Image by PBS.org
No matter which political group you may affiliate yourself with, you have to give major ‘props’ to our President for being able to get down with some Latin music, dancing and partying. He will probably be one of the most rhythmically skilled Presidents we’ve had in forever. Make sure you watch the second video: you can see Marc Anthony dance with Jennifer Lopez, the President dancing with his daugther and later, his daugther playing the timbales. Here’s to hoping they’ll visit our website someday! The videos are after the break.
Image Taken by AP
[Update] Some commenters have pointed out the possible unfairness of the article and so, to keep things fair, here is a picture of our previous President, President George W. Bush, Livin’ La Vida Loca on stage with Ricky Martin back in 2001.
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I gave you some answers on another forum 
What a bunch of crap! It would be nice if you stuck to salsa and left the political garbage out of it. This is nothing more than a photo op for one, for another, he can’t dance.
I fail to see how this is “political garbage”. I think it is good to see that world leaders have an appreciation for Latin music and culture since it allows others to become exposed to it. I don’t see how posting something related to Hispanic and Latino cultural events during National Hispanic Heritage month would be called “political garbage”. Could you please elaborate?
Anthony. perfectly said. I agree 100% with you.
Hello Anthony. I enjoy your lessons on salsa, but I didn’t appreciate this. What Obama did is nothing more than a photo op because he’s in constant campaign mode. He needs to quit campaigning and run the country. I agree with Emily’s comment on Facebook, “He needs to quit partying and get to WORK and DO something!” It’s political bull crap that doesn’t need to be here. It was especially offensive to me that you said, “No matter which political group you may affiliate yourself with, you have to give major ‘props’ to our President for being able to get down with some Latin music, dancing and partying.” What I see is a president that is doing great harm to our country. And when you display him like that and tell me I “have to” give him “props”, it’s particularly offensive. I see it as political garbage.
We are not here to criticize what he has or has not done during his term. In similar fashion that we gave ‘props’ to our previous President, President George W. Bush, when he danced “Livin’ La Vida Loca” on stage with Ricky Martin in 2001 – it is only fair that we do the same here and hence the title of the story.
Also, just because a website blog article states “you have to” in no way can it be forced on you, in similar fashion as a television advertisement can not force you to purchase their product. The term ‘have to give props’ is a figure of speech / slang.
And for completeness and flashback here is a picture of our previous President Livin’ La Vida Loca as well (updated in the article)
On the contrary it’s always nice to see someone, no matter who, try one of our cultural representations, good for the man.
President Obama dancing salsa, good for him…..55 American soldiers die last month….mmmmmm, maybe ,just maybe, someone should be a little more focus in URGENT issues and not trivial things like Hispanics Heritage Month. I mean, I never forget Who I am and I don’t need reaffirmation, do you? . About your words “I grew up in Puerto Rico, so I’m not interested in US politics since I’ve come to learn to never trust any political figure”. It is offensive to be living here and not be interested in our future. The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the country that has been asked more than once to come and rescue the World from Tyranny and Oppression, What the heck are you doing here? just dancing ?. About “the future is in our hands” You should ask French people about their future in late 30′s under Nazi occupation, without the USA intervention, they will be speaking German. Keep dancing Anthony at least in San Francisco you have nothing to be worried.
“You should ask French people about their future in late 30’s under Nazi occupation, without the USA intervention, they will be speaking German.”
FYI, the invasion of France was in 1940, not the late 30′s.
Also, without the Russions the Americans wouldn’t have won the 2nd WW (and the other way around), but that didn’t stop you from starting the Cold War, trashing lots of countries just because th gouvernment was on the other side of the wall….
Please, don’t act like the US is sacred, ok?
My second FB post, since you would like clarification:
He’s “great” b/c he can throw-down with Latinos? ha! What I’ve always wanted in a president for sure…”fun, dynamic, can party, cool…” With these type comments, I can almost BET that most of you have not paid one bit of attention to the administration’s agenda since you voted. But heck, he’s cool. That counts for something, it appears! … Read Morepathetic. As for the above post, who cares if world leaders have an appreciation of Latin music. I absolutely love the Latin culture. LOVE IT! And those of us that love it do so for REAL reasons….not b/c Obama is subliminally telling us it’s “Okay/acceptable” to like it?? Who CARES! That was a copout explanation. I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are yours. The posts here are just comical to me.
