Hells Bells, if John Roberts get him this rattled, what's ahmadinejad gonna do to him?

And yet, a better speech than any given by either of the Bushes. No, I didn't vote for Obama, but the man can at least speak coherently.

I watched Reagan's first inauguration on youtube instead.

Come on, it wasn't that bad. I admit I got a bit misty eyed during his speech when he mentioned those who traveled across the seas to establish themselves in a new land. That's my story and the story of my parents and the story of many of my ancestors. I thought he talked a good game and it only remains to see what tomorrow brings. For my part I pray that he does his job well.

Cheney. Wheelchair. Discuss.

Patrick Stewart is a great speaker as well.

So is James Earl Jones.

Doesn't exactly mean Captain Picard or Darth Vader are qualified to be President.

I am stunned at how un-inspired this speech was. I thought he was going to blow the doors off the joint.

I didn't appreciate the implications that the country had some how fallen down. I didn't care for the end of Lowry's (sp?) prayer either that white would finally do right. It's an insult to all of those Americans who regularly risk life and limb to do right. I thought it was a juvenile dig.

Pretzel,

Maybe Obama was thrown off when Roberts departed from the text.

He got caught in one of those moments where he had to decide if he should say what he was actually supposed to say, or repeat the error of the Chief Justice.

It was good -- and the speech was my favorite kind of speech: short!

I expected a few partisan shots, and they were there -- they're always there in most inaugural addresses. But I liked the call to service and be more than we already are.

And nice touch where he placed Khe San on equal footing as Concord and Gettysburg.

And yes, Roberts did flub it. No harm. Added a little bit of humanity/humility.

The Obama girls looked as cute as buttons.

Shawn,

As one of the new polemic writers here at the site I am not surprised by your reaction. And it's your prerogative, of course, to be unimpressed.

As with many of your other recent posts, it seems pretty obvious that your mind has been well made up in advance.

The speech was rational, thoughtful, and well-stated. It had its share of emotional points, but it was not overdone, IMO. It was also a pretty inclusive and uniting speech.

Interestingly, many conservatives often bash liberals for being far too emotional. Well, this was a pretty tempered speech by Obama, and one that clearly attempted to speak across political boundaries.

Of course, you aren't impressed--I would wager--simply because Obama supposedly does not represent your political party. And I think that's a pretty narrow-minded way of looking at this political moment.

The faults--and successes--cut across political boundaries.

I am not a rapid supporter of any political party, and I think that the multiplicity of political viewpoints that exist deserve equal consideration--from conservative to liberal.

Hopefully you won't use this as a means to continue with the same old one-sided crap that many pundits and writers have been pushing for far too long.

Ryan,

"Of course, you aren't impressed--I would wager--simply because Obama supposedly does not represent your political party. And I think that's a pretty narrow-minded way of looking at this political moment."

Spin your observation all you want. I just didn't like the speech, and expected much more passion, not in his delivery, but in his substance.

Just my opinion.

-Shawn

Well 100 minutes down and country hasnt slid into chaos yet. Lets hope the rest of the term goes as smoothly. :)

Shawn,

I can respect the fact that you simply didn't like the speech. I just think it's interesting that you are calling for more passion.

"Spin your observation all you want. I just didn't like the speech, and expected much more passion, not in his delivery, but in his substance."

Not trying to spin. Well, I am basing my comment upon some of your recent posts about the transition. It seems to me that your mind is pretty well set on this issue. I am not sure that ANY speech by Obama would have been interesting to you.

To me it was a thoughtful, well-constructed speech. It was on the solemn side, and considering the state of affairs, I thought that was appropriate. I think there were some goods points made.

But we can agree to disagree there.

Ryan,

Fair enough. Thanks for the civil discussion.

-Shawn

I had no quibble with his speech. His first presidential campaign is over and I believe reality is weighing very heavily on him. Frankly, I have wondered whether overcoming the arrogance of his Democrat colleagues in Congress will be one of his major challenges early on.

He struck a number of right notes as far as I'm concerned - and a few clunkers, but that's normal for an inauguration speech.

But speeches are easy. Day to day is going to be a lot harder.

