Inauguration thoughts we should all be able to agree on

[Jeemie]

I don't think she said that.

She said it would not have worked (the speech tocque suggested), not that it couldn't be helped.

It can't be helped. When you round up an extra two million people into a space that was designed for a few hundred thousand, you must spend what it takes to avert foreseeable problems -- or disasters.

I get it.

She said spending the money could not be helped because security was needed.

You are saying security would not have been needed if Obama had made sure that not so many people came.

She said that no matter what Obama did or said, people would have come.

If there was nothing to see, they wouldn't have come.

[christie1111]

Okay, heads up because I'm going to post something serious here which as you know I very rarely do. You must cherish these moments of seriosity because they come around about as often as A-Rod getting a clutch hit. Here goes:

I was in Times Square today because I wanted to be where other people were when this historical event happened. The entire area was packed to the brim despite it being 20 degrees out and there being no sound from the TV's. People just stood and watched the closed captioning with rapt attention. The Naked Cowboy was there, staring up at the screen like everyone else, seemingly oblivious to the cold. The Subway Steel Drum Guy came out of the subway and plays his steel drums along with the applause. I stood next to an older African-American man with a transistor radio. When the oath was being administered he started crying but he had a brilliant smile throughout. After the oath, cars started honking and a chant between complete strangers came up even though we were nowhere near Washington. The amount of Hope among this group of people was palpable. In my short life, I have never seen any group of people come together like they did for a short time today in the cold at 42nd Street. It was like the Giants had won the Super Bowl again except that this time everyone in New York was a rabid Giants fan. So if you want to fight and argue today then that's fine. If you want to debate the monies spent and the reverence given you do that.

As for me, I'm just going to do what everyone at Times Square did today. I'm going to smile and hope.

I guess this is what I wanted to say to daniel in the other thread.

Thanks Clem. You got it perfectly.

[littlebeast13]

Did something happen while I was asleep today......?

lb13

[Evil Squirrel]

posts #3 & #8.

What!? Are you saying those aren't real bb's?? WhatEVER. Next you'll be telling me Evil Squirrel isn't really a squirrel. As if.


t.

I'm 100% all natural squirrel, baby! Wanna scritch me and see?

[littlebeast13]

This thread has been completely hijacked

Not completely hijacked. No merrymen (yet).


t.

You've already forgotten about posts #3 & #8. That's as far as I reviewed from the top. There may be others, too.

I did what I could. I guess if I had stayed up later, me and mini could have drowned out all the yuckiness in sweet merridom, but then we wouldn't have had this wonderful 7 page lesson in all getting along.....

lb13

[Jeemie]

Okay, heads up because I'm going to post something serious here which as you know I very rarely do. You must cherish these moments of seriosity because they come around about as often as A-Rod getting a clutch hit. Here goes:

I was in Times Square today because I wanted to be where other people were when this historical event happened. The entire area was packed to the brim despite it being 20 degrees out and there being no sound from the TV's. People just stood and watched the closed captioning with rapt attention. The Naked Cowboy was there, staring up at the screen like everyone else, seemingly oblivious to the cold. The Subway Steel Drum Guy came out of the subway and plays his steel drums along with the applause. I stood next to an older African-American man with a transistor radio. When the oath was being administered he started crying but he had a brilliant smile throughout. After the oath, cars started honking and a chant between complete strangers came up even though we were nowhere near Washington. The amount of Hope among this group of people was palpable. In my short life, I have never seen any group of people come together like they did for a short time today in the cold at 42nd Street. It was like the Giants had won the Super Bowl again except that this time everyone in New York was a rabid Giants fan. So if you want to fight and argue today then that's fine. If you want to debate the monies spent and the reverence given you do that.

As for me, I'm just going to do what everyone at Times Square did today. I'm going to smile and hope.

I guess this is what I wanted to say to daniel in the other thread.

Thanks Clem. You got it perfectly.

