Inauguration Day -- Thoughts & Observations

Meanderings While Watching CNN TV Coverage

January 25, 2009
By: O. J. Cunningham

11:25 AM -- January 20, 2009 Thoughts & Observations . . .

In 1960, at 17 years old, I was a John F. Kennedy guy . . . I guess we were ALL Kennedy guys in 1960 . . . I believed Kennedy could do most anything . . . accomplish most anything . . .

I'm older and more cynical in 2009. As we all are. But deep down inside . . . I want Obama to be a Kennedy-like guy.

America needs something . . . (inspirational) . . . I want to believe in the ability of Obama to make a difference for the "better" . . . although I'm not sure how each of us defines "better."

According to Chris Rock (Comedian) -- The President of the United States has only two jobs -- Keep the peace & maintain the money . . Bush was my guy for most of the eight years of his presidency. Bush was 0 for 2 . . . Bush (and the Conservatives) had to go.

Watching on TV, I can't help but marvel about the mass of humanity on hand for swearing-in ceremony . . . Estimates on people attending were in the millions . . . Wow! Look at them all.

The parade of royalty onto and around the podium looked a bit like the Oscars Red Carpet parade . . . Without Joan Rivers or that Lisa woman with the funny lips.

I was offended by CNN's continued reference to black historical slave reference as in "The White House was built on the backs of slaves . . . Stop with the race references . . . It's America . . . Anyone can be president . . . That's how it works here . . .

I was impressed with the pomp and circumstance . . .

Many countries have wars and coups to change leadership. One of the CNN commentators made reference to the "peaceful transition of power . . ." Yay for America.

Aretha . . . those were the days . . . Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) -- (R.E.S.P.E.C.T.)

12:00pm -- The Itzhak Perelman, Yo Yo Ma and their musical group -- Jewish, black, Asian and white -- All playing for the solemnity of the moment as Obama became 44th President per the Constitution.

Twenty-one canon salute . . . You can tell that somebody really thought about this . . . in terms of imagery, etc . . .

12:06pm -- Excerpts From The Speech . . .

humbled by the task before us . .

pick ourselves up dust ourselves off and get on with the task at hand . . .

imagination to common purpose . . .

we are ready to lead once more . . .

we will not apology for our way of live . . .we will not waver and we will defeat you . . . 12:30pm -- The Obama political team has a poet . . .

12:52pm . . . Barack and Michelle say goodbye to "W" -- Very gracious . . . Out the east door . . . Michelle and Barack go back into the white house with the Bidens (Joe and Jill)

I enjoyed the "visuals" of this governmental change-over -- laced with symbolism . . .

1:03pm -- Signing the document for cabinet positions -- I didn't know he was left-handed . . . I guess the Barama camp is in charge . . . Let's get on with it . . .

I want to believe . . .