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Great Day In The Mornin'!
Author: clintster    Date: 01/21/2009 13:16:58

It happened. It finally happened. Barack Obama became our 44th President yesterday and, contrary to the dire warnings of the “rightest” of the right wing, scads of terrorists did not descend on the US to take over, the new President did not declare our nation to be a socialist republic, and we were not overrun by human-animal hybrids.

For me, the day began by setting up my DVD player to record the inauguration just in case I didn’t get to watch at school. I went there not knowing what the students’ frame of mind would be. My school is about 55% African-American, and when Barack was elected, it was joyous pandemonium the day after. What would the scene be like this day?

I arrived and signed in at the teachers’ lounge. There was buzz going through the teachers as they got ready for the day. “I am so excited!” one teacher exclaimed as she walked past me. I smiled to myself, feeling the electricity and cinfident that this would be a day to remember.

I plugged up the television in our theatre, and another teacher and I brought our classes in to watch the proceedings. It’s not often you get to see history unfold before you without it being a tragedy or travesty. Most were attentive, but some seemed oblivious to the wonderful thing happening on screen. Much as my partner and I tried to keep them riveted, we soon realized it was a choice they could only make themselves.

As the appointed hour approached, however, the students’ attention began to focus on the day’s proceedings. Dick Cheney was wheeled out, having wrenched his back during the move out of his offices, and my partner and I could not figure out if he looked more like Mr. Potter from “It’s a Wonderful Life” or Dr. Strangelove. Rick Warren gave the invocation, and I thought it was surprisingly civil. Aretha Franklin sang “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee”, and students were either enthralled by her voice or snarking on her hat selection. A couple did both.

After Joe Biden’s oath and a less-than-thrilling John Williams version of “Simple Gifts” (bah! I like Copland’s better!), it was time for the moment I had waited for for the past years, and the moment I had eagerly anticipated for the last year. Barack Obama raised his right hand, placed his left on the Bible Abraham Lincoln (whose 200th birth anniversary is this year) used in his inaugurations, and recited the oath of office. Both he and Chief Justice John Roberts stumbled a bit at the beginning, but we can give them some slack. After all, this was a first time for both men, and each should get one more chance to say it before a crowd.

It ended, as it had 69 times previously, with the words “so help me God.” The difference this time, however, was the roar that came from millions of citizens standing in the cold to see history in the making. The estimates I heard numbered at over 2 million, but when you see crowds on satellite in such masses, it is not hard to imagine that even MORE than that crowded the mall for this occasion.

In our theatre, too, a cheer of approval went up from the students as President Obama acknowledged the crowd. I cried as I smiled. Four hundred years of struggle and progress had led to this moment for African-Americans, and for Americans of all stripes. Maybe some of the kids didn’t fully get the significance of today, but decades from now they will be telling their children of when they herded into a theatre auditorium in Georgia to see the first black man become president.

Two footnotes:

1) When I picked up little Ian from his daycare, I saw that they had put together a bulletin board with pictures of President Obama. I pointed at one and asked him “Who is that?” He answered in his halting four-year old voice “That is the first Pwesident.” “What’s his name?” “Bawack Ofama.” I laughed and then thought, for him this will be the first president he has memories of. I was born during the Johnson administration, but in my mind, the first President I have memories of is Nixon. I think the Buddy got the sweet end on that deal.

2) As I was driving to pick him up, I switched on Hannity’s radio show to see how he was taking it. Aside from his claims of being in the “conservative underground” (Pffft!) he had on Ann Coulter to talk about the election. I only heard two sentences from the JTSF “I don’t want to hear any more about blacks being denied service at lunch counters. That didn’t happen during MY lifetime.” before I turned off the radio. I almost got angry before I realized, this was the death rattle of a T-Rex; a T-Rex that feeds on publicity and outrage. Instead I just laughed at her ridiculous thrashing and drove on, towards the future and hope.

