Inauguration

[dr_mabeuse]

I've never seen anything like this. A million people are expected and the event has taken on the atmosphere of a spiritual revival. This goes way beyond a good-riddance-to-Bush party. I know people in their 50's and 60's --sensible people with good, responsible jobs -- who have loaded up their cars and are driving to DC with no place to stay, no idea of what they're going to do when they get there, just to be there. It's like a second Woodstock festival.

Just what's going on here?

 

[DesertPirate]

I've never seen anything like this. A million people are expected and the event has taken on the atmosphere of a spiritual revival. This goes way beyond a good-riddance-to-Bush party. I know people in their 50's and 60's --sensible people with good, responsible jobs -- who have loaded up their cars and are driving to DC with no place to stay, no idea of what they're going to do when they get there, just to be there. It's like a second Woodstock festival.

Just what's going on here?

Foolishness?

 

[rgraham666]

Hope. That's all, just hope.

 

[Elianna]

My boss is one of the biggest micro-managers I know. However, even she relented and said that we can watch on TV at work. I think that the tone today will be electrifying. Listening to the energy this morning on NPR, it's intoxicating.



Good Morning. Happy Inauguration Day.

 

[impressive]

Hope. That's all, just hope.

Exactly.

 

[DesertPirate]

What happens when everyone wakes up from this giddy high and realizes nobody can live up to this hype?

One man can't change that much in Washington.

 

[off2bed]

The last inauguration I watched was Nixon's second one.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

What happens when everyone wakes up from this giddy high and realizes nobady can live up to this hype?

One man can't change that much in Washington.

Yes, but the placebo effect will hopefully be enough to keep the rest of the country going while the people in trouble work through the hard parts.

 

[DesertPirate]

Yes, but the placebo effect will hopefully be enough to keep the rest of the country going while the people in trouble work through the hard parts.

Sorry, Federal spending has never cured a recession, only made them worse because of the inflation effect.

 

[angela146]

It's history in the making...

It is similar to the opening of a cathedral that has been under construction for two centuries. This moment has been a goal since the founding of America. People who are long dead strived to make it happen, knowing that they would never see it.

Now that it is here, we owe it to the generations who came before to be there an celebrate it in their honor.

We also owe it to the children who don't yet understand it to bring them to it and see it so that they will look back on this day once they *do* understand it.

When the Berlin Wall came down, I asked my grandfather why it was such a big deal. He told me, "It means that the war is finally over." He was referring to WWII. I didn't understand it at the time, but now that I have had twenty years to learn more of the history of the war and its aftermath, I understand why he wanted me to watch the events on TV.

This is much much bigger than that. It is the culmination of Thomas Jefferson's inner struggle with the knowlege that slavery was evil but the economic reality that he "needed" slaves to run his farms.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Sorry, Federal spending has never cured a recession, only made them worse because of the inflation effect.

No one said anything about federal spending and I resent the fact that you are trying to steer the conversation in this direction.

People are happy that the country is getting the chance to recover. Their happiness about this will make the hard times ahead a little less stressful. Whether any of it is warranted or not might not matter. A positive outlook is sometimes enough to get people through the storm, even if it take two more presidents to do so.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

So you think it's just because he's the first black president? Or you think it's something more than that?

 

[TheeGoatPig]

So you think it's just because he's the first black president? Or you think it's something more than that?

that is definitely part of it. It is also that he is intelligent, well spoken, and I think most importantly that he is not Bush or one of his cronies

 

[off2bed]

No one said anything about federal spending and I resent the fact that you are trying to steer the conversation in this direction.

People are happy that the country is getting the chance to recover. Their happiness about this will make the hard times ahead a little less stressful. Whether any of it is warranted or not might not matter. A positive outlook is sometimes enough to get people through the storm, even if it take two more presidents to do so.

America will get a chance to recover only if the government gets the hell out of the way. Government fueled recovery only means we recover to a point of continued government dependency. That's no recovery, only continued life support.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

So you think it's just because he's the first black president? Or you think it's something more than that?

Part of it, yes, but also, IMO, I think it maybe that we need to feel some sense of patriotism, to be part of something big and historical. The last time we felt that was after 9/11. The exception being no lives were lost.

 

[jomar]

Well, aside from McCain imploding and the Bush years leaving us starving for domestic and worldwide redemption...it's like the culmination of a perfect storm...a black man named Barack Hussain carrying a message of change and hope being elected president...sworn in on the day after MLK day...the times have selected the man...people are giddy and it's time to celebrate and be a part of history being made.

I could easily have gone, but personally, I'm happy to watch from the comfort of my home.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Unrelated stuff.

Your post has nothing to do with mine. Please do not quote me like that next time.

 

[cloudy]

I think the biggest part of it is that today is the first day in a long, long time that people are proud to be American.

