General Discussion

bigtree

(85,977 posts) Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:30 AM Mar 2013

Eight Year-Old Gets Return Letter from President Obama

Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

____ More than a year ago, Nik brought home a book about President Obama from the library at Millennium Elementary School. His grandma took a photo of Nik reading the book and sent it to the president last fall.

A large manila envelope addressed to the Tinley Park boy arrived last week — its contents more significant than he realizes now . . . Enclosed in the envelope with the four-sentence letter were an 8-by-10-inch autographed photo of Obama; a picture of the family’s Portuguese water dog, Bo, and a diagram of the interior of the White House.

The (President's return) letter was brief but inspiring:

Dear Nikolas:

Communicating with America’s next generation is an important part of my job as President, and I appreciate the opportunity to write to you.

Our country’s continued success will depend on young people like you, and you can play a part in helping America win the future. I encourage you to always dream big, try to improve the lives of others, and aim for excellence in all that you do. By working hard in school and serving your community, you can help build a better tomorrow for our Nation.

Sincerely, Barack Obama

lostcat

(11 posts)

1. penpals

Reply to bigtree (Original post)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:33 AM

Mar 2013

i wonder if anyone else got a similat defaut response letter from the president?

mfcorey1

(11,001 posts)

2. Joy killer who cannot spell is the certificate you should receive!

Reply to lostcat (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:40 AM

Mar 2013

markpkessinger

(8,392 posts)

10. My six-year-old great niece received an identical package . . .

Reply to mfcorey1 (Reply #2)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:58 AM

Mar 2013

. . . after writing a letter to the President. Yes, it's a form letter/standard package, but it's still a nice thing for a kid to receive.

SwissTony

(2,560 posts)

3. Tip: don't post while drinking.

Reply to lostcat (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:43 AM

Mar 2013

You know where the exit is, I trust.

JaneyVee

(19,877 posts)

4. Really, that's what you're wondering about?

Reply to lostcat (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:44 AM

Mar 2013

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)

5. Please, do enjoy your time at DU.

Reply to lostcat (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:46 AM

Mar 2013

bigtree

(85,977 posts)

7. lol

Reply to lostcat (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:51 AM

Mar 2013

. . . thanks for the kicks, lostcat.

Aristus

(66,294 posts)

8. 'Similat Defaut'? Isn't he the President of Indonesia?

Reply to lostcat (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:57 AM

Mar 2013

Are you from one of those states that refuses to teach, you know, knowledge, in the schools?

MineralMan

(146,262 posts)

14. That's Franch - The Langage of Bidness!

Reply to Aristus (Reply #8)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 12:11 PM

Mar 2013

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)

20. Hello ~ lostcat. That's an interesting question for DU.

Reply to lostcat (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 03:21 PM

Mar 2013

[img][/img]

In The Wind
[img][/img]

Raine1967

(11,589 posts)

6. That's a really unusual photo of the President

Reply to bigtree (Original post)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:50 AM

Mar 2013

I'm liking seeing him in a sweater -- and I think it is a great story. PLUS HE GOT A PICTURE OF BO!!!

samplegirl

(11,465 posts)

9. That says so much

Reply to bigtree (Original post)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 11:57 AM

Mar 2013

about our President!!! He is one awesome guy!

madokie

(51,076 posts)

11. How the hell anyone can not like this man

Reply to bigtree (Original post)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 12:00 PM

Mar 2013

is beyond me.
Best damn President in my 64 damn near 65 years

Whisp

(24,096 posts)

12. :)

Reply to madokie (Reply #11)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 12:05 PM

Mar 2013

every time I see a pic of the President I feel grateful he is in charge.

there is no other like him, in the best possible way.

madokie

(51,076 posts)

13. He is so nice

Reply to Whisp (Reply #12)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 12:08 PM

Mar 2013

almost to a fault but I won't hold that against him. In my mind he is a wonderful person through and through. Shows everyone who will take the time to see just that in everything he does. Great President is how I'll always see him

brentspeak

(18,290 posts)

15. "p.s. - Although I am working hard at reducing your future Social Security benefits"

Reply to bigtree (Original post)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 12:19 PM

Mar 2013

"...by pressuring Congress to adopt a chained CPI -- and although I am working equally hard at pushing more free trade treaties so that your future employment prospects will likely be limited to stocking made-in-China crap at Wal-Mart or Home Depot -- and although I have already worked hard at making certain that the Big Banks will utterly bully and dominate and rob you once you reach adulthood, both as a customer and as a taxpayer -- I reiterate that I want you to Always Dream Big and to Always Believe in Change."

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)

16. +1 And corporatizing your schools.

Reply to brentspeak (Reply #15)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 12:23 PM

Mar 2013

Education: The "Big Enchilada"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002967097

The World Bank as Prime Mover in the Global Privatization of Public Education: Mexico
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022434264

Education professor says Arne's plans not unique to U. S., previously carried out in Chile.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=219x28157

Arne says sequester will force large Title I, Special Ed cuts. Meanwhile billions go to "reformers"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022436415

Obama’s Universal Preschool Proposal = Race to the Top for Tots (more education deform)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022378733

The roots of education deform go way back, & current developments follow previously outlined path...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022281934

RAVITCH: Conservative think tank praises Obama for standing up to teachers' unions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101642419

The goal of education deform: "Public schools" to equal "Welfare schools"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021954716

Plucketeer

(12,882 posts)

17. "Always Dream Big and to Always Believe in Change"

Reply to brentspeak (Reply #15)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 01:41 PM

Mar 2013

"Although it looks like we might do away with the penny by the time you're of voting age. I say this 'cause that's the sort of change one can believe in."

I realize I've got 60 years on this kid. I also realize I'm pretty cynical about how "Hope and Change" truly HAS played out. Since this last election (and to a lesser degree in the prior four years) I've sent many postcards to Obama. I'd love to know if any of them have come before his eyeballs. If I did get a written reply to one of them - one where he'd try to justify the burgeoning surveillance growth he's fostering - one where he'd explain why he seems ready to bargain away bits of SS and M&M - one where he'd explain how Newtown was a tragedy, while kids in distant lands are just collateral damage - one where war criminals and bank fraud moguls skate like hockey players while pot smokers are the scourge of our existence - I'd at least know that ONE of my cards didn't go straight to the circular file (in essence, if not in truth).

woo me with science

(32,139 posts)

19. Superb post and observations,

Reply to Plucketeer (Reply #17)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 01:51 PM

Mar 2013

and also a superb indictment of our corporate media, which never demands this sort of accountability from him or any politician.

Cha

(296,893 posts)

21. No, that's nothing but brentspeak.. who does not speak

Reply to brentspeak (Reply #15)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 03:59 PM

Mar 2013

for the President. Not now Not ever.

treestar

(82,383 posts)

22. Well he didn't cave and let the sequester take hold

Reply to brentspeak (Reply #15)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 04:02 PM

Mar 2013

So you should be happy, no?

a kennedy

(29,618 posts)

18. I love the POTUS's response I'm going to use it for my new sig line.

Reply to bigtree (Original post)

Sat Mar 2, 2013, 01:49 PM

Mar 2013

Our country’s continued success will depend on young people like you, and you can play a part in helping America win the future. I encourage you to always dream big, try to improve the lives of others, and aim for excellence in all that you do. By working hard in school and serving your community, you can help build a better tomorrow for our Nation.

Sincerely, Barack Obama

I love this, and it doesn't just have to be "young people like you," it can be all of us.

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