To the Obama years. May they be healing and happy.

 

54 comments (Latest Comment: 01/22/2009 05:06:08 by livingonli)
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Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 13:48:31
Morning!!!!!!!



Still feeling good even with a stiff back but I'll deal.



I put some picts up on my FB - Inauguration 2009

Comment by m-hadley on 01/21/2009 14:07:07
Great Post Clintster,

I am still so high from yesterday's events that I don't even mind being here at work I'm glad that the kids at your school (what age are they?) got to witness history in the making. Have a wonderful day.

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug: & :dance:

Comment by velveeta jones on 01/21/2009 14:10:15
Morning! Sweet post Clinster! :clap:



Man, was that a long parade or what!! O.M.G.! :thud:



And I watched 'cause I wanted to see the Gay and Lesbian marching band. (And they were fabulous).

Comment by clintster on 01/21/2009 14:11:16
They're high schoolers. Interesting footnote: last week, our principal called a faculty meeting to discuss a few things with us. She mentioned that anyone who had gone to DC for the inauguration would only have an unexcused absence (per district rules), but that if she peeked in on classes and saw them watching coverage, she would be "very happy" with that.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 14:11:19
There was no way that was only 1.8 million

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 14:34:33
did I kill the blog? :scratchhead:

Comment by Scoopster on 01/21/2009 14:37:13
Morning everyone! Goodness I'm so late to work today.. too much partyin'! :party:

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 14:41:02
There were Boo's, trust me.

Comment by BobR on 01/21/2009 14:41:39
Good morning! So What happened yesterday???



WE are still lazing around in the Vienna Wolftrap... I thik I heard something about a new president or something....



We will be hitting the road in a little while heading on down to a certain Cheesy goodness' (or is that Goddess') house?



I have been so busy that I have not even had a chance to read the blogs... But I thank youall SO much for helping out!

Comment by Random on 01/21/2009 14:46:54
hello everyone!



How is peoples?

Comment by Raine on 01/21/2009 14:47:51
Quote by BobR:

Good morning! So What happened yesterday???



WE are still lazing around in the Vienna Wolftrap... I thik I heard something about a new president or something....



We will be hitting the road in a little while heading on down to a certain Cheesy goodness' (or is that Goddess') house?



I have been so busy that I have not even had a chance to read the blogs... But I thank youall SO much for helping out!
Sorry this was actually me posting that!



Comment by Random on 01/21/2009 14:49:31
Ann Coulter things anything that happened before she existed isn't real?

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 14:52:18
Quote by Raine:

Quote by BobR:

Good morning! So What happened yesterday???



WE are still lazing around in the Vienna Wolftrap... I thik I heard something about a new president or something....



We will be hitting the road in a little while heading on down to a certain Cheesy goodness' (or is that Goddess') house?



I have been so busy that I have not even had a chance to read the blogs... But I thank youall SO much for helping out!
Sorry this was actually me posting that!







Identity crisis :p

Comment by Raine on 01/21/2009 14:54:39
We walked pass that Japenese restauraunt Monday night!

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 14:56:22
It wasn't that far away? ;)

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 14:57:34
Hey 2million people needed to vent a little - to the whiners who are complaining about it - deal with it.

Comment by Random on 01/21/2009 15:13:17
lol

Bush's letter.

Comment by m-hadley on 01/21/2009 15:23:28
Here's a great shot that combines two of my favorite moments from yesterday - 1) a crippled (NOT) Cheney and 2) Aretha's Hat : http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/arethas-hat-is-everywhere/

Scroll down and check out the Dalai Lama in 'Retha's hat.

Love it and I'm still grinning

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by starling310 on 01/21/2009 15:34:48
:: scans stephanie miller gallery section ::

Steph and thom hartmann!!!

I missed that.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 15:36:01
Quote by wickedpam:

Morning!!!!!!!



Still feeling good even with a stiff back but I'll deal.



