Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation's 44th president today, becoming the first African-American to hold that post. Thousands of Americans were on the National Mall to watch the historic event in person and millions more viewed the ceremony on television.
Joe Biden took the vice presidential oath minutes before Obama. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein had the honor of welcoming inaugural participants. Feinstein chaired the congressional inaugural committee. Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church in Orange County gave the invocation.
Will long remember the classical music played.
I guess a teleprompter for the swearing in would have proven useful.As far as the speech,to me, it seemed preachy,partisan, and not too inspiring...I couldn't get into it and tuned out after 5 or 10 minutes and tuned into a little "ZZ Top(Jesus just left Chicago)" that turned out to be not just inspiring but oh so..."Satisfying!"
I'd have to agree with you Brian, not too inspiring. Hopefully we can survive the next 1460 days...but who's counting??
Brian, I agree that the Chief Justice would have benefitted from the use of a teleprompter. But that was okay - it's kind of like one of those minor faux pas at a wedding that remind us all that we're only human.
Just curious, though, what about the speech did you find particularly partisan? Of course Obama is going to set his own agenda, which obviously doesn't precisely match your's, but I didn't think it was overly partisan in content or tone.
SWEET!!! On the BIG INAUGURATION DAY, the Dow closed 330 points down. Let me re-phrase that...hopefully we can survive the next 3 days.
330 POINTS??!!!! OMG!!!!! THIS IS THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!!!!!!
Hey, Bill, it might be time to gather your weapons and canned food and head for the hills for the next 4-8 years (if you're not already up there).
Meanwhile, the rest of us can get busy making this country a better place.
It has to be something Obama said this morning about his plans; anything related to the fact of the transition itself would have already been built into the stock prices a long time ago.
Or it could have nothing to do with Washington.
Or it could be the latest banking news. . .
NEW YORK (AP) — Fear that the global banking crisis is worsening sent financial stocks plunging Tuesday, with many companies’ shares
down by double-digit percentages and Citigroup Inc. diving to a 17-year low.
Disheartening news came from U.S. and British banks: They are still suffering losses from loans and are warning that those losses will not subside anytime soon.
You know what? I am ready for a change, I am ready to support the President that we Americans picked. I love America and my freedom I thank God for my country and his guidance to all its leaders, especially the president. By the way I am not black I am American.
By the way I am not black I am American.
You probably didn't mean it that way, but those are not mutually-exclusive concepts.
Gilda,
I am ready as well! Not just for the sake of change however, as I believed in many of Bush's positions. The Bush bashers have worn me out and i have become tired of it all. So I say "uncle" to them all and welcome the next regime. I will support our next president and will do my part to insure our success.
Blaine