You see- this is what I do not understand.

I don't need government to have a reason to "smile and hope".

As a matter of fact, the government is the last place I'd look for hope.

[danielh41]

Just for fun, I went over to the GC and looked back at the messages on January 20, 2001, the day Bush was sworn in for the first time. The only post I found having anything to do with the inauguration was about the use of the words swear or affirm in the oath. Someone posted there that Franklin Pierce was the only President to opt to use the word affirm when he took the oath.

Of course, we all had a prime time WWTBAM show (and a phone game) to talk about back then...

[clem21]

Okay, heads up because I'm going to post something serious here which as you know I very rarely do. You must cherish these moments of seriosity because they come around about as often as A-Rod getting a clutch hit. Here goes:

I was in Times Square today because I wanted to be where other people were when this historical event happened. The entire area was packed to the brim despite it being 20 degrees out and there being no sound from the TV's. People just stood and watched the closed captioning with rapt attention. The Naked Cowboy was there, staring up at the screen like everyone else, seemingly oblivious to the cold. The Subway Steel Drum Guy came out of the subway and plays his steel drums along with the applause. I stood next to an older African-American man with a transistor radio. When the oath was being administered he started crying but he had a brilliant smile throughout. After the oath, cars started honking and a chant between complete strangers came up even though we were nowhere near Washington. The amount of Hope among this group of people was palpable. In my short life, I have never seen any group of people come together like they did for a short time today in the cold at 42nd Street. It was like the Giants had won the Super Bowl again except that this time everyone in New York was a rabid Giants fan. So if you want to fight and argue today then that's fine. If you want to debate the monies spent and the reverence given you do that.

As for me, I'm just going to do what everyone at Times Square did today. I'm going to smile and hope.

I guess this is what I wanted to say to daniel in the other thread.

Thanks Clem. You got it perfectly.

You see- this is what I do not understand.

I don't need government to have a reason to "smile and hope".

As a matter of fact, the government is the last place I'd look for hope.

But wouldn't it be wonderful if it were an additional source of hope? And wouldn't you hope to have a government that gave you pride and a reason to smile? All I see on the streets today are problems and concerns for various reasons. So tell me why I can't hope for the government to help bring about better days? Hope inspires people, and when people are inspired to change then yes, I believe change can come. If the government, which is like it or not the foundation of our country, can provide this inspiration, can you really find a problem with that even if you personally choose not to be affected?

[Jeemie]

I guess this is what I wanted to say to daniel in the other thread.

Thanks Clem. You got it perfectly.

You see- this is what I do not understand.

I don't need government to have a reason to "smile and hope".

As a matter of fact, the government is the last place I'd look for hope.

But wouldn't it be wonderful if it were an additional source of hope? And wouldn't you hope to have a government that gave you pride and a reason to smile? All I see on the streets today are problems and concerns for various reasons. So tell me why I can't hope for the government to help bring about better days? Hope inspires people, and when people are inspired to change then yes, I believe change can come. If the government, which is like it or not the foundation of our country, can provide this inspiration, can you really find a problem with that even if you personally choose not to be affected?

The people are the foundation of our country, not the government.

The government exists to keep us safe and keep essential services running.

To look to it for "inspiration" is to look in the wrong place.

Twas always thus, and always thus shall be.

Look to people, not laws and pomp and bureaucracy and speechifying.

[silverscreenselect]

Just for fun, I went over to the GC and looked back at the messages on January 20, 2001, the day Bush was sworn in for the first time. The only post I found having anything to do with the inauguration was about the use of the words swear or affirm in the oath. Someone posted there that Franklin Pierce was the only President to opt to use the word affirm when he took the oath.

Of course, we all had a prime time WWTBAM show (and a phone game) to talk about back then...

I think that in general the majority of our conersation back then had to do with game shows and trivia. It's only as the show has gone away, we have filled the void with talk about politics and other subjects.