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And I’d like to add to that: The President is not “exposing” the world to Latino culture and music…who doesn’t know about Latino music besides those in the remote jungles anyways??? Exposure? Come up with something better to explain your point. Like Sally mentioned, LOVE what you do here in terms of salsa dancing and given it’s your site, you can do as you want with it in terms of politicking…but yes, like Sally said, don’t tell your viewers we have to give him props in any form or fashion. Thanks! (yes, I am very concerned to the way this country is headed. People, take your blinders off. Many democrats already have! He got here on charm….and it’s STILL what he is using….get a new plan, Obama!) Have a good day!
Sally if you earnestly believe you can do a better job than Obama your comments would be fair – I’d love to see you try in a country that in all fairness has been f-ed over by previous leaders, and will take YEARS of many reforms to get back on its feet again.
No human on this planet could quickly fix the damage that has been done to the US and it’s reputation from those overseas. It will take time.
Now just look at the vid for what it is and please don’t think you’re sounding intelligent by “reading between the lines”. It’s just a vid showing how good it is that your leader also has a human side and a colourful (yes that’s how it’s correctly spelt) side and thank God he’s not a bastard. Oh and if he’s wife was truly upset by him having a dance with the singer (which I truly doubt) then she has issues.
Didn’t need the Bush PICTURE to be “fair” here either, Anthony….. and btw, in the video, looked like Michelle Obama was less than thrilled with her hubby getting up there. Comical in and of itself. You’re just not getting it, I’m afraid. This is one of those things where we can agree to disagree and just call a truce. Back to my main point: He needs to quit partying, get to work, and DO something. Until he DOES something, he will get no kudos from me for anything. My future is at stake. Quit with all the charming diversions, Obama. Your charm is wearing off….and I dare say no one needs Obama or Bush to “expose them” to Latino culture and appropriateness of it in America. Have a good day. Calling a truce here.
Again, the analysis of his Presidency (either) and what he does or does not do, what he has or has not done should be left to other websites and it is not for this comment thread – I think we are discussing two different topics: yours is his political accomplishments (if any) and mine, a world leader dancing to Latin music at a Latin cultural event.
If famous people are dancing to Latin music – we’ll post it, it is as simple as that.
As a final note, I grew up in Puerto Rico, so I’m not interested in US politics since I’ve come to learn to never trust any political figure. Our future is in our own hands.
This is SALSA BLOG… so chill out Emily.
GUaaaauuuuuhhhhh….. Ese presi bueno…
Anthony,
I thought that the post was appropriate for its content and it’s a shame that it had to be trashed like this. Latin music and some dancing – I get it. It’s seems that both Sally and Emily mistook your post as an endorsement of the President, his administration and his agenda. I don’t believe that to be the case here and while I may agree with their opinions on at least a couple of points, if not all, I think that in the future, Sally and Emily would prefer to voice political opinions on one (or more) of the following appropriate POLITCAL websites as their behavior here has been very disrespectful to our gracious host and to others enjoying the website.
http://www.HuffingtonPost.com
http://www.DrudgeReport.com
http://www.Politico.com
http://www.FreeRepublic.com
http://www.RealClearPolitics.com
http://www.TheHill.com
http://www.HotAir.com
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com
http://www.CrooksandLiars.com
I agree 100% with you Anthony. I Also think your post was appropiated, because as you said “is important to see that world leaders have an appreciation for Latin music and culture”, this site is all about Latin Music. Sally and Emily were very disrespectful with our friendly host I did not like their comments at all.
there are many ways to be great. obama is great in title but not great in person(i think so based on his political decissions).
i hope he can learn from salsa people what pacion is, fun expecially in interaction, variety in different people. their love to the music, the dance, the environment and atmosphere, friendship, helping hands/community … all the good things. and i hope he will get the inner strength and stamina and have an itch to turn the world to a better place.
Gotta love your censorship! Keep just posting the posts that are favorable to you and deleting the ones that are not. That’s the way to run a blog!
We have not editorialized or deleted comments.
Emily,
This fact of the matter is that this is not the forum to voice your political opinion and you are doing even further damage in the efforts to furthering your cause and getting through to people. All anybody sees at this point is the fact that you are being abrasive, bordering on abusive. I guess it’s like they say, “Never argue with a fool, especially one who can’t admit fault.”
The way I see it, it’s easier to catch flies with honey…….so be a doll and apologize for being rude in general.
@emily
there is a spam filter, like in your email software, … some comments get lost.
@mike s.
to be as good as anthony described him … obama needs to practice more. and if he would be a usual person without title he would not be here, so it is political somehow.
to describe a liar, mass murder and tourture supporter … emily’s description is still polite.(if you had lost your relatives or friends in one of his wars … you would think different(btw. bombing for peace is like f*ck*ng for virginity))
emily has right, politics is a social think like salsa and people should know more about their “kings/dictators”.
i would like one emily on the dance floor more than 1000 obamas.
