We’re toasting the Obama’s tonight, as is the entire nation. That there will reportedly be a gathering of friends at the White House to toast President Obama in the wee hours is fitting. But amidst the party atmosphere comes news that President Obama has ordered a pause in Gitmo military tribunals. At last may be a song, but it applies across the board as Obama takes charge.
President Obama in white tie was the epitomy of class. First lady Michelle Obama wore a dress by Jason Wu. Vice President Joe Biden wore the traditional black tie, with Jill Biden in a deep red strapless dress.
Commander in chief Obama was immediately greeted with cheers.
“It’s a proud moment for us,” said Brigadier General Steven Huber, commander of the base, where many of the soldiers hail from Illinois, also Obama’s home state. “He is our new commander-in-chief and we will serve him with honour,” he told AFP.
But tomorrow, the party ends and the work begins. It starts with a meeting with President Obama’s “war council.”
Obama was summoning his holdover defense secretary, Robert Gates, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, to the White House, along with other members of his National Security Council, to discuss a way ahead in the war, according to two senior military officers. … The war in Afghanistan also was to be discussed, with the commander overseeing both conflicts, Gen. David Petraeus, scheduled to attend. Also scheduled to participate via videoteleconference were Gen. David McKiernan, the top commander in Afghanistan, and Gen. Ray Odierno, the top commander in Iraq. [...]
TM, I’d like your take on one thing from my blog, and not just the dances..
http://tinyurl.com/82cjon
It has to do with another major reason why I think Bush’s numbers were low, along with the GOP.
Toast to TM, and BTW, didn’t Clinton look great today! I don’t know what was going through her mind, as Rachel Maddow pointed out, this could have been a different day [ceremony]. But I thought she looked better today than 16 years ago, even with the hat I liked which she wore to the 1st swearing-in of WJC.
She will endure, and scraples to that TX Senator. He hasn’t many sails, I think, and often he is referred to as the Turtle Box. That is too good of a name for him. Turtle Boxes aren’t mean spirited and are more friendly if handled right.
Good night all—WOW—I, as an African-American–fought like hell in here for my
girl—Hillary—when she didn’t prevail—She stepped up—and I had to follow here
lead…Taylor had to drag some of us to the polls kicking and screaming—but WOW—I am in
AWE….We as a People are on our way to redemption. This is a moment in which its many joys
are unfolding and I hope….let me rephrase that—I have faith that our best moments are still
to come with this Administration. Good night all….get a good nights rest—and wake up
early—roll up our sleeves–and get our country back on track!!!
I can actually sit and watch the news without wanting to scream all the time. No more smirk, no more beady eyes looking like they were caught in the headlights, no more mangling of the English language and above all no more listening to a man who couldn’t tell the truth. It truly is the dawning of a new day and today really is the first day of the rest of our lives.
Truly Chapter Three in our history, Taylor —
The glimpse of equality voiced by the Deist, Thomas Jefferson – all [white] [men] are created equal.
Chapter Two: Abraham Lincoln – Yes, we are serious about all ‘men’ being equal.
Obama is Chapter Three
Chapter FOUR may be coming soon – when a woman takes her place as the Motherly Leader we really need. Let us hope.
However – if everyone had listened to ME four years ago, the ‘Jaw’ Mr. Kerry wouldn’t have been the embarrassing candidate for the Democratic Party – and Hillary would now be celebrating the end of her first term (please don’t bother to argue – simply look at the states she would have won) —
But our countries ‘reversal’ is just four years later than it should have been – and our country’s ‘economy’ is the sorry victim here. With only an ounce or two of luck – Barack Obama still holds a Royal Flush when he chooses to play it.
What a day yesterday! The new one is full of challenges and the hope that calm intelligence and a generous spirit will get us through and set a tone for the future.
Thanks to all on this list who worked so hard during the election, and especially Taylor and others who had to shift course after the primary, suck it up, and bury their disappointment in order to refocus with vigor on the contest of ideas and temperament in the GE. They more than most had to quickly put away “the childish things” that drives much of politics today. Hats off!
