What an amazing day for America and the rest of the world.
He is being compared as a speaker to Lincoln, Kennedy and Roosevelt over here.
This man, who is intelligent, compassionate and strong, we the world need you and the people who work with you to make a difference .
The pain and anguish has gone on long enough, and although it would be naive to think he can sort it all, he can at least start a process for respect of each and every man woman and child.
President Barack Obama I salute you. As do my sons, and that is where the hope lies for the future.
13 comments:
i'm as optimistic as the rest of the world hear hear
This has to be the most uplifting day. We have been looking forward to change and today makes it seem real at last.
My dear Fire Byrd...
I just wanted to share this extraordinary experience that we all saw today with you...
I had shown up at the unemployment office around 8:15 AM for the office opening at 8:30. The line was already out the door and down the block. I was crestfallen, but I simply had to stay. I was there nearly two hours before I finally heard my name being called. I went up, did my business and it took all of ten minutes.
The time was around 10:45 AM. The manager at the unemployment office pushed out a TV for everyone to watch the Inauguration, the Address, and subsequent activity. Little by little, everything stopped. When the oath of office was being administered, there was barely a sound in the entire office. People stopped...no one moved. Not a word. When the words "So help me God" came out, the cheers would rival a football game on either side of the ocean. People began shaking hands. Strangers hugged. Women, especially the older black folk, were crying. Grown men just stood, stunned at how this was affecting them, hiding their own tears.
I stayed to watch the Obama speech. At the unemployment office. Standing in wonder at what was happening in front of me. Reminded that this was a moment that belonged to all of us...the sheer privilege and fate of simply being alive as this remarkable tableau unfolded. Proud to be standing and hearing and feeling. And it's not a matter of 'America right or wrong'...God help us...and my own relationship with the Almighty is always a battle. It's even more than a matter of national pride that the transition goes as smoothly as it goes...and that this one was about as special as the colorful history of this still-young entity can offer.
Today the country grew up a little bit. And as we go back to the daily grind, we need to remember the feeling engendered by what we share today.
Today showed us that we do know how to take care of each other. Indeed, we are a better people than we even know.
Thank you for your post. I, as an American (U.S. American) am so incredibly proud, happy, & have wonderful feelings and expectations for his success. As you said it is a start.
I was going to say, as I've posted elsewhere - that I'm aiming to temper my expectations of Obama's presidency as far as I can, but that it's an undeniably hopeful time.
Then I read what Ronjazz said, and that brought home just what a unique, special moment today was.
Thanks Ron, great words - here's to being able to feel like we can hope again.
*applauding both you and Ronjazz*
I do hold on to hope that today the world grew up a bit.
Thank you--both of you...
FireByrd, my sentiments entirely.. and wonderful words from Ronjazz
Beautifully put hon!
Wow...I've got chills down my spine reading Ron's comment!
I hope he is another step to a world free of the bonds that hold ll of us back
I love all those thoughtful comments - have you read Adrianne`s from The Bodhi Tree, and Reya`s, and actually everyone`s? I also watched the inauguration and was deeply touched. All the best, America!
I haven't been this happy in years. What a remarkable discovery, that so much of my unhappiness was related to the state of the larger world. Hope is the greatest thing. Ever.
PLUS, I no longer feel like a fucking foreigner in my own country.
LOVED your story, Ronjazz.
I must say that even I, totally not a political animal, was moved by the sight of millions of people watching this historic event with such pride and hope.
Our new President has a long, tough job ahead of him. I hope that the waves of honor and love that were washing over him on Tuesday will help him with his tasks.
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