I put some picts up on my FB - Inauguration 2009




bumping for pict link



Comment by livingonli on 01/21/2009 15:43:29
Quote by starling310:

:: scans stephanie miller gallery section ::

Steph and thom hartmann!!!

I missed that.


I saw the picture on producerchris' facecrack page.



BTW, Good morning everyone.

Comment by Random on 01/21/2009 15:46:58
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by wickedpam:

Morning!!!!!!!



Still feeling good even with a stiff back but I'll deal.



I put some picts up on my FB - Inauguration 2009




bumping for pict link



great...a pic that means i gotta be on facebook...



*sighs*

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 15:48:16
Random I'll add them to photobucket in a bit and post the link :hug:

Comment by velveeta jones on 01/21/2009 15:52:42
Quote by wickedpam:

did I kill the blog? :scratchhead:


I don't think so........ Velveeta and the misses are taking a household inventory to see what needs to be cleaned before a visit from Bobber and Raine! We are thinking a possible house fire might be faster.........





Comment by livingonli on 01/21/2009 15:52:50
Thom Hartmann on with Momma again.



Random, all the cool kids are on facebook but then again we would all learn your real name.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 15:55:14
Quote by velveeta jones:

Quote by wickedpam:

did I kill the blog? :scratchhead:


I don't think so........ Velveeta and the misses are taking a household inventory to see what needs to be cleaned before a visit from Bobber and Raine! We are thinking a possible house fire might be faster.........











It'll be fine - no worries :hug:



Forgot to tell you I think that house of your is just adorable!



Comment by m-hadley on 01/21/2009 16:02:28
Quote by starling310:

:: scans stephanie miller gallery section ::

Steph and thom hartmann!!!

I missed that.




Mornin' Roomie !!!

Are you as happy this morning as I am??? In spite of spending the day alone (see my blog for a brief reference to what happened with the grrrl I was seeing :-( )

Cheers.

mfaye :hug:

Comment by starling310 on 01/21/2009 16:15:03
THE POWER OF Wii!
http://www.wii-discount.com/nintendo_wii.jpg






Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 16:16:34
Star you scamp :D

Comment by starling310 on 01/21/2009 16:20:45
Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by starling310:

:: scans stephanie miller gallery section ::

Steph and thom hartmann!!!

I missed that.




Mornin' Roomie !!!

Are you as happy this morning as I am??? In spite of spending the day alone (see my blog for a brief reference to what happened with the grrrl I was seeing :-( )

Cheers.

mfaye :hug:






sorry roomie.. .

:: awkward Lezzie shoulder punch ::



Comment by wickedpam on 01/21/2009 16:36:16
:hug: Faye

Comment by Scoopster on 01/21/2009 16:53:45
Eep I barely use my Facebook and I've got a pile of requests pending and a bunch of flailing tropical fish from Mondo in my inbox. :lol:

Comment by Scoopster on 01/21/2009 17:50:28
Comment by livingonli on 01/21/2009 17:51:50
FCC Fines Cable Companies over their digital channel moves.



I wonder how much flack Comcrap got in moving MSNBC to the digital tier on most of its systems?

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/21/2009 17:59:32
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/21/2009 18:00:32
Quote by Scoopster:

Eep I barely use my Facebook and I've got a pile of requests pending and a bunch of flailing tropical fish from Mondo in my inbox. :lol:




Fish? They've not gone bad?

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/21/2009 18:09:13
Quote by starling310:

Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by starling310:

:: scans stephanie miller gallery section ::

Steph and thom hartmann!!!

I missed that.




Mornin' Roomie !!!

Are you as happy this morning as I am??? In spite of spending the day alone (see my blog for a brief reference to what happened with the grrrl I was seeing :-( )

Cheers.

mfaye :hug:






sorry roomie.. .

:: awkward Lezzie shoulder punch ::





:scans blog: Damn I missed the girl on girl action!



