about today's awe inspiring day down in D.C.
First, as Denzel said in "Training Day": "What a day, what a m****r f*****g day."
Watching all those people on the Mall; black and white, rich and poor, coming from all corners of the country and the world to witness history, was moving. It was such a great moment in our history that even the haters on the right (more on them in a minute) couldn't mess it up.
Was there some stumbles? Sure there was. Like when Chief Justice Roberts caught a brain lock while swearing in his O ness. I mean what the hell was he rushing through it like that for? Was he that cold? Did the thought of having to swear in a black man piss him off that much? Geeez. And when Rev. Lowery, god bless his 87 year old heart....you know what, I am going to leave that one alone.
And Dick, you are not fooling anybody. Sprained your back moving my ass. You were in a wheel chair because you did not want to have to stand up for his O ness. It was your final "F" you to a man and a movement who and which you despise and which is the very antithesis of everything you stand for. So tonight when you jump up out of that chair and start planning how to spend the millions you stole from us, may you fall on your fat ass and hurt your back "fo" real this time.
But at the end of the day the good far outweighed the bad. The haters on the right are all saying that Obama's speech was weak, that he came up short, that it wasn't awe inspiring and on and on. (Like every time a black man gives a speech he has to be Martin all over again) They all were waiting for an "I Have A Dream" moment, it didn't happen. He gave a speech, and it was a good one, (better than the one that most presidents have given) it might not have been what we have come to expect from his O ness, but damn it the man doesn't have to hit a home run every time he comes to the plate. Doubles and triples will get the job done, too. And that's what he hit today, a nice solid double. He didn't even have to slide into second.
But the folks on the right have Barack Derangement Syndrome (BDR) already and the man hasn't even been president for eight hours yet. For a real treat you have to go to some of these wing nut blogs to see what they are saying ( I gave you a little here later). I am telling you Obamaholics you are going to have to work really hard to keep the "hateration" out of your O -Aid. Hey, I will confess: I had Bush Derangement Syndrome. But I didn't get that shit until after he took us to war and after Katrina. You wingnuts have BDS way too early in the game.
So here is hoping that everyone makes it home safely. I keep thinking of that beautiful lady, Ella Mae Johnson, and others like her who never dreamed that they would live to see this day, and I hope that everything went well for them. I can't help but think of those school children who will see all of this and have the best civic lesson of their life. I am thinking of the folks who went to D.C. with little money, no lodging, and just the clothes on their backs. Not to mention the thousands of people (black and white) who volunteered their time and energy, and who were a part of a movement, and finally got a chance to see their dream realized. Now they can throw the bums out and fumigate the joint.
But Obamaholics, just to keep you grounded and give you some perspective from the right. Here is what some of the wingnuts over at a site called "Wizbang" were saying that they were going to be doing today:
"So, what do you good people intend to do tomorrow, that is, if you have the misfortune off having off for the day?"
"My day will be spent watching the Back to the Future trilogy, and a dvd marathon of old Star Trek episodes. The Tribbles never looked so good."
Posted by LaMedusa January 19, 2009 5:06 PM
"No intent to watch - I've seen enough of the One's visage on plaques, coffee mugs and tee-shirts. I wondered though - does the One get 10% juice money off all his promo material? Was it all made in China?
I probably *should* watch, though - just to see if his eyes dart around will promising to "uphold and defend the Constitution..."'
Posted by apb January 19, 2009 5:17 PM
I probably *should* watch, though - just to see if his eyes dart around will promising to "uphold and defend the Constitution..."'
Posted by apb January 19, 2009 5:17 PM
"What's the big deal, just another brothah moving into government housing.". Posted by Chris Rock January 19, 2009 5:41 PM
"Spending the day at the local rifle range. I think it's appropriate.". Posted by GarandFan January 19, 2009 6:58 PM
"I have to work, but if I didn't I'd do something really constructive - in keeping with the festive occasion - clean my toilet! Much more satisfying - at least when I'm done, I will have accomplished something worthwhile!" Posted by FedUp January 19, 2009 9:33 PM
Obamaholics, you still have some work to do before you bring our country together.
