Live Long and Prosper

Whenever a public figure passes away, the White House releases a statement of sympathy from the president.  It tends to be thoughtful and to the point, a national statement of remembrance.  I've rarely seen a comment like the one from President Obama about the passing today of Leonard Nimoy, at the age of 83.  

I say "rarely" because I'm covering my bases, just in case there have been others, since I've hardly seen them all, or even most.  But right now, to the best of my recollection, I haven't seen one as personal as this.

Barack Obama has long been known as a bit of a nerd and Star Trek geek.  It's nice to have evidence that this was actually the case.

Here's the full statement.

Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the sciences, generous with his talent and his time. And of course, Leonard was Spock. Cool, logical, big-eared and level-headed, the center of Star Trek’s optimistic, inclusive vision of humanity’s future.

I loved Spock.

In 2007, I had the chance to meet Leonard in person. It was only logical to greet him with the Vulcan salute, the universal sign for “Live long and prosper.” And after 83 years on this planet – and on his visits to many others – it’s clear Leonard Nimoy did just that. Michelle and I join his family, friends, and countless fans who miss him so dearly today.