They more than most had to quickly put away “the childish things” that drives much of politics today. Hats off! JF
I’m not sure who the (Black) politician was on MSNBC, but I found his ‘take’ interesting – that the “childish things” comment was aimed *directly* at the Black community (“Now you can Get Over It, people !”).
Somehow it seems as though Barack’s election has become a miracle of ‘deliverance’ for the world of “minorities”.
I’m reminded of President Carter — and his statement of ; Now – Y’ALL talk funny.
I notice some overplaying of the black thing in the media, but hey, it is important, historical, huge, anything you want to call it – it’s just not the only thing or even the most important thing about Obama’s election. He certainly downplays it. There is no way “childish things” referred to blacks in that speech. The context was America facing serious problems.
JF | 01.21.2009 – 09:15 am | #
JF – glad to see you back.
Just a little comment or two. I don’t think that the media is over playing Obama being the first African American to be elected POTUS. My daughter and I were watching the Inauguaration yesterday with tears in our eyes. We are not African American but we had the same thought – There was a time when African Americans were counted as 3/5s of a human being (this concept made no sense to me from the first time I read it)and now we have an African American sitting in the seat of power in the most powerful country in the world as the Leader of the Free World.
I can’t imagine how it must feel to be an African American especially those whose heritage started in slavery.
There is no way “childish things” referred to blacks in that speech. The context was America facing serious problems.
JF | 01.21.2009 – 09:15 am | #
I agree with you about “childish things.” I heard it as we have to stop fooling ourselves with the fantasies that we were fed for the past 8 years and face our problems. Sometimes we read too much in words. Sometimes they mean exactly what they mean, no more, no less.
Hi JA –
I agree with you – you can’t overplay the signifigance to black Americans (and minorities worldwide), and therefore, as fellow Americans, how that really is to the benefit (and amazement) of us all. I just meant that there is more to this election than that. As an example, I thought that some TV reporters and cameramen sought out blacks on the Mall in disproportionate numbers, as if this was something only they would be excited about. Maybe I appear petty in mentioning this and I certainly don’t mean to minimize the signifigance or create controversy where none should exist.
I took his “childish things” quote to refer to the super partisanship and game playing in our politics. Here is the context:
“On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
I can actually sit and watch the news without wanting to scream all the time. No more smirk,
no more beady eyes looking like they were caught in the headlights.
Jane Austen | 01.21.2009 – 07:05 am | #
I woke up feeling a little better about the future at least we have a fighting chance.
Closing Gitmo is symbolic in a way but really significant as President Obama and SoS Clinton begin to reengage with the world. I hope we see the order to close Gitmo soon.
GeoT | 01.21.2009 – 10:12 am | #
Someone should tell the “chamber pot” (I’m being polite) Cornyn from Texas that he really is being an “assh..e” by stopping the voice vote on Hillary. How many times do these jerks have to shoot themselves in the foot before they get the message? This is infantile, immature and petty. Does Cornyn really think that no one is going to be monitoring what’s going on with WJC’s foundation? It’s going to be so monitored that we’re going to wish that the CIA could monitor the enemies of the US in the same way.
Someone should tell the “chamber pot” (I’m being polite) Cornyn from Texas that he really is
being an “assh..e” by stopping the voice vote on Hillary.
Jane Austen | 01.21.2009 – 10:24 am | #
I’m hoping the roll call vote will make him look like the (what you said) he is… Hillary will be confirmed overwhelmingly I think and then she can get to work with the rest of the team.
Jane Austen | 01.21.2009 – 09:44 am | #
The ‘childish things’ quote is something used quite often in the Black church and community.
But the beauty of it, and Obama being a person who understands the power of words. Is that the way he wrote it in the speech, it can have many different meanings to different people.
So actually everyone who commented here was right. It meant whatever you needed it to mean.
To me that is the bedrock of President Obama’s success, his ability to reach everyone with a unique message that says something directly to them.