87 comments:
Hey field, I don't think it's a sign of being a right-wing hater to have been underwhelmed by the speech. I think Obama's oratory has been better than it was this time, but that doesn't mean that I didn't have tears and in eyes and feel a chill down my spine when he was sworn in and they played Hail to the Chief.
Obama jumped the gun, and Roberts flubbed his lines. That one belongs in the "shit happens" category. By the way, I loved Lowery's talk. I laughed -- with him, not at him.
All in all it was a great day for this country. I can't help wishing Obama had aimed a little higher in his speech, though.
By the way, the complaints from the wingnut peanut gallery are falling down funny. I've been wandering around the Internet and seeing some of the postings, and have been laughing my ass off at their discomfort!
I had the pleasure of being one of two million people who personally witnessed today's beautiful event on the Mall. I have never seen so many people in my life and not a single one was hostile. The cold didn't matter because the sun shone bright. Rev. Lowery was wonderful and no one was more deserving of the privilege. The best moments were when Obama said "So help me God" and when the crowd jeered Bush on his last minutes in office. Priceless!! The worst moments were the totally incompetent FEMA-like security and crowd control. Whoever was in charge of this operation should be fired immediately by President Obama. Tens of thousands who held tickets to certain sections were not allowed in. At the end of the event, someone in crowd control forgot that over one million people would suddenly want to get out of the cold and that they would try to leave the way they came--by Subway and out of the usual exits. The closest subway stations were closed and many exits were blocked. Hundreds of thousands of people, most from out of town and very cold, wandered aimlessly and risked getting crushed by the crowd as they ran into barricade after barricade. There was NO ONE to direct people to the exits (where were the 15 thousands soldiers and police brought in for security?). A perfect day was ruined for thousands. Heckuva job, Bushie! I hope Congress or Obama investigates this so that it never happens again.
An excerpt from President Obama’s speech:
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
Although, I believe old hatred will not pass because it is what keeps the Rush Limbaughs in the world feeling superior to others, but I honestly believe they are the minority in AMERICA.
Therefore, I do not give a DAMN about how fanatics of the RIGHT feel about our President, because their hatred cannot take away the feeling I feel today or any other day. It's pathetic!
Sidebar: ""INDEPENDENCE DAY" "
LOL. Happy reddens. And thank God there isn't a George Bush III to continue this bloodline plague.
Btw, while watching a cnn video, I saw a white man holding a huge "We have overcomed" sign. I know he may have thought he was meaning well, but who the hell told him so? And how the hell would he Know?
I have to admit, I had today off, but I didn't even watch the inauguration on TV. Something doesn't move me, maybe the o-laid wore off.
Mr. Field; There are 300 million in this country. Most have access to computers. A few (and I mean FEW) nutjobs cannot come close to tarnishing this great day. Im a white man from a white state that voted McCain about 70% and NOBODY I talked to had anything but overwhelming and gushing praise for "O". The streets were deserted and the shops stood silent when the prez made his speech. Many had tears, all had "occular moistness". It was a GREAT speech. A moving speech. I can tell you from the center of Wonder-bread land
HE HAD US AT "HELLO"
Blinders off, I'm with you on this... I'm not gonna give them the privelege of taking up my time. Today was just too glorious to bother with the gnats that fly around.
The other line I found very powerful was "Military power alone cannot protect the US, said Mr Obama, nor can military might entitle America to do as it pleases.
And this "Mr Obama spoke of seeking a new way forward with the Muslim world."
He stressed a new desire for engagement with opposing regimes. To them, he said: "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
That is a WORLD of difference from the past 8 years and I am so deeply grateful.
It was a great speech. In a symbolic sort of way, he asked for my trust, and I gave it wholeheartedly. I will not always be pleased by the decisions he will make, but y'know what? He has my trust. I haven't said that in a long time, a very long time.
