President Barack Obama
I’m watching a webcast of Obama’s inauguration as I write this. He was just sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts (who fluffed a line in the oath, causing Obama to fumble).
12.09pm: Obama is giving his inaugural speech with his usual flair and confidence and with an emphasis on how we “all are free, all are equal…”
12.16pm: He talks about the Founding Fathers quite often, and about how the American people need to remain true to their ideals.
12.18pm: Lots of jingoistic talk about fighting terrorism and also a focus on the pluralism of the American demographic; made up of Christians, Muslims, Jews and non-believers etc. That’s a good move in my mind, to remind everyone that America is a melting pot of culture and religions (or no religion).
12.20pm: Talk of the troops abroad and the men and women who died in service to the country.
12.22pm: He’s talking about the American people’s continued responsibility to the world and how times have changed; a man who 60 years ago might not have been served in a restaurant, but whose son is standing today before a huge crown in Washington, taking a most sacred oath (cheers from the crowd).
12.25pm: Talk of the flame of liberty being carried forward. God bless the people and god bless America.
End of speech. It lasted around 18 minutes and, as I think was expected, was a very mature and well-read speech, presented with skill and aplomb by a true statesman.
And now the program continues with poems and reflections by various guests/artists, but the most important part has ended without incident and (other than the fumbled oath) went relatively smoothly. Lots of hot air coming from religious leaders on the podium, about “tolerance” and “inclusion”. Such dichotomy, when one considers the recent passing of the evil Prop 8 in California and the number of religious leaders who were for this bill!
And now it’s the national anthem, then the Presidential Party.
Transcript of full speech (PDF)
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