Yeah I'm wrong for that.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/21/2009 18:12:31
I got a Facebook group invite from Cindy Sheehan. The group is called, "If Obama is not a warmonger, Cindy Sheehan and I will shave our heads!"



Has Cindy jumped the shark? Are her 15 minutes over? Discuss!



My opinion, yes and yes. Unfortunately.





Comment by m-hadley on 01/21/2009 18:18:53
Thanks Mala and Stahlink,

I'll get over it - we were never a very good match anyway. It was just nice to have somebody around for awhile

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by m-hadley on 01/21/2009 18:24:12
Quote by Mondobubba:

I got a Facebook group invite from Cindy Sheehan. The group is called, "If Obama is not a warmonger, Cindy Sheehan and I will shave our heads!"



Has Cindy jumped the shark? Are her 15 minutes over? Discuss!



My opinion, yes and yes. Unfortunately.





I think I gotta agree with you Mondo, sir... I had my suspicions about Cindy when she decided to challenge Nancy Pelosi for her seat. Although Obama's speech was a skosh more hawkish than I would have liked - in general, he is such a grand improvement over Bush that I think he would have to personally bomb Los Angeles for me to be disappointed :P

(Skosh of an exaggeration, but not by much :D)

Cheers,

mfaye



Comment by Mondobubba on 01/21/2009 18:47:11
Quote by m-hadley:

Quote by Mondobubba:

I got a Facebook group invite from Cindy Sheehan. The group is called, "If Obama is not a warmonger, Cindy Sheehan and I will shave our heads!"



Has Cindy jumped the shark? Are her 15 minutes over? Discuss!



My opinion, yes and yes. Unfortunately.





I think I gotta agree with you Mondo, sir... I had my suspicions about Cindy when she decided to challenge Nancy Pelosi for her seat. Although Obama's speech was a skosh more hawkish than I would have liked - in general, he is such a grand improvement over Bush that I think he would have to personally bomb Los Angeles for me to be disappointed :P

(Skosh of an exaggeration, but not by much :D)

Cheers,

mfaye







It seems to like she has stopped honoring the memory of her son and started believing her own press clippings. What was compelling 3 or 4 years ago is just tiresome and self aggrandizing now.

Comment by livingonli on 01/21/2009 18:48:47
But did anyone see the debate between Cindy and Cynthia Boaz on their facecrack pages when Cynthia took Cindy's criticisms of Obama to task?

Comment by Scoopster on 01/21/2009 20:02:49
Uhoh...



:foil:



or is it?

Comment by starling310 on 01/21/2009 20:09:42
Balls. Balls. Balls. Balls. Balls. Balls. Balls. Balls.





Umm...why don't we call them galas?

Comment by starling310 on 01/21/2009 20:13:48
Quote by m-hadley:

Thanks Mala and Stahlink,

I'll get over it - we were never a very good match anyway. It was just nice to have somebody around for awhile

Cheers,

mfaye




I hear ya roomie.

I know it's hard, but seriously try not to sell yourself short just to avoid being alone. Again, easier said than done, but it's worth it in the long run.

Love darling....Love, love, love.... :hug:

Comment by livingonli on 01/21/2009 20:26:00
I'm used to not being in a relationship. I have spent most of my life not in relationships rather than in them. I guess that just means I am used to it. Not to mention It seems like I haven't met the person where it's clicked.

Comment by Mondobubba on 01/21/2009 21:31:04
John Cornyn is giant economy sized a-hole.

Comment by Random on 01/21/2009 23:06:23
This...Is...Great...



I am sooo subscribing to his blog.

Comment by MMB on 01/22/2009 01:34:24
My best friend that I have known since 1979 and haven't talked to since Oct 2001 called me today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She just left i am soooooooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life is indeed great again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/22/2009 02:10:37
I KNEW I forgots to record something today.



And I just missed the second showing as well.