I've been trying to ignore the haters because I can't calibrate my response. I asked all my co-workers who were friends (and women)to wear pearls today--in honor of michelle.
One girl didn't have them on. I asked her why and she said "For what? Why would I?" like I had asked her to lick my shoe. SHe's Native American, the only one in the building, but she was actig like Bush had promised her Nevada.
My neck started moving w/o my knowledge or consent. That's when I knew I had to ignore all haters or risk jail time.
oh, when is the naked run? :-)
"Obamaholics, you still have some work to do before you bring our country together."
Yes, Field, we'll be doing it together.
But hey, what a wonderful day. I'm gonna have to see a shrink to find out why I tear up every time I see or read something about Barack Hussein Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of The United States of America.
Gotta say, I'm feeling pretty hopeful! :-)
La~incognita, I swear you are a bigger cynic than I am. And that takes some doing. :)Now go on and enjoy the moment girl. You know you want to.
"HE HAD US AT "HELLO"'
Anon. I like that.
Grinder, I agree that it wasn't his best. But again, I think it was at least a double, and for what it's worth, I think that was enough. It's more about the moment than the man himself at this point in time.
Kellybelle, this election does not have the same impact on a Native American as it does most African Americans. I doubt you'd feel the same if Wilma Mankiller was elected President.
"oh, when is the naked run? :-)"
Kellybelle, it's coming soon. And all of my friends who are regulars out here inn these fields will see it. Hey, too many of you are saying that I am going to chicken out :)
BTW, I had an interview with a lady from some talk radio show in Boston, and that's the first thing she asked me. :(
The comments at Wizbag doesn't surprise me. When Obama was elected, I said, "same shit, different day" with respect to so-called "uniting the country."
My workplace is heavily conservative, where televisions play Fox News all day. It was a somber place on Nov 5th, 2008.
The festivities were cool. Unfortunately, the booing of former President Bush and the chanting of "Na na na na...hey..hey..goodbye" left a stain on them. The crowd should have shown more class, in my opinion.
Just one thing: While I think Dick Cheney is the spawn of Satan himself, he DID stand up and applaud the section of the speech where Obama said we'd never give in to terror.
Gotta keep it real...ALWAYS
Thanks Luv, I didn't see that. But that just goes to prove my point. ;)
Nothing can tarnish this day for me. We have a long way to go, but I never thought I would see a day like this in my lifetime. My friends from overseas were all watching too!
Field,
Wizbang is a b#t#h! They're on my @ss everytime I show up but I try to get my jabs in too.
I had to light into Carol. She didn't like it but backed up off of me too.
She better recognize....don't ever ask a black woman her personal business. Is she crazy? lol
Now I want to see some justice done..And oh yeah "Hell has froze over!"
I think it was at least a double, and for what it's worth, I think that was enough. It's more about the moment than the man himself at this point in time.
I completely agree that it's more about the moment. I've got a history degree and am something of an aficionado of great speeches, and had higher hopes for Obama as an orator. It could well be that he consciously toned it down after some of the reaction he got last year about being a showboater?
By the way, I was having a conversation earlier today in which the baseball metaphor came up, and I called his speech a line drive double to center-left field. Hard to argue with a double, but the home run is the best play in baseball.
"And when Rev. Lowery, god bless his 87 year old heart....you know what, I am going to leave that one alone."
Whaaaaaat?! LOL ;-D
I think Obama's speech said all that needed to be said, it was great. Now I'm ready to get down to business.
Hey Field! When is the blog following your streak going to go down? That's what Folk been waiting for. And we want photos for proof!
Wow, just went to out new government website.....
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
Damn.... these people got skills. Impressive! Less than 12 hours since he was sworn in and his administration really is up and running... check out the different links... wow, just wow!
The right have not learned their lesson, thus they will remain in the weeds. Let them hate, it was just that attitude that folks said, ENOUGH. It was that stubbornness that nothing got done in D.C.
There is a new sheriff and lady in town, and the names are Obamas.
