Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 20, 2009, at 3:27 pm
As provided by the Presidential Inaugural Committee:
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
Despite Rick Warren’s odious appearance and a bumbling exchange between the new president and Chief Justice Roberts, Barack Obama’s inauguration was as moving and powerful as the rest of his journey to the White House as been.
With empowering rhetorical style in his speech this afternoon, Obama elicited misty eyes and wide smiles from the immense D.C. crowd – while simultaneously managing to ensure the American people that this presidency will be nothing like the previous.
Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 20, 2009, at 2:37 pm
Here’s a range of media online front pages from Barack Obama’s speech today:
New York Times: President Obama Vows Era of Responsibility
“We have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world,
duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly.”
Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 20, 2009, at 8:56 am
PoHo is already writing over at this blog post, and we’ll start in earnest around 10 a.m. For those without a TV at work, our live blog post has a live feed of the swearing-in, via Hulu. Your comments welcomed.
Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 20, 2009, at 8:30 am
Scott Farrell is the host of the Scott Farrell Show weeknights from 9-11 p.m. on 820 AM. He is joining PoHo as a regular contributor with this post from the inauguration in Washington, D.C.:
Hope and trepidation meet head on in a chilly DC. From the Cab driver from Ethiopia to the African American family attending their first inaugural — there is a sense that if Lincoln’s “better angels” exist — they better come to help the incoming 44th President. The burdens are heavy for #44 — but the hope is high. Miracles would be great… But most here understand that there is much heavy lifting to do to get the country back on track. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 20, 2009, at 8:00 am
Catherine Durkin Robinson is a “feminist mother of twins” and a political blogger, working under the title Out in Left Field. She becomes a regular contributor to PoHo with this entry:
Watching HBO Sunday night, I caught some of the musical guests who were performing with exuberance in front of the Lincoln Memorial. My heart soared while legends like Stevie Wonder and Pete Seeger teamed up with Usher and Bruce Springsteen, all of them looking and sounding better than ever. Their optimism and love for this country shining through every lyric, musical note, and facial expression.
For me, the end of U2’s performance summed it up best.
“Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel,” Bono said.
Then he repeated himself.
For the last eight years, we’ve been told throughout the nation and around the world, through deeds and through actions, that to disagree with America’s governing body meant you were turning your back on America.
“You’re either with us or against us,” President Bush said.
Thirty-five years ago last August, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of a quarter of a million people and gave one of the most memorable speeches in American History. (My post from 2007 has the full text and an audio clip.) This speech was given when a large part of America still did not believe all men are created equal.
Tomorrow, in front of 10 or 20 times as many people, Barak Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, the first American of African descent to be elected to the highest post in the land. Many have called this the culmination of King’s Dream. Perhaps, another way to describe this momentous occasion is that our nation has reached the other side of the mountain.
I say this because King gave another speech in April 1968 in Memphis, the day before he was assassinated, in which he said:
Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 20, 2009, at 5:30 am
Ana Cruz is a political consultant in Tampa and former executive director of the Florida Democratic Party. She agreed to file regular reports from D.C. via Facebook mobile as she takes in the parties and events this week. Here are her reports so far, with only minor editing for spelling and capitalization to preserve the flavor and immediacy of her txts:
January 18 at 9:36pm
This Hispanic ball is packed. Its a zoo but lots of celebs and members of Congress and folks that traveled from all over. Its a great mix of people. Funny enough I’m standing in the room I was in for Clinton’s 2nd inaug.
January 18 at 11:40pm
got great photo w San Fran Mayor Gavin Newsome. Congressman Kendrick Meek is here as well. Lots of members of Congress. I just walked into hot gblt party hosted by Steve Hildebrand. This city is so alive everyone introduces themselves everyone Is happy and excited. More to follow
January 19 at 12:14am
Ok just met Jennifer Beal!!!!!!
January 19 at 10:14am
I’m in the weeds. Heading to Saks to buy another dress. Too many events not enough fabric;) then heading to the hill to pick up tickets from Meek’s office. I picked up my swearing in tkt from Hillary’s Office and they r beautiful. Very formal, gold tassel, maps and good directions and two nice photos of our new potus and vpotus. Its so real finally and so much more exciting. More to come. I wish all of Tampa were here to share this me. Its really very special.
January 19 at 10:19am
Oh on another note. Getting out of last night dress was hysterical. It involved my best friend heather a serrated kitchen [knife] and a meatball sub.
January 19 at 8:19pm
Wayne- I’m headed to yet another series of celebrations. 1st to meet up w Congressman Meek @ Congresswoman Corrine Brown’s Florida party then to a small dinner and then to the fl society ball. This is so much fun but very tiring. Its absolutely freezing up here as well. Taxis and limos are hard to come by but the view of the Capitol lit up in the distance is breath taking, all the monuments seem even more special tonight for some reason. I’ve always been proud to be a Democrat but feel extraordinarily humbled by all those who believed in this Democratic president-elect. May sound corny to some but if you were here you’d understand.
Sent via Facebook Mobile
Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 19, 2009, at 2:01 pm
Your comments, questions and observation are welcomed. Just click on the Comments link below. (For those playing the Obama Inauguration News Coverage Drinking Game, the key phrase for chugging is “Sea of Humanity.”)
12:39: Joseph Lowery gives us the benediction. It’s longer than the speech itself.
What did you think of the speech? I’m working on a separate blog post about it, but would love your comments below.
12:26 p.m.: The big finish: Obama cites the Father of our Nation and says America is “in the depth of winter:”
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
12:17: Obama’s repudiation of the Bush Doctrine is subtle yet complete:
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 the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. 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.
12:10: Obama:
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
12:07: “Every so often the oath is taken among gathering clouds …”
Barack ain’t mincing any words. We’re all to blame for this shit we find ourselves in, not just Bush or the jackasses on Wall Street or Al Qaeda. WE are the blame.
Posted by Wayne Garcia on Jan. 17, 2009, at 12:38 pm
If you are from Tampa Bay, going to the Inaguration and on Twitter, how about sending us your observations from that historic occasion? Just end your tweet with #tampanews and it will go directly into our Tampa News Tweet feed in the News Section.
