Yesterday
My friendspage is just full of Obama. From Cakewrecks (with wrecked Obama cakes) to Language Log (with misplaced adverbs during the oath) the inauguration has taken over.
I watched it. This was the first time I have ever watched a US presidential inauguration. The first time I've ever been even slightly interested in watching a US presidential inauguration. (Thanks must be given to CNN live for providing a feed which worked almost 100% in China, and to Twobit for a) suggesting the idea of watching online when I was bemoaning the fact that I hadn't got my satellite dish adjusted and b) watching it with me.)
I've sometimes described myself as part of "Thatcher's Generation". My first memory of anything political is of the 1979 election in which she became Prime Minister, and I was an enfranchised adult by the time she was removed from the premiership. Margaret Thatcher's reign had a profound effect on all aspects of British life during the 80s, and it certainly played a major role in shaping a generation's views on participative democracy. Those of us who grew up with alternate political views to the Iron Lady's also, pretty much automatically, grew up extremely cynical about career politicians, cronyism, and the futility of trying to make a competing voice heard. The political laziness (not apathy - we cared, but we just didn't do anything about it), and armchair anarchism of the early 90s university generation were the obvious results of this.
I remember the 20th of January 1993. That day, a friend (MB) and I were bored, so we decided to pay a call on another friend (ML) and his half-American girlfriend D. We discovered them strangely reluctant to receive guests, as they were glued to Clinton's inauguration. "It's a new era," they told us, "everything will change!" MB and I merely raised our eyebrows at each other, and took our leave in bemused confusion. "How on earth can they think that?" we asked each other as soon as we hit the street.
I also remember the excitement of some on May 1st 1997, though I don't think many of my peer-group were celebrating. Some of them hadn't bothered to register or vote, others were traditional Labour supporters - but not the naively-optimistic kind (they were Scottish, and thus well-aware that Labour in power results in just the same kinds of cronyism, corruption and contempt for the electorate as any other party in power), and a third group voted for smaller parties which never stood any chance of success on principle (I voted Green because I approved of their manifesto, MB I'm pretty sure voted for the Lib Dems on similar grounds). We viewed the ellubilent excitement of the nation with a supremely cynical eye. "Do you really think this election will change anything?" we thought.
Well, you know what? I'm becoming less cynical in my old-age. The more I look back on and ponder the results and achievements of the Clinton presidency, the more impressed I become with it. (Ok, he does have the benefit of an extremely strong contrast following him.) And, since I never really expected much of Labour, it didn't take much to impress me. Overall, they've managed to do a bit better than I think the Tories would have, and the Iraq war would have happened just as fast without them (at least, so I believe).
So, on to Obama. As I'm sure the entire universe is aware, the guy doesn't actually have to do anything else now because he's already made history. But he does intend to do things - wasn't it wonderful to hear him talk about renewable energy in his speech? In some ways, actually, all those raised expectations are a bit of a concern. People with lowered expectations are much easier to impress; those with higher expectations are the ones who'll crash and burn earliest.
Oh well, all we can do is wish him luck and wait to see how it goes.
I watched it. This was the first time I have ever watched a US presidential inauguration. The first time I've ever been even slightly interested in watching a US presidential inauguration. (Thanks must be given to CNN live for providing a feed which worked almost 100% in China, and to Twobit for a) suggesting the idea of watching online when I was bemoaning the fact that I hadn't got my satellite dish adjusted and b) watching it with me.)
I've sometimes described myself as part of "Thatcher's Generation". My first memory of anything political is of the 1979 election in which she became Prime Minister, and I was an enfranchised adult by the time she was removed from the premiership. Margaret Thatcher's reign had a profound effect on all aspects of British life during the 80s, and it certainly played a major role in shaping a generation's views on participative democracy. Those of us who grew up with alternate political views to the Iron Lady's also, pretty much automatically, grew up extremely cynical about career politicians, cronyism, and the futility of trying to make a competing voice heard. The political laziness (not apathy - we cared, but we just didn't do anything about it), and armchair anarchism of the early 90s university generation were the obvious results of this.
I remember the 20th of January 1993. That day, a friend (MB) and I were bored, so we decided to pay a call on another friend (ML) and his half-American girlfriend D. We discovered them strangely reluctant to receive guests, as they were glued to Clinton's inauguration. "It's a new era," they told us, "everything will change!" MB and I merely raised our eyebrows at each other, and took our leave in bemused confusion. "How on earth can they think that?" we asked each other as soon as we hit the street.
I also remember the excitement of some on May 1st 1997, though I don't think many of my peer-group were celebrating. Some of them hadn't bothered to register or vote, others were traditional Labour supporters - but not the naively-optimistic kind (they were Scottish, and thus well-aware that Labour in power results in just the same kinds of cronyism, corruption and contempt for the electorate as any other party in power), and a third group voted for smaller parties which never stood any chance of success on principle (I voted Green because I approved of their manifesto, MB I'm pretty sure voted for the Lib Dems on similar grounds). We viewed the ellubilent excitement of the nation with a supremely cynical eye. "Do you really think this election will change anything?" we thought.
Well, you know what? I'm becoming less cynical in my old-age. The more I look back on and ponder the results and achievements of the Clinton presidency, the more impressed I become with it. (Ok, he does have the benefit of an extremely strong contrast following him.) And, since I never really expected much of Labour, it didn't take much to impress me. Overall, they've managed to do a bit better than I think the Tories would have, and the Iraq war would have happened just as fast without them (at least, so I believe).
So, on to Obama. As I'm sure the entire universe is aware, the guy doesn't actually have to do anything else now because he's already made history. But he does intend to do things - wasn't it wonderful to hear him talk about renewable energy in his speech? In some ways, actually, all those raised expectations are a bit of a concern. People with lowered expectations are much easier to impress; those with higher expectations are the ones who'll crash and burn earliest.
Oh well, all we can do is wish him luck and wait to see how it goes.