Behind the Scenes at The White House

Talking Points Memo has a wonderful collection of some behind the scenes moments with the Obamas (and the Bidens, to a lesser extent) that are humanizing and playful.  I challenge anyone, no matter the political stripe, to say otherwise.  I'm sure I saw something similar during the 2nd Bush administration, and I know I would've reacted similarly.  We Americans live in such a polarized world, where we sadly question the patriotism -- or even the morality -- of those with whom we disagree.  It's not what the Founders envisioned; they were reacting against a king after all. We're all in this together, and our political enemies are not Nazis; they're other Americans, with whom we vehemently disagree.  If and when people bleed over into fascism, that's another thing altogether.  Barring that, we need to ratchet down the rhetoric [I'm talking to you, Sarah and Newt] and celebrate our commonality.  When people start denying others' humanity, we're on a slippery slope to sadness.

So, here they are.  Remind yourself that they are human, no matter what your Party or the Press might say.

[Image is an Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.]