I must say that I am immensely pleased to see that the art of high oratory still lives. Mr. Obama’s words, spoken before millions in his Inaugural Address, were inspiring, thoughtfully conceived, powerfully delivered and altogether stirring to the heart. I felt both uplifted and challenged by his address, grimly clear on the work that lies ahead, yet brave and ready to do my part to take it on. The best thing is that this was not a merely political speech. It rose to the level of civic oratory – words for the people, to the people, to give us heart when our hearts are wavering.
I can imagine that there are cynics who will pooh-pooh the use of high-falutin’ language and fancy buzzwords. They will sit back, with arms crossed and lips curled, and say, “We’ll see. Just watch. He has yet to prove himself.” I would say that the proving has begun. It is by no means complete, but it has begun. So to remain cold and dispassionate, to look down your nose at words like those he spoke today is to remain a cynic to spite your own nose.
One might think that he is using them self-servingly, for that is what politicians do. Yet even if that were true, that does not mean that we need to receive them that way. The ideas upon which Mr. Obama drew for his first speech as President were so grounded in our founding documents, so woven into the thought fabric of the American experience, so fundamental to our unique culture, that if you choose to stand apart from them you risk appearing to turn your back on the best our country stands for. It does not matter to which party you belong. As Americans we share The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the legacies of many great men and women who worked and lived and served and lead us over many many years. This address was in the best traditions of all those. So whatever you think of the man, his words, his call to us, was deeper and broader than himself and calls us to look beyond him to the native and bedrock truth of those words themselves.
Now the real work begins (well, after all the dancing and drinking anyways). I once doubted his capacity to lead. Knowing human nature as I do, I will always reserve a portion of that doubt for no man can live up to even his own highest expectation of himself, never mind an entire nation's hopes. Nevertheless my sincere prayer is that Mr. Obama will continue to prove himself. That he will indeed become the lens through which the American people will focus our energies to light the future, the fulcrum that will help us to raise ourselves out of these dark times together. It is a high calling we have called him to, and he has echoed it back to us. Let us respond with all the strength of heart and hand and brain, together.
God Bless America.
Read the full transcript of Barak Obama's Inaugural Address here.
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10 comments:
I was sickened by the whole tone. As if problems were not being dealt with before him. You know him:
the one who kept voteing "present" during his time as Senator;
the one who did not put forth one piece of legislation to deal with whatever "real" problems we face; the one who ran on getting the troops out and gitmo closed, but since the weight of actual responsibility has come upon him has backed off these promises;
the one who ran on the fiscal irresponsibility of Republicans and in his first days of office will unleash more pork than the world has ever seen;
the one who promises change and a new way, yet every one of his appointees is of the same old party and ideas.
I remain firm in my cynicism.
Ron
One other thing: I will pray for him and his administration throughout his term.
May God bless him and prosper our nation through his leadership!
Cynically yours,
Ron
Well, there you are. You went into it predisposed that he doesn't mean anything he says, and that it is all merely a political ploy to tug at the heartstrings of gullible Americans. If that's true, you gotta at least give the guy credit for being one heckuva musician.
By all means hold onto your doubt. I'm pretty sure it makes little difference to him, and if you are right you will get to put a bumper sticker on your car saying that you knew it all along.
Time will tell. Nevertheless, it was a great speech.
HE went into it with a HISTORY. I am aware of his history, which leads me to cynicism. I don't know if he is lying, I just am not sure he can do anything but give a good speech. Dave, name one thing he has done with the power he had as a Senator to solve our problems. I could have named things Clinton and McCain have attempted, but not our current president.
Alright one last thing: It was a good speech- I especially liked this line:
"To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Ron
I specifically avoided jousting with you regarding Obama's history. I know that's a hot button for you, and I refused the bait because a) you have done more research than me and can expostulate ex tempore ad infinitum on the topic, and b)it's beside the point of my post.
I liked the speech.
I may address a future post to his qualifications and accomplishments to this point in time, although I think very soon that will be moot. He will either start making things happen or he will not. He no longer has the option to be a man of little record. If he moves in the direction of the themes provide by this speech, I will be gratified.
Ok- I am adding an additional comment.
If that speech was given to me in written form and had no idea who gave it, I would like it. It was good in that no one can disagree with the SENTIMENTS of the speech. Ronald Regan could have given a speech almost word for word like that. So could Bill or Hilary Clinton. My point is that he does not say how he will get anything done.
Based on his history, I don't know what he is capable of doing. Based on what he has said in his run for the nomination, for the presidency and since he has been elected, I can say he is like shifting sand. My hope is that he drops all ideology (which he seemed to be doing as he went from the primaries to now) and becomes a pragmatist. If I had more confidence in the Congress, this could work well. But I don't know what he will do.
That's all.
Ron
Be careful Ronno. I am seeing what might be the smallest hairline crack in the cold gray concrete wall of your cynicism. No...probably not. It's just an eyelash on my glasses. ;-)
You got my point. It was a good speech. I happen to prefer Obama's delivery to Reagan's. Obama uses cadence and rhythm to great effect. You can hear the influence of great black preachers in his style. Some people find that off putting, but I like it. He is very good at creating emotional word pictures, which I believe to be the highest form of oratory. I said before that this was not a political speech but a civic oration. It was not intended to lay out policy detail, nor should it. The inauguration is not the proper time for such speech, in my estimation. He was attempting to stoke the hearts and minds of the American people with the fire needed to face the challenges ahead. It was unashamedly patriotic and emotional in it's appeal, but I did not find it sentimental or maudlin. I'm fine with emotional appeal when it is needed, and I think it is needed now.
In the days to come, I am sure we will have it up to here with policy details as the wonks have at it. But without fire in the belly, no person, no nation can carry through the difficult task.
I didn't think much of GW's record when I first voted for him either. There wasn't much there. Now he has a record.
But at least this new guy can talk. It is a refreshing change, although admittedly insufficient by itself. I too look forward to seeing what he can do.
Ummm- GW was govenor of a large republic call Texas. He actually governed and did it well. None of the 3 candidates running this year had any experience governing.
Obama's delivery is good. But I still see the man first. May I recommend Plato's short dialogue Georgias? (Like all things written, I may have misspelled that)
One more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMnSp4qEXNM&NR=1
Ron
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