by Mark Silva
The turning points in American history "remind us that our American story has never been inevitable,'' President Barack Obama suggests.
He says so in the introduction to a 12-hour television series starting Sunday on HISTORY channel, America, The Story of Us.
The president's remarks open the premier episode at 9 pm EDT.
The nation's history "was made possible by ordinary people who kept their moral compass pointed straight and true when the way seemed treacherous, when the climb seemed steep and when the future seemed uncertain,'' Obama says in the opener. "People who recognized a fundamental part of our American character: that we can remake ourselves - and our nation - to fit our larger dreams."
(See a clip here:) Obama_Story_of Us__Web.mp4
As Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of HISTORY, notes, Obama's "own path marks an important chapter in our nation's ongoing story.''
The series represents the largest programming event that the network has undertaken, it says, billing the series as a "story of how America was invented, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress-- from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad, the internet of its day, to triumphing over vertical space through construction of steel structured buildings.
"The series is also a story of conflict - with Native American peoples, slavery, the revolutionary war that birthed the nation, the Civil War that divided it and the great world war that shaped its future,'' the network notes of a series opening with the first African American president, a politician whose wife traces her ancestry to Southern slaves.
The series was produced by Nutopia, a production company started by Jane Root, former president of Discovery Channel.
Comments
Yeah Mark, but the Teabaggers (the Republican base) told me that Obama was gonna be takin' ma guns, eating our babies and turning us into a Commie-Fascist-Social-Nazi country that wants to kill Granny?!?!
Glenn Beck said so too, and he's smart!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-D_S7WOnjg
Posted by: HHH | April 20, 2010 4:41 PM
Too bad the History Channel chose to politicize this series by bringing Obama in.
Posted by: Equal time | April 20, 2010 5:27 PM
I'm curious about whether the taxing of medical pot in California has been a significant boon to state tax revenues. Is it to a point where California depends on that revenue? How much does it contribute?
We all know that Illinois is in a deep hole right now, without any viable options other than raising the state income tax rate to get us out of it. I wonder how much legalizing pot and taxing the bejeebers out of it would help. I'm also curious about the effect on crime and gangs - I'm assuming legalizing pot would reduce the money that gangs and organized crime make - but would it significantly change the way they operate?
Posted by: Mike_from_Chicago | April 20, 2010 6:26 PM
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Posted by: Equal time | April 20, 2010 5:27 PM
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Yes, because broadcasting anything about a black man who overcame the racism and bigotry of the American right wing to become President of the United States, has no place our history books and would be playing politics, right Bobby's Mommy sock puppet?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUovpF9LWU
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Posted by: HHH | April 20, 2010 6:36 PM
I kind of agree with the first guy but im still gonna watch it. It looks interesting.
Posted by: Tyler | April 20, 2010 6:38 PM
I thought the greatness of this country was based upon the size of the handouts that come from the all benevolent gov't and its womb-to-the-tomb benefits. At least that is what the Democrat-Socialist-Flatliners have been saying.
Posted by: Terry | April 20, 2010 6:58 PM
I thought the greatness of this country was based upon the size of the handouts that come from the all benevolent gov't and go directly into the pockets of the Wall Street robber barons and the Military Industrial Complex? At least that is what the Republican-Fascist-Deadenders like Poser Terri have been saying.
Posted by: HHH | April 20, 2010 7:59 PM
Trickled On,
Do you mean the robber barons that financed BO's campaign? What do you think of hedge fund managers? Do you mean the military complex that "provides for the common defense"?
Posted by: Terry | April 20, 2010 9:53 PM
GOP Theft by Deception Arizona Speaks! It's always been about
civil rights.
Just not yours!
It's always been about Theft by Deception!
It's always been about "you unto him."
It's always been about what the "Secretary deems necessary."
