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The Barack Obama Inauguration Open Thread


Miscellaneous | January 20, 2009 | Comments (146)


“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

… Barack Obama

Celebrate amongst yourselves, folks.









Hannah Montana Movie | Pajiba Love 01/20/09













Comments

I would like to think that, if nothing else, this presidency means that we will all start expecting more of ourselves, now that we know exactly how much we can accomplish.

Posted by: Clee Shay at January 20, 2009 11:10 AM

I'm watching it at the office. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

My beloved gringos, I congratulate you, and I also must thank you for giving the rest of the world a guy who gives us hope.

Posted by: Sofía at January 20, 2009 11:10 AM

...it's finally here...the Gathering..

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 20, 2009 11:12 AM

I haven't even seen any of the televised stuff yet, and I'm already tearing up. I am going to weep like a little bitch in front of all my coworkers. Dammit. Why did PMS have to pick *this* week? (Not that it matters, I'd be crying either way.)

I wonder if the TV in the lunchroom is on yet...?

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at January 20, 2009 11:14 AM

Why oh whyyyy do I have Art+Politics class at 11:30? It's politics, not to mention only the first class! They should just hand us a syllabus and let us get the fuck outta there!

Posted by: Erin S at January 20, 2009 11:14 AM

My work friends and I are getting ready to watch it in someone's office. We're all just a little giddy.

It's funny to think about almost my entire 20's were partially defined by being continually disappointed by our president. I have hopes for Obama. My voting for him doesn't give him any reprieve; I'll be watching him as carefully as I did Bush. But still...I'm hopefull.

Posted by: Julie at January 20, 2009 11:17 AM

As a Québécois, I can only envy this beautiful political spectacle you guys are livign through right now.

Congratulations America, you got yourselves some hope!

Posted by: jpguy13 at January 20, 2009 11:19 AM

Erin S, isn't the inauguration related to Art+Politics? You could argue how Obama's "Hope" poster played a big role in his polularity... and how Heidi Montag's subsequent "Grope" rendition made everybody cringe. You don't play with Art+Politics. You just DON'T.

Posted by: Sofía at January 20, 2009 11:20 AM

I'm hoping I can watch some of this while at work.

I am not expecting Obama to change the world, but it's great to finally have that hope back again, to be able to look at him and see a leader and not some idiot you're just expecting to mess up. He can string a sentence together, bloody powerful sentences too! Very happy.

Posted by: Carrie at January 20, 2009 11:22 AM

The Army Herald Trumpeters have just sounded, announcing the parade of former Presidents (in order, starting with Carter). The Mall from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial is a sea of humanity.

For the first time in many years, we are permitted to hope.

Bush The Elder and his hateful wife, wearing imperial purple scarves, now taking seats. I am reminded of Nixon's words regarding Babs: "That woman knows how to hate." One wonders what she's thinking now.

Now the Clintons, looking the happy couple as the Capitol Police salute. I hope she does a good job as SecStat.

The Marine Band playing various and sundry airs, as they've done all morning.

Obama's daughters and Biden's grandkids. How will the years mark them?

Posted by: The Wanderer at January 20, 2009 11:27 AM

Congratulations to America for having a leader that has the ability to inspire people all over the world. I truly hope that he can turn things around both in the U.S. and the world as a whole.

I am very intersted in some of the changes he has stated that he will make but, while hopeful, my typical pessimism and critical nature remains.

Posted by: admin at January 20, 2009 11:27 AM

I'm not expecting Obama to change the world, but I do believe that he's a sign that the world can change.

My office, in a fit of awesomeness, lifted the ban on streaming video and gave all of us from 12-3PM off to watch. I love my job sometimes.

Posted by: TK at January 20, 2009 11:28 AM

Goofus makes a wreck of things, picks fights with people and doesn't clean up messes at home.

Gallant is polite to his neighbors, thinks before he speaks and tidies up after himself.

Posted by: twig at January 20, 2009 11:30 AM

In honor of this great day, for breakfast, I am having pancakes white choc chip and semi-sweet choc chips!

Oh happy day....

Posted by: Jules at January 20, 2009 11:36 AM

Anyone have a suggestion for the best site to stream the coverage? My internet at work is crappy...

Posted by: MN_Jen at January 20, 2009 11:36 AM

YAY. Just saying.

Posted by: jamiepants at January 20, 2009 11:37 AM

How vapid are these commentators?
Also, can we all pray that the Freedom of Information Act lets us see what that Note that Bush left in the Oval Office says?

