There may be some matters of life and death or highest principle, which might justify such a risk, but there aren't many things that fall in this category.
Perhaps the most surprising moment of the president?s appearance came in a video produced by the White House showing Mr. Obama considering how to spend his time after leaving office.
Perhaps even earlier, there had emerged on the steppes of Inner Eurasia the distinctive types of pastoralism that were to dominate the region's history for several millennia.
Perhaps this is what photos are for: to remind us that we all appreciate beauty, that we all share a common desire for pleasure, for connection, for something that is greater than us.