Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, Illinois
Richmond Times, Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia
Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Nebraska
El Nuevo Herald, Miami, Florida
Ever since I started my day today, I have been bombarded with images of Abraham Lincoln. Interestingly, not far behind each of the references to Lincoln is one to President Obama, as if the two were forever intertwined.
President Obama has not been shy about identifying with the Illinois rail splitter. Mr. Obama announced his presidential candidacy at the old Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, where Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech. At that time, Mr. Obama said that Lincoln “had his doubts. He had his defeats. He had his setbacks. But through his will and his words, he moved a nation and helped free a people.” Tonight, President Obama returns there for a speech commemorating the Bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth.
As the nation marks the anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the image of the sixteenth president seems to be everywhere, including the front pages of several newspapers, of which I have made a selection. The birthday celebration is made more significant this year because of the new President Obama, who has made it a point to let everyone know how much he admires Lincoln. Ironically, the photograph that most of us remember of Lincoln gives us an image of a sad looking man, a tragic figure of sorts, which, in a sense, he was.
Remember that Candidate Obama from day one of his run for President told reporters that Lincoln was his favorite president. His pre-inaugural train trip from Philadelphia to Washington partially traced the route taken by Lincoln. Not to mention that Obama took the oath of office on the same Bible that Lincoln used at his inaugural. He has also emulated Lincoln by naming some members of the opposing political party to his cabinet. The comparisons are everywhere, including the fact that both men tend to remain calm through whatever God sends their way.
According to various experts appearing on a special CNN program today, From Lincoln to Obama, Mr. Obama follows a long line of presidents who have venerated Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt had a ring that contained a lock of Lincoln’s hair. During the depths of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon quoted Lincoln in an address to the nation. Nixon recalled this Lincoln statement: “If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything.”
Go www.cnn.com
When disaster strikes: front pages tell the story
The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
MX, Brisbane, Australia
The Border Mail, Albury, Australia
While on the subject of front pages, these are noteworthy ones, from The Oklahoman, visually telling the story of the tornadoes that have ravaged the area the past few days, as well as the ones from Australia, with follow up stories about a fire, allegedly set by arsonists, which is responsible for killing more than 200.
Visually stimulating way to understand stimulus package
The Virginian Pilot, Norfolk, Virginia
Doing it differently, and making it easier to understand, front page of The Virginian Pilot, where Art Director Deborah Withey and her team manage to do it again: to translate the difficult into visually appealing images that all of us can relate to. Bravo.
….and a Type Attack on Page One
Het Niewuwsblad, Brussels, Belgium
Whenever I see a type attack on a front page, I jump to attention. Today, it is this daily newspaper from Brussels, Belgium. Nice treatment of the headline as the main element of the page. It is the Het Niewuwsblad, in the Flemish language, and I am hoping one of my friends out there in Belgium will let me know what this powerfully displayed headline says. Whatever it does say, one can’t deny the power of this front page. Again, when no good photos are available, reach out for your font drawer and attack them with type and color. It works.
For ice cream (and Obama) lovers
This is one of those emails I just got that will probably be copied and sent around the globe by the thousands in the next few hours:
Ben & Jerry created “Yes Pecan!” ice cream flavor for Obama.
They then asked people to fill in the blank for the following: For George W. they created “_________”.
Here are some of their favorite responses:
– Grape Depression
– Abu Grape
– Cluster Fudge
– Nut’n Accomplished
– Iraqi Road
– WireTapioca
– Impeach Cobbler
– Guantanmallow
– imPeachmint
– The Reese’s-cession
– Cookie D’oh!
TheMarioBlog posting #191.