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at January 20, 2009 11:37 AM

How vapid are these commentators?

I've mostly ignored all the lead-in coverage for all the fluff. Even though Hulu is streaming Fox News, I'll gladly take Shep Smith.

Posted by: branded at January 20, 2009 11:41 AM

This is really exciting, and we're watching it in our office! Cool, but having all the scenes of politicians has really upped the commentary from the loudmouths. If I hear about Clinton's affair one more time, I might have cut someone.

Posted by: amanda at January 20, 2009 11:42 AM

branded, I've been watching C-SPAN. There were hijinks in the House at the start, when it was revealed that the 435 members would be seated by seniority (think herding cats).

Feinstein is speaking, having called the proceedings to order.

Posted by: The Wanderer at January 20, 2009 11:47 AM

The only feed that I can get to work smoothly is ABC...is it just me, or is Sam Donaldson clearly drunk?

Posted by: courtney 2 at January 20, 2009 11:49 AM

Omg, Michelle Obama's dress is fabulous! Not only will there be a better US President, there will be something other than a drone in a matching skirt-suit as first lady.

Posted by: Agente Provocatrice at January 20, 2009 11:49 AM

Rick Warren, need I say more?

Posted by: Nimue at January 20, 2009 11:53 AM

Aretha, I love you!

Posted by: Clee Shay at January 20, 2009 11:54 AM

Am I the only one that kinda wishes Aretha would sing "Respect" instead of "My Country tis of thee?"

Posted by: s. pisaster at January 20, 2009 11:54 AM

whats with the effing prayer... separation of church and state. makes me glad for my figurehead useless head of state. at least we Brits dont have this shit every 4 years only after someone useless has died.

Posted by: jim at January 20, 2009 11:54 AM

Secret Service may want to keep an eye on Aretha... she looks hungry!

Sorry, obligatory joke on her obvious girth.

Posted by: JH at January 20, 2009 11:55 AM

Here's to hoping that Aretha breaks out into "Think" from the Blues Brothers

*crosses fingers*

Posted by: branded at January 20, 2009 11:56 AM

Sign it Aretha!

Now that is a hat....

Posted by: Jules at January 20, 2009 11:56 AM

Warren's invocation invoked two of the epithets associated with Allah (Compassionate and Merciful) as well as Jesus as he appears in the Qur'an (Isa). Surprised me. I expected worse.

Aretha did a fairly good job with the song. Granted, she's no Marian Anderson ...

Biden being sworn in now.

Posted by: The Wanderer at January 20, 2009 11:57 AM

As jealous as I am of my grandma for being there, I'm more than a little happy that I'm sitting in my warm living room!

Posted by: Austin at January 20, 2009 11:58 AM

Biden... lol

Posted by: jim at January 20, 2009 11:59 AM

I can not get it to play, I can only listen on NPR, any suggestions.

Posted by: Nimue at January 20, 2009 12:00 PM

The BBC just used the term, powers of the presidency even me as a statute happy law student thinks itd be awesome if there was a shazam/thundercats style power up.

I hope Obama goes Super Saiyan. Thatd be the first ethnicity to go super saiyan wouldnt it?

Posted by: jim at January 20, 2009 12:02 PM

Admit it - you're all crying right now.

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 12:05 PM

hallefreakinlluah!

Posted by: Austin at January 20, 2009 12:07 PM

Um, couldn't John Roberts have practiced that shit?

Posted by: courtney 2 at January 20, 2009 12:09 PM

I love BBCA. Holy hell, where did my box of tissues go? This might just be the best day of my life.

Preach it, Barack!

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 12:09 PM

BARRY BETTER DOA GOOD JOB I KNOW HIS NAME IS HUSSEIN MAYBE THAT WILL HELP HIM FIND OSAMA

...Sorry, I just figured somebody should speak up for the dumbshit population. Those idiots need a voice!

Posted by: Daniel Carlson at January 20, 2009 12:09 PM

WE'RE GONNA HARNESS THE SUN, MOTHAFUCKERS!!! THE SUN!!!

YOUR ASSES ARE ADJOURNED!

Posted by: Anastasia Beaverhausen at January 20, 2009 12:16 PM

Barack is handing out the classiest ass-whuppings in the history of EVER.

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 12:17 PM

Suggestion for Pres. Bush's farewell ceremony:

A foot up his ass delivered by Aretha Franklin.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 20, 2009 12:17 PM

Nicole I'm pleasantly surprised at how many very obvious digs he's getting in at Bush. Hee!

