Historic Day

[rayvyn2k]

Congratulations, Mr. President!

I blogged during the ceremony and I'm going to transcribe my stream of consciousness blather here after the cut

Turned on the TV at about 9 AM CST, listening to Keith, Rachel, Gene & Chris on MSNBC.

Watched the current and new residents of the White House take the traditional ride together to the Capital. There is a new Presidential limousine:



A Cadillac as always. I like it and think it's cool that Obama, such a humble man with such a "normal" family, gets to ride in such an awesome car.

The crowds are amazing...I momentarily regretted not going to Washington, DC--but seeing the crowds--I'm glad I didn't.

Now at the Capital, all the former VPs, Presidents and their wives are arriving and being seated. Bush 1 looks like he's aged so much, he's "walking old" as Chris Matthews said. The Carters look good, but Rosalyn should really smile instead of looking like she just sucked on a lemon.

The Mall is PACKED. I'm getting claustrophobic just looking at it...



There's Bill and Hill, looking cool, holding hands...aww. The hugged Bush 1 and chatted, Bill assisting Bush 1 down the hallway.

Politicians just can't help shaking hands with people. All politicians have this quirk.

I had to switch to C-SPAN...I got tired of all the yap.

A big ovation when the kids appear, Biden's children first then Malia and Sasha with Grandma following behind. They look so cute! (Later on it was said their clothes were from The Gap.)

Next came Mrs. Bush and Cheney.

Then a hush seemed to fall over the crowd (estimated, according to MSNBC, at 2 million) or as much of a hush that can occur in that sea of humanity...then there were scattered chants of "Obama!"

Next out the door were Michelle Obama and Jill Biden...Michelle gorgeous in a gold dress and matching coat; Jill fabulous in red. They can't stop smiling and neither can I.


Bush appears in the hallway and on the screen, you can hear the booing from the crowd. He deserves it, but I thought it was tacky.

VP Cheney, even in a wheelchair, looks like a spider to me...reminds me of Mr. Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life"..."always spinning (his) webs..."

Bush/Cheney announced and greeted with a mix of boos and polite applause.

Now, here's Joe Biden, striding down the hallway with a huge grin on his face. I'm glad he's the VP-elect.

OMG, it's happening! I'm so thrilled and excited...I cannot imagine how Barak and Michelle must feel...

Wooo, there is Barak, looking all Presidential and so serious--I got chills just then.

Biden gets a huge cheer...and I'm getting all choked up. It's such a huge relief to know we will have someone smart in the White House...here he comes...Oh, wait. First is the leadership of the house and senate...then the heraldic trumpets...then...

Barak H. Obama...and the crowd goes wild! Flags flying, waving...tears spring into my eyes and roll down my cheeks. I'm so happy, so proud of this country...chants of "Obama" begin again and he sits down...next to his daughters...awww.

Feinstein's speech recalls MLK without mentioning him.

Ugh, I have to mute Rick Warren in protest. I will write and say my own prayer for Barak instead.

To all the Gods--please watch over Barak and keep him and his family safe. Guide his decision making--give him the strength and courage to do what he must--with honor. Help him heal this nation and our people and bring hope back to America. Amen.

Okay, RW is still going. That's the trouble with these type of preachers...give them an audience and they'll talk for hours. (or a little more than three minutes)

Ohhhh...it's Aretha! That's what I'm talking about. Wow--that's some hat.



But, damn. That voice. She's still got it...and she sang "My Country Tis of Thee" almost as a gospel song. Fantastic and beautifully done.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Inauguration Day should be a national holiday.

Time to swear in the new VP. Congrats, Vice-President Biden!

Another musical interlude...John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)...beautiful.

Okay, the moment is at hand...the Chief Justice introduced...the crowd goes wild again!

Using the 1861 inaugural bible that Abraham Lincoln used, Barak Hussein Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. (The Chief Justice stumbled over the oath!)


The Marine band plays "Hail to the Chief" for the first time for President Obama and there is a (I think) 21 gun salute. I'm all choked up again...and the crowd goes wild again.

Memorable quotes from his speech as I listened:

The challenges are real, they will be met.
All are equal, all are free, all deserve to pursue their measure of true happiness.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and begin again the work of remaking America.

(So many hopeful words, I hope it can be done. Malia is taking pics, how cute!)

Barak is rejecting Bush's policies on torture right in front of him. Balls as big as the galaxy, I tell you. And very much needed right now.

Barak said "nuclear" correctly...such a relief.

More quotes:
Our patchwork heritage is a strength not weakness.
Your people will judge you on what you build, not what you destroy.

Fantastic speech. Some of the talking heads are grumbling that there wasn't a "wow" quote in there, I beg to differ. Any of the ones I've quoted here would do in that capacity.

"Yes we can!" chant begins.

Elizabeth Alexander reads her Inaugural Poem.

Reverend Joseph Lowery give a stupendous benediction! AMEN!! Then the Marine Band strikes up "Stars and Stripes Forever".

Then President and Mrs. Obama escorted FORMER President and Mrs. Bush to Executive One (the helicopter is only known as Marine One when the president is aboard) and they take off. The crowd sends them away with the singing of "Na Na Hey Hey, Good bye".




What a wonderful, inspiring day.