obama inaguration
Favorite parts, I think.
But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions--that time has surely passed.
The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works...
...and do our business in the light of day--because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.
...our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus--and non-believers.
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.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
...a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
I particularly like the part in bold, not only for what it says directly, but for the indirect reminder that people are not their governments.
I don't know if he can deliver on these ideas any better than past men have, but I do think they are the right ideals on which to build.
--
Edit:
I'm relieved that tDS took exception to the same portion of the speech that I did. Challenging the enemy ("..you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you..") strikes me as childish and unwise. I realize it was likely designed to quell the fears of those who believe that such bold rhetoric and policies have been responsible for our safety these past seven years. But I'm reassured to observe that my principals haven't changed with the packaging.
But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions--that time has surely passed.
The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works...
...and do our business in the light of day--because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.
...our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus--and non-believers.
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.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
...a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
I particularly like the part in bold, not only for what it says directly, but for the indirect reminder that people are not their governments.
I don't know if he can deliver on these ideas any better than past men have, but I do think they are the right ideals on which to build.
--
Edit:
I'm relieved that tDS took exception to the same portion of the speech that I did. Challenging the enemy ("..you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you..") strikes me as childish and unwise. I realize it was likely designed to quell the fears of those who believe that such bold rhetoric and policies have been responsible for our safety these past seven years. But I'm reassured to observe that my principals haven't changed with the packaging.