Reading The Pictures: Obama Inhaled, Still Does Sometimes

If this picture had been released during the campaign, it would certainly have been appropriated for "gotcha" purposes. That explains why former Occidental College classmate Lisa Jack had these photos of Obama locked up in a safe deposit box till now.

If the images serve a purpose going forward -- beyond confirming the early and long-standing nature of Obama's cool, jaunty side -- I would hope this one does have some traction.

Obama, if somewhat reluctantly, has spoken up recently about his battle with nicotine. To the extent that the man has been over-idealized, part of the post-election process in building a more pragmatic relationship with Obama involves realizing the man -- like all of us -- has and feels his stresses; has both constructive and not-so-constructive releases for them; and, yes, does have his demons.

See the whole series: Obama: The College Years (TIME)

For more visual politics, visit BAGnewsNotes.com (and BAGnewsNotes @Twitter).

(image Lisa Jack, Eagle Rock, CA., 1980)

Follow Michael Shaw on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bagnewsnotes

Comments

[flash LI]

I don't see that anyone is making a big deal about the Prez smoking. I see ppl making a big deal about others making a big deal about the Prez smoking. Why?

I believe some ppl are disturbed about so very little being known about him. We know less about him than any person ever elected to the President. Why has Obama sealed ALL his college records, his medical records, show us a shortened, easily forged version of his birth certificate. What is there to hide?

[Social Construct]

like the hat.

[lisakaz2]

It's just a stylizing pic for a photog. I don't get what the big deal is.

[suntzu]

Please get your facts straight before you lecture others on political ethics. These pictures were in possession of the photographer Lisa Jack for thirty years before she dug them up again. Obama did not even know they existed, much less release them for public gawking. Your premise that a politician has to reveal every jot and tittle of their past personal life is idiotic.
And how many politiican's reveal their original birth certificate? Get real, man.
You are just after Obama because he is Obama, and maybe because he is half-black.

[joebiz]

Why don't we all point the finger at tobacco companies . . . they got our Prez hooked on nicotine.

[JScott]

Oh please I dunno why this is such an issue, I mean with Facebook and Myspace there are millions of folks out there with cheesy pics like this, and don't forget there are still naked pics of Gov. Arnold out there in the internet ether.

[flash LI]

Hmmm... are you sure that not a fatty? lol

I brought that pic into Photoshop and examined it:

1. The cigarette is either a roll-you-own cigarette (tobacco), a filterless tobacco cigarette (is squeezed easier) or a joint.

2. The ash is a little longer than your average cigarette, so it's either a joint or a slightly moist cigarette.

3. The eyes are almost closed.... could be squinting from the effect of smoke in the eyes - however, it doesn't seem to be a 'squint' because the upper eyelids are falling lower, not from a muscle contraction (as in a squint), but because the smoker is really tired or possibly stoned.

4. It seems that the 'drag' on this cigarette is significant. People who smoke cigarettes don't usually take a long drag. Pot smokers do.

Now, with that being said, we've got to realize that we come out of a culture where a lot of people have smoked pot before. I have! I really don't have a problem with that being in a candidates past. It's like drinking beer in college.

BUT, what I do have issue with is hiding ALL your important records from your past - college admission, thesis, medical records, the original birth certificate (not just a simplified copy).

What a person does in their personal life is their business, but hiding important documents when you are APPLYING for the top job in America is very suspect. What is there to hide if everything is cool?

[0whole1]

I don't think anything was hidden per se, if you mean the notion that Obama smoked -- doesn't he mention it in his book "Dreams of my Father"? I've only just started it, but I think he mentions it somewhere in the book...

[exhale09]

Sure like his hat!

[disconcerted08]

Where can I get this picture on a poster? 24x36. I've got an empty spot right between James Dean and Che in my den.

[SKOC211]

I've been wondering the same thing! These pictures need to be made into a poster - it would fit nicely next to my James Dean as well.

[wagthedog1001]

LMAO! I want a piece of that commission when it comes out. I love it.

If only some of our other leaders would inhale something. Most don't even seem to get O2!!!!!

[fiftyseven]

This is none of our business.

[BlueZoo]

So what?

[Ed438]

Never understood smoking and I've never smoked---anything. I've observed that those I know who try to quit tend to revert when they get stressed; nicotine patches or not. So I hardly think Barack is going to be quitting anytime soon.

I certainly long abused alcohol but I stopped in '90 or '91. I do drink a glass of red wine evenings since a few years ago (purely for health reasons, y'understand.).

But nothing stronger!

(No, really!)

[InedaName]

Twenty years ago, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said that nicotine is more physically addictive than HEROIN. So why are cigarettes legal, federally regulated and taxed, affordable, easily obtainable, marketed, and advertised when they are directly attributable to thousand of deaths annually? Because people don't have to resort to selling their bodies or mugging people to score a pack of Marlboros?

[wagthedog1001]

The Church Lady is behind you! Who makes him do this? Is it SATAAAAAAAAN?

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

Because the Tobacco Lobby pays Congress to keep Nicotine off of the controlled substances schedule.

[Ed438]

I also don't understand why AA, though it may turn people away from the sauce, seems to turn many of them on to nicotine instead. I'd attended two meetings and though they forbade smoking, this was entirely due to where they were meeting and they were very apologetic about the ban.

Lobbyists, tobacco and otherwise, should be banned in general but I think it won't happen anytime soon.

[sloreader]

BHO, keep your feet warm and your head cool.

[chalo]

He smoked, wore a cool hat, and is ....... GASP ...... cool!! Mr. Obama may not be all we Progressives want, and may disappoint from time to time, (I've made my own feelings known), but he is human, and not Superman! OMG: people, get a friggin' life!! If this picture is all you can come up with, this is truly sad! Bush/Cheney committed war crimes, etc. Let's keep things in perspective!!

[amcg50]

According to Hannity; if the liberal media had allowed these pictures to be seen prior to the election Obama would have been defeated!

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

He was pallin' around with the Marlboro Man.

[Eyewideopen]

or he would have received a bigger mandate.

[BLinCincinnati]

Hannity is a tool. It wouldn't have made a difference. It was already well known that he had smoked pot. Hell, when asked about it he even said on TV: "yes, I inhaled…a lot. That was sort of the point.”