GREAT MOMENTS IN MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING, PART 23

[defrog]

So yes, I was up until two o’clock in the morning watching Obama 44 take the oath and rock the mike.



[Click the picture for a full size hi-rez version]

Not that I’d planned on doing so, if for no other reason that I really didn't want to have to watch Rick Warren ask Jesus to bend the laws of the universe for America's convenience. (Whatever you think about Warren's views, I've never felt comfortable with the idea of millions of people praying publicly in the name of politics as though Jesus actually cares what country yr from and who runs it. Something about the separation of church and state. Still, nice of Obama to chip in a word for the "non-believers", whatever that means.)

But it was as if I had no choice but to watch. All four local TV channels covered it live. That’s how big a deal this is. You know how many Hong Kong TV stations ran live video of Bush’s two inaugurations? Zero. Maybe one, the first time. I forget. And I didn't watch it in any case.

As I expected, I went to sleep and awoke to find that the inauguration had already spurred important and lengthy debate about the two biggest issues facing America: who really screwed up the oath, and OMG where did Michelle Obama get that ball dress?

I was hoping there’d be just a little more focus on what was for me (and apparently figmentj  and isis_lives ) the golden quote of the entire speech:

As for our common defence, 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.

(Unlike some people we could mention sitting ten feet away looking sullen.)

See what he did there?

Indeed, Obama summed everything that was wrong with the Bush Posse in three short sentences. Bush was stupid and wrong about a great many things in his time, but the worst thing he ever did – the thing that did the most damage, and the one I’d want him held accountable for above all else – is selling out the rule of law as much as possible in the name of fighting Teh Terrors. Gitmo, torture, renditions, warrantless wiretaps, library card searches, no-fly lists and much much more – all justified by the spectre of “the next 9/11”.

All up, fear was Bush’s business. And business was good.

Until the economy collapsed.

Anyway, it had to be said, and I’m glad Obama took the time to say it – and in Bush’s presence.

Not that it matters. Bush seems ready to spend his retirement pretty much the way he spent his presidency – blissfully unaware that he ever did anything wrong. And sadly, he’ll have plenty of company. But whoever said life was fair?

Back on track,

This is dF

Comments

[zen-kitty.livejournal.com]

I loved the intentionality of his speech. He smoothly talked about Bush's reign and how he was going to do better without actually referencing Bush.

I also think his use of the word "non-believers" was intentional. With the use of that word, he could passify the conservative religionists while at the same time acknowledging to those who don't follow a religion, whether spiritual or not, that he was including them.

[def-fr0g-42.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm nitpicking a little, but I admit I was impressed that he referred to "non believers" at all. Most other politicians wouldn't have dared.

I noticed too that the speech was a master class in how to address yr enemies without alienating everyone else. No Axis of Evil, no "Yr with us or against us" ultimatums. He basically gave the speech that Bush should have given after 9/11 but didn't.