Meeting Obama


I’m not the type that usually goes to political fundraisers. In fact, I avoid them like the plague.  Ditto any calls to my home from political candidates.  But the other week, I was at a book launch party for a friend and I met Paulette Cole from ABC Carpet and Home, which is my FAVORITE store ever, and she handed me a flyer for a fundraiser for Obama she was having in two weeks. I just happened to be able to make it.

I spent a week thinking about what I would say in my 30 seconds with him. Here is what I rehearsed in my head: “If you can do one thing to solve the obesity, diabetes, and autism epidemic in America, please stop chemical companies and GMOs and support organic farming.” But after waiting in three different chaotic lines for three hours, I decided to let it go and just go with the flow. Needless to say, the actual moment was surreal and goofy. He was totally charming and funny and warm and thoughtful, and I kicked myself the rest of the night for all the things I did and didn’t say, which shall remain private!  Let’s just say there’s a reason he is President. A good reason.

Later, he gave a rousing speech to the crowd. The message that resonated most with me: CHANGE IS HARD. Tell me about it! So many people expect instantaneous correction, not understanding that the forces opposing change are so ingrained for a reason…whether it’s money, philosophical beliefs, or protection of power. My hope is that if he’s elected for a second term he can finally make the truly hard changes that we’ve all been hoping for (Just Label those GMOs!), but had he made them in his first term would likely have prevented his re-election. And he did have a few other problems to deal with: a couple of wars, global economic collapse, and the usual calamities.

Look, here is something I did not tell him. When he was on the cover of Men’s Health magazine and his lovely wife was on the cover of Prevention, we lost a lot of subscribers. We got calls and letters opposing our support of the leader of this country—a leader and his wife who are trying to improve the health of Americans. They aren’t perfect. But are you? I know I’m not! (But whatever happened to the American value of patriotism? Am I going to have to write a blog about that?!)

I might never truly understand politics, or human behavior, but I am very glad I live in a country that gives us choices and freedom, and is based on the founding principles of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”—no matter your race, your gender, your religion, or your version of the American dream.

If we keep on dreaming of a better world, perhaps we can one day create a better world. I still have hope…. And when it comes to our next President, I’m pinning my hopes on Obama.

 

 

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20 Responses to Meeting Obama

  1. Bonnie March 19, 2012 at 11:16 am #

    Sorry about this, but this was part of a recent fundraiser. Hope you didn’t have to endure this.

    THIS IS MUSIC (?) FROM ONE OF OBAMA’S FUNDRAISERS -If you have this kind music with this kind of lyrics from this kind of “artist” and you profess your love for his music, what kind of message are you sending to the world?

Watch out
Graphic Language below
this line

I See You Driving ’round Town
With The Girl I Love And I’m Like,
Fuck You!
Oo, Oo, Ooo
I Guess The Change In My Pocket
Wasn’t Enough I’m Like,
Fuck You!
And Fuck Her Too!
I Said, If I Was Richer, I’d Still Be With Ya
Ha, Now Ain’t That Some Shit? (ain’t That Some Shit?)
And Although There’s Pain In My Chest
I Still Wish You The Best With A…
Fuck You!
Oo, Oo, Ooo

Yeah I’m Sorry, I Can’t Afford A Ferrari,
But That Don’t Mean I Can’t Get You There.
I Guess He’s An Xbox And I’m More Atari,
But The Way You Play Your Game Ain’t Fair.

I Picture The Fool That Falls In Love With You
(oh Shit She’s A Gold Digger)
Well
(just Thought You Should Know Nigga)
Ooooooh
I’ve Got Some News For You
Yeah Go Run And Tell Your Little Boyfriend

(chorus)

Now I Know, That I Had To Borrow,
Beg And Steal And Lie And Cheat.
Trying To Keep Ya, Trying To Please Ya.
’Cause Being In Love With You Ass Ain’t Cheap.

(chorus)

Now I Know, That I Had To Borrow,
Beg And Steal And Lie And Cheat.
Trying To Keep Ya, Trying To Please Ya.
’Cause Being In Love With You Ass Ain’t Cheap.

I Picture The Fool That Falls In Love With You
(oh Shit She’s A Gold Digger)
Well
(just Thought You Should Know Nigga)
Ooooooh
I’ve Got Some News For You
I Really Hate Yo Ass Right Now
(chorus)

Now Baby, Baby, Baby, Why D’you Wanna Wanna Hurt Me So Bad?

