Harry's Place

These were the moments at which I wept, with pride.

Watch this then read this and you’ll feel a lot better.

You are unpatriotic, and probably a racist AND a communist.

Good job he’s closing Gitmo then, isn’t it?

Iowahawk is God.

“Good job he’s closing Gitmo then, isn’t it?”

By 2013. You can take that to the bank, Kitten.

Party like its 1997!

Hitchens on Channel4 with a paisley tie and a bottle of water.
Bloody hell.
Change we can believe in.

Hitch has looked must less bloated and liverish in recent years. I think he may really be slowing it down some.

These were the moments at which I wept, with pride.

I am in admiration of you having such an emotional affinity with words that can inspire the imagination to make them seem real. It says something about the craft of his words and delivery.

Maggie Thatcher, Ronnie Reagan, Barry Goldwater, John Major, David Cameron, Rush Limbaugh, you boys took a hell of beating.

“These were the moments at which I wept, with pride.”

I feel exactly the same way whenever I see John Wayne deliver his paean to beef in Red River.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West – know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To 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.

A wonderful encapsulation that says that YOU have the closed minds and agressive tendencies and YOU must change.

Far too often the West has articulated that WE are the ones who must be at fault if THEY hate us.

The Muslim World includes Hamas & Hezbollah – so good luck there.

America, 10
American(s), 5
God, 5

Not even Sarah Palin would have outscored Obama!

In all seriousness, though, “pride”? Pride in what exactly? I can just about understand why Americans can feel pride, but what have the Brits got to be proud of? Choosing a new prime minister without an election? Torturing Obama’s grandfather? Can someone please explain why David T is blubbing in the corner?

Don’t think much of his maths – 43 Americans have taken the oath of office, because Grover Cleveland served non-consecutive terms and is counted as 22nd and 24th President.

You are unpatriotic, and probably a racist AND a communist.

“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism!”

God knows how many times we’ve heard that over the last eight years.

These were the moments at which I wept, with pride

That sounds so mawkish and mushy.

That sounds so mawkish and mushy

Not to mention selfish.

Maggie Thatcher, Ronnie Reagan, Barry Goldwater, John Major, David Cameron, Rush Limbaugh, you boys took a hell of beating.

An election was lost, a. You know, 50% chance of that happening every 4 years. It does happen, you know.

That sounds so mawkish and mushy.

Yes, but I am a US citizen, and so that is my birthright.

It moves me to be reminded of the sacrifices that citizens, both those in uniform and those who are not, have made for an ideal that was encapsulated by the first President, at Valley Forge.

PS: Boothroyd – you are a train spotter.

ahhhhhh i’ve just erased my comment by mistake. I hate myself.

it was a good speech (basicaly that was what the comment aid but with much more words).

Yes, but I am a US citizen, and so that is my birthright.

Have you ever flunked math? I always wanted to flunk math.

“… and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. ”

Finally! Someone gets it.

And I don’t mean the Al Gore part, important as that is.

I thought you were British, David!

I was in Washington on election night and I was moved….and I’m not even a US citizen. But…

…I have to say that I’m not one of those who is enraptured by Obama’s oratory. I think a lot of people have convinced themselves he’s better than he is. Al Sharpton is far better, albeit far nuttier. Neither is as good as Kinnock. Ask Joe Biden.

Oh, and Obama’s speechwriter – Jon Favreau – is only 27!!!

I was a Supporter of John McCain , but I felt deeply moved watching the innaugaration of Our new President . I approve of the Responsible & Thoughtfull speech that Barak made especially His references to the Heroism & sacrifices made during The American Revolution . I hope & Pray that this fine Young Man & his lovely Wife & Daughters achieve all the expectations that The People of America & The whole World have for Him . All People Who love Freedom & Democracy should do everything They can to help President Barak .

” Yes We Can ! “

I was trying to figure out how the orchestra could maintain dexterity in their fingers to play in that cold; I recon there must have been some sort of outdoor heating system.

I thought the speech consisted of a bunch of unremarkable generic platitudes; all rather ‘mother and apple pie’; but he read it very well.

I noted when he cited various battles in various wars by way of acknowledgment, that he very pointedly omitted the current wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan – yet managed to mention Vietnam. I bet most in the US military noticed that too, as would have the US’s enemies, and not in a good way.

Next time rather loose the poet and the god botherers.

Neither is as good as Kinnock.

I really really liked Neil Kinnock as a speaker, and as a bloke, and as a leader of the Labour Party. I wish he’d had a term as PM, but stupidly we have a system where people who aren’t me are allowed a say in all this.

I thought you were British, David!

I am lucky enough to have dual nationality.

