BY Dana Hawkins-Simons | Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013 8:19am | COMMENTS (14)
Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert
President Barack Obama’s second inauguration and surrounding festivities produced many dramatic images and noteworthy moments: from First Lady Michelle Obama’s ruby gown and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s black hat, to the President’s speech–a paean to progressive values. What did you think of the day?
Baristanet has specific guidelines for commenting. To avoid having your comment deleted -- or your commenting privileges revoked -- read this before you comment. Violators will be banned from commenting.
Report a comment that violates the guidelines to comments@baristanet.com. For trouble with registration or commenting, write to comments@baristanet.com.
Commenters on Baristanet.com are responsible for all legal consequences arising from their comments, including libel, infringement of copyright or actions that threaten a third party. By submitting a comment, you agree to indemnify Baristanet LLC, its partners and employees from any legal action arising from your comments.
In order to comment on the new system, you need to register a new Baristanet account. To get your own avatar next to your comments, sign up at Gravatar.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I have too many to choose:
“We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall…”
The Obama girls looking poised and relaxed and enjoying the moment.
The poem by Richard Blanco.
The President’s last look.
I didn’t vote for Obama but I have to give him props for mentioning gay rights in his inauguration speech, the first time any sitting President has done so.
it was all good but now comes the hard work.
All of it. It’s always refreshing to see Barack and Michelle together. Smart, confident, vibrant and obviously still very much in love.
I thought the entire speech was a good one – very good actually – but I’m with Ms. Martta on this: the President’s citing of the continuing struggle for gay and lesbian equality as central to what this country is supposed to be all about was inspiring.
And I’m particularly pleased that he mentioned Stonewall in the same breath as Selma and Seneca Falls.
A positive and a successful four years to come, Mr. President!
Bill you said it:
“We the people declare today that the most evident of truth that all of us are created equal — is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth,”
(Honestly, had he done a mic-drop after this and just pimped outta there I woulda been cool with it.)
Still, watching Beyoncé rip her earpiece off mid-way through the National Anthem and sing it raw was thrilling. It was like she said: “Take that, bitches!! Beyoncé is, you know, a singer!!”
I was thrilled he mentioned Stonewall and gay rights, I just wish he had included Transgendered people in that listing. It was a glaring omission in an otherwise perfect speech.
I thought the economy / our debt / deficits deserved more attention. Does anyone here believe that he is going to make the necessary overhauls / cuts to defense spending, medicare, SS, etc?
Absent doing all of the above we don’t balance the budget and we don’t begin to tackle our mountain of debt. For some reason Im not super optimistic.
“For some reason I’m not super optimistic.”
Same here, which is out of character for me. But I don’t see any indicators to lead me to believe otherwise. The economy is in a coma. What are his plans for the next 4 years?
It’s funny, I’ve turned a corner with the economy. I think we saw the bottom, and we’re sssslllloooowwwwwllllyyyy clawing our way back.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME:
We (individuals, industry and companies) are gearing up for it to take off. So while we have HUGE choices to make, I think the Shale Boom and all it brings, coupled with the “peace dividend” (putting the “war” credit card away) will see American having a resurgence.
Because really, compared to other Countries, who else? And don’t say the Chinese because that paper-tiger is showing itself (I also bet against ANY Country that favors boys, because a society without girls isn’t worth much!).
So, perhaps I have an Inaugural hangover, but consider me Mr. Optimistic!!
Prof on the China boys verse girls thing, I read an article recently about how China will be short of 30 million brides within 15 years due to their policies. It’s time for someone to draft the reboot of Mars Needs Woman to China needs Women.
Since we don’t have anything left to import anymore, I think we should import some of our gazillion brides-to-be. Instead of rushing Filene’s Basement for the perfect dress, they could “rush” the Republic of China in search of the perfect groom. I see a reality show here somewhere.
I think you mean “export” MM.
As for the bride shortage in China, I’m certain that it could be lessened if some Chinese government program offered incentives to MIT, Stevens Tech, NJIT and similar schools to have their coeds spend a semester or two back in the old country. Then, once they’ve deplaned, simply drop them from the rolls.
Spots open up for “Americans”, China gets smart young girls, and the problem is solved!
Yes, I realized that too late: import=export.