Inauguration thoughts we should all be able to agree on

[franktangredi]

1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing. If you think this country was better in the days when a citizen could get beaten or killed for trying to exercise their right to vote -- which was within the lifetime of many of us here -- shame on you.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance. If you are willing to excuse anything he does because he is African American -- or because you voted for him -- shame on you.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

[gotribego26]

I couldn't agree more. But let me add one more thing.

Since George washington was inaugurated in 1789 this is the 56th time we have celebrated the inauguration of an elected president - despite economic cirses, wars (including two wars that were fought in the vicinity of Washingotn, D.C.) and other issues we have managed to do this every four years without fail.

This is a shining example of why our country works - change (if needed) is never more than four years away.

Best to you, President Obama.

[George Carlin]

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

What tubes?

[NellyLunatic1980]

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

What tubes?

Ask Ted Stevens. He seems to be obsessed with tubes.

[Tocqueville3]

1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing. If you think this country was better in the days when a citizen could get beaten or killed for trying to exercise their right to vote -- which was within the lifetime of many of us here -- shame on you.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance. If you are willing to excuse anything he does because he is African American -- or because you voted for him -- shame on you.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

Frank, shame on you for jumping to all those conclusions.

[silverscreenselect]

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

There are degrees of failure. A devastating terrorist attack or the economy turning into a reprise of 1932 would be failures but neither I nor any sane person would want to see that as a means of being able to say "I told you so."

On the other hand, whenever Obama turns his back on the people who are walking around with their heads in the clouds about the wonderful Magic Kingdom that he is about to create here in the United States, as he has done with choosing Rick Warren to appear at the Innauguration, I will find that rather amusing.

[frogman042]

1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing. If you think this country was better in the days when a citizen could get beaten or killed for trying to exercise their right to vote -- which was within the lifetime of many of us here -- shame on you.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance. If you are willing to excuse anything he does because he is African American -- or because you voted for him -- shame on you.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

Frank, shame on you for jumping to all those conclusions.

I found nothing shameful in Frank's sentiments. I think they were very appropriate - especially for today.

---Jay

[Tony Reali]

1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing. If you think this country was better in the days when a citizen could get beaten or killed for trying to exercise their right to vote -- which was within the lifetime of many of us here -- shame on you.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance. If you are willing to excuse anything he does because he is African American -- or because you voted for him -- shame on you.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

Frank, shame on you for jumping to all those conclusions.

I found nothing shameful in Frank's sentiments. I think they were very appropriate - especially for today.

---Jay

I thought it was shameful the way Frank was ripping off Bill Plaschke's schtick.....

[Tocqueville3]

1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing. If you think this country was better in the days when a citizen could get beaten or killed for trying to exercise their right to vote -- which was within the lifetime of many of us here -- shame on you.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance. If you are willing to excuse anything he does because he is African American -- or because you voted for him -- shame on you.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail. If you are actually looking forward to the inevitable first misstep -- if you would rather see the country go down the tubes than admit you were wrong -- shame on you.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

Frank, shame on you for jumping to all those conclusions.

I found nothing shameful in Frank's sentiments. I think they were very appropriate - especially for today.

---Jay

I think the tone of Frank's post was not one of agreement. I think that Frank thinks that if you oppose Obama then you must fit in the categories he described. He just said it in a more descreet way. I do not support this President and I do not fit in to #1 or #3 on Frank's list.

I happen to agree with #2.

[franktangredi]

I think the tone of Frank's post was not one of agreement. I think that Frank thinks that if you oppose Obama then you must fit in the categories he described. He just said it in a more descreet way. I do not support this President and I do not fit in to #1 or #3 on Frank's list.

I happen to agree with #2.

Not in the least. You are reading into it what you expect to find.

If you do not like what he has done, you have a right to say so. If you think he has failed, you should say so. I don't think I said anything to contradict that.

#3 was specifically directed at those who seem to want him to fail so they can have the pleasure of saying "I told you so." That, to me, seems downright unpatriotic. Also stupid. I did not support GWB in 2000. However, my attitude when he was elected was, "Best of luck to him. He is my President now and I hope he proves that I was wrong." I don't believe in cutting off my nose to spite my face. I doubt that you do, either.

As for #1 -- it was certainly not directed at you unless you really believe that it is a bad thing to elect any African American to the presidency. (Reread what I said, please. It had nothing to do with Barack Obama, it had to do with America.) I do not believe you are a bigot if you oppose Obama. I do believe you are one if you oppose elected any African American (or Jew or Catholic or Mormon or Arab or Italian ....)

[Tocqueville3]

I think the tone of Frank's post was not one of agreement. I think that Frank thinks that if you oppose Obama then you must fit in the categories he described. He just said it in a more descreet way. I do not support this President and I do not fit in to #1 or #3 on Frank's list.

I happen to agree with #2.

Not in the least. You are reading into it what you expect to find.

If you do not like what he has done, you have a right to say so. If you think he has failed, you should say so. I don't think I said anything to contradict that.

#3 was specifically directed at those who seem to want him to fail so they can have the pleasure of saying "I told you so." That, to me, seems downright unpatriotic. Also stupid. I did not support GWB in 2000. However, my attitude when he was elected was, "Best of luck to him. He is my President now and I hope he proves that I was wrong." I don't believe in cutting off my nose to spite my face. I doubt that you do, either.

As for #1 -- it was certainly not directed at you unless you really believe that it is a bad thing to elect any African American to the presidency. (Reread what I said, please. It had nothing to do with Barack Obama, it had to do with America.) I do not believe you are a bigot if you oppose Obama. I do believe you are one if you oppose elected any African American (or Jew or Catholic or Mormon or Arab or Italian ....)

