Inauguration day!!
 

I find it had for me to enjoy it, thinking of all the tax dollars being spent on celebrating, when our country is already bankrupt. It may be history, but it is just too much, too extravagant, too over the top insane IMHO.

Everybody wants to say we are all the same and just part of the human race. Yada, yada, yada. So then, why so much hoopla because he's our 1st black president?? Huh......... he's just a man who was elected president. I'm not moved by his color. I just want him to do the best job he can to fix this mess we are in and stop wasting our tax dollars.

Carolyn

I could care less what color his skin is, either. But....he is the first black man elected President so that's bound to generate some celebration. Regardless of what color he is, what gender, whatever......he's taken on a monumental task and I will pray for him everyday.

I started this thread on a good note (I thought) and if it turns political or nasty I will ask the Mods to shut it down. Period.

I'm thrilled also Kitty...am going to be watching most of it on CSpan because they promised not to "talk" us through it which is a welcome relief. *grin

Kelly....thanks for starting this...I do hope it will remain positive. I
feel everyone has to be full of hope and this is a historic inaugeration, one
that does need to be celebrated.:)

I too will have my tv on and will tune in from time to time. You know,
I saw his exceptance speech ,from the night of the election, again
last night. Again it brought tears to my eyes and my heart filled with
hope.:) So I pray change is coming and that President Obama and his
family remain safe.

The reason that it is so important and so much is being made of this is that there are many African Americans that lost their lives to win the right to vote...to eat at a counter...to drink from a water fountain...and not be treated like dogs.
It's important because the Capital, where President Elect Obama will be sworn in, was built by the sweat of slaves...those of us old enough to remember the day that President Lyndon Johnson signed the voting rights act know how far this country has come in a very short time...and yet we are humbled by how far we have to go...I am Caucasian...but I was raised by ignorant, bigoted parents...and I have learned that we are all connected; we all bleed red...

Also, a large part of this inauguration is being paid by contributions donated by supporters of the Obama campaign...so it's not all on the taxpayer's dime.

Let us, for one day at least, celebrate this peaceful transition of power. We as a country have many, many flaws. But there are not many countries on this planet that has this type of transition of power.

I am a supporter of Obama...I was at Grant Park on election night...I watched many African Americans, young and old, with tears streaming down their faces...and I then finally understood the momentous event that had taken place.
Tomorrow we can start dealing with the realities of our country's problems...for today, let us celebrate!!:D:D

I am not a sentimental person at all, but the day that Obama won the elections I was really toutched. I went to bed late and woke up early, first thing I did was put on the television and on teletext there were big capitals: BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT OF US. Terrific! And today I am also excited, just two hours from now I thougt, the inauguration begins, dinnertime for us but we will eat on the couch in front of the television:D
I hope today really will be a changing day for you, and ofcourse for the rest of the world. Obama is the first president of the US I really like, I'm a little jalous to you all today ;)

http://www.flixxy.com/presidents-morphing.htm


Thanks Barbo...fingers crossed that it works...and I think your English is great!!

It is a day of hope.
 

And the hope that no one in those millions on the mall and around the capital get hurt in any way, shape or form.
We will see changes, some we may not like-I suspect. But that is the way of government and it moves glacially slowly most of the time. A big super-taker can't take a u-turn on a dime, nor does the government. Used to work there...it takes 1,3,5 & 10 year plans which may or may not happen. A lot of exercises in polite fiction it would seem? But, at times good things can and DO happen and become real. The changes won't be easy or smooth, they never are, because I's aren't dotted or T's crossed.
It IS a hope that our future might just be better than the status quo or the recent past for all of us. Things can and should improve, but in a while.
The hope that one day we won't have to wake up with the pains and fears that we have due to our neuro problems. That could begin to happen!

Hugs to all and may we all have a wonderful day! :hug: - j

I am happy we are moving forward, time to get the country back on its feet. I too hem and haw at the amount of money being spent, way too much, but this is the first African American President, so perhaps some of it is in tune with the magnificence of the moment and the fact that this is something that will never happen again, this is a first. I kind of thought he would use the inaugural as an example of tightening the belt ideology.

they already said there have been over 50 cases of cardiac arrest from the cold and big distances in walking,

thanks Kitty

I do hope everyone posting to this thread will remember that this isnt the place for political/racial or any such debate.

Please limit the convo here to positive and non political comments so that it can stay open. If you dont feel able to contribute in that tone, then maybe best not post to this thread

thanks:grouphug:

God bless you President Obama, and God Bless America.

