Inauguration Day Assignment

LDH2BM - What aspects of our lives were emphasized by the speeches, ceremony, music, song, spectacle? What image of "the good and meaningful life" was strengthened and what sorts of lives were implicitly or explicitly critiqued?

Barack Obama has officially been sworn in as the 44th president of America, not to mention the first African-American President. At his inauguration speech, Obama addressed much, from the path America must walk to restore itself to its once "great state" down to the reduction of our carbon footprint. Wait? Reduce the carbon footprint? Im guessing he means that we should start doing so tomorrow, right? Because my sentiments mirror those of David Freddoso from "The Corner": "Just based on the 500 to 600 private jets that came to today's event, you can bet that the carbon footprint for this inauguration more than makes up for the conservation efforts by Democrats on Capitol Hill - probably for years to come. But throw in all of the buses that are idling along Independence Avenue today, and we might actually have warmer weather by the end of the week." I think that was a little bit of a subtle contradiction. However, it is true that this is a first address, and we can't expect Obama to be specific in his thoughts and plans for leading the country out of the "storm" in which we find ourselves. What I can appreciate in this speech is Obama's bluntness - he wasn't candy coating it too much. he acknowleged that we are in an economic sludge, that we are at war against a hateful adversary, our education system is shot to hell, and health care is too expensive. He acknowledges these as "indicators of crisis." This is where the folk messages of America come into play. Obama tells us that we will meet these challeneges head on, using the all-american values of hope over fear and hard work, determination. Barack relied on the cornerstone of all American folk messages, telling us all that it is our job now to carry on "the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." Coming out of the the mouth of this African American man raised by a single mother and put through Colombia and Harvard, the man who has become the president, this notion almost sounds beleivable.

I would say that Obama's proposed guidelines for living a good and meaningful life are proposed with that last sentiment In the above paragraph. Obama said that it would be up to us to carry on the american tradition that dictates we are all born equal, all men having certain inalienable rights, etc, etc. Yes, Barack Obama seems to be lending some credence to that American myth, but it still does not hold true for the vast majority of Americans. Black poverty rates are nearly triple for hwat they are for whites. Women still make only 70% of every dollar made by a man, and the is general inequality throughout the states. It may be Barack Obama's hope that with this change of office, things may fare better for the disadvantaged members of society, but with all that he has on his plate, Barack may forget to throw the dog a bone. As for messages that Obama gave about how not to live a good and meaningful life, those were fairly clear and abundant as well. "Those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you." This seems like a fairly nice rehashing of the same stuff we've been fed for the past 8 years. Sure, It's worded a bit nicer and he made sure to include that these people slaughter innocents, but essentially it still boils down to "we will kill all of the 'terrorist insurgents' because of how they impose their ideals on others." Continuing his tirade against the evils of the world, but still maintaining his Obama-esque civility, Barack pressed on to say "those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." This, to me at least, appears to be a strike on Putin indirectly, but also an invitation for a new alliance. Obama is clearly very intricate with his words - take the hand that is offered to you, or we will make sure history remembers you as the ones who raped and pillaged and ultimately lost.

I Ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.