Inauguration Blogging -thoughts as this great day in American History progresses:
8:30am - I overheard a group of old white guys the Blue Bottle today.
- Guy 1: Be sure not to turn on your TV today.
- Guy 2: Yeah. The media has to care about this, it's PC.
- Guy 1: It's just hard to believe. I'm not watching a thing today.
- I really wanted to turn around and just ask what their problem was, was it that he was a Democrat, or black, or just someone different than themselves? I really regret not turning around and engaging them. I'm sure I would have just been shrugged off.
11:30 - It's amazing how many living ex presidents and Vice Presidents are still alive. And there today.
11:48 - I know there has been a lot of controversy around Rick Warren, and think what you want, but its always awkward for me when someone prayers in a large group setting. It ends up being more closed-eyed sermon that personal or corporate worship with God.
11:50 - He just said the Obama girl's names with such a flair that they seemed like exotic dishes.
11:53 - Glad to see they brought Aretha Franklin in to sing, rather than Beyonce or Rhianna. Unfortunately, they gift-wrapped her head with a new-car bow.
11:58 - Alright, we've got a new VP. The first of two former President's (Cheney) of the day is out of the way. "Next please."
12:00 - Love that Yo-Yo Ma is playing. With Itzhak Pearlman. And 'Simple Gifts' is a beautiful song. One of my favorites. Oh! And a John Williams arrangement at that - it's a trifecta. I'll buy this when it inevitably shows up in iTunes later today. I love this...chills.
Sidenote: Yo-Yo can definitely relate/fit into the Obama theme of being a multinational kid. Something most drastically undervalue in Obama as President.
12:05 - Wonder if any other President has ever botched the swearing in like Obama just did. Must be pretty nerve wracking to shake him like that.
12:07 - Love the cannons firing off. And with the immediate playing of 'Hail to the Chief.' Time for the address now. Expectations are soaring.
12:08 - ' We have challenges. They will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear." Indeed.
12:11 - He is sooooo BA. He builds up, he inspires, but he is realistic, sober; he is hard, he is determined. And he can give a speech like no other we have seen in this generation.
12:14 - This idea of 'remaking America' is so good and so profound. And I'm sure it scares the bejeezus out of the old guard. But I am all in.
12:16 - Love that Malia Obama isn't listening - she is taking pictures and playing with camera.
12:17 - What is W thinking right now? Does he buy this? Does he think 'why didn't' I think of that?" or is he thinking 'This guy has no idea what he's gotten himself into.'
12:19 - Love seeing the old civil rights activists there today. I can't even imagine what this day means to them.
12:22 - The call to personal action and personal responsibility is the strongest, most important part of Barack Obama's Presidency. If only we all respond, then we can begin to see change that lasts, change that is positive, change that fulfills the coming of the Good News.
12:25 - 'America...in this winter of our hardship...with open and virtue. let us once more brave the icy currents.' This really is the stuff of legends, what a brilliant brilliant speech! It brings chills and tears - it brings hope. And I, for one, embrace it.
12:30 - The poet should come earlier. This is anti-climactic. I'm ready for commentary from Brian Williams, et al. Anyway, a poet who uses the word 'edifices' should be shot. That word shouldn't exist.
12:37 - Again, the bendiction gets the same note as the prayer from earlier. Though, I love this guys voice. Old, grizzled, jazzy. But he ended with the funny color/rhyme thing. A moment of levity that is appreciated. "Let the yellow, mellow. Let the red man, get ahead man."
12:42 - It's very strange to hear patriotic music outside of the context of 4th of July. I've always been adverse to it (mostly because of being force-fed Sousa in band). But, here it makes sense and I sort of appreciate it.
12:53 - Fascinating: G.W. is the first President who won't get lifetime Secret Service protection. He gets just 10 years. He'll have to get his own security detail after that. Very interesting.
I look forward to watching the Parade and further commentary. I really want to see pictures and videos from people who were there. This really is an historic day. Disregard your own doubts, fears, your own political leanings and recognize that, regardless of what this President does, this is an historic day in our nations history. Do not take light what change has happened in the last fifty years. We aren't perfect, we haven't arrived - the Kingdom has not been established. But it is a day worthy of attention, a time worthy of recognition. A remarkable day.
2 comments:
Yeah, I've been kinda embarrassed for some of the ridiculous things I've witnessed people saying about the election.
I thought it was a little creepy when the daughters' names were read with flair.
While I'm skeptical (as I'm sure many people are about any incoming president) it is VERY sad that people would have that type of attitude here. In fact, I had a student here who said she wouldn't watch unless he was going to be assassinated. (Which of course doesn't come from the mind of a 6th grader, it comes from home), but I said, "That's a terrible attitude to have. While I may not agree with everything that President Obama may say, he is still OUR President, and we should never wish that something terrible like that happen to him." It really is a historical moment in our country's short history (Our country has only been around for roughly 230 years) and one that I'm sure provides a spark of hope especially in the Black community, one of which I can't understand, but completely respect. I'm glad that people are excited about the change in government today and pray that as a nation it will spark the changes that really DO need to happen.
Post a Comment