Happy Days Are Here Again!

Last post, I was in the unpleasant position of agreeing with something Tom Delay said. I'm happy to report that is no longer the case, thanks to this site a co-worker pointed out to me. Turns out we taxpayers aren't footing the bill for the inauguration after all, so enjoy the festivities guilt-free!

Read the full text of President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address here.

OK, I admit it, I was moved. He starts off thanking Bush for his service (whatever), and his "generosity and cooperation" during the transition. Which you know what? He has been pretty well-behaved, for whatever reason, so one-time only props to George.

He then talks about how "We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers (sic), and true to our founding documents."

I was especially happy with that choice of words, as our Constitution has been on life support for so long now.

He talks about the challenges and crisis the country faces and promises, "know this, America — they will be met."

This is followed by the assurance that the "petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics" are over. I know he can't really speak for everyone, but I hope he's right. I don't really like living in a country where everyone is as bitter and angry as I am. It steals my thunder.

This next is maybe my favorite part of the whole speech:

"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. "

Just, wow...dude can flat give a speech!

Let's see....Great Nation, journey, path, props to the labor force, immigrants, and soldiers....more about the journey, we still rock...oh, this is good:

"But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. " Very nice! Uplifting, and a backhand at the last administration. Bonus!

Now he plugs his economic stimulus plan....here's a neat little slap at the deregulation fiasco:

"Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good. "

Next comes a nice undercut to the Patriot Act:

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals....we will not give them up for expedience's (sic) sake."

While they're on the ropes, he gives 'em one of these: "know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. "

The punishment continues in fine form: "Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our 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.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet."

Now there's some tough talk to terrorists, shout out to all major religions, and whoa! even heathens like me! He mentions civil war and segregation...Muslims, let's be friends...gonna help the poor...props to the Armed Forces...everybody has to work together...Here's another favorite passage:

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."

Just, perfect. I love that bit. It goes on;

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

Oh, hell yes. Beautiful, man. And for the big finale:

"So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying 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].'
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations." Let's roll.