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Barack Obama's inauguration: Your thoughts?
Jason
God EmperorArrakis Moderator
If you happened to watch the inauguration, what are your thoughts about it.
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Comments
1 The amount of hype given to this president is going to make it impossible for him to live up to expectations
2 It seems hypocritical to bang on about integration and equality and at the same time make so many references to his skin colour.
2. I cried during the Inaugural Address. It was well crafted...and I thought a good key speech to affirm the expectations of those that put him in office...and to put his stamp on his time as President. Good words.
The Benediction was most moving, the inaugural address inspiring, and the new first family beautiful to behold. What a nice party was had in such cold, crisp weather.
I've been waiting for this day a very, very long time. Great job by everyone!
BTW, did anyone notice the "Mixup" during the actual swearing-in?
Chief Justice Roberts mispoke, saying "President to the United States," rather than "of." I thought Mr. Obama acted very dignified as he waited for the Chief Justice to get it right. I'll betcha a lot will be made out of this by the people who work for Faux News, America's Armpit.
"Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
"We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
"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.
"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
"To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."
I think that it is important to set the right tone as we make this transition because our forward progress is going to depend on the help of the international community. As I said, I am hopeful that Obama will be a good president, one that has what it takes to steer this country in a better direction, but we will just have to wait an see what the next four years will bring.
For a theocracy perhaps.
The government can't manage its own affairs, but somehow I'm supposed to feel better when Obama promises that the government will provide jobs, provide healthcare, provide retirement, etc...
He said something last week about moving beyond the ideas of big and small government, but instead "smart" government. Yikes. If big government is this big, then smart government must be HUGE!
He promises manna from heaven....from the government. What won't the government do?
Fair enough. But, sometimes they get a bit confused about these things:
In addition, Rick Warren is not shy about mixing his religion and politics:
"There is no reason to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2% of our population. This is one issue that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on. Both Barack Obama and John McCain have publicly opposed the redefinition of marriage to include so-called 'gay marriage.' Even some gay leaders, like Al Rantel of KABC oppose watering down the definition of marriage.
"Of course, my longtime opposition is well known. This is not a political issue, it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about. There is no doubt where we should stand on this issue.
"This will be a close contest, maybe even decided by a few thousand votes. I urge you to VOTE YES on Proposition 8 — to preserve the biblical definition of marriage. Don't forget to vote!"
As for the speech, I thought it was great. As someone said, it's the kind of speech that may well be carved into granite someday, at least parts of it. I think he said what he needed to say to start us back on the road to recovering who we are, or at least were. And I think he spoke to the whole world and let them know that they can look to us once again for inspiration rather than fearing us. Only time will tell how far along that road he can take us.
Palzang
Maybe the parts that weren't just vague generalities.
When has the enlightened international community ever looked to America for inspiration (and not in the form of a military bailout)? In fact, when has international opinion ever done any real good against tyranny or genocide.
The only people who should fear us are the Islamic jihadists, and I think that's a good thing. Notice how most of the groups in the world who legitimately fear us in the world are quite shifty anyway.
Obviously either you haven't had history yet in college or you fell asleep in class. The US was once the shining light of freedom in a world still under the yoke of feudal kings and other assorted dictators. Many of the world's constitutions are modeled after ours (whether the governments that have those constitutions actually pay attention to them is another matter). Many of the revolutions of the early 19th Century and since, including most especially the French, were inspired by our own. Millions flocked to our shores seeking relief and redress from oppression at home. They still do. Nowhere on earth can you find a more eclectic, diverse population. That has always been our strength and will continue to be so. President Obama is living proof of it and a billboard for the nation that shows what we're about. Or used to be until greed and prejudice set in.
If you had ever gone overseas and spent time with the people there, you would understand that the US has become reviled even amongst our friends for our blatant acts of imperialism and the wanton disregard for human life in the pursuit of our financial interests. You need to get out of your ivory tower college mentality and wake up and smell the coffee.
Palzang
Yes, it is true that he mentioned "non-believers." But, that does not negate my point, which is that sometimes our government does not always look so secular. It was just a personal observation.
Palzang
Palzang
I wish him well but, as Vikings used to say:
"Praise not the meal until it is eaten, nor the wife until she is dead".:eek:
Palzang
I also just wanted to say that Toronto is actually the most culturally diverse city in the world which would probably make Canada the more eclectic of the two nations. Just saying...:)
Palzang
Really? Fascinating. How does one know? That one is a Bodhisattva I mean.
Palzang
I'm fascinated. Bearing in mind the Catholic Church puts such store by canonisation (recognising the sainthood of people after their death) and there is a very rigorous process involved, I just want to know how Bodhisattvas are recognised during their lifetime.
Obama is a bodhisattva.
Palzang, you're OK! Keep the information coming.
Palzang
That's very cool also!
It was a lie when they said that Nixon's the One back in 68 or 72.
Obama's the One!
Palzang, forget fun! Speak!
He is eloquent and well-mannered like I haven't seen in my generation. He wholeheartedly embraces difference (after all is said and done, the reason we so often 'hate' and go to war), he is a loving family man (the building block so many societies are based on), he is intelligent, articulate and human as well as an example of success against all adversity: What America stood for before Iraq (at least I think we can say, in many Europeans' eyes).
