Newsweek's Jonathan Alter says the speech was prose, not poetry, but that fit the day.
Former Nixon speechwriter William Safire thought it presumptuous. Safire was one of six experts offering their critiques to the New York Times.
The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder goes through the speech excerpt by excerpt. His overall impression - favorable. "The language is simple, not flowing, and a lot more concrete that one might have expected," he says.
Rush Limbaugh says it was "An uninspiring, generic buzzkill."
Time's Nancy Gibbs says Obama showed humility and gratitude in accepting the weight of Americans' hopes.
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18 comments:
I've been alive for 12 inaugural speeches now. They are all well written but become empty rhetoric as the political machine is too much for any one idealistic man or woman to overcome. Perhaps this time will be different.
Obama's brief speech was better than Rev. Lowery's insult to whites?! During his so called "prayer" he said: "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around... when yellow will be mellow...when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right." And unfortunately Obama laughed. What did this message say to whites that SUPPORTED Obama that are wanting to see him succeed as President? Why are some STILL trying to drive a wedge between black and whites?? Embrace the change!
A black thing? Barack has the entire nation captive and makes this all about a being black? DAMMIT -- What a missed opportunity. I'm totally disappointed. ..and YES -- while I mostly lean republican --- I voted for the guy.
He completely missed the mark. The TRUTH which he so eloquently spoke about is -- HE IS INTERRACIAL. As mixed as this melting pot we live in and he's been called to lead for the next four years. Barack ---- Instead of uniting us --- you kept a nation divided. God, I am soooo disappointed. Here's A PERSON in a unique position to express what it truly means to understand "both sides" and thus relate to ALL PEOPLE!!!
Instead, he allows himself to fall captive to the black community that of course wants to claim him!
A COLOR CHART is still defining us AND THATS NOT THE TRUTH and its NOT RIGHT!
This is coming from a person whose brother was claimed by the black community and me, his sister, was raised white IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD b/c of what we looked like on the outside. Lamont is an extrememly handsome, light skinned "black" guy w/ hazle eyes. And I look Italian I suppose. But the TRUTH is my dad is mostly African-American w/ Irish and American Indian mixed in there and my mom is German and Chinese, although she was raised in a foster home by a Black/Scottish woman. (and don't confuse things more by the fact that we're both adopted -- our natural parents carry similar ancestry)
I have spent my whole life miffed b/c the SAT's want me to check just one box. WRONG- why MUST we identify and choose?? WE ARE AMERICANS. Born into an amazing mixture of cultures and nationalities. JC----- a black thing? How singlemindedly limiting!
Yes, my sweet, dignified Grandmother had to get out of her seat for a white guy. The mere thought galls me incredibly that any self respecting man could think he was better then her b/c of the color of his frickin' skin.
And in 2009 -- guess what Barack --- you're still letting people define you ---- by the frickin' color of your skin!
Disappointing -- verrrrrry disappointing.
Lisa R. Thornton
Charlotte NC
704-995-2392 Cell
"An uninspiring, generic buzzkill."
Limbaugh was talking about his own lame excuse for a radio program, right?
He should be heaping thanks onto President Obama...this presidency will be the only thing that keeps the legions of stupid people listening to Limbaugh's idiocy and pumping more money into his coffers so he can still afford his drug habits.
Well compared to that embarrassing benediction, anything would have to be considered "decent". Anyone who supports that ridiculous collection of words is not a real American.
For a man who didn't want himself, or his candidancy, to be identified by his race (or part of his race)he managed to turn the ENTIRE inauguration about race. I'm furious and insulted. Some speakers were more offensive than others, especially Rev. Lowery's speech! I am offended and I, yes I want an apology. Classless, that's the nicest thing I can say. And, I am sure that the media won't address this; because, God forbid the media question ANYTHING that Obama says. Congrats Obama, good job at being divisive.
This racist Rev Lowery is an insult to white people as usual and no different than the racist Rev Wright and all the rest all over America.