It's always been about the "consolidation of YOU LIE, YOU LIE, unto them, unto him, unto "HER." She's the EVE in EEVS! It's what "she deems necessary." At the border! At the GOP Emergency Special Session, Emergency Billion Dollar or not Billion Dollar Speculation unto them! Unto the GOP Theft by Deception Axis of Evil Doers! They huff! They puff! They even "Filibuster unto thee! It was always about "civil rights." It was always about YOU LIE, YOU LIE brown skin, Obama brown skin, brown eye man, woman, child and your neighbor! It was always the immunity, protection and no liability! It was always
portal domination, one by one, two by two, three by three, condo by condo; commercial building by commercial building! It was always the GOP Theft by Deception Axis of Evil Doers of you unto AIG! CITI! WAMU! WAHCOVIA! It was always take it or .....B of the A! Wells of the FARGO! It was always about Big Bank Too Big to
"tell the truth" and "nothing but the truth." Heardee! Heardee! The GOP Post Bush/Cheney/Fielding/Addington/Ashcroft of you unto .....him or her! It was always about "Indian Sovereignty Rights." This land is our land, just not yours! YOU LIE! YOU LIE not unto "Z" Thee! YOU LIE, from Arizona to the Darken Doors of the Obama's House. YOU LIE! NO Papers No america for you! Just theft! Just NO! Just Hell NO! Just Deception! Just "NO VOTE" FO YOU!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 20, 2010 10:10 PM
Mayor Gordon Speaks! Sure you are American Born! Get out of here! No papers NO Mayor for you! YOU LIE! No Birth Certificate no Mayoral for you! Just "stop!" Stop in the Obama YOU LIE, YOU LIE GOP TEA PARTAY America First Degree! It's the McCain Doctrine. It's the AZSCAM KYL Doctrine of us unto you! Born in the USA! We want proof! We want PASSPORTS! We want Birth Certificates. Mayor! We got "Sanctions." They got "Corporate Attestations" of CATTLE CONGRESS unto you! No proof! No Mayor for you! Just the PARTY of NO! Just the TEA PARTY of stop! Stop! You're all "under arrest." YOU LIE! YOU LIE, brown skin, brown eye OBAMA, YOU LIE!
You want to be MAYOR! Of what America? Of what Chicago? You a Felon in yo own AMERICA!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 20, 2010 10:29 PM
Politicizing it, hes the freaking President and you act like he has nothing to contribute to History! Bush went on a history channel special in his second term, look it up!
Posted by: Aaron | April 21, 2010 3:54 AM
Geez...talk about not understanding your audience.
Why History Channel executive chose to have Mr. 45% approval rating frame the opening of this landmark series is beyond me.
Dumb...reeeeaallly dumb.
Posted by: The Ugly American | April 21, 2010 4:25 AM
The history of this nation was made possible by people who desired to get away from an over taxed society and obtain more personal freedoms. Something Obama has been working hard to take CHANGE. In response to HHH's response forthcoming. Just shut up already HHH. Nobody cares what you think! I hear Iceland is a broke socialist country with cheap real estate right about now. Time for you to move since the fit seems perfect.
Posted by: wingnut master | April 21, 2010 8:58 AM
I forgot we revolted against the British bc of high taxes. Not taxation without representation. Way to distort history wingnut master.
Posted by: uggh | April 21, 2010 2:58 PM
Not Racist, not violent and NOT SILENT anymore.
Posted by: Magnus | April 25, 2010 9:49 PM
Too bad this much-awaited and ballyhooed program is more an infomercial for bailed out Bank of America than a thoughtful and accurate lesson in history, much of which is glossed over in deference to CGI.
Posted by: Ed Grimely | April 26, 2010 10:13 AM
Yeah, I was saddened to see Mr. Nanny State do the intro about brave people who fought to be free in this country. So far I think the series is very well done, but it put a bad taste in my mouth to see a person (Obama) who has no regard for individual rights do the intro. The first Americans were awesome. Those who still fight for liberty are awesome too. Enough of the politicians and their hypocritical leader.
Posted by: Ann | April 30, 2010 1:39 AM
If you listen to what he says he's talking bout reforming the government, changing it completely.
Posted by: Brad | May 5, 2010 6:17 PM