It’s Now President Barack Obama
There is no way a gaffe while taking the oath of office for President of the United States could be overlooked with a potential viewing audience exceeding millions. First thought from this vantage point asks the obvious question. Did they rehearse this event? The second question is more of a suggestion. Justice Roberts, you could have presented the words of the oath to be repeated in smaller phrases, right? But when you really think about it all involved are rookies with the possible exception of those behind the scenes. The following quote from an article posted on this site points to the real significance of an inaugural address.
.The LA Times has a title ‘Obama Sets Fresh Course for [Remaking America]’. Fox News reveals that Obama pledges to restore US prosperity and global prominence. The Christian Science Monitor goes to Kenya for ‘Obama the Musical’. And you gotta love CNN’s, ‘Obama Speech: Sober with dose of hope’. A dose of hope is what they say? That is all this whole thing has been about thus far. There is no resume’. There is no track record. There is no list of public service accomplishments unless you include ACORN and the Chicago political machine, etc.
Bloomberg’s contribution is a title referring to the speech stating the US ‘is ready to lead once more’. When did we stop? When did America lose its place as the dominant nation on the planet? Currently China has been making huge strides to rise up as a true world power but may be heading for some more growing pains. Until the fall of the Soviet Union and after WWII the United States, Russia and Britain were the top dogs. Certainly the US and Russia were the only two true world powers for all the time after WWII and it may still be that way.
Lovely, Newsweek has a piece titled ‘Removing the Stain’. Don’t even want to go there to investigate but did. The phrase does not appear but in the title according to a ‘find’ operation through the browser. There is much reference to Lincoln and slavery, go figure, so the first impression probably still stands. How much distraction will we have to endure regarding specific points in history that have already been overworked. Hey, Newsweek, we get it. We couldn’t help but get it with all the constant reminders. How about focusing on history that has not been resolved to the same degree, like the full history of public servants. Especially that which no main stream outlet is willing to confront.
Of all the things in this country that should receive some solemn reverence the Inauguration of a President of the United States should certainly be one. But that is not the only instance where this applies. The manner in which many transactions or serious activities are conducted by those involved on any level has reached a point where little is taken seriously or given proper treatment. For that to change on a large or universal scale requires those in a position of leadership to set the example again. This does not relieve ordinary citizens from their responsibility to conduct themselves properly and this is certainly not a suggestion to adopt the absurdity of political correctness. But if we are to be taken seriously the manner in which we engage the issues as well as routine activities influences the outcome. If we revisit some sensible practices of the past in discharging our responsibilities in the present and future those among us who suffer from self-induced apathy may once again contribute.
Therefore the reason for a less than flattering commentary on the Inauguration of President Barack Obama is based on what has happened since this all started in the campaigns and how little has ‘changed’ since. Business as usual, politics as usual and citizens responding as usual or not at all still dominates public and private affairs in this country. If you want this blog author to subscribe to change we can believe in or yes we can then something must in fact change. The change suggested in this post is that which is sought here as it is more enduring than isolated examples of executive orders, legislative agendas or accommodating special interest which we all represent.
Let the initiatives, proposals or policies succeed or fail on merit. Let us not support those items which may only benefit us personally. Have the courage to admit that if it is not good for the country overall is should not be pursued.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
January 21st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I’m stayin a hole till the 4 yrs are up!..arggggggggg!..is it 2013 yet?
January 21st, 2009 at 5:53 pm
If it was not for The One’s ‘community organizer’ reputation his photo op of helping do some painting this week to promote volunteer service might have been viewed as genuine.
Had he not gaffed on the oath of office (there are reports liberals accuse Chief Justice Roberts of conspiracy in that) after being hailed as a great orator and mover of people aka pied piper it might have also been impressive.
Stay tuned for the much anticipated analysis and commentary of his inaugural address on this blog.