Barack Obama's inaugaration
'The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. '
Amen.
'As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.'
That was the point when I burst into tears.
full transcript here
It's no longer audacious to hope. Hope is the vital heart beat that sings in the blood, so the body and spirit can rise, and renewed, begin the hard, overdue work of renewal. Good luck and God speed, to this man to inspire many to make the shining dreams of the past the clear reality of the present and so become the light of the future. It's time; there is much to do, and I hope, many willing hands to labour to achieve it: something better, something brighter, something we can all support and believe in and work to bring about. Be the change.
Amen.
'As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.'
That was the point when I burst into tears.
full transcript here
It's no longer audacious to hope. Hope is the vital heart beat that sings in the blood, so the body and spirit can rise, and renewed, begin the hard, overdue work of renewal. Good luck and God speed, to this man to inspire many to make the shining dreams of the past the clear reality of the present and so become the light of the future. It's time; there is much to do, and I hope, many willing hands to labour to achieve it: something better, something brighter, something we can all support and believe in and work to bring about. Be the change.
posted by Rachel at 8:27 pm
Awesome post, Rachel. mimi
Yes. As I've been telling American friends this is a president for all of us, for everyone, everywhere. It is unbelievably moving and offers us and the world that little smidgeon of hope. At last. Thanks Rachel.
"we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals". A leader who understands that it is our ideals that make us safe and that compromising those ideals also compromises our safety. I am full of hope. Not only hope that America will lead by setting a shining example, but that Britain will have no choice but to follow that example.
Rachel, I loved your video clip on today's Guardian. Any chance of putting it on YouTube, so we can share it with the world? The old Gruaniad is still in the new media stone age and has no embed feature, unlike CNN. As a boy from Cardiff Bay I grew up with loads of Barack Obamas, kids who were a mixture of Africa, Jamaica, Wales and Ireland, Hong Kong and Mumbai. It's like having "our kid" in the Oval Office. One prediction I'm gonna make. Michelle Obama is gonna be the First Fashionista. Her yellow suit was awesome, and as a mother, career woman, African American and wife, she'll be a superstar. With the order to close Gitmo done and dusted, it's really the dawn of a new era.
Yeah I hope your hope plays out in full.
Obama has a very, very tough task ahead of him and he will be scrutinized by the media for everything that he does. But the man has hope and faith: he now has to put them into action.
Good luck Obama.
I can't imagine what it would be like to lead such a country at such a time.
George W. Bush demolished the United States.
And now - Now there is a shining ray of hope in this man. This man who promises openness in a government that is famous for its secrecy.
This man who has taken on the mantle of president in a country that is famous for its slavery.
He has my respect. I know I couldn't do it.
I have hope that the future of the world will be changed because of him.
hi rachel,
heard that london got quite a bit of snow and that most public transport shut down.
here in ny we are in the middle of another storm with five inches forecast.
seth
all is well here and i think obama is off to a good start. have no problems with any of his picks except for hillary :(
Enjoying your blog; just found it a week or two ago.
Mr Obama does indeed have his work cut out for him. If only his work can be as beautiful as his words I think the world will have gained something wonderful.
I do not like his choice of Mrs. Clinton as Sec. of State. I am also worried about his wife - I did not elect her and do not want her making any kind of policy. Indeed, that is one of my problems with Mrs. Clinton's desire to be President - Mr. Clinton would certainly be way too big a presence in that government.
I enjoy reading that people in other countries are pleased with the results of our election. I certainly am! Here's to the future.
This was an awesome day! It felt good to be an American again.
I'm sure his speech-writer would be flattered that you were so moved. Ultimately words are cheap; let's see what he actually does.