Dudeness.
Cheney's in a wheelchair?!? How bizarre.
And here comes George Bush.
I'm totally digging the voice they found for doing the voice-overs.
I think I'll just publish and re-fresh this entry every few minutes, doing the new-school things of "real-time blogging". I always wanted to do that....
11:39
I'm really struck by the difference in the gait and facial features of the different men on the podium. Jimmy Carter looks relaxed and like he's properly enjoying himself. Cheney looks miserable and completely incapacitated - a very telling picture for his new life, I think. Bush looks relieved, I think. The Obama girls just look cute and happy.
Why does Nancy Pelosi always look like she has no facial muscles? I mean, her mouth is always pulled into that creepy smile and her eyes are totally bugged open, like she's an owl...except that owls look prettier.
11:43
Interesting - while they used George's real middle name, Obama was just introduced as "Barack H Obama". Does he think we don't know his middle name anymore?
11:45
At long last, the actual meat and bones has started. Thank you, Ms Feinstein.
11:46
While Ms. Feinstein is speaking eloquently about how fantastic America is, I am thinking about how strange this is for me to be watching this today, from Edinburgh. While I am American and I identify, I also find that I am... other.
Sometimes, I wonder how and why the cult of Americana has become so strong? Why do we stand for it?
11:48
Rick Warren. I am thrilled with this choice of ministers...though I'm not sure if he's being all that theologically sound. I wonder: does Dr. King care about what is happening on earth, from heaven? Do I even agree about that theory of heaven? Not sure. But Thank God that this is a day that so many will be bowing their heads, asking for the forgiveness we so need to be asking for.
Dude. He really enjoys saying "Malia" and "Sasha".
Amen.
11:53
Fun factoid on the CNN page, as Re-Re sings.... Did you know that Ulysses S Grant was also from Illinois? There ya go.
Is Obama *really* from Illinois? I mean, Steven Fry puts him in Hawaii... He didn't move there until he was an adult. So is he *really* from Illinois? If he is, then I'm from Edinburgh.
11:57
They're just getting around to Biden...I think that, yes, we shall have an unsworn president for about three minutes. CNN says that the change-over happens, whether the president swears the oath or not.
That's an interesting question. Does the 20th Amendment overrule Article 2, Section 1? Then again, it does say it's before he "executes" his office, so I guess it's ok to have a president for a few minutes who is just sitting on a podium.
I think that Obama looks like he is overwhelmed. I think I would be, too.
Yitzahk Perlman and co are preforming one of my favourite pieces! John Williams, thanks for not going all out and destroying the melody to "Simple Gifts". I wonder why they chose that piece?
12:00
New president.
12:05
Poor Mr. President! He's so nervous. I must say, though, it is refreshing to see him stumble over a few lines in the oath, as is makes him seem so much more human, less like the overly suave, always prepared gentleman he was on the campaign trail.
I always enjoy his little glimpses of humanity. One of my favourite things he said after he won the election was "brothers should pull up their pants." Aaaah. So good.
12:26
Wow. Obama just finished his speech, and I think it's one of those ones that we will be discussing for decades to come. Perhaps it's not as pithy as "Ask not what your country can do for you...", but it certainly had the same spirit.
It's very encouraging to see that, as a Democratic president, Obama is reminding the people that he is not looking to create a paternal state, but is renewing his commitment to the pragmatic, self-reliant American values.
I am surprised how practical and pointed his speech was. It was like listening to the Queen's speech at Parliament, except that it was interesting. I feel like I have a clear vision of what Obama wants his presidency to be about: responsible governance, green industry, fiscal and environmental responsibility, a repealing of many of Bush's excesses of foreign policy.
I think I feel hopeful.
12:35
Rev. Lowry's benediction is one that I can get behind. His opening with the old hymn, the inclusion of a children's song, and the fantastic joyful closing "...where the yella man can be mellow, and the white man does what is right." Fantastic.
Also, so cool of Joe Biden to take pictures for Malia. That's just being a nice guy.
12:40
Well, I guess it's all over. Marine 2 is taking away Mr. Bush..Obama's making his cabinet official, then off to host a million balls. Hope he enjoys pomp and circumstance.
And I'd forgotten how stirring and enjoyable "Stars and Stripes Forever" is. I do enjoy John Philip Sousa...
That's the end, folks. I've got to start thinking about making dinner. I look forward to the historicity of this sinking in... and thinking about the message that Obama gave that he is changing so much of what the Presidency is about.
