Every presidential inauguration is historic, but today's more than most. That's the subject of our editorial today.
The ascension of an African-American to the White House is an astonishing step for a nation that once embraced slavery and has struggled to rid itself of the manifestations of racism for its entire history.
Racism is still with us, and will be for some time, but the mere fact of "President Obama" speaks well of our ability to change for the better.
My feeling is that it is a historic happening but it is way blown out of proportion. Its not like he is the first black to hold an office. There was not all this hoopla when Clarence Thomas was seated on the Supreme Court or when Conde Rice became Secretary of State and those are huge accomplishments too. I wish Obama the best and hope he can accomplish all that he says he can. I think with the Democrat majority in the Senate he can accomplish more than Bush because they truely have the power and the President can't work their agenda without their votes. I hope Oprah will not try to move in on Obama as she seems to be trying to do.
jackie krage; I know how you feel. It is way out of proportion. As of 2008, the US White population is 76%, and African-American 12%. And only Americans (especially the South) classifies President Obama "Negro". Scientifically, President Obama is not a negro (black). But science does not carry much weight around here. Especially in the political field, we are most proficient spin doctors. And everything for a sensational headline. To heck with truth. But the bottom line is that we are swearing in a president every four years. So what is so different about this inauguration other than the record cost of it. One could argue that it was not Abraham Lincoln who achieved "emancipation" but presidential candidate McCain by not getting elected.
If I could write a letter to President Obama. I would say. Mr. President, the World has taken care of itself for a long time, and shall do so in the future. But please, give us healthy and wholesome food back right here in America. Not only the Chinese imports make us sick and kill pets. Our domestic food production is getting more hazardous to our health. I am still thinking with fondness of President Lynden Johnson's words, that every American man woman and child had a right to clean and wholesome food. During the last eight years, meat, dairy products, certain fruits and vegetables, and now peanut products are making us sick and kill consumers. What next? Respectfully Yours....One who eats.
I heard that now he wants to make his birthday a national holiday cause other white presidents have one and they only have one national black holiday celebrated that being MLK Day. Of course the white presidents are dead and Obama is not.
Jackie, do you feel obligated to pass on every silly rumor you hear?
Where did that idiotical rumor originate? And I believe one has to be dead for a holiday of ones own.
It was in the news so blame the media for it. I would think one has to be dead to have his birthday observed as a national holiday. Why is it Mike that you can say anything you want and it is gospel and everyone else speaks silly rumors. You are not always right even if you think you are. I don't expect everyone to agree with me so thats cool. It is an opinion blog and I just state mine.
It was "in the news"? Where - at "worldnutdaily.com"?
RE: "Mike D." and "jackie krage"
If President Obama gives us back food we can buy with confidence at the super market, I would send him a birthday card every month. The news reports are depressing about our food supply getting increasingly contaminated with pathology; actually killing some children and elderly. I, personally, don't give a blooming fig as to who writes the President's speeches. Right now we are totally free to munch contaminated food while sniping at each other via blogging posts. I am included.
Another one for the books. Have you noticed that the beehive's top champion for the torture of prisoners, is given more and more space in the Fresno Bee. We certainly can't blame the Bush administration for that. It's pretty local I would say.
My sister told me she saw it in the news so I will have to get ahold of her to see where. Maybe it was one of those famous SNL moments like they did on Palin everyday.
Try to look at it objectively Jackie...who in their right mind would state publicly and with all seriousness, that they'd like to have a holiday named in their own honor? It just sounds silly doesn't it?
Ok, Maybe someone like Saddam Hussein might, but Obama? Seriously? Ask yourself, would you believe it if I told you Bush said that?
Anyway, I googled it to see how your sister might have heard it. There was a rumor or story started from some Obama hater that circulated on a few blogs. I guess this stuff will continue even after the election. I see people still insist that there's a media cover-up about his birth certificate, and that now the Supreme Court is in on it. One guy claims Obama spent $800,000 to cover up the fact he didn't have one.
Don't know but I think Bush knows all the others are dead. I guess anything that is said about Obama has to come from an Obama hater. Although I didn't vote for him, I don't hate anyone because we are all Gods children no matter our race, color or religion. I teach my kids that we don't hate. It is always said that they can dislike someone but if they say hate they have to face the wrath of me.