He's our President - God help him. And he's about to find out just what he's really signed on for...

"Fair enough. Thanks for the civil discussion."

Thanks to you as well. Civility is a good thing.

-ryan

max:
"graciously let him (roberts) correct himself"?? haha...He stepped over him in impatience. They were both nervous and they both messed it up from the outset.

Yeah, but you got to see the asshat libs to the left of the stage heckling President Bush while singing NA NA NA NA Hey Hey Hey goodbye.

btw, the market really responded well to the economessiah's ascension. Down 225 as I type.

"Cheney. Wheelchair. Discuss."

WTF?

He pulled a muscle in his back. End of discussion.

I didn't see the speech, but I did read the text.

It was a very well-written and often poetic speech that was likely delivered with Obama's incredibly oratory skills. A tad solemn at times, but also uplifting.

There were no Kennedy-esque memorable lines.

Noticeably absent from his litany of those who died in battle were of those who have sacrificed their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a bit of a nit, but he could have easily replaced Khe Sahn with Fallujah. (Though he did reference "far-off deserts and distant mountains" later.)

There is much of it I disagree with, of course. Like this:

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

The government's job isn't to help families find jobs at a decent wage, provide care and a dignified retirement. Government's job is to ensure that the conditions are right for things.

Some of it was flatout irritating:

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

So, just as one small example, how the hell is enduring the repeated violation of no less than 17 UN Resolutions, and maintaing a No-Fly Zone for 12 years all while constantly and illegally being shot at, NOT tempering restraint and humility. Geezus.

And this:

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

See how he feels about that tomorrow morning when he wakes up and realizes 'Shit, I've got 325 million people I've got to protect. Maybe Gitmo and waterboarding ain't so bad after all..."

But he also had a really good moment that was laced with Republican values:

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths.

It went downhill after that, but it was an excellent point.

All in all it was a very good but not terribly memorable speech.

Onward.

It was never $150 million for the costs. That figure was made up. More bitching in a time we need to move our asses and fix things.

"Cheney. Wheelchair. Discuss."

WTF?

He pulled a muscle in his back. End of discussion.

Oh, Tom, you know this is right inline with the liberal core values of treating all humans with dignity, respect and compassion...unless they're Republicans.

Ugh. Pardon the numerous typos in that lengthy post.

When does hype ever match expectations?
http://www.rightklik.net/

Obama's first lie within 24 hours is he wrote the speech himself.

For a couple of hours now he has been president and the problems are still there a growing. Iraq is still going. Afghanistan is still going. Guantanamo is still open. The economy is the worst ever. It is all on his watch now. Let's see what he can do. I know. But I will wait. Tick, tick, tick. ww

Noodles, where were you 6 months ago? Or a year ago? How about 8 years ago?

Jeez, Shawn, we know you want him to fail, but did you expect him to do it right there before your eyes?

I did not see the speech, and do not intend to see it. I am so sick of watching the media slobber all over Obama that I decided to go to work, come home and mind my own business and ignore a lot of this.

I do think it is interesting however that a lot of the people who reflexively criticize Bush's speaking style, his policies, his speeches, his very existence seem to expect everyone else to swoon over Obama and be fair. Please. The hypocricy of that is just stunning.

"I need a nap after this one."

You can't stop quoting and emulating W., can you?

But this needs some explaining:

"Well, I went back on my plans and actually forced myself to watch the inauguration."

You can't take your eyes off him, can you? How will you tell your parents?

I'm sorry, I have to agree with some of the lefties, Cheney DOES look like Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life."

Think how Biden's gonna look in 4. Or Pelosi.

January 20th, 2009.

This is the date that America begins learning how good of a president George W. Bush was as the 43rd.

For a couple of hours now he has been president and the problems are still there a growing. Iraq is still going. Afghanistan is still going. Guantanamo is still open. The economy is the worst ever.

So these things were all part of the plan when Bush was in power, Willie, but now that Obama is the President, these are problems--got it, thanks for clarifying. You so smrrrrt!

Why was Obama walking with Chewbacca, and where did the Wookiee steal those gold drapes?

Just wondering ...

