President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama delivered their final Christmastime weekly address on Saturday, wishing families across the U.S. a joyous holiday.The Obamas are continuing their annual tradition of spending Christmas in Hawaii, where they will remain until after New Years. In their weekly address, the President and First Lady look back at their first joint holiday address, which appeared to tickle the commander-in-chief. The Obamas also thanked U.S. troops for their service and urged people to find ways to support them during the holidays.
Read the entire address below:
THE PRESIDENT: Merry Christmas everybody! One of the best parts of the holiday season is spending time with the special people in your life. And for me, that means getting some help from my best friend for our annual Christmas Weekly Address.
THE FIRST LADY: Given how our first Christmas Weekly Address went, I realized that Barack needed all the help he could get.
[PAUSE]
THE FIRST LADY: Celebrating the holidays in the White House over these past eight years has been a true privilege. Weve been able to welcome over half a million guests our outstanding pastry chefs have baked 200,000 holiday cookies and Barack has treated the American people to countless dad jokes.
THE PRESIDENT: Although a few got a Frosty reception.
THE FIRST LADY: This years White House holiday theme is The Gift of the Holidays, and our decorations reflect some of our greatest gifts as a nation: from our incredible military families, to the life-changing impact of a great education.
THE PRESIDENT: And the greatest gift that Michelle and I have received over the last eight years has been the honor of serving as your President and First Lady. Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low. We secured health insurance for another twenty million Americans, and new protections for folks who already had insurance. We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more.
By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we first got here. And Im hopeful well build on the progress weve made in the years to come.
Tomorrow, for the final time as the First Family, we will join our fellow Christians around the world to rejoice in the birth of our Savior. And as we retell His story from that Holy Night, well also remember His eternal message, one of boundless love, compassion and hope.
THE FIRST LADY: The idea that we are our brothers keeper and our sisters keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated. And that we care for the sick feed the hungry and welcome the stranger no matter where they come from, or how they practice their faith.
THE PRESIDENT: Those are values that help guide not just my familys Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds. And no one better embodies that spirit of service than the men and women who wear our countrys uniform and their families.
THE FIRST LADY: As always, many of our troops are far from home this time of year, and their families are serving and sacrificing right along with them. Their courage and dedication allow the rest of us to enjoy this season. Thats why weve tried to serve them as well as theyve served this country. Go to JoiningForces.gov to see how you can honor and support the service members, veterans and military families in your community not just during the holidays, but all year round.
THE PRESIDENT: So as we look forward to the New Year, lets resolve to recommit ourselves to the values we share. And on behalf of the all the Obamas Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo, and that troublemaker Sunny Merry Christmas, everybody.
THE FIRST LADY: And we wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2017 thanks, and God bless.
Now, go pay your taxes and shut the fuck up while you have reduced rights, liberties and freedoms.
#1: buckeroo To: All (#0)
buckeroo posted on 2016-12-25 20:27:22 Reply Private Reply
#2: GrandIsland To: buckeroo (#0)
GrandIsland posted on 2016-12-25 20:28:39 Reply Private Reply
#3: buckeroo To: GrandIsland (#2)
Oh .. and thanks so much.
buckeroo posted on 2016-12-25 20:32:46 Reply Private Reply
#4: Fred Mertz To: buckeroo (#3)
And God bless.
Fred Mertz posted on 2016-12-25 20:43:03 Reply Private Reply
#5: redleghunter To: buckeroo (#0)
redleghunter posted on 2016-12-25 20:44:37 Reply Private Reply
#6: rlk To: buckeroo (#0)
They are not my brothers and sisters and I am not their keeper.
rlk posted on 2016-12-25 20:53:08 Reply Private Reply
#7: buckeroo To: Fred Mertz (#4)
buckeroo posted on 2016-12-25 21:07:53 Reply Private Reply
#8: buckeroo To: rlk (#6)
Oh my! Spread the Joy of Christmas and pay your taxes or the SWAT will see soon.
buckeroo posted on 2016-12-25 21:19:11 Reply Private Reply
#9: no gnu taxes To: buckeroo (#0)
I'd rather eat my own vomit.
no gnu taxes posted on 2016-12-25 22:25:35 Reply Private Reply
#10: redleghunter To: no gnu taxes (#9)
My sentiments as well.
redleghunter posted on 2016-12-25 22:47:55 Reply Private Reply