Obama is not even in office yet but already has a holiday named after him
By jonesy123
@jonesy123 (3948)
United States
December 3, 2008 6:29pm CST
If this trend catches on, we soon will be able to add another holiday to our calendar: Barack Obama Day.
Although Obama is officially not in office yet and only President-elect the commissioners of Alabama's Perry County went ahead and approved the second Monday in November as "The Barack Obama Day" as a new annual holiday. For the government employees in this county this means an additional paid day off. (There are about 40 of them.) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_on_re_us/obama_holiday;_ylt=Aqqz2GwAHbuQpdsDFJcT7ZGs0NUE
Maybe this catches on and there'll be a National Barack Obama Day, lol;)
So now we have coins, plates, ornaments, scarves.... and a paid holiday off... His fan base will be happy;)
3 people like this
15 responses
@gwoman2 (710)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Oh goody goody for me, I'll have my day "off" back, since being in Government/County Administration the day after Thanksgiving was taken away...except if you are in the union...and Administration employees are not allowed to be in the union!
Anyone remember Roosevelt? Way, way back...he was also very popular...I remember the framed 11 x 17 or bigger hanging in my Mom's living room...also the throw pillows were only for show...and the statuettes, oh my gosh...my Mom had a vast collection...we, as children could not, were not permitted to touch them:-( We didn't understand why then...but I certainly can relate to the uforia that has overtaken most of America...this is a historic and very important year for us all...143 years after slavery was abolished! That's all it took, just 143 YEARS.
And...people should not expect him to be able to "fix" everything...I don't believe that the President has the only word on everything...there are always caucusus and the like, there is congress, the senate...and so on... I believe he will try his best to see to all those things which he promised...but people should remember that he does not work alone!
Some people act as though the President's word is the end all and be all of everything...it's not.
~G~
2 people like this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Although it's nice to have a paid day off, I think it's a bit premature. I think those days should be awarded after the term(s) are over not before he even started, lol.
Anyhow, yes, you are right the President's word is not the end all/be all. He'll have his work cut out for him to deliver on those promises as the support for him can quickly wane, if he doesn't.
As to all the knickknacks with his picture on them. I still think it's a bit much. I'd never buy that stuff anyway, no matter whose picture is on there.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
4 Dec 08
Oh I guess you just elected a very popular president that even holidays are being named after him. I guess, its not only in your country he is well known, but the world as well was awed by his charm. Hopefully he would truly fulfill his duties when he is seated on White House. The world will be watching him very closely because much is expected from him in this times where the world is experiencing recession and slowing down of economy.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Thus far it's only a small county that named a day after him. But who knows, it could eventually be a national one. I didn't vote for him and think the adoration is a bit over the top. But you are right, pretty much everybody is expecting him to perform a miracle with the economy. Won't happen IMO. He is only human and not much of an economist to boot;)
2 people like this
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Get out of here. That's about a couple hundred miles away from me up the country. Although I am happy that Obama made it in, to me that's a bit much. But, hey, if you can afford for it to happen, let it happen and enjoy the day on the county's dime. Even though Alabama swung with McCain on the Electoral vote, I know for a fact that those thousands that I saw at the polls were definitely voting for him too because I NEVER in the whole eight years I have been voting there, that was the LARGEST number of people I have seen period. that was a large turnout.
1 person likes this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I'd think most people would enjoy a paid day off anyday, lol. According to the article the majority of the people in that county voted for Obama. But just like you, I think it's a bit much, especially since he is not even in office yet. I think stuff like that should be done after he is done being president.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
4 Dec 08
A humble man would not and should not condone a day be named for him. Especially a man who has done nothing to warrant the attention he is getting. This is not about a man, it is about a country.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I don't think he was asked about it, but they sent the info to him and his transition team after it was all said and done. One county is fine, but what if this catches on? Would he really want a day named after him and make it a holiday?
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
5 Dec 08
If Obama had done something great or heroic, I might be able to see it; but so far, he's only made speeches. I think people are taking this bowing and scraping a bit too far.