(so Bad, So Bad, So Bad)
I Tried To Tell My Mamma But She Told Me
”this Is One For Your Dad”
(your Dad, Your Dad, Your Dad)
Uh! Whhhy? Uh! Whhhy? Uh!
Whhhy Lady? Oh! I Love You Oh!
I Still Love You. Oooh!

    from performance by Ce Lo Green

  2. SheilaWood March 19, 2012 at 5:59 pm #

    This term of Obama’s presidency, and the things you say about him in your article, prove to me that he says what he knows people want to hear. He hasn’t followed through on any of his 2008 campaign promises, which of course includes the GMO labeling one. In my opinion, I would vote for him if he had kept those promises rather than saying he needs another four years to make good on them. So far, the only changes he has made have been negative ones and have only put our country into further debt. Change is hard, but should not be something that makes the next three or four generations suffer because of it.

  3. Peter Bockenthien March 20, 2012 at 1:11 pm #

    While you met the President, I wrote him a letter:
    http://organnex.com/organnex/organic-agriculture/dear-president-barack-obama.html

    Change is hard indeed, but it appears that he’s planning another war and has given his Cabinet powers to use every American’s resources:
    http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-national-defense-resources-preparedness

    He’s better than the alternative, but the real action and change needs to happen locally.

  4. V. Carlsen March 21, 2012 at 10:25 am #

    Maria, Please keep your political views to yourself. I would not pin my hopes to this President if my life depended on it. And, it does. I like your magazine, but I do not want to pay for you expressing your political views on my dime.

  5. Barbara March 21, 2012 at 11:33 am #

    I can’t believe you have been “Dumbed Down!”
    Sorry…. I used to be a Dumbocrat too but it took me 50 years to get wise to what is now happening to MY USA!!

  6. George March 21, 2012 at 11:36 am #

    Bonnie, just curious, if could you tell us when this fundraiser was that would be helpful in seeing that this kind of “entertainment” does not continue. Also, did you attend the fundraiser? Not to question the veracity of your post, but I have learned to be skeptical of things that quite frankly, just don’t make any sense.

  7. John March 21, 2012 at 11:53 am #

    I will put my 2¢ in here. President Obama deserves a second term. I am a progressive independent. I am a small business owner (company is 30 years old this year), organic food processor, student, husband, dad, vegetarian cook, writer, community trustee, and freethinker.

    Your very public support of the President is appreciated. I have also met him (on a book tour before he announced) and experienced the same as you. He is a transformative figure—a breath of fresh air.

    I am also a student studying sustainability in a large university. Keep up your advocacy!

  8. Jacqueline DeBoard March 21, 2012 at 12:08 pm #

    Maria,
    I also appreciate your support of our President. People need to stop being fed the lies of the FOX news channel and be freethinkers too! I support our President and will be voting for him a second time! He inherited as we ALL did this economy and global mess. If CON is opposite of PRO then CONgress is the opposite of PROgress. And CONgress needs to support our President as well and stop fighting him every step of his term. I hope and pray President Obama makes more executive decisions and stops the bi-partisan BS now!! Thank you Maria for being brave and sharing your experience meeting President Obama face to face.

  9. Teresa March 21, 2012 at 12:12 pm #

    If Killing babies not yet born is looking out for the health of OUR country or the health of OUR women then I not recommending your website any longer. I just found it and am happy to leave it with that attitude. I need to stand up for LIFE at its beginnng or there is no middle or end…

  10. Peter Bockenthien March 21, 2012 at 1:35 pm #

    Barbara: get involved locally. This is where your vote really counts. Don’t forget: the POTUS is elected by the Electoral College, which doesn’t represent the popular vote.

    Personally, I refuse to give any politician any monetary support. Isn’t my vote what matters?

  11. Leslie Kerr March 21, 2012 at 2:35 pm #

    Oh Maria ! How wonderful to have free speech!!! All those who have written here are free to say they are unhappy with your free speech, but they like to pony-up with theirs and say they will punish you as they choose. Here is a large serving of my free speech: I like tomatoes, potatoes, gardening, Don Williams, roses, Carlos Garcel, cats, spagetti, Maria and Obama. What’s nice is you don’t have to, and we should still be friends. Stretch a little, it doesn’t hurt, and it’s good for you, inside and outside. Love.

  12. mary March 21, 2012 at 5:03 pm #

    I just wish he would also care about the duping of American women under the guise of “health care” – when what is really happening is big pharmaceutical companies are getting rich, women are getting exposed to artificial hormones to treat “fertility” which is a natural state, and our waterways are getting polluted with the leftovers. Because there is no money to made, doctors are not trained in Natural methods and no research is being done unless there is an almightly dollar to be made. And our health pays the price.