They will never be satisfied and are only troublemakers who stir up hatred and have been doing it for 50 yrs.
The speech was boring.
Time to go to work now on this big mythical dream. The big party is over that cost 200 million.
Work?
Say what?
Great Post by Lisa Thornton of Charlotte, NC. I have written bits for years about the term "African-American" as most of us are as you, mixed races or groups from all over the world. The term African-American is a divisive term and should be dropped from the language of America, especially the LW Media. I'm German, Scotch, Irish, Dutch,Cherokee Indian and possibly have some Jewish and Black Blood. I'm, like so many of the population today, really not sure. I've traced my fathers side and I know what's there but have not had the time to trace my mothers. I object to the term "African-American" and do not want to hear it ever again.
"Anyone who supports that ridiculous collection of words is not a real American".
Anonymous, I ask you to describe what you call a real American. Then, please look around you--EVERYWHERE. The face of Anerica HAS changed! The values have not. The time has come for change. Not a change in the values and not in the recognition that this nation needs to be re-built but in the recognition that a multicultural people must work together to re-build it. We are all Americans but we don't look the same and our lifestyles are different. His speech was strong and determined and perhaps expressed with words that would speak to ALL of the people so that we might begin that journey of sharing the same vision and do great things--together!
The absolute worst inaugural speech I've ever heard and I've been around awhile. I guess we should be thankful he didn't put his usual "you know", in front of every sentance. He have no thanks or comment to his caucasian mother and grand parents who raised him without his absentee father. Additionally, Denzel Washington said at the "hood ball", that it was the most historic inauguration in American history. Does he mean more than George Washington or Lincoln's? Denzel....dude!
The truth in the benediction really hurts some people. Just remember that President Obama has no control over what anyone else says....also if you know that you don't see color as an issue in your heart then don't take what was say so personal. I see exactly what Rev Lowery was referring to everyday on these blog postings. Until people who have a problem with peoples color admit it to themselves and then move on then we will always have the same problems. We are all human and we are all EQUAL!
I am surprised that more of Obama's supporters aren't protesting that speech. It was downright Republican! I guess it's OK to talk like a Republican if you're a Democrat. If Bush had said a lot of those things, he would have been skewered by the press.
You should watch Dr. King's I Have a Dream Speech. There is a White National Mall Cop/State Trooper on the stage during the Speech. At first he looks sort of nervous and uncomfortable but at the end of the Speech when Dr. King hits a homerun with "Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God almighty, We are Free At Last" their is a big smile on the Cop's face; Now that's America.....
benediction was the truth if it hurts just say ouch!
"Buzzkill" is certainly an appropriate term coming from a junkie.
The first part of Rev. Lowery's Benediction was the Negro National Anthem....which I'm sure most American's did not pick up on. Of course I loved that part but he did loose me toward the end. I think Obama's speech was expected and safe. He could have showed a little more respect to G.W Bush though.
"To all of you, my call is to make service to others a way of life. Wherever you live, whatever you do, find a way to give back to your communities. And however you choose to serve, you're going to learn a great lesson, that the more you give, the more you'll benefit. A culture of responsibility means contributing to our civic life. I ask you to be citizens, not spectators, and help to build a nation of virtue and character." George W Bush
Look people. This whole election was a fraud and a bamboozle that had absolutely nothing to do with ethical and moral issues but everything to do with race and power and just getting in the WH.
Where is the outrage from blacks about the terrible death and destruction in Gaza using phosphorus bombs that burned the skin off thousands? Iraq a distant memory?
Not a frickin peep from Obamites. But lets party hardy.
And it was OK to simply forget taxing big oil or ditching the 1% tax breaks after the trillions they stole? Obama has done a 180 on everything. We dont even hear about stem cell research anymore. And we wont torture? Isnt that what Bush said too? Ignorance to the absolute max. These people have no answers. Once you get your foot in the door anything goes.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
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