WORD ON ALL THAT....
Field, I'm throwing down some ducats for a train ticket to Philly to see you make that run in the flesh (pun intended).
Best part of the day was watching Bush get the hell out of DC for good, and wanting to see Sean Hannity's head explode because Lowery delivered bitchslaps at the end of his benediction while the "church" hollered "Amen" as loud as they could. LOL
And I stood in 25 degree weather to watch that, too! (Virtually, that is, cause I did have a ticket, but I watched everything two blocks away from the White House).
Am I the only one who noticed that one of the marching bands in the parade was playing "We Shall Overcome"? They didn't show it for very long and it took me a minute to realize what they were playing....but it made me smile.
I am so happy today! Just sat down with my kids and watched the whole speech again. What a beautiful thing! I'm just so happy!
Wow! An articulate president! An intelligent president! I loved the way he chewed out the former resident of the White House indirectly, but pointedly. Did anyone see Bush's face at the end?
Priceless!
What a beautiful, happy, joyous day!
I'm happy for the African Americans. It's a good day.
szpork
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
Check out this link; I didnt know whether to laugh or cry...I ended up crying.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article5537251.ece
Am I the only one who thought Dick Cheney looked like Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life?"
Great day, But Ted Kennedy ignoring his doctor's advice messed up a schedule already running late, & after a slow parade start we were left with the underwhelming spectacle of bands marching out of the dark past a nearly deserted reviewing stand.
Anyone attending the event who didn't expect human gridlock & discomfort was delusional. Presidential security is everything, & our new president, by constantly referring to Lincoln, also reminds us of how Lincoln left office. Tone of Obama's speech: Come Back to Earth, Obama Space Cadets.
No, Dick Cheney looked EXACTLY like Dr. Strangelove.
I was waiting for his hand to involuntarily go up in a Hitler salute.
Am I the only one who thought Dick Cheney looked like Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life?"
You are not alone. One of my correspondents e-mailed me the same comment today.
I thought Lowery rocked it.
It was a good day, FN. A very good day. One that I never thought would happen.
Shrub is gone. So is The Evil One.
And, damn, didn't none of them mofos get a pardon. :)
WE had no idea this would happen, did we people? and before we knew it, here come's BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA out of nowhere, and he had the nerve, to run for the highest office in the UNITED STATE'S of AMERICA, and trust me I am still in a DAZE, this doe's not seem real, but, it is, AMERICA has a AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT, and this is reality.
THE OBAMA'S, will be living in a SLAVE BUILT WHITE HOUSE, so therefore, our ANCESTOR'S LABOR was not in vain, > FOR WE SHALL REAP IF WE FAINT NOT< and GOD is true to his WORD, it may take a while before it come's to FRUITION, but, yet it shall come and it shall not TARRY.
TO GOD, be the GLORY, for the good thing's he hath done.
ALL PRAISE'S TO THE MOST HIGH GOD!!!
So Field when are you going to do your run on Broad Street? :)
Anon 1:13am
THE OBAMA'S, will be living in a SLAVE BUILT WHITE HOUSE, so therefore, our ANCESTOR'S LABOR was not in vain, > FOR WE SHALL REAP IF WE FAINT NOT< and GOD is true to his WORD, it may take a while before it come's to FRUITION, but, yet it shall come and it shall not TARRY.
Amen!
Field,
It was truly a day I never thought I would see. My patients had to be delayed a bit this morning so I could watch history being made with my family. We watched silently, my wife and I holding hands as our daughter snuggled in her arms. A couple of tears slid down my face. Part of that was from relief that he got sworn in without getting shot.
He was President Obama this morning, not a candidate. The soaring rhetoric we have come to expect and enjoy from him actually wasn't necessary. He showed he understood the gravity of the moment and his position. And I believe it was a deliberate decision to do so. They say you campaign in poetry and govern in prose. He began governing today.