Jovi,
I find it quite amusing your pointing out that Emily’s e-mails might have been identified as SPAM.
I don’t think that neither you, Sally nor Emily get the fact that Anthony’s post, while it had the slightest possible undercurrent of cultural pride having found actual footage of the leader of the free world paying homage to Latin heritage, it was clearly not politically motivated nor a show of loyalty to the Democratic party or any other party for that matter.
On another note, the observation about President Obama not being the “usual” person Anthony would post on here is totally false. Evidence to the contrary can be found at the right-side column bordering this very page. Right above the section with additional Salsa related links you can clearly see that Anthony HAS posted videos of “usual” people – Juan Matos, Frankie Martinez, Lori Perez, Juan Carlos, Henry Hererra, etc. Anthony posts more videos of “usual” people on this website than he does himself. As you can see, President Obama is in very good company.
Long and short of it all is that I’m not saying that you’re opinions are right and wrong, what I AM saying is that they do not belong on this website. Anthony did not post a video of the President’s weekly address touting his successes, nor of the President pontificating about Universal Health Care or celebrating the success of the oft-celebrated Cash-for-Clunkers program. Simplified, he posted a video of a woman singing a Latin song and then convincing President Obama to get up and dance a little (for show). If anything, it shows the President in a bit of a negative light given the First Lady’s apparent discontentment afterwards.
I am not questioning the right for Sally, Emily, or you to voice your opinion anywhere in these United States, I would just like to ask you guys to question and answer honestly whether you set any particular goal(s) in posting your politically charged accusations (or did you just aim and shoot, thinking that you would ask those very important introspective questions later), and also whether you accomplished ANY of those goals in a positive manner?
If that doesn’t do it for you, how about this for democracy – there are now seven votes to three and still counting that you guys are in the wrong. Will you now concede the high ground so that Anthony can post the video of Rush doing the Limbaugh-Limbo?!!
Any comments can be directed at me directly at urabore@yahoo.com!
don’t know why, but your sentence “so be a doll and apologize for being rude in general” made me lose control. i want to say sory.
“to describe a liar, mass murder and tourture supported [...] think like salsa and people should know more about their ‘kings/dictators’” –jovi.
Please remember, that just because we are salsa enthusiasts, it does not mean we are uninformed or uneducated about our government and current world news. A lot of us are educated professionals (doctors, engineers, teachers, business owners, lawyers, etc…). We just prefer not to discuss those types of opinions on the dance floor or on a salsa related blog (such as this one).
Mike S. posted a good list of other sites that might be a better avenue to voice the opinions you described above.
i’ve told you i’m sory – can’t do more now. if i could turn back time this post would not be there.
would you delete my posts please(all 3).
Thanks Anthony.
I enjoyed the special. Though I would have liked to see the President do a X-body lead with an inside turn, or give Justice Sotomayor a dip.
HAHAHAHAHAA, now THIS is an AWESOME reply.
Wow all this hassle over Obama dancing to Latin music … some people need to get a life
So he can’t bowl and he can dance? What kind of an american is he?
Geez I don’t know about the Americans’ perception of Obama but from here in Australia it looks like he’s doing a fantastic job – far better than what GW Bush ever did! Just because you don’t see the results in your country immediately doesn’t mean he’s not working hard in the background – it’ll take many years to undo the damage that GWB did. People need to get some perspective and realise that Obama is not God, but he’s certainly working hard to make positive change. Maybe it’s not obvious within the US but it’s certainly obvious from the viewpoint of other countries.
Nothing wrong with showing that he’s also a human being. Whoa what a concept! A president being fallible like any other human being. IMHO he’s the best thing that came out of the US since democracy itself. What Anthony was simply doing was showing that the President is a Worldy person which is EXACTLY what the US needs, and not some right-wing fascist buffoon ala the previous number.
btw Anthony love your lessons!
This is not about political affiliation. It doesn’t really matter which ‘party’/'group’ you belong to. This is pretty simple. If our past/current/future President does something Latin related (or any other leader around the world) we’d like to post it. I posted the picture because President W. Bush was our previous President. If you have any pictures of President Bill Clinton or President Bush Sr, we’d like to start a gallery. It is just hard since images and Youtube videos on the internet are mostly available after the year 2000. Anything that you may have – send it to us and we’ll gladly post it!