I don't care if this one's a photo-op. This is what photo-ops SHOULD do... set a positive example.

Director Ernest Dickerson sent me the following pictures and text of the Obamas on American Thanksgiving.


Could these be considering shameless photo-opping?


Yeah, I guess. But then, so could any good deed if photographed. I'd argue that wealthy, powerful people have a duty to be photographed doing good deeds, in order to set an example (with great power there must...).


Yes, of course, food banks are not revolutionary (although the Black Panther Party had "Survival Programmes Pending the Revolution" including Free Breakfast for Children), and we must end the cause of hunger, rather than dealing exclusively with hunger as a effect. But hungry people can't survive on political theory. Hungry people need food today.


Of course we need to monitor in detail how the Obama White House will address the cause of poverty--namely, economic exploitation by the rich of everyone else, especially the poor. I'd expect his White House, backed as it was by the super-wealthy, has no intention of ending poverty, since poverty is the necessary feeding grounds of the wealthy, that is, the only way to create wealth is by creating poverty.


But for today--TODAY--I'm happy to see these pictures. This aint W holding a plastic turkey for his war-makers in the Occupied Territory called Iraq. This is a Kenyan-American, the Emperor of the world, handing out food to people who need it, with his family. And while this deed makes me overlook not one iota of his service of the Empire and its oligarchs, I nevertheless am heartened to see these images.


The text below comes from The Huffington Post.


"CHICAGO - President-elect Barrack Obama and his wife took their daughters to work at a food bank on the day before Thanksgiving, saying they wanted to show the girls the meaning of the holiday, especially when so many people are struggling.


"Ten-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha joined their parents to shake hands and give holiday wishes to hundreds of people who had been lined up for hours at the food bank on Chicago 's south side.


"Sasha wore a pink stocking hat over her pigtails and Malia had on a purple striped hat as the family handed out wrapped chickens to the needy inthe chilly outdoor courtyard. Those seeking food on Wednesday at St. Columbanus also received boxes with potatoes, oranges, fresh bread, peanut butter, canned goods, oatmeal, spaghetti and coffee.


"The president-elect, dressed casually in a leather jacket, black scarf and khaki pants, was in a jovial mood, calling out 'happy thanksgiving' andtelling everyone 'you can call me Barack.'


"He told reporters that he wants the girls 'to learn the importance of how fortunate they are, and to make sure they're giving back.'


"The soon-to-be first lady said the Obamas wanted to give their children 'an understanding of what giving and Thanksgiving is all about.'


"The Obama family's activities in the courtyard quickly drew the attention of schoolchildren whose windows overlooked the courtyard. They put up a sign against the glass that read: 'We love our prez' and screamed when the president-elect waved to them.


"Obama then turned to his wife and suggested they go visit the kids. Secret Service agents, looking surprised, disappeared inside the building to accommodate his request.


"Minutes later, hundreds of children were brought down to the school auditorium, and Obama loped onstage as they screamed and cheered.


"'I just wanted to come by and wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving,' he said. He then asked the children what they would be eating for Thanksgiving dinner."


(I don't know who wrote the following text.)


"So let's recap.He took his kids to work in the cold? Instead of getting someone to line up and dish the gifts? Instead of telling them 'You are kids of a VIP. Therefore there are things that you can't do.


"To show the kids that people are suffering? Yes, that people are suffering? They have to live understanding the importance of giving back to the community.Let us learn from this great family and for those who have children, this is a wonderful example of raising our kids.Peace out!"

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