And Lowery was just being himself. But the church responded to his call. My wife and I said Amen right with him. It kinda allowed us to have our "black" interlude in this "American" moment--along with Aretha recalling King's speech in her ad lib at the end of her gospelized "My Country 'Tis of Thee". (Glad the cold didn't allow her outfit to detract from her singing. :)
The haters are more than just that. They are ignorant as we all well know. I listened to Limbaugh just for a moment, delusionally expecting him at at least acknowledge the history of the moment. All I heard was the criticism that you mentioned. Somehow he only heard gloom and doom. What was I thinking?
To see the military salute a black President and to hear "Hail To The Chief" played to one was surreal. Don't know how long its going to take before I am used to "Mr. President" referring to me.
But I'm going to cherish the process.
BTW, if you back out of your own "historic run", I don't think anyone will be mad at you. :)
Amazing day.
slightly off topic:
I need to thank you for being the virtual version of Prozac during these last few years of the Bush occupation.
You calmed me down many a night when the Frat Boy President rationalized faith as the reason to be a bully.
Thank you.
AH, that was "Mr. President" referred to him. Oops!!!
I am watching the speech again I still can't believe it !!!!
Let the far right stew in their hateraid. They are being more irrelevant every day.
I'm glad we've got our country back from those ignorant mfs.
It's a glorious day to be an American. Now we get to kick conservatives while they're down for the next eight years.
Let the party begin.
hay, Cheney hurt his back moving all the boxes of records he wanted to keep secret. justice is still on the job.
Doc L,you just gave us a Kodak moment that we would have all loved to see. You are a lucky person.
And no, I can't back out of that run. It's not in my DNA to "welsh" on a bet. (Whoops, I shouldn't have said that word. It's PI.But you get the point. :)
"m I the only one who thought Dick Cheney looked like Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life?"'
I am going with "Dr. Strangelove".
And folks, let's kick the wingnuts while they are down, it should be fun. Hey they would have been kicking the s*&t out of us.
In fact, they have been doing it for the past 8 years.
The hell with the Right Wing Nuts. Let them sulk. I agree with everything else your post said. And that photo you posted is my favorite of the day. I absolutely love it. As an aside, sounds like you doing more than sipping the O-aid now, Field. ;)
Barak is not one of us,If you believe you are a black isrealite,from the bible.barack is a combination of people whom enslaved blacks in america.Whites & africans with the help of arabs enslaved the children of isreal.put them in boats & shipped them from africa.He is no more like us than those white people in isreal claiming there jews.sad how us so called black accept him as one of our own.i hate africans,arabs & whites for slavery! & the gods must be crazy lookn african dude is not one of us,Wake up!
33
matter of fact all we got was a first lady!
33
I watched the inauguration at work along with just about every other employee. I may not be a religious person, but know it's important to give a good prayer and Rick Warren did not give a good invocation. I could have given a better prayer than that, and I am not of the clergy. I like Lowery's benediction because he did include the lines from the Negro National Anthem, but someone could have help the man to the podium since is an old person.
I read the speech after it the Associated Press posted it online. It is a very good speech and believed that President Obama purposedly delivered in a way that set the tone of the times. He made the point of not backing down from those who want killed people. He certainly articulated it more eloquently than Bush ever did. I think as time passes the speech will have greater significance as historians will examine President Obama's administration.
Rev. Lowery was Da BOMB!
Roberts f-ed up on purpose.
And FFN is absolutely right.
Shooter Cheney just didn't want to stand up for a black man.
All that said it was a glorious day.
I hadn't actually shed real tears in a long time.
A man with multiple heart issues would not lift enough to cause back pain. Don't know what the MD ordered but I'd guess around 2 kilos or less.
Mold
I liked Lowery's speech.
Well I heard a few sour grapes remarks in person, but the local inauguration party was great !!! I mean really great ... and I have been to a lot of dances in Louisiana before. People were busting at the seams happy and a lot of them were old white guys in Stetsons and young ones in baseball caps, I think this was all a good sign for the future.
