I've been very frustrated by much of the criticism on this site aimed at our president - a man I truly believe is so clearly the best president in my 46 years on this Earth given what he has been handed that it makes me shake with anger when I see people using some of the hyperbole like "Obama = Bush", and so on. If I didn't fully empathize and experience how stressful it has been on our national psyche to have actually survived eight years of the cabal that nearly destroyed our country (yes literally, economically, politically, internationally, and morally), I might have left this place after seeing it.
Instead, I've tried to present a more positive face than otherwise, and frankly have most recently participated in comments than in diaries.
That said, I love how President Obama personifies the power of communication when he speaks to people.
No, I don't have photos of the townhall from today, but I will take the opportunity to post a photo diary of a balloon festival I went to earlier in the summer.
More, much more, after the jump.
There are few things that are so guaranteed to bring smiles people as seeing hot air balloons.
My personal theory is that this is because of our experiences as children. Whether it is a helium balloon, or one blown up by the force of our lungs, or perhaps the kind that clown turned into a hot dog dog, balloons are connected with fun!
Ever wonder what a hot air balloon looks like from the inside?
Another:
In case you were wondering, there were a lot of people there - and smiles all around!
There were a total of about twenty - 2 0 ! - balloons launched in the space of about 30 minutes.
Of them all, this one, which I think looks like it belongs on a Christmas tree is my fave.
Agree or not, it was something to see:
These were not far behind though.
Okay, so you are probably wondering if I got any, umm, unusual shots:
By the way, the flames are really hot:
Note the heat distortion in the top part of the picture:
And a bit of context:
And just so the folks who need to find the bad with the good, I give you:
Though, I have to say, apart from what it represents, it was a gorgeous balloon.
Finally, in case anyone thinks that because we are progressives, we don't tear up when we are reminded, I had a hard time composing this shot:
Please remember that our president is a great, great man. We need to support him in equal measure to our supplying pressure to represent our concerns. To his credit, he is both smarter that 99.99% of us AND stronger than anyone you or I know.
[Edit - in case you want to see more of the event, click on any of the images. I've got tons at my flickr account. - nsfbr]