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Off-Topic => Political Debates - Thick Skin Required for Entry => Topic started by: pelagia on January 18, 2009, 04:43:33 PM

Title: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: pelagia on January 18, 2009, 04:43:33 PM
I am sitting here watching CNN.  They are featuring a group of school children from Atlanta who are singing joyously about the President-elect and their hopes for the country and the future.  It's a celebration, not about celebrity.  There are people in the street who are coming together because they want to be a part of something that is deeply meaningful to them.  When I step back and think about the fact that a black man of a new generation is going to be sworn in as President of the United States, I guess I do think it's worth celebrating.  It's more than just the changing of the guard.  I can't say how it will look when it all becomes history, but right now I will just sit back and enjoy. 
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: Rerun on January 18, 2009, 05:10:18 PM
Race should not be the issue, yet everyone keeps pounding that home.  It would make more "history" if his wife was president.  She is African American where her ancestors were slaves.  That would be history!

                   :Kit n Stik;

We are yet to be created equal when people keep on bring up race.  He is just as much white as he is black but that is never mentioned.  Like we are ashamed of his ancestry.  That is a slap in the face to the white grandmother who raised him. 

I think he has a lot of ideas.  But as with every president you can't just walk in that office and start giving orders.  I hope we are better off 4 years from Tuesday then we are today. 

I don't think we are making any more history than when GW took office.  The celebration is just people looking for an excuse to have a huge party. 

                           :bow;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: paris on January 18, 2009, 06:38:15 PM
Sometimes it is just nice to have hope.     And he gives all credit to his grandmother for his upbringing.
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: petey on January 18, 2009, 06:56:45 PM
Sometimes it is just nice to have hope.

I agree 100 percent, paris! 
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: pelagia on January 18, 2009, 07:29:21 PM
If Hilary Clinton had been elected I would be celebrating an historical event - the first woman president.  When a man landed on the moon I celebrated the first moon walk.  When the year 2000 hit, I celebrated the new century.  Now that the first black person has been elected, I will celebrate his inauguration and all the symbolism that embodies.  

Yes, I am an optimist and I am full of hope for the future.






  
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: aharris2 on January 19, 2009, 08:39:32 AM
Tomorrow is a historic day. America will be swearing in its first black president. While this is a racial statement, it's not racist. There is no hate, there is no quality judgement in it. Everyone is indeed created equal. Barack Obama's election is an affirmation of that fact. I will pause tomorrow and see him take the oath of office. I will be happy and I will be proud to be American.

America is celebrating as it should be. We are celebrating ourselves and celebrating Barack Obama. I am celebrating inside. I am still thrilled!
 :clap;

Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: Rerun on January 19, 2009, 09:35:43 AM
I guess I'll celebrate a WHITE president being placed into office than.  You can't argue with that.


                                               :rofl;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: paris on January 19, 2009, 10:29:17 AM
I love the inaguration process.  How lucky are we to beable to vote and then have a moment to celebrate our country.  But, I love the 4th of July, flags waving, and all that goes with being an American.   I celebrated every white president, too.  Tomorrow is another opportunity to be proud of our country. :usaflag;  :usaflag;  :usaflag;  :usaflag;   :usaflag;  :usaflag;   Can anyone sing Yankee Doodle Dandy?   :rofl;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: pelagia on January 19, 2009, 03:58:21 PM
It's a good thing that I just bought a new umbrella because I can see that someone insists on raining on the parade.   :)
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: G-Ma on January 19, 2009, 08:55:43 PM
I will be watching and enjoying from my living room.     :usaflag;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: pelagia on January 20, 2009, 07:41:42 AM
It's amazing how many people are on the mall. There are people everywhere!
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: kimcanada on January 20, 2009, 08:03:39 AM
Canada is VERY excited today, as some might be able to feel that your northern neighbors tend to lean to the liberals

I am even more excited because he is the FIRST black president... and such an intelligent man at that!

Congrats to all that see this as a new day, and hopefully others with get hope back in their world.  :usaflag; :canadaflag; :usaflag;


Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: breezysummerday on January 20, 2009, 08:08:18 AM
I am watching the events unfold on TV too, pelagia.
I caught myself smiling (to no one in particular)!
Fantastic history in the making!

Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: monrein on January 20, 2009, 08:40:04 AM
I skipped the gym today so I could watch it live.   :usaflag; :canadaflag; :usaflag;    Congratulations neighbours.  Best of luck President Obama, May wisdom guide your course.
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: aharris2 on January 20, 2009, 09:43:52 AM
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
 :clap;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: Zach on January 20, 2009, 10:17:17 AM

It's a good thing that I just bought a new umbrella because I can see that someone insists on raining on the parade.   :)


 :beer1;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: pelagia on January 20, 2009, 10:20:29 AM
 :yahoo; :2thumbsup; :clap; :thumbup; :cheer: :beer1; :wine; :usaflag; :guitar: :bandance; :bestwishes; :flower; :-* :cuddle;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: Zach on January 20, 2009, 10:21:50 AM
God Bless us, everyone!

8)
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: Wenchie58 on January 20, 2009, 10:28:04 AM
I'm about as A-political as they come.  I can't stand the hype...the endless hours of commercials...the promises that are generally nothing more than some blowing smoke.  I vote....from my gut...because as an American I feel that it's my duty to do so and I feel that anyone who doesn't cast a vote has no right to complain (and I LOVE to bitch).
I too have issue with the amount of money spent on both the elections and the celebrations at the end, but it happens no matter how much I grumble.
I always feel that, with each new President, things will stay the same.  The working class will continue to work, the rich will get richer and the poor will continue to suffer.  I don't think that the "Change" promised during the campaign will happen, but I will keep an open mind.
I will also keep my salt shaker handy, because if the new President does indeed make "change" and improve our country and life for its people, I will smile big, be thankful and eat crow, happily!
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: paul.karen on January 20, 2009, 10:35:37 AM
well said and i concour Wenchie.
But ill pass my crow your way :-)
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: Wenchie58 on January 20, 2009, 10:36:51 AM
As long as there's salt.....and maybe some hot sauce!
 :rofl;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: pelagia on January 20, 2009, 10:45:04 AM
I'm an optimist, I guess, because I believe that each of us can make a difference.  I also believe in the power of leadership to unite people and help set a course so that our individual efforts will be coordinated for the greater good.  I look forward to the leadership of this very capable new President.  I wish him well.

As far as the inauguration itself, I will never forget the image of the President-elect moving down the steps of the Capital, the clarinet solo moving into "Simple Gifts," the speech calling us to work together towards a higher ideal, the Lincoln bible, the image President Obama painted of George Washington's strength at a very low point in our Nation's history, the closing prayer, or the tears of those on the mall.  

This is a time of incredible challenges.  I am thankful that President Obama is willing to face them head on.

:usaflag;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: kimcanada on January 20, 2009, 12:55:48 PM
OK I got through the inauguration....

Onto the ball!  Now is this ball going to be on TV??  I sure do hope so  :bandance; I feel like dancin!
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: G-Ma on January 20, 2009, 01:02:13 PM
I hope the ball is on tv..I'm looking forward to it too...too bad that Sen Kennedy got ill during the luncheon but very nice of Pres. Obama to go over to him before the ambulance took him away.
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: kimcanada on January 20, 2009, 01:05:11 PM
Oh get out of here! I didn't know that, I should have had the dang TV on CNN, I had it on CBC instead, they always hunt down the Canadians in the crowd....

PS I think I am addicted to Obama :shy;
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: G-Ma on January 20, 2009, 01:24:55 PM
I enjoyed watching them walk along the parade route awhile but wow it must have been cold for them.
Title: Re: The Celebration in Washington, D.C.
Post by: Bajanne on January 20, 2009, 11:58:51 PM
The things that stand out for me are:
the speech, especiallly the line " we will reach our hands to you if you will unclench your fist" (or something like that)
the invocation and the closing prayer
Obama's gracious treatment of the 43rd President, walking with him to the helicopter.
THE CROWDS!!!! (even on Time Square!)
All the former presidents - they all looked so well!
the beautiful Obama girls (all three of them!)