Speech, I could have done with a few less glorifying references to the colonization of this country by us ... westward movement means genocide, Barack, and you should know that ... but ah well, overall it was good enough.
Field,
Happy New Year.
Been a while since this moderate from President Obama's home state posted.
Alright....
1) There have been no shortage of liberals and moderates in the media who have said that his speech, while good, lacked inspiration. Little more mechanical this time around. I agree.
2) I honestly cannot believe that Justice Roberts fudged the way he did. For the life of me, I cannot believe Roberts could have messed this up. I know he is smart enough to realize that he is a part of history too. But, I must add...WORSE things have happened and resulted from presidential inaugurations than this.
3) Your regular tavern drinkers will love me for saying this, but I am going urinate in your Wheaties anyway: Rick Warren's prayer was excellent and on the mark. Take issue with Warren if you like on poilitcal/social issues, but Obama made a solid choice. I believe he will be a disappointment to those on the far left as much as the right. He is one who will not be locked in box easily.
4) Yes, Dick Cheney looked just as spooky in a wheel-chair as he does otherwise.
I've always hated inaugurations.
To me they have never been anything more than massive infomercials for our imperial state.
This one made me feel a little different though.
I do need to make a cofession though. As I caught the hype (like I had any choice...it was on every effing channel), in the evening, I thought less of Obama, and more of a selfish little thought going constantly through my mind.
JESUS CHRIST, THAT FUCKING BASTARD IS FINALLY OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
I actually enjoyed the "man on the street" style interviews. You know - talking to various bystanders in the mall about why this election was so exciting. It sort of struck me as mildly amusing, in the way that they described Obama's intelligence, personality, his willingness to actually listen, and his knowledge of the world. It was if it was some kind of a miracle that such qualities should actually be found, in an individual who managed to become the President of these United States.
Don't get me wrong...this was absolutely a great moment in time, not just for our country, but for the world as a whole. But, admit it; some of that excitement and hysteria yesterday was freedom from eight years of criminal abuse and neglect at the hands of cheney/bush talking as well.
I hope Obama lives up to every single piece of hyperbole all of the Obama-fanatics have been tossing out about him for the past year.
I really do.
Because that's what it's gonna take to get us out of the hole 8 years of the corrupt cheney-bush criminal empire have put us in.
Oh - and congratulations to everyone who worked so long and hard to make this moment finally happen. Pat yourselves on the back...you really deserve it!
This part of Obama's speech really struck me
Obama on Tuesday warned that “less measurable but no less profound” than the country’s economic struggles “is a sapping of confidence across our land, a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.”
My generation will most likely never know the success of my parents generation. No matter what happens are standard of living is going down, and most likely will never come back. We are going to have change the way we live in this country permanently: It's going to be incredibly painful for a long time. We can't go back to where we were before.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/01/20/obama_oath/index.html
ha ha, It would be funny if I didn't believe someone will actually take this to the Supremes.
I don't know anybody who was not in tears throughout the ceremony. This was an incredibly proud day for this country. And I'm not just referring to the fact that after 233 years, we finally elected a man of color to the highest elected office in the land. No, I am referring to the fact that the county actually elected a man of great humility, and intelligence.
I had this thought when the helicopter was lifting off with Bush 43 and family. Bush sits back and adjusts his seat belt. Then he says, Wow, that Obama gave one heckuva speech! And with incredulous looks one of the twins says, dad, the man totally trashed you and your presidency. And Bush looking surprised says, He did???
ALMOST TWICE THE VIEWERS....LOL
and it cost 3X's as much as bushie boy....oh, yea wer'e gon'a have some fun the next 4yrs.....LOL
hell a repeat almost beat your boy!!!!
Time Net Show Viewers Live+SD (000) 18-49 Rating 18-49 Share 18-34 Rating 18-34 Share
8:00 FOX American Idol 22,420 9.0 22 8.1 21
ABC Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration 12,591 3.5 8 2.9 8
CBS NCIS (repeat) 11,743 2.3 6 1.3 3
Anon 1:46... ummm the Swearing In Ceremony took place in the Morning....it was on every friggin station, except maybe Lifetime... That happened at 11:30AM...