Posted by: Anastasia Beaverhausen at January 20, 2009 12:20 PM

this is pretty awesome... gotta admit. Still Im loving all the shots of Bush looking pissed and confused by the words.
Nice to Col-in Powell the man gets too little respect.
Gotta say I love drinking while watching political events...

Posted by: jim at January 20, 2009 12:21 PM

Earlier Bush was all happy and laughing like he just heard a good fart joke. Maybe he's just now catching up to what's going on? In education we would refer to him as a "slow processor."

Posted by: Anastasia Beaverhausen at January 20, 2009 12:23 PM

courtney 2 Actually they rehearsed the gotdamned thing last night! So Roberts just messed up.

Posted by: Anastasia Beaverhausen at January 20, 2009 12:24 PM

W. just got served.

And the dumbshit population has a voice, but he's out of a job now. ZING!

Posted by: Clee Shay at January 20, 2009 12:25 PM

Well, damn, there's a TV on across the room that I can barely hear so I'll have to play this back later. I think my boss is crying though.

Posted by: Jay at January 20, 2009 12:27 PM

Ahh man my cold robot heart just melted. Wish Gordon Brown could make a speech with that much ambition or worth.

Posted by: jim at January 20, 2009 12:27 PM

I'm not ashamed to say that I'm an ugly crier - I've got puffy eyes and a runny nose and I DON'T CARE.

By the way, Michelle looks smokin' hot. Who else could pull off pea green gloves?

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 12:28 PM

*sigh* in love

Posted by: Nim,ue at January 20, 2009 12:30 PM

Im with AvB, PMS + YoYo Ma and Itzhak Perlman + Obama = MG cries like a tiny bitch.

Posted by: MG at January 20, 2009 12:31 PM

Was the poem not that great (I'm no great poet appreciator), or is it just the effect of following a speech like Obama's?

Posted by: Anne at January 20, 2009 12:32 PM

That was an impressive address.

Posted by: bibliophile at January 20, 2009 12:33 PM

That was an impressive address.

Posted by: bibliophile at January 20, 2009 12:33 PM

Lovely speech. We just adjourned the empty office...sorry poet lady.

Posted by: Julie at January 20, 2009 12:33 PM

Anne, that was a great poem. Her reading could have been better, but it was beautiful.

Get this man a stepstool.

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 12:33 PM

DAMN, I honestly don't recall ever listening to an Inaugural Address before, are they normally this moving? I just awesomed all over the place!

Excellent speech, Mr. President.

Posted by: Lainey at January 20, 2009 12:34 PM

Ah, thank you Nicole. Probably just nerves to be reading right after his speech. I may also be mildly distracted by the 5 year old asking me the what, why and how of everything I've sat her down to watch with me.

Posted by: Anne at January 20, 2009 12:35 PM

[Deleted] (No. Not today, Pookie. -- DR)

Posted by: Pookie at January 20, 2009 12:35 PM

haha, I have to share this - from my friend Carlos' facebook status: "scary Cheney haunting the Inaguration in a wheelchair: transition to Bond villain is now complete!"

Posted by: s. pisaster at January 20, 2009 12:37 PM

Granted, I'm a little slow on current events, and it's no secret that I pay virtually no attention to the major news networks. Due to the nature of my work and personal life, I've only heard little snippets here and there on the news of recent events...

That being said, I was more than a little surprised when I decided to turn into the Inauguration...

He's black?!

Posted by: Skitz at January 20, 2009 12:38 PM

I am weepy and happy and satisfied.

President Obama.
President Barak Obama.
President and Mrs. Obama.

sigh....

and DAMN that was an awesome prayer the old dude just gave.

Say AMEN!!!!

Posted by: Jules at January 20, 2009 12:38 PM

I just had to walk away from my desk at work because of the tears. Oh what a great day!! I work in a state government office in a VERY Republican state, and at least 95% of the people in the office were watching.

I just sent a text to my boyfriend to remind him that I have hugged and kissed THE PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!

Posted by: dammitjanet at January 20, 2009 12:38 PM

Where the yellow can be mellow
Where the red man can get ahead, man

That dude was AWEsome.

Posted by: jamiepants at January 20, 2009 12:39 PM

Now everybody GET DA FUCK outta D.C.

you don't have to go home but you CAN'T stay here!

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 20, 2009 12:39 PM

Obama - get a REALLY good grip on Bush and SEE THAT HE LEAVES post haste!
Thnx.

