Thoughts on the Inauguration
- I was so happy to have been able to see the inauguration live this afternoon. My students were cooperative and attentive when I turned the TV on. I'm not sure they realize the historic magnitude of what happened today, but they still allowed me to enjoy it.
- I just have to shake my head at those who are *still* bent out of shape over the fact that President Obama used his middle name (Hussein) while being sworn in. For goodness sake, it's a name - and it was his long before the U.S. ever went to war with Iraq. (Both times.) He could have been "Barack Voldemort Obama," and it's still just a name!
- The letter that the Bush twins wrote to Sasha and Malia was very touching. And although I'm not a big fan of their father, what they said about him (and how it relates to the Obama girls) really was beautiful.
- "...Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. {...} In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. {...} Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. {...} And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. {...} 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. {...} It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate. {...} Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. {...} This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath..."
- President Barack Obama. It sounds good, doesn't it?
- Today just *feels* different in so many ways. I hope we can all work toward making this a truly wonderful transition in the history of our country.
- I just have to shake my head at those who are *still* bent out of shape over the fact that President Obama used his middle name (Hussein) while being sworn in. For goodness sake, it's a name - and it was his long before the U.S. ever went to war with Iraq. (Both times.) He could have been "Barack Voldemort Obama," and it's still just a name!
- The letter that the Bush twins wrote to Sasha and Malia was very touching. And although I'm not a big fan of their father, what they said about him (and how it relates to the Obama girls) really was beautiful.
- "...Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. {...} In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. {...} Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. {...} And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. {...} 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. {...} It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate. {...} Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. {...} This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath..."
- President Barack Obama. It sounds good, doesn't it?
- Today just *feels* different in so many ways. I hope we can all work toward making this a truly wonderful transition in the history of our country.