Frankly, after all the coverage all afternoon of the swearing in and parade, I am amazed that they got that many viewers to watch the Ball.
The fact that your indication of what is important is the coverage of the Balls certainly reflects more on your mental capacity than on anything or anyone else.
Seda! It's been ages since I read you over at Sara's.
Rev. Lowery's benediction made Tucker Carlson pee his pants on Cup of Joe this morning.
I think President Obama's (squee!) speech was a home run. It's a speech for grownups and like a good piece of music, improves with re-listening.
Warren kept looking around for reactions to his applause lines and didn't hear any. And then the Prez gave him a good hard slap by stressing our religious diversity - even nonbelievers (waves).
I had many, many moments of ocular moistitude, especially when the band played Hail to the Chief.
Amen, amen, amen!
Very few Inaugural addresses have had memorable phrases, and even then only in hindsight: "nothing to fear but fear itself," "ask not..," "government is the problem.." I think yesterday's will be memorable, too, but we won't know for some time just which parts we'll remember.
Rev. Lowery was great, and I don't understand why his name isn't more familiar to me. I hope we hear more from him.
Those folks at WizBang (sounds a little teh gay, doesn't it?) will never be won over--they are, in yesterday's words, on the wrong side of history. They will be left in the dust.
I honestly cannot believe that Justice Roberts fudged the way he did. For the life of me, I cannot believe Roberts could have messed this up. I know he is smart enough to realize that he is a part of history too. But, I must add...WORSE things have happened and resulted from presidential inaugurations than this.
Actually, if you look at the video, what happened is that Obama jumped the gun, and that threw Roberts for a loop.
Roberts started into saying, "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear ..." but before he could get those words out, Obama started saying the oath. Roberts kept going, and as he did so, Obama realized that he had jumped the gun and stopped.
Once Roberts paused, Obama backed up and recited the first line. Then Roberts continued, and misplaced the word, "faithfully." That caused Obama to pause, and follow Roberts in misplacing the word faithfully.
The jumping the gun part happened in 1989 when Bush Senior was sworn in, but Bush Senior caught himself sooner than Obama did, and (then Chief Justice) Rhenquist didn't get rattled like Roberts did.
It was just a screw-up, and it was a screw-up by both men.
Here is Bush Senior taking the oath in 1989. Notice how he starts to jump the gun, and quickly pulls back. Chief Justice Rhenquist proceeds normally.
Here is Barack Obama taking the oath in 2009. Notice that he jumps the gun to a greater degree than Bush Senior did. Chief Justice Roberts then screws up the remainder of the oath.
Like I wrote in a prior comment, it was a "shit happens" moment, and nothing more.
I'm sorry, I really could care less who screwed up or fumbled. That is a non-issue. lol He is president, and I am SO ready and eager to start getting somethings done...I am more interested in seeing how the world leaders react to him. That has me on edge!
Orchid, I agree, but people were talking about it, so I figure why not set the record straight, at least here.
Seeing Cheney in the wheelchair, and especially when he put on the leather gloves, it's Dr. Strangelove all the way.
CJ Roberts didn't have any notes. He thought he could get those 35 little words out in the right order without notes. BHO obviously had his part memorized. They need to have a do-over. Maybe this weekend on Saturday Night Live?
Orchid, our president is a brother from Chicago. He'll set the tone nicely with world leaders. He will use brilliant Clinton-like diplomacy, but will he'll hit hard like Reagan did if needs to. (Just my take.)
Sharon, I think SNL is going to take the inauguration vow to a different level. That ought to be worth watching.
It looks like the rightwing blogosphere is in high dungeon over Lowery's benediction, saying it was "racist".
Look rightards.
Lowery's little riff at the end of the benediction was his alteration of a southern poem my grandparents, who were from Charleston SC, told me about when I was a kid.
The crackas would say......