Posted by: replica at January 20, 2009 12:40 PM

I did like the poem, but I agree, Nicole, the reading could have been better. Call me a .... whatever... but I don't believe that poetry should be read like you're just learning English.

Posted by: sunset&camden at January 20, 2009 12:41 PM

Coolest President ever.

Coolest benediction prayer ever.

Oh, here we go with the JFK parallels.

(P.S. - Thanks Dustin.)

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 12:42 PM

Loved Joseph Lowery.

Posted by: Cindy at January 20, 2009 12:43 PM

I was laughing at that prayer at my desk....that was fantastic!

Posted by: dammitjanet at January 20, 2009 12:45 PM

Congrats US, the world is celebrating with you :)

Does anyone know who that cute little old man was who said that amazing prayer at the end? I missed that bit.

Posted by: Mona at January 20, 2009 12:46 PM

The first presidential speech I've been able to listen to for 8 years, helle make that the first politician's speech I've been able to sit quietly for.

Just a beautiful ceremony. Hope springs. We'll sing if things are a-changin' soon.

Congrats again, Americans!

Posted by: jpguy13 at January 20, 2009 12:48 PM

Amen! Haha! Here's celebrating Sunday Morning Sermon Couture taking over America! Humility in a bitchin' hat, son!

Posted by: Sweetie Dahling at January 20, 2009 12:49 PM

I apologize Dustin, I couldn't help myself.

Posted by: Pookie at January 20, 2009 12:49 PM

Would it be rude for Obama to kick Bush down the Capitol steps?

Posted by: CIndy at January 20, 2009 12:50 PM

Augh Mona! It's Joseph Lowery of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Southern Christian leadership Conference. He led with Dr. King from the beginning.

Posted by: courtney 2 at January 20, 2009 12:50 PM

Mona, that was Joseph Lowery. He's a minister and he was a big player in the civil rights movement.

Was anyone else disappointed that we didn't see Cornel West? That cat is awesome.

Oooh, buh-bye Georgie. Enjoy all that brush clearing you have to get back to.

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 12:51 PM

"We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals."

I think this single sentence summed up the entire campaign, movement and storm that gathered in the last two years. It is the ultimate gut punch to the sinister pretend pragmatism that insists we cannot have health care for everyone, that concern for the poor will crash the economy, that negotiations are a sign of weakness. We are better than that, and not because we are somehow a special place, a city on a hill, but because we decide to be. We choose to be better than that. And the day we decide not to be, the day we start acting like we aren't, is the day we won't be better than that.

Obama's election is in so many ways a rejection of that rationale given for every reprehensible action of the Bush presidency: we did it because we had to. That's the logic of a child, not an adult. It's the thing every teenager caught over his head gasps out at his parents: "I didn't have any choice, I had to do it." There is always a choice. It might mean pain, it might mean sacrifice, but there is always the choice to be the matter man, the better nation.

*applause* -- DR

Posted by: stipe42 at January 20, 2009 12:52 PM

I thought the Williams piece was incredible. As to the poem, I loved it, but it may be one of those poems better read in print to oneself than read aloud. As for poetic justice, I must give that award to Cheney in the damn wheelchair. What a withered, wretched man (not that one's withered/wretched merely from being a wheelchair - seeing him laid low just made it better).

Posted by: samantha t at January 20, 2009 12:52 PM

Rick Warren invokes the Shema? Really? The most basic affirmation of Judaism? Hmmmmm...

If he is converting, the line forms behind me to perform the bris.

Posted by: PrincessLeah at January 20, 2009 12:54 PM

Nicely done. We've got us a real president again.

Posted by: Lucas at January 20, 2009 12:55 PM

Unreal. Just as I was touting my office for being awesome and letting the stream in... we lost power.

Needless to say, me and several co-workers promptly stormed the bar across the street. And now I have a pleasant two-Guinness glow about me.

That said, adios, Herr Bush. Feel free to go fuck yourself.

And welcome, Mr. President. I've got high hopes for you. Also, your wife is more awesome than I can explain.

Posted by: TK at January 20, 2009 1:02 PM

I haven't been able to watch everything at work, but I saw the swearing in and all but the very end of his speech (stupid vendors calling me!).

Am I the only one who is reminded of Jed Bartlett?

I mean that in the best way possible, just so you know.

Posted by: lizzieborden at January 20, 2009 1:02 PM

I'm so moved I can hardly think straight. What a glorious day. What gracious people the Obamas are.

And yay for lefties!

Posted by: Cindy at January 20, 2009 1:05 PM

Love the crowd singing "Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!" as Bush flies off into the history books.