Ian Sternberg, Have You Just Broken The HP World Record For Unnecessary Capitalisation?

Boothroyd – you are a train spotter.

I knew Mr Boothroyd at college and he’s not changed a bit, long may he continue.

I am lucky enough to have dual nationality.

Blimey you kept that quiet. The question now is WTF you would want to live in Britain when you could live in the USA.

Or that could just be me :)

I am lucky enough to have dual nationality.

How did that happen?

wardytron:

Ian Sternberg, Have You Just Broken The HP World Record For Unnecessary Capitalisation?

Ah, but there is, at least in Blighty, no longer such a thing as a Capital offense!

This was such a beautiful moment, a beautiful day for America. And maybe a torch lit in American can once again help lead the world.

Sorry if this seems like gushing – but I’m nearing 60 and remember vividly the Civil Rights movement, of traveling through the South and being admonished by my dad not to make waves because people there might be violent if a person spoke out on behalf of oppressed people.

I was thinking today also about Europe’s Enlightenment, how those values so often seem to be stressed and perhaps haven’t yet been realized.

It was only a few decades ago that WWII shockingly devastated not only physical continents but the very mind and soul of humanity. A highly sophisticated, advanced modern state created slave labor camps and exterminated millions of people for the crime of being “different”.

Today we see echoes of this violent past, people smashing shop windows and screaming for the death of Israel, blindly supporting regimes who call for genocide.

Yet today we also see a bud become a full blown rose in America.

So yeah I’m gushing. I am crying too. With hope and joy and pride and trepidation – but mostly with hope.

Sue me:)

especially His references

Obama is God, clearly.

“I was trying to figure out how the orchestra could maintain dexterity in their fingers to play in that cold; I recon there must have been some sort of outdoor heating system.”

I was wondering the same. I saw a pianist who was wearing gloves with the fingers cut off at the third nuckle. And keeping wind instruments into tune in that is tricky, as the expand and contract depending on whether you are plaing or not..

How did that happen?

Well, I may be wrong, but I think there’s only one way it’s possible, because the USA in general does not allow dual citizenship – except for the children of an American parent.

I was wondering the same. I saw a pianist who was wearing gloves with the fingers cut off at the third nuckle. And keeping wind instruments into tune in that is tricky, as the expand and contract depending on whether you are plaing or not..

And the first conspiracy theory of the Obama era is born!

Sophia, it was stirring all right. It brought a lump to my throat. I found myself hoping that Obama can indeed accomplish at least some of what he seems to promise.

And as for the crowds, they were magnificent. Was anyone else reminded of “The Return of the King?”

And now for those of you who have not had enough Obamadmiration, over to Newsnight, with Kate Winslett (Oooooo, Gush, Gush). Yawn.

The process is over, now how about some results.

DOW down 332 today. Markets unimpressed.

And keeping wind instruments into tune in that is tricky, as the expand and contract depending on whether you are plaing or not..

That goes for instruments of all sorts. *fnarr*

Sea Kitten: No any child born in the US is a US citizen. Then its up to the other country I belive as to whether they allow dual citizenship. All the US wants ( I believe ) is for you to file your tax return every year from the year of 18 onwards.

So my children are US citizens due to having been born here. Then we applied for UK citizenship for them within the proscribed period. So they are dual citizens.

I wish he’d had a term as PM, but stupidly we have a system where people who aren’t me are allowed a say in all this.

It’s a fucking disgrace if you ask me.

Interesting that Brownie said the speechwriter is only 27. You’d have to be to write those sort of sentiments and believe them original.

As far as I can recall over quite a few decades, most halfway decent Presidential inaugural speeches (including Reagan’s) have had similar riffs of lofty commitments and references to glorious moments of US history.

Wasn’t quite up to the build-up or his billing as the greatest orator ever.

Oh, and no seas parted nor did he walk on water. I think the earth moved a bit, but it was the usual rotation on its axis.

And I can’t see quite where the “change we can all believe in” comes in.

Exactly what kind of new way of doing politics did he announce?

“America is ready to lead again”–really? Had it given up trying to do so before? Has he announced anything that makes it more likely?

Michelle Obama’s outfit had got almost as much speculation and breathless anticipation as what he would have to say. The outcome was much the same as his speech.

I realise I sound very churlish. It’s just that I’ve had a really heavy overdose of BBC breathless adoration over the last few days. The worst was the kids’ Radio 4 programme, Go4it. They had the presenter solemnly asking all these London schoolkids how he was going to inspire their lives, how he had changed their view of the future. Real “cult of personality” stuff.

Yes, streets and light years ahead of anything Gordon Brown or David Cameron might have to say. But maybe Queen Rania of Jordan can still give him lessons on how to put your message across.

