
I was a bit disappointed as I watched the man who had run the most successful of election campaigns, the man who Americans were pinning their hopes on, take his oath. Clearly, he was under too much of a pressure to be the best. So before Chief Justice John Roberts could complete the first sentence, there was Obama abruptly breaking out into his first names... "I Barack Hussein Obama.." and then waited for the judge to complete the sentence.. The next line was even taxing. He stopped short after two words... "That I will excute..." and then Justice Roberts continued "That I will execute faithfully the office of president to the United States..." But Obama did not get it right, however correct he was as he rhymed .."The office of president of the United States faithfully..." Oh No, I thought, the whole world is watching and he shouldn't go wrong. But then on second thoughts, a little bit of imperfection is admirable in a competent man.
And then the inaugural speech. Journalists were trying to decipher the finer sentiments in what Obama said. I listened with rapt attention to a man who is compared to Abraham Lincoln and other greats. The poignancy was only towards the end in this bit:
So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have travelled.In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by nine campfires on the shores of an icy river.The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it.
Save this,the rest of his speech lacked anecdotes and was largely an impersonal one, and stressed too much on equality, layered with Afro-American hues. It was as if Obama was crying out to be known that he the Afro-American has arrived and that justice will pervail upon America. It was as if America did not embrace the ideals of equality and justice to the hilt and that he was going to change things. Every country has had its own journey, its own history, its own evolvement as a nation and he happened to be at the right time and right place. The rest of his speech had all the diplomatic platitudes. So, in other words, I wasn't greatly moved the way I was when John McCain gave his losing speech at the end of the American polls. That was a straight from the heart talk. Never mind his pre-poll idiosyncracies.
But I watched the rest of the scene and I wished I was at Capitol Hill as I saw the first lady and second ladies in their top gear and fineries. I thought it must be so frustrating for the millions having to watch it all from a screen. So near yet so far.
Comparing to swearing-ins back in India, I think the American style is so cool. Poetry, Rock concerts, Balls -- they all add up to a perfect celebration. I heard Obama attended 10 inaugural balls in Washington last night. I can't imagine the common pot bellied Indian politicians doing a jig with their saree clad wives. Or even giving their wives a peck on the cheek or walking hand in hand. Michelle Obama does compliment her husband and I am a wee bit jealous. O-B-A-M-A!!!
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Also I thought his speech was pretty good given the condition of the economy. I thought it was pragmatic and appropriate and not one of those flowery 'Yes we can' speech. I thought the best lines were Rev.Joseph Lowery the 87 year old civil rights pioneer who ended with
“We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around …”
“When yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.”
Read this Story about Obama helping out a Stranger way before he became famous. It gives me hope and I feel he is the the real mccoy.He was born to be the President and I really do believe that he will bring about change for the better.
Apparently, TECHNICALLY, I heard, Obama isn't d president of the US as yet since he didn't repeat the sacroscant oath verbatim n now has to take the oath again before entering d white house!!
Wow between rhetoric and reality, the former wins hands down i guess.
It's not about me helping or Americans in generally helping strangers. It's about being fortunate to have a leader who the common folks can identify with. Most leaders are perceived as out of touch as the previous president was but in the new president we have someone who has integrity,intelligence and the eloquence to get his message across. It doesn't matter which country you are from.One can consider themselves proud to have such a leader.
I am hopeful that our people will figure out the apt leaders they want in the decades to come. It may sound naive, but I really feel that too many of us compare us with evolved nations. It is an unfair comparison between two nations, robbed at different times by the same Imperialists.
- Kun Kun
dont all politicians have a public service record? and what is "integrity, intelligence and the eloquence" if you cant deliver in the face of recession? it's a wait and watch game before you make your next prediction.
I didn't realize you are one of those who put all their faith in one person. First of all , Obama is not God or a Messiah. He is just a President and a good one with the right temperament who will need to work collectively with his team to get the country out of recession. Only a fool would believe that the President has the magic bullet to solve all issues.My point is I would rather have someone like him as President in these difficult times than someone like Bush or McCain.
That is stereotyping and on that same token someone can also say that since you come from India you probably lack civic sense and will always be late for meetings or work.As for inexperience remember most great Presidents like Abe Lincoln and JFK were rookies too but because of their ability to communicate to the people and their sheer natural leadership skills they went on the become great Presidents. I think people should just cut Obama some slack and let him settle down. I am confident he will be a good leader..