I am so filled with hope right now, if I were to explode, I think rainbows and unicorns would fly out of me.

Posted by: Melissa at January 20, 2009 1:05 PM

I just hope not those unicorns we saw yesterday.

Posted by: Cindy at January 20, 2009 1:09 PM

Cindy, I'm glad I'm not the only one concerned about that.

Posted by: Gabs at January 20, 2009 1:11 PM

1) Cheney is only in a wheelchair to gain sympathy. Trust.

2) THANK YOU PRES. DAVID PALMER!!!!! Without your leadership, this day may have been much, much farther in the future!!!!

Posted by: dammitjanet at January 20, 2009 1:14 PM

Sofia
You would think so, right? No, apparently the class is more about "political philosophy." We did last semester with Plato, Socrates, Machiavelli, Alfarabi, etc. My professor actually (he refrains from saying it outright because he wants to keep his own opinions out of the class,)is not a fan of Obama AT ALL. Or that may be modern politics in general. So of course he didn't let us out early, so I'm just tuning in to the "after party." Who's the guy with leaves around his neck?

Posted by: Erin S at January 20, 2009 1:14 PM

Am I the only one that kinda wishes Aretha would sing "Respect" instead of "My Country tis of thee?"

Nope. Our executive director said the same thing. (P.S. I MUST HAVE THAT HAT!!!!!)

PMS + YoYo Ma and Itzhak Perlman + Obama = MG cries like a tiny bitch.

Hee, MG! That composition was just gorgeous and joyful. Totally killed me. As did everything else. OH, it really does feel like a new day.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at January 20, 2009 1:16 PM

Weren't they supposed to practice the oath?

It reminds me of my wedding. The whole service was in English, and then the rabbi turns to my non-Jewish soon to be husband and says, "Repeat after me, Baruch attah . . . etc. etc." Hubby faked Hebrew nicely, but he still has no clue what our vows were.

Posted by: BWeaves at January 20, 2009 1:18 PM

Maybe butterflies instead of unicorns.

Posted by: Melissa at January 20, 2009 1:18 PM

Jumpin' Jehosaphats that man is one eloquent speaker.

Posted by: meghan at January 20, 2009 1:19 PM

SO WONDERFUL! One bizarre moment, though...why was Mr. Potter from "It's A Wonderful Life" there with Lynn Cheney?

Posted by: eppendork at January 20, 2009 1:19 PM

I'm pretty sure I was permanently scarred Gabs.

Posted by: Cindy at January 20, 2009 1:21 PM

Bweaves: You totally paid off the rabbi to have your husband swear his soul to Cthulhu, didn't you?

Posted by: stipe42 at January 20, 2009 1:24 PM

YAY! I love my new President!

Posted by: wsapnin at January 20, 2009 1:24 PM

BBC's coverage cut off at 6GMT (1pm in Washington).
Please tell me i didnt miss any footage of John Biden eating lunch? That would have been far more interesting than Rick Warren.

Posted by: kc at January 20, 2009 1:25 PM

mmmmmm...love that new president smell

Posted by: branded at January 20, 2009 1:29 PM

Best lunch ever, man. I have a tummy full of inspiration now.

I love it when Obama pulls out all the stops for a speech.

Posted by: pseudoliterati at January 20, 2009 1:29 PM

I watched what I could of it on the interwebs, then listened to Obama's speech in the car on the way home.

My dad, who like me is british and living in the UK, doesn't think Obama is all that but even he stayed silent as we drove home.


Congrats, America, I'm so happy for you

Posted by: Nadine at January 20, 2009 1:30 PM

I'm just going to kick back in my sweats and watch the rest from my couch. Today, unemployment rocks.

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 1:33 PM

... A miserable little clerk crawling in here on your hands and knees and begging for help. No securities, no stocks, no bonds. Nothin' but a miserable little $500 equity in a life insurance policy.
You're worth more dead than alive!

(said to the American worker)

eppendork, will you marry me? That was brilliant!!!

http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PT-AJ150_SCANDA_20080718173530.jpg

Posted by: dammitjanet at January 20, 2009 1:34 PM

I hear ya, Nicole. Nothing like making some breakfast at noon and watching history being made on the tube.

Posted by: Melissa at January 20, 2009 1:36 PM

I'm so happy for you people, and for the whole world (even if it's full of people I hate). And I hate the CNN feed, I ended up watching the cool parts on TV, like cavemen. That poem, though? Ughhh... I think it was prepared just to provide contrast to Barry's own eloquence.

