This morning as I sat in a doctor's office, I overheard the doctor and two twenty-something office workers exchanging memories of their favorite moments from President Obama's inauguration and related televised festivities.
One inspired worker summed, "When I look at those buildings... the Capitol building, the White House... I feel differently now. I feel so proud... so patriotic!
I feel exactly the same way. And despite taking flak on Facebook for declaring Obama's inauguration address to be "absolutely perfect," I stand by my assessment of his speech.
Why Obama's Inaugural Speech Was Absolutely Perfect
President Obama's inaugural address was a serious-toned speech for very serious times, and it addressed the concerns of all Americans, not just the prosperous or well-connected, the politically active or the African-American community.
It was neither a campaign speech, nor was it a show-off speech, laden with rhetorical flourishes and Martin Luther King-like cadences. It wasn't an ideological speech, honed to please particular constituencies. And thank God, it wasn't chocked with the goofy, new age-style euphemisms that haunted many of his early Democratic primary speeches.
Instead, Obama's words were straightforward, smart and analytical, designed to simply yet concretely communicate his worldview and his priorities. His words were an unflinchingly honest dissection of the state of the union after the Bush administration.
Specifically, I heard from Obama exactly what I hoped to hear... and why I voted for Obama both in the primaries and general election. Among his words that made his speech "absolutely perfect" for me were:
- Bush overreaching on violating civil liberties - "As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals... Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake."
- Bush overreaching with military power - "... power grows through its prudent use. Our security emanates from the justness of our cause; the force of our example; the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."
- Ending the Iraq War - " We'll begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people... "
- Bush policies that strongly favored the wealthy - "The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous."
- Overt appreciation of U.S. cultural diversity - "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth."
- Support to alleviate global poverty - "To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds."
- Genuine support for U.S. military personnel - "... we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains."
And most important, Obama affirmed our country's foundational beliefs "... that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
Fairness, Decency and Common Sense
President Obama's inaugural address was one of unsentimental fairness, decency and common sense in which he also touched on jobs, education, energy, health care, college affordability and many other issues that touch the lives of all Americans.
(For economic details, see Obama Instills "Audacity of Hope" for Economy by Kimberly Amadeo, About.com's Guide to U.S. Economy.)
Yes, he alluded a few times to his Christian beliefs, and that disturbed some... but they need to get over their narrow-mindedness. Over the years, Barack Obama has repeatedly acknowledged:
"... we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers." and "... I do not believe that religious people have a monopoly on morality."(Both quotes taken from Obama's Controversial '06 Speech on Religion & Politics.)
So yes, to my mind, President Barack Obama's first inaugural address was "absolutely perfect."
President Obama's inaugural words gave me great hope for our country's ability to pull out of this horrible mess created by the Bush/Cheney administration, and great confidence in his vision and determinaton.
Take the time to savor his words at President Obama's First Inaugural Address - Full Text
Related Reading
Inauguration Pictures 2009 - Photos of the Obama Inauguration by Rachel Cooper, About.com's Guide to D.C.
Immigrant Spotlight: Center Stage at the Inauguration by Jennifer McFadyen, About.com's Guide to Immigration
(Photo #1: Mark Wilson/Getty Images. Photo #2: Cecilio Ricardo/U.S. Air force/Getty Images)
Comments
I watched the speech on CNN, and fairly shortly thereafter, a conservative commentator mentioned that he didn’t like the speech, because there were no memorable soundbites, a la “Ask not what you can do…” or “The only thing we have to fear…” Frankly, though, I would much rather have a solid, thoughtful, comprehensive (yet succinct!) overall speech than a string of catchphrases, and I agree with you… it was perfect! Funny, all of those same conservative commentators were the ones saying he was the “soundbite candidate,” and now they’re criticizing him for not being soundbitey enough.
I also loved the “call to action” approach he took. There was nothing passive or empty about his rhetoric. Really, really wonderful.
Completely agree. This was a no-nonsense, foll-up-your-sleeves message to Americans and a signal of reassurance to the rest of the world. We already knew he could turn on some soaring rhetoric so he didn’t have to show off. Now we’ll see how “no drama Obama” gets down to work.
(And have you noticed a deafening silence from a lot of places that once had their volume turned up all the way? I was glad about the oath of office gaffe. It was like a crumb tossed to a population waiting for red meat.)
I give it 3 stars out of 5.
Let’s just look at the first paragraph ms. White is fawning over.
“As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals”
What civil liberties is Ms White talking about? Like Obama, she’s very light on meat and specifics. History of the U.S. is replete with examples of citizens giving up their civil liberties in the name of security of country.
But, this speech was very cryptic, giving the far left what they wanted to hear and the right not enough meat to beat him about the head. No specifics, just enough for the dreamers to continue the orgasm until it all falls apart. Not that the left would ever admit it has.
C
As a libertarian, I liked that the speech made it clear that we have very difficult times facing us and everyone will face cutbacks and have to make sacrifices.
We needed that same call after 9/11 – that everyone would share in the war on terror. Instead, we were asked to continue to spend, spend, spend. Now the world economic system is in collapse as a result. First the rich and the middle class who have saved and invested were hurt, now comes massive unemployment at every level. We are in for very tough times and we must pull together. Obama has the charisma to inspire us to do that.
We need to begin the “Death Count” on Obama’s watch now. So far my count shows around 400 U.S., Iraq and Afgan deaths on Obama’s watch.
Let’s get all our soldiers out of foreign countries NOW.. Out of Afganistan,Iraq,Germany,Italy,South Korea,Japan. We could pay for this stimulus bill with what we save.