Here is #1

1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing. If you think this country was better in the days when a citizen could get beaten or killed for trying to exercise their right to vote -- which was within the lifetime of many of us here -- shame on you.

No, I don't think that the country was better before we persecuted people for voting. But I do think that you were jumping to the conclusion that those of us who think that this country elected the wrong black man as president want to return to the days of persecution.

I think your post was a disguised pointy stick.

[Jeemie]

I agree with the sentiments.

I just don't like being lectured to.

And whether you meant to or not, your OP came off as a lecture.

But I'm just being pissy today. Pea set me off by dissing the Son of the Chief.



PS I was serious about the lecture part.

[peacock2121]

I agree with the sentiments.

I just don't like being lectured to.

And whether you meant to or not, your OP came off as a lecture.

But I'm just being pissy today. Pea set me off by dissing the Son of the Chief.



PS I was serious about the lecture part.

Hot Diggity Dog!

It is a good day when I can piss off Jeemie by talking about eye wear.

[Jeemie]

Hot Diggity Dog!

It is a good day when I can piss off Jeemie by talking about eye wear.

That's because you should see the glasses I wear.

I broke my stylish pair and am reduced to wearing a pair I had specially made as safety glasses- I was not given much choice in frames.

[peacock2121]

This mighta been a more inclusive way to say what you said.


1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

[franktangredi]

I think the tone of Frank's post was not one of agreement. I think that Frank thinks that if you oppose Obama then you must fit in the categories he described. He just said it in a more descreet way. I do not support this President and I do not fit in to #1 or #3 on Frank's list.

I happen to agree with #2.

Not in the least. You are reading into it what you expect to find.

If you do not like what he has done, you have a right to say so. If you think he has failed, you should say so. I don't think I said anything to contradict that.

#3 was specifically directed at those who seem to want him to fail so they can have the pleasure of saying "I told you so." That, to me, seems downright unpatriotic. Also stupid. I did not support GWB in 2000. However, my attitude when he was elected was, "Best of luck to him. He is my President now and I hope he proves that I was wrong." I don't believe in cutting off my nose to spite my face. I doubt that you do, either.

As for #1 -- it was certainly not directed at you unless you really believe that it is a bad thing to elect any African American to the presidency. (Reread what I said, please. It had nothing to do with Barack Obama, it had to do with America.) I do not believe you are a bigot if you oppose Obama. I do believe you are one if you oppose elected any African American (or Jew or Catholic or Mormon or Arab or Italian ....)

Here is #1

1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing. If you think this country was better in the days when a citizen could get beaten or killed for trying to exercise their right to vote -- which was within the lifetime of many of us here -- shame on you.

No, I don't think that the country was better before we persecuted people for voting. But I do think that you were jumping to the conclusion that those of us who think that this country elected the wrong black man as president want to return to the days of persecution.

I'm sure you think that's what I was saying. You're probably sensitized to hear that because it's what a lot of people do say. Those people are wrong. That's why I very carefully picked my words NOT to say that.

I think you have shown that you essentially agree with everything I said. You just disagree with what you THINK I said.

[peacock2121]

Hot Diggity Dog!

It is a good day when I can piss off Jeemie by talking about eye wear.

That's because you should see the glasses I wear.

I broke my stylish pair and am reduced to wearing a pair I had specially made as safety glasses- I was not given much choice in frames.

I have always pictured you with electrical tape holding the broken bridge of your frames together.

Safety glasses are an improvement over the image I had.

It wasn't Rooney's style choice - it was the fit.

[minimetoo26]

I think sss post with the term "about to" was the one jumping to conclusions. But I guess he gets a free pass since you agree with him, huh?

[franktangredi]

I agree with the sentiments.

I just don't like being lectured to.

And whether you meant to or not, your OP came off as a lecture.

But I'm just being pissy today. Pea set me off by dissing the Son of the Chief.



PS I was serious about the lecture part.

Yes, I do have a tendency to do that. My family's been telling me that since I was about six. Shame on me.

[Tocqueville3]

This mighta been a more inclusive way to say what you said.


1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

Yes, this would have been tons better. I would not have felt like I was getting a shrill, condescending lecture from a know-it-all.

It's all in the delivery, frank.

[peacock2121]

I think sss post with the term "about to" was the one jumping to conclusions. But I guess he gets a free pass since you agree with him, huh?

I miss stuff by having a foe list.

[franktangredi]

This mighta been a more inclusive way to say what you said.


1. Regardless of whether or not you think this particular man should have won this particular election ... the fact that the United States is now a country in which an African American can be elected President is a good thing.

2. Having said that ... this President must now be judged on his performance.

3. At the same time, we must also give him a fair trial. And if he fails, we fail.

4. Of course, there will be no agreement on whether or not he is a success. Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were both inspiring leaders who achieved many of their stated goals -- and both initiated policies that had some unintended long-term negative effects -- but few people who think that one was the greatest President would agree that the other was also a great President.

5. Good luck to the new President. Good luck to us all.

Yes, this would have been tons better. I would not have felt like I was getting a shrill, condescending lecture from a know-it-all.

It's all in the delivery, frank.

Lecture accepted.

The problem is, we're all know-it-alls around here. That's why we all get along so ... well?

[ne1410s]

pea:

I miss stuff by having a foe list.

I don't think you miss anything...

[Tocqueville3]

I think sss post with the term "about to" was the one jumping to conclusions. But I guess he gets a free pass since you agree with him, huh?

As a matter of fact, he does.

Just the same way it does when someone you agree with jumps to a conclusion and you give them a pass. And please don't tell me you nevereverever do that.

[franktangredi]

Is there any way I can delete this entire thread and start over again with the edited sentiment?