Posted by: JC at January 20, 2009 1:38 PM

I live in Australia, and thus had to stay up until 4am just to hear the speech President Obama gave, and I have to say, it was well worth a little bit of tiredness.

That was fantastic, Obama is such an icon to everyone now. I dont want to say too much more than that. I think it best to keep it simple (especially when posting at 5am).

This is history people.

Posted by: Caillan at January 20, 2009 1:43 PM

Wouldn't it be ironic if Barack REALLY was evil. Like, tonight after all the parties were over, on a dark parking lot the Presidential limo rolls up and there he is, meeting with Osama Bin Laden, Hitler's cousin and Zombie Lenin, laughing maniacally!?!?!?!

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 20, 2009 1:54 PM

I don't know about you guys but I distinctly heard the sound of a million fuming KKK torch-bearers collectively shitting their pants as Aretha put some serious Soul into the Star Spangled Banner.

Guess what rednecks? Your lily-white Christian Jesus was neither. Get used to it.

Posted by: Neodiogenes at January 20, 2009 1:54 PM

Flipped between ABC and BBC America. I stood up for the oath, sat down for the speech, stood up for the national anthem and probably cried through 90% of it (except when I held my breath while Bush was leaving).

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me - feelin' good!

I've played that song a dozen time today...

Posted by: funtime42 at January 20, 2009 1:55 PM

I ended class early so we can watch it. It made me so mad that a student said "the only reason anyone cares is because he's black" with disgust. So sad I couldn't even address the statement. I just told her that I was sorry she felt that way.

Posted by: formiga at January 20, 2009 1:59 PM

After all the inspiration, after all the pomp...

It was so nice to hear that beautiful phrase, "former President Bush."

Posted by: lorent at January 20, 2009 2:07 PM

"We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals."

Amen.

Posted by: Meander at January 20, 2009 2:13 PM

Stipe42: Nah, I told darling hubby that he had promised to do the dishes for life, and he has upheld his end of the bargain.

Neodiogenes: Aretha didn't sing the Star Spangled Banner. The Marines did. Aretha sang My Country Tis Of Thee, I think.

Posted by: BWeaves at January 20, 2009 2:13 PM

Finally, proof that anyone born in the USA really CAN grow up to be president of the USA.

Posted by: BWeaves at January 20, 2009 2:17 PM

So glad I was able to catch that. They projected it on a wall in our office.

On the three occasions that the phone rang, I couldn't help but think, "What kind of bad American are you? Don't you know an amazing historical moment is happening?!" Glad I wasn't the one covering the phones.

And the ideals vs. safety statement was my favorite.

So very happy we have a new president--one I am not ashamed of! Whoohooo!

Posted by: tamatha at January 20, 2009 2:21 PM

It made me so mad that a student said "the only reason anyone cares is because he's black" with disgust.

Yeah, we've got one of those in my office, formiga. She's mostly had the good sense to keep her mouth shut today, though. My response would have to be, "Well, it's kind of a BIG DEAL."

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at January 20, 2009 2:57 PM

I love me some Ted Kennedy, but I wanted to hear Obama's speech at the luncheon and they just talked over it. Now they've completely shifted the focus.

That said, I hope Uncle Teddy is okay. (JFK is considered a saint in my family.)

Posted by: Nicole at January 20, 2009 3:06 PM

Neodigenes, I sure hope there are way fewer than a million KKK crazies

Posted by: lil tweet at January 20, 2009 3:21 PM

LOL eppendork!!!

The inauguration was awesome. I totally started crying when he messed up the oath.

I love that he said PEACE over and over again, and that he's not afriad to embrace our enemies instead of resisting with hatred and fear. I'm lovin' me some 2009!

Posted by: Leigh at January 20, 2009 3:48 PM

Fave highlight from the Ceremony? I have three words:

Aretha. Franklin's. Hat.

I'm out.

Posted by: greer at January 20, 2009 3:55 PM

Posted by: jackseppelin at January 20, 2009 4:56 PM

I liked the orchestral arrangement. And the view.

Posted by: annoyingmouse at January 20, 2009 5:23 PM

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

This is EXACTLY why I hate that stupid-ass John Mayer song about waiting for the world to change. NOT THE FUCKING POINT, DOUCHEBAG. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THE CHANGING.

On that note, huzzah! I get to watch this all tonight in reruns.

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at January 20, 2009 5:27 PM

I haven't seen this much t.v. coverage of a black man since the brentwood butcher. How's that Rowles, does that sufficiently meet your standards of decency?