It's a day that I'll be able to tell my grandchildren I saw. Racism isn't eradicated in this country yet, but this is a helluva step in that direction.

I think it's wonderful.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I think the biggest part of it is that today is the first day in a long, long time that people are proud to be American.

It's a day that I'll be able to tell my grandchildren I saw. Racism isn't eradicated in this country yet, but this is a helluva step in that direction.

I think it's wonderful.

Thank you Cloudy. That is a more eloquent way of saying what I was thinking.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

CLOUDY

Proud Americans are always amongst us. What youre referring to are the conditional Americans who sulk and pout until things suit them. Theyre like the fans who buy the team's jersey after the team makes the Superbowl.

Thats all this is.

Most of us have been in the stands for every game.

 

[rgraham666]

So you think it's just because he's the first black president? Or you think it's something more than that?

It's because Obama represents the the American Dream, the belief that intelligence and hard work can accomplish things.

As opposed to Bush who represented the feudal system that, unfortunately, has crept into America. The ancient and much simpler method of rising to the top; by being born into it.

My biggest worry? There are people who regard Obama's success not as the culmination of the American Dream, but as its utter failure. I worry what they will do in their despair.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Sad to say, but Obama represents the fall guy of American politics. The expectations are impossible, the problems are colossal, the resources dont exist, and few Democrats or Republicans will help him. I mean, he didnt fill his Cabinet with Clinton people because he likes Clinton people.

The battle isnt won until America replaces the empty suits in Washington.

 

[midwestyankee]

Doc,

I think that it's a combination of factors. Yes, it's fundamentally historic that America elected a black man to our highest office and no doubt all by itself that would have triggered a vast celebration. But Obama is also a post-Boomer and I sense that the country is hoping to finally set aside the acrimony and distrust that hardened in the national psyche during the 1960s and early 1970s. Finally, because we're in such deep trouble as a nation on nearly every front, the people are hoping that he can make a difference. So far his transition has signaled that his team is competent, resourceful, transparent, and responsive to the American people.

It all adds up to what we're seeing today.

 

[sadangel]

I've never seen anything like this. A million people are expected and the event has taken on the atmosphere of a spiritual revival. This goes way beyond a good-riddance-to-Bush party. I know people in their 50's and 60's --sensible people with good, responsible jobs -- who have loaded up their cars and are driving to DC with no place to stay, no idea of what they're going to do when they get there, just to be there. It's like a second Woodstock festival.

Just what's going on here?

I was going to say Hope...but realize that Rob and others have already beaten me to it!! A desire for change.

Hope. That's all, just hope.

Exactly.

I just third this!!

What happens when everyone wakes up from this giddy high and realizes nobody can live up to this hype?


One man can't change that much in Washington.

One man may not be able to change much, but he CAN begin the change. Begin the trend toward change. He can bring at least a small amount of hope that change is possible.

I have no belief that there won't be problems. That he won't make mistakes. But at least I want to give him some time to try. He made some promises I believe will be at least attempted to be fulfilled. I'd like to see him have that chance.

It's history in the making...

It is similar to the opening of a cathedral that has been under construction for two centuries. This moment has been a goal since the founding of America. People who are long dead strived to make it happen, knowing that they would never see it.

Now that it is here, we owe it to the generations who came before to be there an celebrate it in their honor.

We also owe it to the children who don't yet understand it to bring them to it and see it so that they will look back on this day once they *do* understand it.

When the Berlin Wall came down, I asked my grandfather why it was such a big deal. He told me, "It means that the war is finally over." He was referring to WWII. I didn't understand it at the time, but now that I have had twenty years to learn more of the history of the war and its aftermath, I understand why he wanted me to watch the events on TV.

This is much much bigger than that. It is the culmination of Thomas Jefferson's inner struggle with the knowlege that slavery was evil but the economic reality that he "needed" slaves to run his farms.

Exactly. Ssaid so well, I'll let my comments end!

So you think it's just because he's the first black president? Or you think it's something more than that?

I think it's a part of it, but I think there is more. (Read Rob's thoughts below, they say it better then mine.)

It's because Obama represents the the American Dream, the belief that intelligence and hard work can accomplish things.

As opposed to Bush who represented the feudal system that, unfortunately, has crept into America. The ancient and much simpler method of rising to the top; by being born into it.

My biggest worry? There are people who regard Obama's success not as the culmination of the American Dream, but as its utter failure. I worry what they will do in their despair.

Yes. I think intelligence and hard work can accomplish a lot. He deserves the chance to try. I worry too about those that regard this as America's failure. It could get ugly. I hope not though.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

So you think it's just because he's the first black president? Or you think it's something more than that?

Some (the majority, obviously, since he won ) are excited about Obama coming in. I think even more are excited about Bush going out. It's the end of a pretty dark, hopeless, sick period in American history.

I think people are looking forward to possible healing.