Good grief, could you imagine us having an intelligent discussion on the meaning of one of Bush’s speeches! LOL
This really is a new day
Starbucks is walking the walk:
SEATTLE — Starbucks and HandsOn Network are launching a national campaign to support President Barack Obama’s call for national service. Register today through Sunday to volunteer for five hours in your community and receive a free, tall Starbucks coffee.
Just go to Pledge5 from now until Sunday or the Starbucks Web site for details. The volunteer opportunities are designated by Zipcode.
During those five days, according to Starbucks, when you pledge 5 hours for the charity or cause of your choice, Starbucks will salute your work and dedication with a free, tall brewed cup of coffee in participating U.S. Starbucks stores.
This offer is not valid at airports or at Barnes & Noble bookstore locations.
You support a local food bank, provide skills to a nonprofit organization, clean up your community, walk or run for a cause, mentor a child or teen or help a local family in need.
Morning all. I’m listening to the prayer being given by the different religions. Beautiful. And Amazing Grace was absolutely awesome. This is a beautiful Pray Service. Whether you are Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, or aethiest this is a beautiful and uplifting service.
justlen | 01.21.2009 – 10:56 am | #
I saw the commercial for that yesterday!
walk or run for a cause
justlen | 01.21.2009 – 10:56 am | #
how about scooter for a cause?
Benny | Homepage | 01.21.2009 – 00:29 am
Benny, I read your blog and I agree with you. It was well said.
Obama has certainly inspired people to do their part to make this a better and stronger nation. I pray that President Obama’s kindness and goodness remains and that he and his family are kept safe in this very dangerous world.
Benny | Homepage | 01.21.2009 – 00:29 am | #
As for the young people, if you saw the youth ball last night that is done. Now it depends on Obama’s deeds to keep them involved.
justlen | 01.21.2009 – 10:56 am | #
Very cool.
For those who enjoyed the Amazing Grace song at the service today, I wanted to pass along this great movie produced last year about how the song came about.
I had always thought is was just a religious song, but it has a compelling story behind it.
The movie is about William Wilberforce, who, as a Member of Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. Albert Finney plays John Newton, a confidante of Wilberforce who inspires him to pursue a life of service to humanity. John Newton, after spending the early part of his life as a slave-ship captain, wrote the song Amazing Grace because of the anguish and redemption he felt. So the song became a rally cry for people trying to stop slavery in England.
It took Willberforce 15 years, but he got the Abolition Act passed in 1807, prohibiting British slave-ship. His health was failing, but he spent the rest of his life fighting to end slavery.
Here is a link to the movie website
http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/index.php
Audiegrl, the Amazing Grace movie is, well, amazing. Like you, I did not know John Newton’s background until I watched the movie.
I heartily endorse JF’s statement above @ 10:06. Too often, the race-related commentary has fallen into one of two traps: The Obama presidency means black folk have no more excuses, and need to get their act together. Or the Obama presidency is a particular joy especially reserved for black people. You know — it’s a black thang, and y’all wouldn’t understand.
Both perspectives are extremely distorted. And that is why I loved Obama’s speech. Because we need to come together as Americans to surmount these grave challenges that confront us, challenges exacerbated by the us-against-them politics of the last several years. Ideology, partisanship, tribalism — these are the childish things that we need to put aside.
Most commentators decried the lack of soundbites in the speech. But the times required exactly what Obama said, in the way it was said. It was solemn, unifying, and adult. And most of all, bracing.
There is work to do, and we must set about it. So from now on, I’ll not bother myself with debates about various isms and who said what to whom and when. Obama yesterday told me to grow up, and I intend to do just that. To the extent that I continue to post here, I will be confining myself to non-partisan issues of substance.
I apologize if I have ruffled any feathers in the past. But like Lalah Hathaway says, that was then. This is now.
Ogen….his past speeches raised many hackles for me.
This one did not, except I failed to see how the jabs at the past administration pushed forward his message.
It was contradictory.
But!
There were so many messages that weren’t.