Posted by: Pookie at January 20, 2009 5:40 PM

You just knew he was going to get out and walk. You just knew he'd be OK. And you just knew that one of the folks doing security - even the ones who didn't vote for President Obama - would take a bullet to keep him safe because he's the president now.

The President / The Vice President '12
"The genius of the American system is the peaceful transfer of power."

Posted by: BierceAmbrose at January 20, 2009 5:54 PM

I'm excited to have a President who is on speaking terms with the English language, though perhaps i misunderestimate the importance of bush's truthiness...

Posted by: aprileee at January 20, 2009 6:18 PM

Oh, you youngsters.

Lowery's benediction opened with lines from Lift Every Voice and Sing, penned by James Weldon Johnson, lines that were used often during the civil rights movement and called in common parlance "The Negro National Anthem."

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand.
True to our God,
True to our native land.

Whatever your race, Johnson should be treasured alongside Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, and Eliot.

His closing lines were a play on popular slogans from the civil rights movement. Both were beautifully placed.

Half the blogs discussing the speech are written by people, like me, who didn't live through the civil rights movement--as a consequence there are folks out there comparing Rev. Lowery to Rev. Wright, just as though Lowery isn't a man who should be a revered public hero. People of my own benighted generation, out there calling him a racist because of the closing lines, out of their own ignorance and refusal to countenance the sacrifices of the generations that came before. White people, like me, of my age, seem to think that we've somehow transcended race now, and that all the generations before us should be swept away. That a black man born into the Depression, who was forbidden to vote but soon enough asked to serve, should grow old, fighting the good fight along the way, at the real risk of being lynched or shot, and then somehow, in his old age be asked to STAND DOWN and SHUT UP about race.

...

Today is a proud day but I hope we don't get too self-satisfied. We're so afraid to mention a racial characterization (or maybe our schools are just so bad) that people our age seem to have forgotten how it was just a generation ago. White people of younger generations feel justified in saying that Black people who talk about race are the racists.

You're glad Obama's President now? You like to call yourself colorblind? You think racism is a thing of the past? If all those are true you should be laying thanks at the feet of Rev. Lowery, because if it hadn't been for men like him you would have no cause for this kind of joy today.

*sigh*

Posted by: codger at January 20, 2009 7:53 PM

Oh, and news stations, WTF? You'd think black people were the only people celebrating today.

Posted by: QueBarbara at January 20, 2009 8:35 PM

The first 100 minutes of the Obama presidency are history, and what's he accomplished? HUH?

OK, seriously: I'm not ALL the way to the other side of the political spectrum (I'm approxmiately green, with indigo being extreme right and yellow, of course, being extreme left), but I am the loyal opposition, so I'll be watching what Mr. Obama does (as opposed to what he says) very closely.

Nevertheless, the man has inherited a hell of a mess (or, for the optimists, opportunity) and I wish him well in trying to straighten it out. Like all of us, I have a vested interest in seeing him get things right. But I've lived long enough to hear a lot of high-falutin' talk from politicians of all stripes that didn't pan out, so I'll believe it when I see it.

Don't mean to rain on anyone's parade or deny the history that took place today. There's no denying it. Just saying, as my grandmother used to: We shall see what we shall see.

Posted by: bucdaddy at January 20, 2009 9:16 PM

My comment on Rev. Lowery's speech.

"when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right"
1. that is the most bold faced racist comment in the last 12 months of political bullshit
2. black get in back? are you for real?
3. the speech is appropriate for 1952
4. the whitey's embraced your main man, who you're talking about as President, you dumb shit
5. mellow yellow? I hope a Chinaman shits in your shrimp lo mein
6. brown stick around? they have been for the last 20 some years, hello open border!

Posted by: C.J. at January 20, 2009 9:40 PM

Oh, pull the stick from you ass, C.J., and read Codger's post.

Posted by: sigh at January 20, 2009 10:05 PM

If a white minister said those words, you bet your ass, every black, yellow, red and brown activist would be hunting for their head.

Enough said, The Race Card is Dead, here that all black people.

Posted by: C.J. at January 20, 2009 10:11 PM

Thank you, C.J., for proving my point so clearly.

Slavery happened. Slavery happened, and then Jim Crow happened. Lynchings happened, and beating of Black men and women happened, and depriving them of their rights happened, and infecting them with diseases for experimental purposes happened, and forced sterilizations happened, and poverty has happened, and depriving Black men and women of equal education has happened, and subjecting them to imprisonment from early youth onward when White people are not subjected to the same at nearly the same rate happened, and sentencing Black people, especially Black men, to death far more often than white people, happened. And after all of this happened and was happening, the Civil Rights Movement happened. And that was not so very long ago.