    Thank you for your work – I enjoy reading what you have to say and learn from it very much!

  13. Theresa March 21, 2012 at 9:53 pm #

    You have really not been keeping up! Sorry to see it.
    Being in the presence of a President must really impress you. Better wake up to what is happening in this country!

  14. Donna in Delaware March 22, 2012 at 1:07 pm #

    What IS HAPPENING and has happened in the country IS partly OUR OWN FAULT! For much too long, we have let politians, big companies, banks and the Wall Street types get away with tooooooooooooooo much. Now that they have ruined practically everything, we need to blame the person in charge. WHY NOT TAKE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OURSELVES? What, you can’t see the part that you played in all of this? Having to have and have and have, consumerism is over the top in this country, always have been after your parents generation! Needing to keep up with the Joneses, not saving for your children or for hard times. Still living in the 1700’s instead of having to change to suit the times in which you live now! One size DOES NOT FIT ALL!

    Unfortunately, for whomever is the leader of this country, or any other country for that matter, will have to take the blame for any and everything that goes wrong, whether they caused the problem(s) or not! Because as humans, we need to shift the blame to someone else. Essentially, it makes us feel a whole lot better and a bit self-righteous, isn’t that right people? Oops, sorry, I know that you are denying it, so be it!

    Don’t get me wrong, The POTUS is responsible for some things going totally wrong, but so was the previous president and his cabinet, oh, I forgot, we have very short memories in this country, or is it just the fact that most of you out there loved that guy because he thought and acted the way that you did and do, so you forgave his errors of judgment and called it a day? Maybe it was the fact that Cheyney did most of the thinking for the previous president! Either way, they should have paid their dues and gotten trashed, disrespected & detested by the people of this country, the same way that Obama have and is being disrespected.

  15. Ed Palinurus March 22, 2012 at 9:41 pm #

    I didn’t sign up to hear your shallow political philosophy. Amazing that seemingly intelligent people can be so blind to a president who has such little respect for economic freedom and religious liberty. I’ll unsubscribe now.

  16. Karen Freeland March 23, 2012 at 5:08 pm #

    Bravo Maria! Reading all of the comments makes me feel ill! I can not for the life of me figure out how I never realized how many ignorant people there truly are. I truly think most republicans are racist! I voted for President Obama and will again in November! It has been obvious to me that it will take years to dig out of the mess that was left from the previous administration. No one sells a Magic Wand large enough to fix such a mess. Have a Great Weekend!

  17. Deb March 26, 2012 at 5:35 am #

    Maria- I don’t know why, but I never get the first reply to your articles.

    I get pretty scared when I see the Republican hopefuls for our next president. For a group that claims ‘less government’ I’m not seeing it. It’s pretty scary when I look at the little girl next door and realize all the human rights we fought so hard for could be eliminated by a bunch of narrow minded bigots before she is old enough to vote – or carry a child.

    Maria – this is your blog. Thankfully we still have freedom of speech. Please write whatever you want. I’ll start a dialog with you if I disagree, let the narrow minded whiners leave if they want. Maybe by not being willing to listen to a voice of reason, they’ll all die out from obesity or chemically laden food.

  18. Donna in Delaware March 26, 2012 at 1:01 pm #

    Amen Deb, amen!

  19. Danielle March 28, 2012 at 9:37 am #

    Maria,
    I enjoy everything about your informative site, congratulations on the great work.
    I also think you have the right person for a president in Obama,
    I followed the U.S election and cheered for America when he was elected.
    I live in Canada but what happens in your country resonnates in ours, Obama should be given a fair amount of time to clean up the great mess that was left behind.
    The Harper administration we have presently in Canada is so much a reminder of the one you had, it is scarry!!!
    Like Deb mentionned, I wonder what’s coming up for my children and grandchildren, I want to keep hope that things will change and get better.
    Everyone must make a choice, choose wisely!!!
    Danielle

  20. maria (farm country kitchen) April 17, 2012 at 4:10 am #

    Hi Everybody, For some reason, I only just noticed these comments today (I think I was busy working and trying to save the economy and the environment)…To my wonderful, darling, loving supporters I say THANK YOU and please vote (even in Canada!). To those of you who disagree with me, I say GOD BLESS AMERICA and our sacred belief in FREEDOM. Say what you want, to whomever you want, but please don’t ask me to stop doing the same. Just know that I have chosen life and love over fear and hatred and I stand by that choice every day.

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