And here comes George Bush.
I'm totally digging the voice they found for doing the voice-overs.
I think I'll just publish and re-fresh this entry every few minutes, doing the new-school things of "real-time blogging". I always wanted to do that....
11:39
I'm really struck by the difference in the gait and facial features of the different men on the podium. Jimmy Carter looks relaxed and like he's properly enjoying himself. Cheney looks miserable and completely incapacitated - a very telling picture for his new life, I think. Bush looks relieved, I think. The Obama girls just look cute and happy.
Why does Nancy Pelosi always look like she has no facial muscles? I mean, her mouth is always pulled into that creepy smile and her eyes are totally bugged open, like she's an owl...except that owls look prettier.
11:43
Interesting - while they used George's real middle name, Obama was just introduced as "Barack H Obama". Does he think we don't know his middle name anymore?
11:45
At long last, the actual meat and bones has started. Thank you, Ms Feinstein.
11:46
While Ms. Feinstein is speaking eloquently about how fantastic America is, I am thinking about how strange this is for me to be watching this today, from Edinburgh. While I am American and I identify, I also find that I am... other.
Sometimes, I wonder how and why the cult of Americana has become so strong? Why do we stand for it?
11:48
Rick Warren. I am thrilled with this choice of ministers...though I'm not sure if he's being all that theologically sound. I wonder: does Dr. King care about what is happening on earth, from heaven? Do I even agree about that theory of heaven? Not sure. But Thank God that this is a day that so many will be bowing their heads, asking for the forgiveness we so need to be asking for.
Dude. He really enjoys saying "Malia" and "Sasha".
Amen.
11:53
Fun factoid on the CNN page, as Re-Re sings.... Did you know that Ulysses S Grant was also from Illinois? There ya go.
Is Obama *really* from Illinois? I mean, Steven Fry puts him in Hawaii... He didn't move there until he was an adult. So is he *really* from Illinois? If he is, then I'm from Edinburgh.
11:57
They're just getting around to Biden...I think that, yes, we shall have an unsworn president for about three minutes. CNN says that the change-over happens, whether the president swears the oath or not.
That's an interesting question. Does the 20th Amendment overrule Article 2, Section 1? Then again, it does say it's before he "executes" his office, so I guess it's ok to have a president for a few minutes who is just sitting on a podium.
I think that Obama looks like he is overwhelmed. I think I would be, too.
Yitzahk Perlman and co are preforming one of my favourite pieces! John Williams, thanks for not going all out and destroying the melody to "Simple Gifts". I wonder why they chose that piece?
12:00
New president.
12:05
Poor Mr. President! He's so nervous. I must say, though, it is refreshing to see him stumble over a few lines in the oath, as is makes him seem so much more human, less like the overly suave, always prepared gentleman he was on the campaign trail.
I always enjoy his little glimpses of humanity. One of my favourite things he said after he won the election was "brothers should pull up their pants." Aaaah. So good.
12:26
Wow. Obama just finished his speech, and I think it's one of those ones that we will be discussing for decades to come. Perhaps it's not as pithy as "Ask not what your country can do for you...", but it certainly had the same spirit.
It's very encouraging to see that, as a Democratic president, Obama is reminding the people that he is not looking to create a paternal state, but is renewing his commitment to the pragmatic, self-reliant American values.
I am surprised how practical and pointed his speech was. It was like listening to the Queen's speech at Parliament, except that it was interesting. I feel like I have a clear vision of what Obama wants his presidency to be about: responsible governance, green industry, fiscal and environmental responsibility, a repealing of many of Bush's excesses of foreign policy.
I think I feel hopeful.
12:35
Rev. Lowry's benediction is one that I can get behind. His opening with the old hymn, the inclusion of a children's song, and the fantastic joyful closing "...where the yella man can be mellow, and the white man does what is right." Fantastic.
Also, so cool of Joe Biden to take pictures for Malia. That's just being a nice guy.
12:40
Well, I guess it's all over. Marine 2 is taking away Mr. Bush..Obama's making his cabinet official, then off to host a million balls. Hope he enjoys pomp and circumstance.
And I'd forgotten how stirring and enjoyable "Stars and Stripes Forever" is. I do enjoy John Philip Sousa...
That's the end, folks. I've got to start thinking about making dinner. I look forward to the historicity of this sinking in... and thinking about the message that Obama gave that he is changing so much of what the Presidency is about.