So what did you think of President Obama’s inauguration? It was quite an affair, wasn’t it?
There was a lot to admire.
We are reminded, once again, of the visionary forethought of our Founding Fathers. The transition of power is one part of the brilliance behind a democracy like ours.
The pomp and circumstance was inspiring.
What about the crowd? Many started arriving at 4 o’clock in the morning. Estimates of 2 million or more were present to witness the moment.
I understand there was more security in D.C. than there is presently in Iraq. That is not surprising.
Rick Warren did a first-rate job with the invocation. Did you hear him quote the first line of the Shema?
Sing, Aretha, sing!
President Bush looked weary, yet relieved.
John Williams’ “Air and Simple Gifts” performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero and Itzhak Perlman was striking. It was a worthy touch to the ceremony.
President Obama’s speech was persuasive. He is a very articulate man.
Did you see President Obama’s daughter’s using her digital camera to video her father giving his speech? That was a cute.
Even though I cannot support much of his platform, I am starting to like Barack Obama. Let that be a good reminder for all of us, however. His policies, not his personality, must be the judge of his leadership.
Whose idea was it to have someone read an anti-climatic poem after the president addressed the people? Perhaps her words were inspiring, yet the timing stunk.
Joseph Lowery’s final citation in the closing prayer owned me:
“….help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right.”
And finally, even though the 44th President delivered an eloquent speech, I thought it lacked anything particularly memorable, the real zinger that will be replayed in the decades to come.
I remember Reagan’s line “Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the source of our problems.” And who can forget Kennedy’s “Man on the Moon” address or FDR’s statement, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”?
Later in the day I imagined myself as a presidential speech writer. This would have been my recommendation:
“Fifty years ago a man of vision stood on these very steps and said he had a dream. Today, that dream is a reality.”
After the crowd went nuts, he would add:
It is time to dream again, America. It is time for a new dream. A new dream where (fill in the blank). A new dream where… A new dream where…”
Now that is memorable. Of course no one asked my opinion, now did they?
Yesterday was one of those rare days when it does not matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, conservative or liberal. Yesterday was a good day for America.
God bless America, and God bless President Barack Obama.
I sat with a group of high school students (a very diverse crowd) and watched the inauguration as it was the only television in our building. I was awed by the entire presentation but more awed at the youth in that room. They were so engaged in this historical event, moreso than in the past.
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I personally have been fond of President Obama from the start. I didn’t see eye to eye with any candidate, but as I prayed for our future leaders, I had a peace about the outcome. I am continuing that prayer for President Obama and I am so thankful for President Bush and his leadership.
My very favorite part of yesterday was Joseph Lowery’s prayer- it owned me too. It owned me because in the room with me was an Asian student, an African American student, a Native American student and a Caucasian student. We were all laughing hysterically and joking with each other! Just this morning the Asian student emailed me to say he was feeling mellow-
My second favorite- Aretha’s hat with that gi-normous bow!
A close tie to second was the ‘Air and Simple Gifts” performance. Seeing all the great classical instrumentalists in one arena was wonderful. If I had a portion of that talent……
Did you see when Joe Biden took a digital pic for Sasha when she couldn’t get the shot she wanted- precious!!!! I love the digital generation- she also had her iPod out at one time.
Hey Ryan-
I had to work yesterday so I’ve only seen the sound bites and heard the media commentaries about the inauguration. The thing that still bewilders me is the constant double standard that exists. The claim since Dr. King labored as he did was for equality. The desire stated was always that there should be no difference based on the color of one’s skin. And yet, all I heard yesterday had to do with the color of the President’s skin. Every reference about historical significance was referenced to a race. However, because the blacks were saying those things it was not considered racism. If we are indeed all equal, then how is this man going to be able to unify this country any more than any past president? If it’s because of his skin color, then is he superior to every other president because he is black? The claim that one should not see colors when we look at other races is a white attitude which is racist. Did God not create color? If He did then we need to see color, however we should see everyone as equal, different but equal. And if the black population can only feel equal because we have a black president then that is racist. And if that is true then we have not learned anything from Dr. King’s efforts, black or white. Having a black president does finally demonstrate that anyone in this country can succeed if they really want to but it does not represent that we have begun to be free of racism, in either the black or white communities. Prejudice and racism are a product of the sin nature of man and the ONLY way we can begin to eradicate either is to unlearn much of our history and learn who the God of the Bible is and finally submit to His will and not our own. The world uses racism and hatred to manipulate and control weak minded and weak spirited people. We all need to renew our minds by truly getting to know our Creator through the saving grace of His son and our savior Jesus Christ.
Just one person’s opinion though…
Soli Deo Gloria!
One more little observation…
In looking at the comments by Rev. Lowery, the one that “owned” you! LOL
I felt that Rev. Lowery’s prayer was as racist as were the sermons by Rev. Wright that ignited such controversy during the primaries. “The black will not have to give back”? To me this indicates that he thinks blacks should be able to participate and receive from the government and give nothing in return…isn’t that welfare? And to say that whites are the only one’s doing wrong is not only racist but ignorant.
“When good people have a falling out, only one of them may be at fault at first; but if the strife continues long, usually both become guilty.”
– Thomas Fuller
This quote from Fuller struck me. The white man at the beginning of this country was wrong and at fault for enslaving blacks, but the longer that the strife continues between the races the more guilty both have become.
We all need God!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Good points all. I’ve been particularly struck by the gracious humility and over and above efforts of the Bush family during this transition. The media did a number on him over the years but all who have met him personally are impacted. He handled quite a lot in his terms. I thought Fox news and particularly Glenn Beck did a good job and made good points.
The letters the twin daughters wrote to the Obama daughters was precious. I heard it on WDJC this morning. Ryan, I like your speech.. Wish they had asked you to write. That would have been good. It was quite the historical day.
What a blessing to see this transition versus the manner in which the Clintons exited. We’ve had a man of integrity for 8 years. We can only pray and encourage similar traits in our new president but most especially pray for him to know Christ. His facial expressions during Warren’s prayer was interesting. It was a great prayer. Hopefully the letter left behind by Bush will have an impact. Blessings.
To me, I did not vote for President Obama, but I will support Him because Christ commands that I do so. However, it is my desire that President Obama will look to Jesus Christ in every decision that he makes. It this possible? Yes. Will he do so? I will pray that He will. Amen.
Barack Obama is our president. Even though many did not vote for him, he is still the President of the United States, thus he is our president. In the same way just a few days ago President Bush was our president. Some people are going to like him, others are going to dislike him. Sure, his color does matter, but then again it does not. His agenda, his policies, and I would add, even his color contributed to his election as president.
There are ways I respect President Obama, and there are ways I do not. I respect the fact that President Obama never made race an issue. Whether it was by design or for political purposes, Barack Obama is to be commended for not making election victory as a racial issue.