A New America?
There’s really nothing else that could be blogged today. It was a momentous occasion, and it’s still quite hard to believe that it’s actually happened.
Much has been written and is being written, by better writers than me, and those with more of a right to be talking about it. So, instead, I shall present a list of the highlights for me. Small details, of course eclipsed by the overall awesomeness of the whole situation. I mean, President Barack Hussein Obama.
So, the little things that I’ve liked so far:
* A shout out to the non-believers.
* An emphasis on hope over fear.
* Restoring science to its rightful place. About time.
* Malia filming the speech on her camera.
* Aretha’s bow.
* The crowds! So many people.
* The Obamas getting out and walking for some of the parade.
* Joe Biden being completely unable to stop smiling all day.
* Joe Biden (again I know, but he rocks) during the parade, slowing down to make eye contact and wave to a kid and then jogging to catch up.
Last, but most definitely not least:
* Waving GWB goodbye.
Congratulations America! I think it’s all going to be ok.
Very interesting day!
And while George W. was certainly not my favourite president, at least he had the common courtesy to leave gracefully and quietly, unlike the Clinton crew who wrecked offices and removed Ws from keyboards and had a huge ‘it’s all about me’ rally at Andrews AFB before finally going. Have to say that’s someone who just doesn’t know when to call it a day and relinquish the stage.
21 Jan 2009 at 1:02 am
I completely agree with your highlights – the same things stick out for me :)
21 Jan 2009 at 1:22 am
you are right, even with all the work that has to be done, it is going to be ok.
21 Jan 2009 at 2:18 am
We have a long ways to go, and a lot of work to do, but I agree: things are looking better than they have in a long, long time.
21 Jan 2009 at 4:52 am
I liked Joe as well. He had a smile that seemed to say: “How fucking awesome is this?!” Perhaps he was echoing the sentiment of so many people around the world. Perhaps he was realising that even if he ever had been president it never would have been as great as his vice presidency. Whatever the source, it struck me as immensely genuine, even in the face of his being a long-time professional politician. There was too much joy there to fake.
The presence of Aretha I think was a highlight. There’s something uniquely American about that. Americans love full-on pomp and ceremony and military precision, which was all there, but then we prop Aretha Franklin up in front of it like a soulful masthead of the new ship of state.
21 Jan 2009 at 1:09 pm
The only thing left for Joe to do was remove his jacket and reveal a t-shirt with “EPIC WIN” written on it in big shiney letters.
I too couldn’t help but grin when obama said the words “…and non-believers…”
Good stuff all round.
21 Jan 2009 at 1:42 pm
I loved how he stumbled a bit over the oath; it was so human or something! Hi by the way :D I got those needles from the place you linked me to, very pleased.
21 Jan 2009 at 5:31 pm
As an American citizen who has felt for a long time that my government would arrest me if it had its way, I can hardly express how fulfilling, exciting, hopeful, validating, etc. it is to have such an articulate, able, intelligent President! I am over the moon, and reading international sentiments that match mine just makes it better.
THis might get me through the bitter cold, snowy winter we’re having up in Maine!
25 Jan 2009 at 2:45 pm