If you're white you're right.
If you're brown you can stick around.
If you're yellow you're mellow,
If you're black, get back.
Only Rev Lowery could close out that ceremony yesterday. Only Reb could start off with the words from Lift Every Voice and Sing, then close with the words from a old blues song and then do a call-and-response........classic! LOL
Derogatory comments about the First lady's clothes (or about anyone's clothes) are a perfect example of the kind of misdirection that the right has been using for the past 30 years. It's how they convinced a bunch of white Southerners to vote against their own best interests by telling them that the Dems will take away their guns, force them to have abortions, and seize their money to redistribute it to the undeserving and ungrateful city folks up North.
Obama promises us a government based not on ideology, but pragmatism. Gingrich/Rove/Cheney, take note and be warned. Your kind of fearmongering and misdirection will no longer work here. The grownups are in charge now.
Forget about those people. Leave them be and they'll slide into anonymity. Now is the time for people to mean it when they say it's time to move forward.
This man and this moment has given us the momentum. It's one of the reasons I voted for him, this incredible ability to galvanize and motivate, this unstoppable drive. Unless he's a God, he can't do it alone. But if the momentum is realized by enough, no amount of partisan bitterness or naysaying can stop it.
I've been alive for 43 years, and yesterday's inauguration makes me as proud to be an american as any other of a select number of moments.
It was a beautiful day.
I'm feeling better about my country already. Isn't it nice to have a President who has some class. A man who looks natural in a tux or a suit. A man who you know appreciates classical music, and poetry and a decent glass of wine. A smart, thoughtful man. A guy who you're pretty sure won't scratch his balls during a cabinet meeting. A guy that doesn't laugh like Beavis.
I'm just thrilled.
sharon in ct, I think that Michelle Obama is an attractive woman, and someone who (to the extent that I can tell via TV and whatever I've read about her) seems like someone I'd like a whole lot. I mean, look at those kids! She and her husband have obviously done a great job there. But what she's been wearing doesn't do her justice. She's in the Big Leagues now, and she needs a new designer.
I thought his speech was a home-run. It made almost everyone i know tear-up, including myself. Change is already taking place. I hope God gives our new president the strength to endure and wisdom to solve our country's problems.
what a lovely family, but This aint the Mountain Top or Promised Land - yet
I think it's interesting that it was not the son of slaves who achieved the White House (thank GOD), but the son of the one who was not made a slave.
And Kimberly, I think it's interesting that he's still driving wingnuts like you insane. Well...even MORE insane than usual that is.
Even if they didn't vote for him, simple logic should tell them that this country is in trouble and they should want the man in charge to be successful.
You know, Field, your thought that Cheney sat in a wheelchair to avoid standing up during Obama's big moment doesn't sound far-fetched at all - especially considering how he supported apartheid in South Africa and voted against a 1986 resolution calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and recognition of the African National Congress.
Pardon me, Ernesto, I was not saying anything against Barack. I voted FOR him. I was saying THANK GOD that Barack won. I made that comment to show that many people are angry that Barack made it, and I note the fact that he is the descendant of those who did not suffer slavery.
anon 9:27,
I am Jewish. Happen to say, some of my black relatives be Jewish too. Obama's got a rabbi in the family. You ain't no jew, if you don't know that Jews come in all colors of the rainbow. Black, Chinese, White, all that. You some sort of crazy man, following some sort of hating religion craziness, that's your business. But don't bother calling yourself Jewish, cause you AIN'T!
Cheney's from Wyoming.
He showed up in a black cowboy hat.
Dat man knew what he was doing.
Sounds like he wants us to call him Darth Vader. Maybe he likes being da villain?
(gotta go watch Dr. Strangelove)
If you're gonna quote somebody, quote them.
"What a day, what a motherfucking day."
This ain't the Disney Channel.
"What a day, what a motherfucking day."
This ain't the Disney Channel."
LOL! I know N/B, but I just couldn't swear with those little girls standing right there in that pic.
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