Are you really so threatened by a Civil Rights slogan invoking color names? Cause if you want to hear threatening words for people of various races, there are others out there. But most of them don't refer to White people. And most of them signify an intent to hurt or murder, rather than a reference to the inequalities and injustices that few sane people could argue do not exist.

And the fact of your denial of this fictional thing you call a "race card," which you call anything that you find frightening that involves oppressed people asking for equal recognition and rights, does not wipe away the arc of history that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of. It is, in fact, long. Longer than one generation and one election can obscure, however keen you might be to absolve yourself and our race of blame.

Your ridiculous little game ("If a White minister said that, blah blah blah....") is a transparent and empty little straw man. How many things for how many years were Black people prevented from saying? Are White people the better ones, you think, to speak the truth about what Black people have lived through?

The truth is that racism exists, and your words are proof. So if you want Black people to put away whatever this thing is you call the race card, you better shut the hell up. Just shut up altogether. Shut up with your ignorance and your racist invective. I'm talking to all the CJs out there. Your logic leaves you only two choices. Shut up, on the one hand, or else shut up. You are the proof against your own assertion, so shut up. There is no room for you in this world, or in this time, so shut up. Stand down, shut up, and let the Reverend Lowery speak.

Posted by: Codger at January 20, 2009 10:42 PM

I was there. It was beautiful. It was cold. It was worth it.

Posted by: jM at January 20, 2009 11:11 PM

Need.More.Codgers. Thank you.

Posted by: Carla Girlpants at January 21, 2009 12:29 AM

Umm didn't Aretha's version of "My Country Tis Of Thee" sound a wee bit like "God save the queen" with you know... soul?

Posted by: Colombo at January 21, 2009 2:35 AM

Colombo well, "My Country Tis of Thee" is set to the same tune as "God Save the Queen," so yeah, that would make sense. Also, Amen Codger.

Posted by: s. pisaster at January 21, 2009 2:41 AM

Wow, Codger. That was beautiful and eloquent. All I could come up with was, "C.J., shut up and go home."

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at January 21, 2009 9:07 AM

No, no, I say, let CJ blather on. It's important to keep stuff like that around, drooling from the mouth and cooking from the Old Dixie Cookbook. I wonder what would come bubbling up if Borat got him intoxicated on a bus.

It's like that ole backward uncle everybody got who can't stop talking about Clinton's blowjobs and photoshopping Sarah Palin's head onto bikini snaps.

Posted by: Stacy D at January 21, 2009 10:10 AM

Wow Codger,
it sounds like you were arm in arm in Birmingham, hitting the pavement in Memphis, singing out lound in D.C. with MLK.
Your fake sense of righteousness and sympathy is transparent.

God Bless Obama and my prayers are with him.

Posted by: C.J. at January 21, 2009 11:07 AM

Sympathy yes. Fake no. Self-righteous no. I'm trying to be honest about the world we all live in and the history we share.

My point is this: calling a civil rights hero a racist for using racial terms is idiotic. Obviously most of use would not express ourselves in the same way that he did, but to call him a racist? Betrays a clear lack of understanding of what that movement meant, what it entailed, and what it was fighting against. You're an ignorant fool to levy that word against that man.

I tried to express myself with the poignancy I feel this moment in history demands.

Clearly you feel no such call, but that's your deal.

Posted by: Codger at January 21, 2009 4:19 PM

Obviously "Do unto others, what you would have done to you." isn't in the good reverend's core of Christian ideology.

Posted by: C.J. at January 22, 2009 9:08 AM

Obviously "Do unto others, what you would have done to you." isn't in the good reverend's core of Christian ideology. - C.J.

Uh, that's not obvious at all actually.

Codger, you said it all when you wrote: "You are the proof against your own assertion."

Posted by: Carla Girlpants at January 22, 2009 9:43 AM

Offering up racial darts, stereotypes, and sticking it to the man, isn't appropriate for a person who is supposed to represent MLK's peace, harmony and color blind dream.

You cannot defend what he said, it was inappropriate for that stage. As a Christian minister, it was inappropriate for Lowery to state what he did. It was hateful and disrespectful.

Stop trying to defend it. It is what it is. A racial and bigoted statement.


It was wrong

Posted by: C.J. at January 22, 2009 8:47 PM


















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