What A Day!
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
January 20, 2009 3:37pm CST
I was up at the crack of dawn this morning, overcome with excitement and eagerly looking forward to television coverage of the inauguration. This has been a day of joyful highs and a couple of bits of sadness. I sit here now having just watched President Obama and his wife Michelle do their walk along the parade route. I think he acquitted himself well in his speech which was not overly long. He pulled no punches about what lies ahead in our efforts to restore America to the great nation it has been. I wonder at the multitude of people from all walks of life who have made their way to Washington, D.C. to witness history in the making. I know they must be chilled to the bone in the freezing weather. There were some light moments and sad moments with the illness of Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sen. Byrd. I can only imagine how tired they must be by now. So I guess they will take some time out to rest before tonight's activities begin. I truly hope that everyone will see this day as the beginning of the rebuilding of our nation. President Obama got it right when he said that he wants to be the president of all the people - and we should give him that chance and work with him to make things better.
10 people like this
11 responses
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
I also believe, stephcjh, that he will do his job to the best of his abilities. I don't think that anyone is expecting him to work miracles, just make things better.
1 person likes this
@jeanniemay (1798)
• Philippines
21 Jan 09
Yes, I agree. Time will tell because he has a lot of work ahead. Although, the confidence that many have in him is a good thing to start on.
2 people like this
@CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
21 Jan 09
I think that this is going to be a very big change. I think it is going to be a good change. I just hope that things work out the way that he wants, Ithink it will benifit everyone. it is good that he has common ground, it will make relating to everyone easier. I am with you on this one. Good luck everyone.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
Everyone will benefit from the changes, CRIVAS, if we all learn to love one another and do what is best for us. He is a confident man and full of promise.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Jan 09
yes everyone needs to work together and help the nation back on its feet. I didn't see the speech I will wait for highlights of the coverage on our local canadian station
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
Working together is the key, winterose, and I, for one, am committed to doing everything in my power to help.
@dfollin (24233)
• United States
20 Jan 09
This is very exciting,I cried seeing all those people out there cheering and crying coming together like President Obama asked.I live about a half an hour from Washington,DC,but I did not go to the inauguration.I decided to stay home and watch on tv.For one I am short and would never see anything and the medical conditions wouldn't like the cold.We know that Senator Kenedy was taken to the hospital.But,I still have not heard anything definite about Senator Byrd leaving early.I am praying for everyone thou.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
The thing that I found most interesting, dfollin, is the fact that so many people came together, united for a common cause. I don't think I could have braved the crowd myself.
@jeanniemay (1798)
• Philippines
21 Jan 09
I also took time to watch one of history's messages. I like the call to unity and not just being a citizen or ruler of one country but a leader for unity.
Indeed, peace starts when a leader leads and it's essence is proclaim in action!
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
I couldn't agree with you more, jeanniemay! I have faith that he will be the leader we need at this point in our history.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159572)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Jan 09
I hope the people can do as you said. It would make for a healthy place to live if nothing else. It takes everyone doing their part and being the best they can be. Some will, afew will think they don't have to, etc., etc..
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
There are always going to be some negatives, celticeagle, it is a fact of life. In this case I believe the good far outweighs the bad. People are on fire for a change, and where there is such purpose it will be very hard to be denied.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
21 Jan 09
Today was amazing and a little sad at the same time. Obama became president. One of the female students in one of my classes has a seizure today. Oh, and I got more free stuff. Yes, this was some kind of a day.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
21 Jan 09
It is rebuilding for some, but not for others. Obama is for abortion, for same gender marriages or unions, he wants to give homosexuals more privileges, and take them away from others. He wants to funnel money from the rich to the poor. He plans to repeal the don't ask, don't tell policy making it difficult for the military as some soldiers will be nervous about fighting alongside someone who announces "I'm gay," because he will be watching his back as well as his front and will be afraid of going to sleep at night. We have to pray that Obama relies on God and not regards himself as god, and that his office does not come from his efforts but God gave him the office.
And it may have been that God did this to waken America up to its sin and I am not talking about the Iraqi war.
I do not see a better dawning.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
To all of this I would simply ask, suspenseful, "Who made you judge and jury?" Yes, you come across as holier-than-thou, but you seem to lack instruction and understanding. Any fool knows that a fair-minded leader has to make some concessions regarding their policies. Even I am not entirely happy with all of Obama's policies, but that in no way takes away my conviction that he is the right man for the job at this time. I assume that by referring to America's "sin," you are stating that Canada - or any other nation, is without sin? Think again! No, we are far from perfect, but so is everywhere else in this world.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Jan 09
Hasn't it been one of the most incredible days ever? It was history in the making and I haven't been more proud of my country ever in my lifetime. Just looking at all those people, all ages, all races from all over the country and even the world all united in celebration moved me to tears several times. Other than the unfortunate illness of Senator Kennedy the only other thing to make this day anything but perfect was that my mom wasn't here to see it. She passed away 2 days before the election and she'd have been so happy to have witnessed all that's happened since.
Annie
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother, anniepa, and share your grief since my own mother passed away less than two years ago. There are those who are trying to take away from the joy of this day, but most people see it for what it has been - amazing!
1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
22 Jan 09
Inauguration Day was a day of celebrating at my house. Like you, I woke up early as I didn't want to miss any of the news on the procedings of the day.However, my husband needed me to go to the bank so I did, but was home way before the swearing in ceremony. I would not have missed it for anything! I watched with my daughter as we are a home school family and we were doing a school study of the inauguration anyway. PLus, what a history lesson to see that many people in one place for the swearing in of the first black President. Just a few years ago, his people could not have thought about being in the White House. How a few generations have changed that! I am so proud of him and his wife for the values that they have within their family and for the things that he wants to do for the United States. If people will bear with him the next year, I think we will start to see improvements within two years.
1 person likes this
@thedaddym (1731)
• United States
21 Jan 09
I will give him a chance, but I think people are expecting way too much of him. He is only a man. He has the most powerful job in the United States, but he still has to work with the rest of the government to get things done and that is not always easy. I think people think that things are going to get better and change right away, and that is just not possible. I honestly hope he is everything that people want him to be and he turns out to do all the great things he promises.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Jan 09
Most people, thedaddym, are aware that even the president can only do so much. Obama communicates well in a bi-partisan manner, and I think this will stand him in good stead. He said in his speech that the changes would be gradual, and that is understandable.
1 person likes this