Part of this had to do with our feeling more comfortable sharing our feelings with others on other subjects. I participate in a few other boards dealing with specific subjects and usually anyone who brings up an "out of bounds" topic gets his or her head handed to her.

[littlebeast13]

Just for fun, I went over to the GC and looked back at the messages on January 20, 2001, the day Bush was sworn in for the first time. The only post I found having anything to do with the inauguration was about the use of the words swear or affirm in the oath. Someone posted there that Franklin Pierce was the only President to opt to use the word affirm when he took the oath.

Of course, we all had a prime time WWTBAM show (and a phone game) to talk about back then...

I can only recall 2 posts that were made on the Go Bored that day....

The first was by BiT around the time that Bush took the oath.... an EOM I believe with the title "Our Long National Nightmare Is Over".

It was quickly replied to with another EOM by HF_Jai, who erased BiT's subject line and inserted "And Our New One Had Just begun".....

I found that extremely funny and cute at the time....

lb13

[MarleysGh0st]

I think that in general the majority of our conersation back then had to do with game shows and trivia. It's only as the show has gone away, we have filled the void with talk about politics and other subjects.

I think it's time for the Bored to pledge ourselves to a new era of ontopicosity!

[earendel]

I think that in general the majority of our conersation back then had to do with game shows and trivia. It's only as the show has gone away, we have filled the void with talk about politics and other subjects.

I think it's time for the Bored to pledge ourselves to a new era of ontopicosity!

I, earendel, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of Bored Buddy and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the ontopicosity of the Bored.

[gsabc]

I think that in general the majority of our conersation back then had to do with game shows and trivia. It's only as the show has gone away, we have filled the void with talk about politics and other subjects.

I think it's time for the Bored to pledge ourselves to a new era of ontopicosity!

I, earendel, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of Bored Buddy and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the ontopicosity of the Bored.

So help me, FSM.

[tlynn78]

The people are the foundation of our country, not the government.

The government exists to keep us safe and keep essential services running.

To look to it for "inspiration" is to look in the wrong place.

Twas always thus, and always thus shall be.

Look to people, not laws and pomp and bureaucracy and speechifying.

It's been a really long time since I really wished for the rec button, but I do right now. My sentiments, exactly.


t.

[BackInTex]

I'm saying that the reason there haven't been any further attacks is because no one's tried despite well-publicised weaknesses. If tons of drugs can be brought into the country, why not tons of explosives?

This is getting ridiculous. Why would any terrorist or terrorist group risk smuggling in tons of explosives, when everything they need is readily available here already? Did the bastards smuggle in their own commercial airliners on 9/11? They didn't use explosives at all.

Actually, I believe our southern boder is safe from terrorists because of the drug trade. The cartels know that if terrorist came into the country from the south and they did us harm our border security would be heightened thus making it harder for them to smuggle the drugs. There are probably some middle eastern terrorists' decapitated bodies buried amid the northern Mexican border.

Just sayin'

[minimetoo26]

All I know is that my two oldest each stopped what they were doing and watched him take the oath. I was here and the two youngest were watching Spongebob, but the two oldest both chose to turn two different TVs to two different stations and watch without anyone telling them to.

Maybe two million folks would have shown up even if there was nothing to watch but him take the oath. If teenagers would turn off Guitar Hero, anything is possible.

[dimmzy]

Let me just say that I attended the inauguration and never in my life have I seen so much unity between black and white Americans and so much diversity in a crowd of one million people. I saw elderly black women who told me how much it meant to them and I saw young white college kids who were thrilled to have a president who knows a Blackberry isn't just a fruit. I saw young black fathers who brought their children because they wanted them to be part of history.

And on a personal note, it was very flattering for me, an--a'hem--"midllife" white woman to be asked by a tall, good-looking young black guy if I wanted to sit on his shoulders so I could see the inauguration (I had told another bystander that I couldn't see.)

Clearly, he thought I weighed less than I did.

