out.

This was and is a quiet moment we all should just enjoy!

[ProSense]

25. "Let others rage themselves out. "

"This was and is a quiet moment we all should just enjoy! "

I'm enjoying it, and as you already noted, the "quiet" has been disrupted by "rage."

[Are_grits_groceries]

26. Don't continue or provoke it. nt

[TwilightGardener]

33. We were in danger of feeling good, looking at this cute photo. Thanks for shitting all over it.

[grantcart]

52. Unfortunately your comment speaks more about you than the President.

[drynberg]

54. Agreed, the suffering masses need more than a "note", they need Jobs, Food, Housing, etc.

Granted, the note was "sweet", but that ain't getting the job done for tens of millions of hurtin' Americans.

[LiberalElite]

61. How is your post different

from anything posted elsewhere by a Republican?

Disclaimer: I have lots of differences with Obama but I can still appreciate a nice apolitical photo op.

[Marrah_G]

55. I have alot of issues with things this President does and does not do....

... But seriously, making nasty remarks over this makes you look like an idiot.

[appacom]

58. Not true; enough said.

[LiberalElite]

60. please please please please please

give it a rest.

[Drunken Irishman]

77. Blah, blah, blah, blah...

[alcibiades_mystery]

17. Even this the fucking assholes grit their teeth at

My God, the jerkitude is so fucking thick.

Thanks for the post grits - and people well know your own opposition to much of Obama's work, so this post shows your goodwill and good character, unlike some of your interlocutors, who showed off their own character sho nuf.

[Are_grits_groceries]

20. Showing off more than their character. Meh! nt

[mstinamotorcity2]

22. smooth

operator!!!!!!! He knows how to treat the ladies even the little ones!!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

27. I love this photo. and as to the outraged....

I sure hope you can honestly say YOU got out and voted in the midterm elections.

Because it's this house full of sick pukes that is at the center of all the ugliness interfering and destroying every good thing he tries to do.

Oh, and Syria....yeah sure the situation would have ended as well as it did if PBO wasn't serious with his threats.

He also DOES have to consider and placate Big Buisness interests as well, as the country and established infrastructures, systems and institutions DO run on the money they generate. As infuriating as that is.

[yesphan]

31. How absolutely

cute !

[jberryhill]

32. You can tell he is Satanically possessed by the fact that he writes left handed

[Arugula Latte]

40. Also his purple tie is a signal to The Gays to perform a mass forced conversion

[zipplewrath]

45. Teletubby mafia

That's the secret sign of the teletuby mafia.

[Arugula Latte]

49. Exactly.

He wants to tinky their winkies ... or something.

[zipplewrath]

42. Sinistra

I always teased my left handed sybilings that the root latin word of left was sinistra, which is where the word "sinister" comes from.

I have 3 of them after all.

[jberryhill]

47. You have three left hands?

Now THAT is creepy!

[zipplewrath]

48. Yes

one on each sibling

[CherokeeDem]

34. Thanks, grits!

Lovely moment between the President and this beautiful little girl, and an important occasion to honor our wounded warriors. I agree President Obama has amazing compassion and concern.

As for the naysayers, many just like to hear their own rage. I learned a long time ago that I would never fully agree with another individual, we are all different. We are delusional if we think any politician, or any one, will ever do everything we want them to do.

My question to these people who have now raised bashing this President to an art form is... what is your alternative? Would you rather have Romney, or McCain, or some teabagger?? Rather have PauL??

Get real, enjoy these wonderful moments our President is so very good at and consider that if he wasn't in the White House, things would be worse. You do not have to agree with him on everything but you should respect him.

[skeewee08]

35. She is to cute

I love her dress and her hair.

[yuiyoshida]

36. I agree its a sweet picture..

Thought it does seem like some people here need a bit of lemon with their sweet... meh

[zipplewrath]

46. And some folks

Some folks seem to want to mix artificial sweetener with their sugar.

[yuiyoshida]

50. Thats okay so long

as it doesn't give them cancer in the end.

[Scurrilous]

37. K & R

For the cuteness.

[Dollface]

38. OMG. That is the cutest picture ever.

I'm not usually so sappy but the word "precious" comes to mind.

[Arugula Latte]

39. Best excuse note ever!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

43. that kid is too cute.

[Tikki]

72. Isn't she...So cute and she and momma picked out the cutest dress and shoes ever.

Tikki

[dem in texas]

56. I Love it!

thanks for such a great photo and the explanation. So sweet and the little is precious. Gave me a big smile!

[Skittles]

57. so cool

[tblue]

59. Her little face!

Precious!

[NBachers]

62. Some would like it more if this beautiful girl's face were contorted in rage and hatred for Obama

Message to you bitter crank fucks- don't put it on her, don't put it on me, just shove it back up your own fucking ass where it came from.

[tofuandbeer]

64. There's a lot of hate from both sides for this President, but I'm cherishing being alive now. :)

[treestar]

69. What an adorable kid!

All wrapped up in her long dress!

Five year olds are so sweet - the UN ought to make each country bring 10 of its five year olds and watch them all play together. That would stop a lot of bullshit.

[etherealtruth]

70. Oh my, so adorable

Makes you want to squeeze them both

[CrispyQ]

71. She is precious! Love that deep blue dress!

This prez is soooooooo good with kids, it's amazing! I do like that about him! Remember the little boy who wanted to know if Prez O's hair felt like his own & the prez leaned down & said, "Touch it, dude!" Wow. And here is one of my fave photos.

[MoonRiver]

73. So cute!

[Curmudgeoness]

74. OMG is she darling!

I wonder what started the whole thing. I wonder if she was concerned about missing school. And if so, what a shame! But he made it all better, and you can tell by her face.

[ZombieHorde]

76. Cute. nt

[Catherine Vincent]

78. How cute!

[MADem]

79. Is that kid cute or what? That is a wonderful picture for her to have down the years... nt