Barack Obama Inauguration

«The Saga of The Blue Gate»
We had tickets, but it didn’t matter. We waited in line four hours packed like sardines with several thousand shivering Obama fans (some of whom weren’t acting very Obama-​like) all pushing and shoving and barely made it in in time to hear the swearing in. Tons of people behind us didn’t make it in at all, though. It worried me. If they can’t even plan this thing, how can they run the country?
Luckily, Obama ROCKS and (once we got in) it was great to be there to witness history, even if it was in the form of tiny, tiny dots that I’m pretty sure were people :)
The organization, or lack thereof, definitely lost this thing a star. The cold should have made me take off another one, but it really wasn’t anyone’s fault, so four it is! I didn’t need my toes anyway…

This land is your land!
This land is my land!
From CALIFORNIA!
To the NEW YORK Islands!
Now and forever, whenever ANYONE asks «where were you for Obama’s inauguration?» I can say:
I WAS THERE!!!
I stood on the National Mall for almost 6 hours, thought my poor frozen toes might need amputation, and was thrilled about all of it. People were happy, smiling, glad to be there. It was surreal.
To Bush: nah nah nah nah, hey-​hey-​hey, GOODBYE!!!

5 stars for the logistics of this massive event. 5 stars for message of change, responsibility, and call to sacrifice. 5 stars for the broader message to the rest of the world that we offer our hand in peace to anybody who would unclench their fist.
After 8 years in the wilderness, America is starting to look and act like America again.

My sister went for her People to People Student Ambassador program that she’s in. Lucky ass. That shit looked cold. If you go, you better dress warmly. President Taft died of pneumonia within a month after he gave over an hour long speech in the freezing cold making him the President to have served the shortest Presidential term ever.
But damn. Those bullet proof Cadillac Limo’s were ballin! One of President Bush’s daughters looked hot (I forget her name, but I think she was the brunette one). And yeah, Obama’s speech was inspirational. I kind of expected it to be a little longer and for him to touch upon more topics but it was great nonetheless. He didn’t waste any words or any of our time.
He’s such a better speaker than Bush ever was or could be.
I thought it was funny that the Chief Justice John Roberts had to re-​administer the Oath of Office to Obama today cause he hella muffed it up during the Presidential Inauguration.
Thank you for giving me a reason to wake up early!

Cold like hell. It took me hours in the freezing, miles a walking, and hustling past millions of fellow Americans to arrive. The entrance was on 3^rd St and the perceived lines went for blocks. I stood in several faux lines until they collapsed into a tide racing to the silver section. Finally with an hour to spare, I passed the security checkpoint and had time to relieve myself with the porta-​potties inside the silver section.
My friends got the Purple section, that seemed the reward for vigorous campaigners. Gates opened late, and there seemed to be ample pushing, and not all were allowed in.
If you want to experience history but freeze a bit (off), come to inauguration. If you want a more relaxing approach, try the parade.

Although one should wait for action before words, Obama’s speech was very moving. (My coworker was even crying. Lol.) I really hope he is able to get us out of this economic disaster era. He has so much riding on him at this point.

This is such a beautiful moment — finally the white house is inhabited by someone with style, flare, aplomb, intelligence and hope for the future. No more will HOT DOGS feature on the white house menu and no longer will pretzels be banned in the new white house…
This inauguration was a BEAUTIFUL change from the last two years — where Bush was literally chased down the mall byt screaming tomato-​throwing mobs of angry voters chanting «Thief!» — this was hopeful and happy!!!
GO Obama!!!

Once more into the breach, my friends, once more…
Henry V, William Shakespeare
This is an important day for me — one of the most important days of my life.
Today, Barack Obama has become President of the United States of America.
One of the many qualities that I like about Barack Obama is his self-​assuredness. He’s unflappable. But, it wasn’t always this way. Over the years, he’s gained a sense of himself and the world around him through constant reflection and study. In high school, he struggled with his self-​identity and in order to find a greater sense of who he was he began reading Black-​American authors, such as Richard Wright or W.E.B DuBois. In his book, _​Dreams from My Father_​, you can see the wheels turning as he tries to make sense of his personal experiences and the world around him.
He is judicious and I trust in his judgement because I trust in his integrity. The core of his values seem to come from a place that I’m comfortable with, that I’m familiar with.
There are many challenges that face us today. Economically, on a global scale, we are in the midst of a perfect storm where we face the greatest economic challenge of our generation, perhaps in our nation’s history, and the future seems uncertain and bleak.
But, we will prevail. We are Americans. That’s what we do.
It’s now up to us to set our own course to determine what kind of people, what kind of nation, we will become. There are many challenges ahead of us, but I believe that our best days are yet to come.
Greatness is never given. It must be earned.
Barack Obama, Inauguration Speech, January 20, 2009