Another thing that made me very happy.

[Flybrick]

I did not read all the posts on this thread, so forgive me:

The best thing about our country is that the change of Executive Branch power occurred yesterday according to our laws and tradition. The many troops present were carrying drums and fifes (metaphorically speaking) and not machine guns behind sandbags.

We have a great country.

Regarding President Obama, he is now my President. I wish him well in securing America and keeping the American Dream alive.

I do not want him to make us another Europe. Great continent, lots of neat history and countryside. Our forefathers all left for a reason. I think that is still applicable today.

I don't believe he will. I do believe the biggest problem he will face will be his own party in the Legislative Branch. If he holds to a centrist course and keeps the worst of the Left at bay, I will support him.

His actions now count far more than his words.

Good luck, Mr. President.

[SportsFan68]

. . .

I do not want him to make us another Europe. Great continent, lots of neat history and countryside. Our forefathers all left for a reason. I think that is still applicable today.

. . .

Flock hates when I do this, but I am replying only to the quoted paragraph.

All of Brick's forefathers left Europe for a reason, mine too. I just want to note that's not true of all Americans. I work with people whose ancestors crossed the land bridge or got here in other ways from Asia long before Europeans even knew the continent existed, not to mention the people whose ancestors were dragged away from their African homes into slavery. I think there's no danger of our becoming more European with Obama at the helm. I think it was far more likely with Bush and his disregard of environmental issues, such as pushing for drilling in the ANWR and developing oil shale in Colorado, measures that would displace wild animals, eventually to the point of extinction, and create a more developed European-type countryside.

[TheCalvinator24]

. . .

I do not want him to make us another Europe. Great continent, lots of neat history and countryside. Our forefathers all left for a reason. I think that is still applicable today.

. . .

Flock hates when I do this, but I am replying only to the quoted paragraph.

All of Brick's forefathers left Europe for a reason, mine too. I just want to note that's not true of all Americans. I work with people whose ancestors crossed the land bridge or got here in other ways from Asia long before Europeans even knew the continent existed, not to mention the people whose ancestors were dragged away from their African homes into slavery. I think there's no danger of our becoming more European with Obama at the helm. I think it was far more likely with Bush and his disregard of environmental issues, such as pushing for drilling in the ANWR and developing oil shale in Colorado, measures that would displace wild animals, eventually to the point of extinction, and create a more developed European-type countryside.

LOL

Bush was more "European" than Obama.

LOL

[Flybrick]

I see graciousness still needs some work...

Former President Bush is no longer in office nor is he the subject of the thread.

Yet he still figures prominently.

At what point does it become the responsibility of the current Administration?

This, too, is the beauty and pain of our system.

[MarleysGh0st]

I see graciousness still needs some work...

Former President Bush is no longer in office nor is he the subject of the thread.

Yet he still figures prominently.

At what point does it become the responsibility of the current Administration?

This, too, is the beauty and pain of our system.

The last two replies were literal responses to your use of the word "European", FlyBrick.

I, on the other hand, think you used that as a code word for something else. If that's so, would you care to explain what it's a code word for? Or would you like me to guess?

[Flybrick]

European = more socialism.

The former president introduced unbelievable elements into our society. I believe the uber-left wants even more.

I hope President Obama acts more from a centrist position.

Any other 'codewords' are of your own imaginings.

My point about it all now being the responsibility of the Administration stands.

As do my well wishes to him in dealing with them.

[Jeemie]

I think it was far more likely with Bush and his disregard of environmental issues, such as pushing for drilling in the ANWR and developing oil shale in Colorado, measures that would displace wild animals, eventually to the point of extinction, and create a more developed European-type countryside.

Colorado- you have a point (not to mention oil shale is neither economical nor feasible from an EROEI standpoint at the moment).

But have you ever seen ANWR?

Please...let's not paint unrealistic pictures a la "I am the Lorax- I speak for the trees"!