Best of all, his initials are not GWB and for that I am truly grateful.
Oh, I don't know if his economic stimulus package is going to work or not. Let's be real here.
But from Jo(sette) public's view, I'd say he's done all he can for the time he's been in office.
The proof of course, will be in the pudding...
Palzang
he appeared on a discussion show some time ago, and I can't say I thought he was as articulate as he has been.... Maybe he's absolutely phenomenal at good speeches, but the rhetoric abandons him in small talk.
but that's just an iota of impression.....;)
But I'm judging him on when he came to Europe, had a heavy cold, had hardly slept and was massively busy.
He is a guy at the end of the day. A bona-fide human being.
Palzang
I taped his 100th night press conference and stand in awe. Competent, competent, and deeply concerned, he should be unafraid of any adversary. Those who are dying for him to misstep or fail will only grow angrier and more venomous as he outstrips them. But that is not his problem.
It is so comforting to know we have a real, live, cerebral human being in charge for a change, rather than just a corporate puppet.
(what..... "our" Lincoln...? :eek:
Obama has such a weight of expectation on his shoulders. I really do pray he has the strength to support it.
He has extraordinary charisma, I'll say that for him.... and he's humanitarian.
I like him better than JFK though. But I like Bobby better than JFK. I think Bobby was the one behind the best of JFK's policies.
I'm in awe of all the work Barack Obama has done so far. Just in awe. If someone who really knows tells me he's also been a great husband and father at the same time I'd start thinking he was from another planet. Or dimension.
Oh, I do adore him in so many ways and for so many reasons not least of which is how I feel every time I think of him; elated...safe... energized...joyful...encouraged. If it were not for all the work I need to do psychospiritually (I love that word!) I would say I could now die happily having lived to see these days.
Here's some things he's done that I've liked...
-ordered the shooting of the Somali pirates by SEALS
-Escalation of troops number in Afghanistan
-bought a cute dog
And now for what I don't like...
-Behemoth New-Deal size spending package in February
-Release of "Top Secret" memos
-Not speaking out against prosecuting former administration lawyers
-His talks about passing Cap & Trade
-The fact that he essentially runs the American auto industry and fired the GM CEO
-Shaking hands with Hugo Chavez and other Latin American thugs
-That Children's Health Care passage that raised the taxes on tobacco I buy by 300%.
-His denial of being in favor of big government all the while drastically increasing its size
-His desire to nationalize healthcare in this country
-His desire to raise the taxes on the "rich" (250,000 and up)
-Oh, and of course his talk about passing union card-check
Just for clarification, when Bush was busy bailing out the auto industries, I was bemoaning the collusion then as well. I think GM should be dead and buried and not kept on life support and run by government hacks who don't know how to sell cars.
I know it sounds unbelievable to hear an American not absolutely enamored by the president, but what I said is a brief list of my grievances. I'm not one of those people who thinks he's terrible. I give him about a C grade or so as president so far.
Always good to read you, KOB. You ARE the loyal opposition.
I think, though, that this word, "grievance," is just a bit far-fetched. I mean, is it your take that injustices have been perpetrated on you or anyone else by O?
I think use of such a particularly strong word as "grievance" conveys more than a suggestion of some prior negative thinking or independent oppositional posturing.
The president is just managing things as most economists believe they must be managed . Also, contrary to what you suggested in an earlier post as one of Mr. Obama's good points, the president is not micromanaging the military. He did not order the Navy Seals to shoot any pirates, but left those matters up to eyes and ears of the people in the "field," as it were.
____________________
--JC
I'm a web developer for a print shop. A lot of our business is from car manufacturers and their unions. We're definitely in tough straits at the moment and further deterioration could put us out of business pretty quickly.
My point is not "oh woe is me"; honestly I'm not that worried about my ability to find another job if it came to that. My point is that it's more complicated than "GM should be buried" when a web developer for a small printing business will lose their job too as a direct result. People outside of Michigan view it as so simple, when in fact it's anything but.
Now take that "it's so simple" problem and expand it to the other bullet points you've listed.
You know, your black or white opinions on major (and probably minor) issues sound like they're coming from someone unconnected to the earth or the human race, someone sort of like Dr. Manhattan.
Fair enough. But give an example? I'm a Jeffersonian by and large. I want a smaller government and I want the government to leave people alone so long as those people aren't bothering anybody. In the university that I attend, I concur that I am viewed as having somewhat Martian qualities by not thinking that the government needs to do everything for everyone.
I'm more than happy to debate, but can we at least do it without accusing one another of being aliens?
To be fair though, Dr. Manhattan was not an alien. He was a scientist who gained extreme super human powers through a lab accident. He became so powerful that he lost touch with the human race and its suffering.
The reason you remind me of him is that many of your views seem to be a bit overly objective, as if you have no stake in being human.
But you're right. I really shouldn't be judging you at all. I guess I've just been taking your extreme views as provocative. I shall release myself from the hook now.