I can believe that some have had cardiac problems...they were only letting buses into the area this morning, and I heard on the radio that people were getting off of them since they weren't moving and walking very, very far...prayers for all who had problems...I can't believe that all of those in attendance aren't suffering frostbite! Brrrr...hope my son and his wife are okay in that crowd...

I sincerely hope that I didn't offend anyone by my thoughts about this day. I hope so much that our nation can be revitalized, roll up our collective sleeves and get to work...I must admit, however, that the cynical part of my personality wonders how anything will change...but one can always hope!

God bless our new president...
 

...and God bless our great nation! I am thankful for the HOPE that is in the air!

I get a sense of something special happening .....

I loved the closing thoughts of the benediction!!!

Can't remember all of it, but the Reverend Lowery ended with:



..."and may the Red Man get ahead, man."

on a sadder note both Ted Kennedy and Senator Byrd are both in hospital, appears Ted had a possible seizure, not sure about Byrd, prayers for both of them and their families

I just read it on the news indeed. A dark cloud on a sunny day, or how do you say that in English :confused:

sounded good to me FDW.

Well at least some good news nothing official yet but those near Ted, said he was talking already after the seizure by time he got in ambulance, and from experience with my son all those years, that is a good sign(if it was a seizure) it can take a wee bit of time to get all the facilities working again after a seizure

Hear naught about Sen Byrd yet?

I heard two million people were there today, am I right or did i mis hear something?

President obama!
 

Dr. Jill Bidens' knees look cold! *grin What a day!!

This day IS a day to remember, a day of firsts, a day of change, a day of new hope ... President Obama has his work cut out for him, yet i remain hopeful and optimistic ... Like President Obama said (i think) we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and rebuild america ... Today is a day of celebration for tomorrow the work begins .......

Michelle O looks very chilly & uncomfortable at the parade , I would ask for a coat to be brought out, or borrow one...

Yeah i noticed she set the tempo for the walking part lol and Joes wife looked prety chilled by time they reached the White House

LOL They put a blanket at her feet in the viewing booth and gave her warming inserts for her gloves. I wonder why she didn't think of a warm coat to go with her outfit? That parade better get to stepping because they have 9 or 10 inaugural balls to attend.

Whatever, whoohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they must be soooooo relieved to be able to take a break now while getting ready for the balls..................long day and high adrenalin.
So thankful the day went so well and safely, and Sen Kennedy and Byrd are ok

I am wondering what it must be like for Sasha and Malia to be exploring their new home :D

They are used to Chicago winters...now that is cold! :D

I don't know, at one point it looked like she needed to use the bathroom. She kept grabbing her tummy. My sister and I were thinking they should have a porta potty for the first lady. Everytime she leaned over to say something to Barack we were laughing thinking I bet she's telling him "I have to go so bad!" haha

Bless her heart, she's a trooper for sure.

I know I would have had to take some Imodium if I had a long day like that LOL
:D

LMAO Jim said the same thing! :p

my first thought was why go there then I thought yeah not a bad idea lol

ok sort of on/off topic

where does the vice president reside? where ever they want? on the south 40 of the white house grounds?

LOL...we could just drop in! :D

The Veep's house is actually
 

far nicer and more private than the White House.... I used to commute by each at past points in my lifetime.
Rockefeller [Nelson], A veep in his own right [forget which administration] put in his own money to have that place updated and up to standards of the '70's
I'ts just been maintained since. But it's a pretty place, and quiet by DC standards...
Onwards tho, things have been essentially peaceful and gracious.... what more could we ask for?
Promises for the future are just that - unless WE make them so. And, It's up to US! However and wherever we can.
:hug:'s to all - j

Pepsi had a thing to send Pres a message I sent him a congrats stick to your plans and help this country regain its morals and respect, I respect you.

Deb and I are watching the balls, he is so articulate when he speaks, I have not had this much optimism in a new president in a real long time,

Did anyone by chance catch Bushes farewell speech from Midlands Texas, talk about so relieved so relaxed looking and he was funny and had a real smile on his face, all the stress was gone from his face.

I dont want their job no way no how

That's true Debbie. Thank you for mentioning that in your post. My entire family made contributions to the inauguration celebration online at President Obama's website.

You know........ I volunteered at his local campaign office and I honestly have to say, there has never been a candidate in my adult lifetime that has inspired me in such a way.

Congratulations President Barack Obama, and thank you!!