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I think this is down-right ridiculous. Aside from being the first black Presidant, what s so special about Obama that makes him an more deserving of the attention and fame than any other Presidant we have ever had in this country? I hate to see what is next.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
5 Dec 08
I agree. The hype is definitely going into overdrive. Maybe we'll have to rename the country next;)
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Yes, that just may be a little over the top.. Day off is ok with me.. but paid? Not yet at least!
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
5 Dec 08
As with so many other holidays, government employees are usually paid but others are often not. Government employees often also observe more holidays than others. Just look at the post office;)
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Yep, the people benefiting from a paid holiday will be happy;) I want one, just think it's premature to call it Obama Day...
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Heck, if I were one of those 40 employees in that county I'd probably be pretty happy but since I'm not it really doesn't affect me one way or another. If a large number of people there voted for Obama and they have no problem with it I guess it's fine!
Annie
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Of course they can vote for anything they want, lol. Just thought it's a bit odd and premature, that's all. There is so much hype going around. This is just one more of those things;)
@Drumman (305)
• United States
4 Dec 08
This is a rediculous holiday. Obama doesn't deserve a holiday any more than Martin Luther King Jr deserves one. Nobody else in Amarican History has their own day, not even presidents. Columbus day wasn't celebrated until the 400 year anniversary of landing in America and it was to celebrate his landing, not the man himself.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
5 Dec 08
I agree that he as of yet doesn't really deserve a holiday to be named after him. He really hasn't accomplished much yet other than being the first black president, which I guess we should celebrate that there is a black president now after all the race issues this country had and still has. But him as a person is missing a major accomplishment that would warrant such a day. I take the day off, especially paid, just don't expect me to celebrate. My guess is if this goes national, the stores will take it as another sales day just like Columbus, Labor, and Veterans day..;)
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I see to, that there is already a coin with his face on it...quarter I believe it was.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Coin, plates, pillows, scarfs, all kind of stuff by now... although yes it's a historic moment, it's a bit out of hand IMO.
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Eh, it's no skin off my nose, any of it. People find ways to profit off any large event - witness 9/11 memorial plates, Space Shuttle commemorative coins and other "commemorative" memorabilia. November 4, 2008 was an historic day for the U.S. - it would have been just as historic if we had elected a woman to the presidency, or a Latino/a, and that person would have had their face plastered on all the garbage that people are buying as souvenirs of the day.
As far as the holiday - whatever. It's not a national holiday and it doesn't affect me. So one little county in one state decided to honor the occasion with a paid holiday. Give it a few years and I bet someone introduces a resolution to change the name of the holiday to make it more generic (but don't expect municipal workers to give up a paid holiday they've managed to get passed!)
@syfarisk (378)
• Malaysia
4 Dec 08
Hehe. Then all of you you should be very happy. One more holiday to your calendar. One more day for you to relax and not work.
Hopefully when Obama's in the office he will make changes to the US as promised. I have a positive feeling that he will fulfill his promises well. He has shown that he has great qualities of a great President.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Well, who couldn't use another day off, especially, if one gets paid. Unfortunately, thus far it's only in one small county, which in size seems to be comparable to a small town. How he will turn out to be as president.. well, we'll have to see, won't we? Not everybody will agree with you that he as the qualities of a great President. He can talk the talk, yes, but can he walk the walk???
@forceflow (17)
• United States
4 Dec 08
i do not personally like barack obama
but now a holiday!!! thats just full gold monkey mouse BS
any way i will not partipate in this holiday i think it is just no fair.
all the other president share the same b-day so there can be more work
same with the dates they all got elected on the same day its not fair "obama"
gets an entire holiday all to him self (i just dont like the idea!!!!!!!!!
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
5 Dec 08
Yep, it's weird. I like a day off but I most certainly will not celebrate him the person. Yes, it's a historic moment, so were men on the moon, don't see them or NASA having a special day either;)
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
4 Dec 08
According to his plan I'll never have to work again, it will Obama day every day.
