Today's Amuse-Bouche
Sometimes you just need a palate cleanser.
This is an 11-minute video of Barack Obama being nice to strangers out in public. Often surprising them, and sometimes just crossing paths when out.
Now, of course, being a nice person, being kind to others doesn't make someone a good President. And just because others are excited to see you, especially little kids, that doesn't make you a good President either. So, mostly, this is really just what I said on top -- a palate cleanser. Because watching a president (or some of this are when a former president) being nice and kind is simply refreshing.
However, this is some meaning to this beyond just watching a President be nice to others. And it's that when a President knows how to be kind other others, knows how to relate to others, is happy to let other relate to him...that speaks to being about to understand people and appreciate them as individuals. It speaks to not existing in a bubble, keeping others away from you, and having an awareness of the world and its differences that exist outside of yourself. It speaks to having empathy which helps you govern by knowing what those whose well-being you are responsible for as a public servant consider important in their lives. I don't to make too much out of this video. Mainly, it's just 11 minutes of Barack Obama being a nice guy and at ease with others and the world. And seeing others overjoyed at being with him, especially little kids. There are a lot of very nice and kind people who would make lousy Presidents.
But it's not without meaning. For one thing, to the contrary, there probably very few people who are total creeps unable to understand or care about others who would make wonderful Presidents. And ultimately, in even just the smallest way, caring about those you govern and getting along with them is not a bad place to start.
By the way, I have no idea why this freeze frame below has Jennifer Aniston in it. She is not in the video, and I'm not even sure if this photo is real. It seems to be pretty much just get get attention. But that doesn't spoil the pleasure of the 11 minutes that are here.
A President who cares about people. What a concept.
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