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October 6, 2008 at 15:32:39
by Leisha Camden (Posted by Donna Roepenack) Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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SGARDSTRAND (VG) Mary was a newlywed and ready to move to Norway, but was stopped at the airport because she didn't have enough money for the trip. Then a stranger turned up and paid for her. "You'll have to pay a $103r surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway," the man behind the counter said. Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call. "I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions," says Mary. Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy. 
Mary Menth Andersen was 31 years old at the time and had just married Norwegian Dag Andersen. She was looking forward to starting a new life in sgårdstrand in Vestfold with him. But first she had to get all of her belongings across to Norway. The date was November 2nd, 1988. At the airport in Miami things were hectic, as usual, with long lines at the check-in counters. When it was finally Mary's turn and she had placed her luggage on the baggage line, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness.
"I started to cry, tears were pouring down my face, and I had no idea what to do," she said. Then I heard a gentle and friendly voice behind me saying, "That's OK, I'll pay for her." Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before. He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive.
The first thing I thought was, "Who is this man?" Although this happened twenty years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man. "He was fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants," says Mary. She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.
The piece of paper said 'Barack Obama' and listed his address in Kansas, which is the state where his mother came from. Mary carried the slip of paper around in her wallet for years, before it was thrown out. "He was my knight in shining armor," says Mary, smiling. She paid back the $103 to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university.
In the spring of 2006 Mary's parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter eighteen years earlier. In a letter to Mary's parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped 'United States Senate, Washington DC,' Barack Obama wrote:
"I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I'm happy I could help back then, and I'm delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes." Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States Senator.
The parents sent the letter on to Mary.
This week VG met her and her husband in the café that she runs with her friend Lisbeth Tollefsrud in Sgårdstrand. "It's amazing to think that the man who helped me 20 years ago may now become the next U.S. president," says Mary delightedly. She has already voted for Obama. She recently donated $100 to his campaign. She often tells the story from Miami airport, both when race issues are raised and when the conversation turns to the presidential elections.
"I sincerely hope the Americans will see reason and understand that Obama means change," says Mary.
Norway
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/presidentvalg-2008/artikkel.php?artid=527005
This is not a big or important story. But it is a nice story and if one is voting for a person, and not just for a political platform, it might be interesting to hear it. Somehow I don't see this story being covered in American media much, so let's count this as one blogger's contribution to the news coverage of the 2008 election.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
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Thank you for this story
I must admit I was skeptical about it, so I took time to the read the Norwegian account. My Norwegian was never really good, and it's rusty after almost 60 years, but I could tell the translation was for real. by Margaret Bassett (45 articles, 2909 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 1851 comments [99 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Oct 6, 2008 at 3:36:01 PM  (0+)
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Wipee ... he bought a ticket and sold us out
To bad that same man isn't running for office today, because the Barrack Obama running for office sold us all down the river to buy a ticket for criminal bankers so he could secure his place in the New World Order. What happened to that man that would do an act of kindness to one person and this past week spit in the face of over 90% of his fellow Americans by giving in to his corporate buddies and international bankers? Tell us, I'd like to know? One act of kindness cannot erase what this traitor did last week, can't erase the fact that he wants to continue this false "war on terror', refuses to consider evidence that 9/11 needs to be investigated, has nothing to say about CODEX Alimentarius, our corrupt e-voting, impeachment, charges against bush administration for crimes against humanity or caved on FISA. If you can explain why this supposed "man of hope and change" ignored the majority of this countries people last week, it won't change my mind about him, but I'd just like to know how you justify voting for a man that votes against your best interests? Maybe I can than get a glimpse into the kind of mental illness that causes this kind of denial and delusion. by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Monday, Oct 6, 2008 at 6:26:35 PM (0+)
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Reply: polls
I may be wrong but I don't think the polls reflect your conclusions. Did you see Gallup polls today? Maybe you are speaking of the bailout as first proposed by Bush? Tnut. by Tnut (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 16 diaries, 49 comments) on Monday, Oct 6, 2008 at 9:53:00 PM (0+)
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Reply: An Unscrupulous Comment!
You are calling my attitude mentally ill? Mine, along with a majority of Americans? You are the traitor . . either that or you are delusional! You judge me with contempt and condescension, and you don't even know me. I welcome all comments, especially those well thought out and on both sides. But you attack me personally, which is unconscionable and unscrupulous. And you are saying that Barack Obama is a traitor? I suggest you read the latest article from Rolling Stones on John McCain at http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1 by Donna Roepenack (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Tuesday, Oct 7, 2008 at 10:08:05 AM (0+)
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This is Obama
What a wonderful example of why America is so lucky to have someone like Senator Obama willing to vie for the highest office in the land. To have someone with his caring personality backed by a strong sense of right and duty ready to take over the reigns from the current occupier of the oval office is an absolute Godsend. Thank you Lord! by Archie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1750 comments [111 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Oct 7, 2008 at 5:11:04 PM (0+)
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realist
I suggest you all withold judgement until Obama gets elected. I'm sure he would agree re: words VS. actions. Nevertheless, remember what happened to John F. Kennedy, the guy who tried to stop the official theft which is the Federal Reserve by establishing the silver certificate as US legal currency. Somebody shot him. So before you condemn Obama, remember first he must get to office. Calling for a reduction in the obscene Pentagon budget might solve many problems but it would certainly disqualify him from electability. Recommending phasing out the Federal Reserve system which steals food from children and dollars from their dads would solve the economic problem but it would disable Obama as a candidate. Ending our subhuman foreign wars and hundreds of military bases overseas would solve a lot of problems but would end his viability as a candidate. All these solutions are simple and certain to improve the well-being of we, the people. There are other ideas and innovations Obama has no doubt considered also. But he must get elected first-- and then deal with reality. The forces of wealth and corporate power are not going away quietly. Allow Obama to choose his own strategies to help America more fully realize her ideals. Otherwise you will tie his hands just as much as Bush is attempting to with the bailouts, berserker invasions and bloated budgets. Obama is a good man and I bet he knows more than I do about this stuff as well as the law. I know he is well aware of what he is doing and what he can and must do to further the American Dream. But beyond all that, he is our only chance at winning. Lots of rats feel pretty silly when the ship they deserted doesn't sink. Now we have a chance to change things. Are you deserting the ship? by martinweiss (41 articles, 6 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 503 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008 at 1:15:34 AM (0+)
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This is our Obama
Donna Thanks so much for this precious story and please don't place any importance in what Mr M says. The M is for mother but it is only half a word. by Bryan Emmel (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 415 comments [32 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008 at 2:53:09 AM (0+)
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