I am not going to try to pontificate on President Obama’s inauguration. There are plenty of other, better craftsmen who will pen poetic personal testimonies of their various inaugural experiences from their own unique viewpoints. Some, for instance, have captured "the moment" on video. Others posted photographs. I will simply post the full CSPAN video of the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address, which I watched live via an extremely temperamental internet connection in the faux wood-paneled offices of the Fairfield Board of Education. I’ll let BHO speak for himself, in other words:
As excited as I am for our nation and, truly, for all of humanity, I am ready for all the pomp and flair and celebrating to be over. I think we can all agree there is serious work to be done. (Rahm Emanuel – my new hero – has already gotten down to business, apparently.) I am really tired of these inaugural balls – tuxes and gowns, dancing and revelry – one after the other all night long, and the television news coverage of every single one of them. I am tired of hearing about trinket vendors selling Obama (TM) bracelets, air fresheners, and (I swear to god this is true) condoms to unimaginative yokels on the mall. And I am slightly frustrated about how expensive and elaborate all this ritualistic merrymaking is. Whether or not the $150M price tag is inflated or skewed or substantially financed by private donors, the incoming administration should be aware of how petty that looks when contrasted with the economic disaster that is very much upon us.
And that’s my soapbox. I am overjoyed that Barack is officially #44. Now, to reluctantly quote local embarrassment Larry Langford: let’s do something!
In closing – check out the newly (as of 12:01 PM today) revamped WhiteHouse.gov. The website promises to "be a central part of President Obama's pledge to make his the most transparent and accountable administration in American history." Here’s hoping.
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x-posted @ Lonely Blue Boy