So these things were all part of the plan when Bush was in power, Willie, but now that Obama is the President, these are problems--got it, thanks for clarifying. You so smrrrrt!

hb,

The guy you quoted is playing the favorite game of the left -- calling someone a hypocrite. He is making fun of YOU, you see? Because no liberal nor news organization of any kind (even Fox) will make much ado about these issues (some a problem, others not).

Got it? You are so inteligente!! Entiende, tonto?

Look at it this way, 150 million dollars, and liberals are STILL miserable about everything.

Thanks nehemiah. Hyper cannot grasp the suttleties. ww

Nice but it was wayyyyy overdone.

Also very poor taste heckling Mr Bush. Shows those people's values. Reminds me of when Bush qon the Presidency and the Clintons folks trashed the White House and provided anything but a smooth transition.

Glad the Bushes were classy until the end.

The guy you quoted is playing the favorite game of the left -- calling someone a hypocrite.

Huh? Hypocrite about what? Those things have been problems under Bush, and they're still problems under Obama. You won't find anyone on the left disagreeing with that. You see, a "hypocrite" is what hyper pointed out... WW calling these things "problems" now after years of defending Bush.

Nice try defending your buddy, but it's totally nonsensical.

Thanks nehemiah. Hyper cannot grasp the suttleties.

And the fact that WW agreed with you should let you know how nonsensical it was.

Word, Brian. The easiest way to tell you're right about something: WildWillie attempts to ridicule you for saying it.

"Cheney. Wheelchair. Discuss."

bryanD. Internet. Douchbag.

End of discussion.

WOW ...Shawn you caved in and watched it huh?
From ALL the opinions here it seems to have been overblown to OK...
That's not so bad... Good for President 'O'

But speeches are speeches, enjoy the parties have fun through the weekend.
Come Monday it's time to go to WORK Barry..
No more TALKIN the TALK, start WALKIN.

For ME, no TV all day.. Season 1 of the Sopranos all finished....

WOW ...Shawn you caved in and watched it huh?
From ALL the opinions here it seems to have been overblown to OK...
That's not so bad... Good for President 'O'

But speeches are speeches, enjoy the parties have fun through the weekend.
Come Monday it's time to go to WORK Barry..
No more TALKIN the TALK, start WALKIN.

For ME, no TV all day.. Season 1 of the Sopranos all finished....

I didn't watch, but any inaugural that didn't have a speech by Bill Clinton has to be better than any one that did.

Yeah. I caved.

I figured I surely couldn't critic it if I didn't see it, so, it was only a waste of about 18 minutes worth of photons.

I watched nothing else of the day, though.

-Shawn

Obama can't even say the oath correctly because it is not on a teleprompter. ww

WildWillie -

As I said in another thread, Chief Justice Roberts screwed up the oath.

$150,000,000 minus $140,000,000 for security = $10,000,000 for pomp, circumstance, and silliness. I can see where $10,000,000 went (at union cost, of course). ((BTW - Yes. I know that's not how it works. I'm making a point here.))

Heckling an outgoing President is low. There's no excuse, and it set a bad tone right at the beginning. I don't care if you liked President Bush or not. He's done. Treating the vanquished well is standard in a civilized society. Try to remember that.

Rick Warren was Average+. I'm not a fan, but he did okay.

CJUSA (not President Obama) flubbing the Oath was funny/human. Above Average.

President Obama's speech was Okay, but not what the hype had promised. The good points were that it hit on several themes with a realism that I didn't expect. The bad was that some of the statements began to seem contradictory. Barely Above Average.

The poet was nice. Average+

The Benediction was a disaster. The guy may have been a black, ordained preacher in the 1960's, but he was no "peer" of Dr. King. Did no adult actually vet what he was planning to say? The whole thing was going reasonably well until he came up and fertilized the whole thing. I was pissed. (Or does that mean that I'm not "Doin' Right"?)

No. I didn't vote for President Obama, but yesterday he became My President for the next four years. During that time, I will refer to him as either "President Obama" or "The President". I will not sneer, spit, call him "Shrub", and/or any of the low things the classless called former President Bush.

Respect the office, even if you don't agree with the man.