Any hopes for respect and civility evaporate once the "Na-na-na-nah" song starts. It's is a sad state of affairs when some people can't let our outgoing president (regardless of approval ratings) leave office with dignity, free of adolescent jeers.
This came from MSN...
"Some in the crowd, weary of Bush's eight years in office, booed the president when the large viewing screens near the World War II Memorial flashed an image of the exiting president arriving at the swearing-in.
After the inauguration ceremony, some in the crowd waved at the aircraft in the sky. Others, however, cheered when they heard a television broadcaster announce, "George Bush is no longer president of the United States." Still others in the crowd, broke into chants of "Na-na-na-nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye."
If I were George W. Bush and family, I would be counting the seconds until I could fade into the Texas sunset and enjoy my ranch.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thoughts on Barak Obama's Beginning
Today's the big day. Barak Obama will take office, and Washington DC is overrun with a jubilant America. I just saw a student crying as she watched him on her lap top.
As much as we need a new start in this country, we also need perspective. Some need the reminder that the fall from a high pedestal is inevitable. Many in this country have put Barak Obama in an impossible situation. He is not allowed to fail in their estimation, but that is something he will surely do at some point. Will the cries of disallusionment match their joy today?
He is clearly the darling of the media at this point. They are gushing over him like a mother over her new baby. Many are treating him as the second coming, the Messiah that will save our country. He has enormous power, energy, charisma, and ideas. He is also human.
Whether I agree with Obama politically or not, I've found myself feeling compassion for him. After the balls have ended and the pomp and circumstance is over, the real work begins. And the criticism will begin as well. He is going to have two American wars, a war in Israel/Gaza, a depressed economy and sky-high expectations to combat starting tomorrow. None of these things will be magically fixed overnight, and Americans are not patient people.
Obama campaigned on a liberal agenda, but has been moving toward the center. This has angered some. You don't have to look any further than the prayers offered at the inauguration to see that. He chose Rick Warren and angered the gay community. To appease them, he chose an openly gay Episcopal priest to offer prayers as well. I would much prefer that he stand by what he thinks is right. I'm all for "reaching across the aisle", but stand by your values.
The fact that Obama's inauguration comes on the day after Martin Luther King Day is not lost on me. I do think it's interesting, though, that African Americans identify so closely with him. Until he came to Chicago, he was at Columbia University (not exactly a multi-cultural environment), Occidental College (private, liberal arts college), Hawaii, and Indonesia. He was raised by white family members. He does not seem to have a typically African American background. Yet, partly because of his skin color, he is seen by many as a champion to the African American community as a whole. Dr. King's speech emphasized making skin color a non-issue, and that people should be judged "by the content of their character and not the color of their skin." To me, voting for anyone because of their skin color proves that we have not completely fulfilled Dr. King's dream.
I am in a "wait and see" mindset. I don't want him to fail--we can't afford that as a nation. Above all, he deserves our respect, prayer, and realistic expectations.
As much as we need a new start in this country, we also need perspective. Some need the reminder that the fall from a high pedestal is inevitable. Many in this country have put Barak Obama in an impossible situation. He is not allowed to fail in their estimation, but that is something he will surely do at some point. Will the cries of disallusionment match their joy today?
He is clearly the darling of the media at this point. They are gushing over him like a mother over her new baby. Many are treating him as the second coming, the Messiah that will save our country. He has enormous power, energy, charisma, and ideas. He is also human.
Whether I agree with Obama politically or not, I've found myself feeling compassion for him. After the balls have ended and the pomp and circumstance is over, the real work begins. And the criticism will begin as well. He is going to have two American wars, a war in Israel/Gaza, a depressed economy and sky-high expectations to combat starting tomorrow. None of these things will be magically fixed overnight, and Americans are not patient people.
Obama campaigned on a liberal agenda, but has been moving toward the center. This has angered some. You don't have to look any further than the prayers offered at the inauguration to see that. He chose Rick Warren and angered the gay community. To appease them, he chose an openly gay Episcopal priest to offer prayers as well. I would much prefer that he stand by what he thinks is right. I'm all for "reaching across the aisle", but stand by your values.
The fact that Obama's inauguration comes on the day after Martin Luther King Day is not lost on me. I do think it's interesting, though, that African Americans identify so closely with him. Until he came to Chicago, he was at Columbia University (not exactly a multi-cultural environment), Occidental College (private, liberal arts college), Hawaii, and Indonesia. He was raised by white family members. He does not seem to have a typically African American background. Yet, partly because of his skin color, he is seen by many as a champion to the African American community as a whole. Dr. King's speech emphasized making skin color a non-issue, and that people should be judged "by the content of their character and not the color of their skin." To me, voting for anyone because of their skin color proves that we have not completely fulfilled Dr. King's dream.
I am in a "wait and see" mindset. I don't want him to fail--we can't afford that as a nation. Above all, he deserves our respect, prayer, and realistic expectations.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Things I Didn't Know...
Until I met and married David, I never knew that:
1. Cheap Trick has other good songs besides "The Flame."
2. People still listen to Journey and they are still good.
3. A man could love his pets so much! They are spoiled rotten!
4. Best Buy is its own planet. And it's a great planet.
5. Frye's Electronics in Dallas is apparently the mothership and it beckons its followers. I am married to a follower.
And, that in a perfect world...
6. Chicken fried steak would be its own food group and your body would need that food group at least once a week.
7. Diet coke would come out the faucets.
8. OSU would win the national championship in football, basketball, baseball and every other sport every year.
9. OU would NEVER win anything.
10. I never knew I could be so loved!
1. Cheap Trick has other good songs besides "The Flame."
2. People still listen to Journey and they are still good.
3. A man could love his pets so much! They are spoiled rotten!
4. Best Buy is its own planet. And it's a great planet.
5. Frye's Electronics in Dallas is apparently the mothership and it beckons its followers. I am married to a follower.
And, that in a perfect world...
6. Chicken fried steak would be its own food group and your body would need that food group at least once a week.
7. Diet coke would come out the faucets.
8. OSU would win the national championship in football, basketball, baseball and every other sport every year.
9. OU would NEVER win anything.
10. I never knew I could be so loved!
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