Silver Linings, 2

OK, so the ubiquity of the Obamas at the news stand is an annoyance, but consider the alternative: Another round of Angelina v. Brad v. Jen v. the world, or Brittany’s latest meltdown, or whatever.

The usual celebrities will be back soon enough, but for the moment let’s bask in the glow of a very happy, very attractive family looking back at us wherever we turn.

And there’s a more serious and lasting benefit. The Obamas are black, and so we are surrounded by pictures of an intact black family, a smiling successful African-American dad who loves his wife and kids.

Icons matter, and we should all rejoice if the Obamas become the icon of black family life.