I've never been all that interested in politics. Why get all worked up over someone who will turn out to be a liar anyway? Everything promised on the campaign trail gets compromised and watered down and oftentimes completely reversed. Still, I have to admit that the last eight years have been difficult for me as I watched a complete boob hoodwink Americans into voting for him and then watch as he destroyed our credibility in the world, invaded a sovereign nation (but not for the oil, for the WMDs wink wink) and pushed the nation to the brink of financial ruin. Nobody likes an I told you so, but I told you so!
I haven't been carried away by Obama the way some people have. Sure I like his message, but I can't help being cynical. Yesterday I went to a little cafe for lunch where they had a tv and they were showing the inauguration ceremony. It was hard not to swell with (not pride really, but something happy and emotional) feeling seeing over a million people out there freezing their butts off chanting Obama. And then when he stumbled on the swearing in, I thought it was so human of him, and then his excellent speech with not too subtle jabs at Bushco. Good for him. I was surprised too at how the Quebecers in that little cafe were just as riveted to the screen as I. They know a momentous occassion when they see one too. I had always said that my country wouldn't vote for a black man and I have never been happier to have been wrong in my life.
20 comments:
Rick... while it was great to watch and amazingly moving, last I heard, he is not my President... but it is your home country so well done for the USA! Also he did not stumble on the oath, the Chief Justice got it wrong ... and Obama was gracious enough to let him catch up! For those of us who pray ... pray for him, for those who don't... cross your fingers!
cheers
m&j
Happy Wednesday! Bloghoppin' here... Hey, I have an interesting tutorial for you that I have written myself. It is about adding Adsense on your Single Post in XML template. I hope you'll like it! God Bless you!
Just a little correction...
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed the oath of office not Prez.Obama. From the super Joe.My.God
Separated by a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inaugural, Roberts asked Obama: "Are you prepared to take the oath, Senator?" The former Illinois senator indicated he was, and Roberts started reciting — and Obama repeating — the 35-word oath that is prescribed by the Constitution. But at one point, Obama paused abruptly after Roberts reversed several words in the oath. The oath includes the phrase "that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States" but Roberts didn't say "faithfully" until after saying "president of the United States." Obama apparently realized that something was out of order. With Obama not reciting, Roberts then repeated the phrase correctly, the brief awkward moment ended and Obama was back on track. He was then the first to congratulate Obama on his new job.
I saw Obama speak in Berlin this past summer. It was the most electric and inspiring speeches that I have ever heard. The crowd loved everything that he had to say. Well, except for the Americans in the crowd, they were perhaps justifiably blase after 8 years of mismanagement in the oval office.
The world will be a better place even if Obama succeeds in fixing a small portion of the problems that plague America today.
I thought it was a pretty good day, but I wish he would be a little more interested in the concerns of the gays and Latinos.
He didn't stumble, the guy reading the swearing in was wrong and Obama was thrown by his mixing up of the words since he has memorized it.
I never thought I'd see Margaret Cho's comments come to fruition, that we must stop letting the "rich, old, white men" run this country.
Hurray for us!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm very proud of the US and of its people. We finally wised up.
I was mesmerized by the entire day and couldn't stop watching online at work and on numerous channels at home.
I feel this odd emotion that has become cliche throughout his campaign, but it's the only way to describe it. I truly feel a sense of hope, as if this heavy, dark burden has been lifted and now we can work our way out of this mess and rise above it.
The clincher was watching the first couple at the inauguration balls last night. Watching them dance made me swoon and cry. They appeared to be able to let the world fall away and when they looked into each others eyes, serenaded by At Last, the emotion of the moment was just too much. They seem so utterly smitten with one another. That, alone, will see them through a lot.
Turns out I'm smitten with them, too.
I understand your cynicism, Torn. I really do because from time to time I go there, too. I have about the same opinion of politicians as a whole as you do. But one thing I think that the last eight years should have taught us as Americans is that we must remain involved in our political life as dirty as it may become. We cannot turn our head and look away. We cannot let others decide for us.
I like Obama, but I do not worship him. He will disappoint me. (He already has.) But at least for now he brings me hope and I rejoice that so many people owned this election and made it theirs.
even though he is just a man, I am grateful for the one day of hope he gave all of North America. It was like a taste of spring!!
I didn't vote for Obama, but it's his time right now, and he is shining. I am very happy to see the end of Shrub and Rasputin.
I think we should have sent the old Bush up to the frozen cold north. You could have done with the prick what you wanted to.
When Chris Rock was asked if America was ready for a black president he said "Well, we've already had a retard for a president..."
I'm scared for what the Republicans will try to do to him but I think Americans will rally and support him. He seems like such a smart man.
I wondered how long will it be before a gay man or an Atheist or non-Christian people would be elected the US president...
I suppose of all those three, the gay President would be the most likely to happen first...
CHange has come! Amen!
Let's wait and see. But it all looks good so far...
Well said.
Like any administration, there are sure to be setbacks, challenges and compromises for/from Obama and co.
But after eight years of superior smugs from inferior minds, I find the taste of A Little Hope makes this cold January of our discontent just a little tastier.
You know, it's not Obama the man that I'm so hopeful about, it's my country. I don't believe Bush ruined it, but he sure weakened our credibility in the world.
Instead of cynicism, I want to start working on solutions. Change doesn't come easy, but it can come.
Even this economic downturn can be a good thing. People (and countries) too big for their britches, need a little knock down.
Obama is a smart, educated man, and I'm sure there will be compromises he'll have to make. I trust him though. That's where the hope comes in.
I'll be holding my breath for the next 120 days to see how he performs. It would have been nice to see him sign an executive order for something immediate to happen, such as lifting "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The other orders, like "Gitmo", will take years.
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