Have to admit, I got a little misty during the speech.

Is Harry’s Place going to change its banner headline to ‘Liberty is telling people what they want to hear.’? Just asking. As for Michelle’s frock. I don’t think it’s the best colour she could have worn. A nice turquoise is very fashionable (at least this side of the Pond) but that goldy beige is just a non-colour. I don’t think Princess Margeret would have been seen dead in it, she was quite a fashionable lady in her time.

I wish BHO well is President, and am pleased he is it seems essentially continuing the current US foreign policy.

That said, if the cult of personality and vomit inspiring fawning on Channel four and the Beeb and so on, carries on much more, he’s going to have to get a whacky hairdo, a Mao jacket, audition as an Austin Powers extra and change his first name from Barry to Kim-jong …..Kim-jong Obama! They will have to give him the right and proper title – ‘Dear Leader Comrade Supreme Commander’.

FFS, I don’t think I will be able to handle Newnight tonight. Anyway talking of way out of control….come to think of it the scrotum hair is well overdue a trim.

No any child born in the US is a US citizen.

I wasn’t very clear. What I meant was that if you become a US citizen by naturalization, ie. by swearing an oath at a ceremony, then you cannot retain dual citizenship. The oath itself makes you renouce any prior allegiances. Whereas if you become a US citizen because one of your parents is American (while one is not), then you may – regardless of where you are born. So David T must have one parent who is American. Elementary, my dear Watson!

NO

Pride? Why, what did you have to do with it?

Sue R: It wasn’t so much the colour as the ,a href=”http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/michelle-obama/4299766/Barack-Obama-inauguration-Michelle-goes-for-gold.html”>really frumpy, matronly style–both the cut and the bobbly fabric. Not far off what HM Queen wears, minus hat. Whereas at the weekend she was pictured wearing a really neat camel and black wool overcoat which was very sharp and flattering. Nice green gloves and shoes, though. Oh, and there’s now a sick-making bunch of sycophantic fashionista admirers of anything she wears, sort of fashion echo of the BO Cult of Personality. They never did that sort of thing during the brief life of the second Mrs Stalin, as far as I remember reading.

I realise I sound very churlish.

Not a bit, Judy.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

-is he referring to those men and women who “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them”? – you know, the small-town folks who are bitter?

I watched it all. What a great day. Trust some people to snear but I too, David T, wept with pride for our American cousins today.

As Andrew Sullivan said just now on Newsnight – ‘Just think of the wounds that were healed today’

Amen Andrew, amen.

My tuppenceworth on Michelle’s outfit- yes awful mother of the bride, and those sewage green gloves..

Now, what was that attempt at ecumenicism with the variations on the name of Jesus by the Pastor all about? Yeshua (Hebrew) Isa (Muslim) and before the final Jesus, came Cheysus- why the special Latino pronounciation- Latinos don’t have a separate religion??

It was a good speech. He will make a good President, I think. Not much will change when it comes to foreign policy, and that is a damn fine thing. Obama’s genius lies in the presentation of the (virtuous and sensible) status quo as something entirely different.

I congratulate Americans on electing a President who will likely introduce some basic safeguards for them which have existed in the rest of the civilised world for some time.

But I am left a little cold. I am left also considering the fact that my firm, a place not know for its encouragement for staff to watch television in its meeting rooms in the middle of the afternoon, and a place that must contain a rather higher than national average number of Tory voters, laid on tv for people to watch the inauguration. This is merely a little indication that the hysteria has bounded out of control. That it is, fundamentally, unthinking and unreal. I cannot imagine a similar effort being undertaken should my party win the next UK general election. In fact, the majority of my colleagues would be offended by the prospect. The irony is that the firm would not have done the same for McCain, despite the fact that he would no doubt have been more in line with the politics of a majority of my colleagues.

I think Nick Cohen said something about how safe it is for the rich to be radicals these days. It leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth that people can in one breath say how dreadful it is that the Labour Party tries to get 50% of the population into higher education and in the next they wax lyrical about Barack Obama and his exciting new approach to foreign policy and how benign and sensible and “European” it is. In fact, is there not something obscene about that?

But, nonetheless, perhaps I should allow myself to be carried away by the excitement a little, despite its brittle and unreal tenor. Because he will make a perfectly reasonable President.

Ami wrote:

Now, what was that attempt at ecumenicism with the variations on the name of Jesus by the Pastor all about? Yeshua (Hebrew) Isa (Muslim) and before the final Jesus, came Cheysus- why the special Latino pronounciation- Latinos don’t have a separate religion?

Ah…the Henry Ford approach to ecumenicism!

“For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth.”

This is complete crap; they did it for themselves, and to suggest otherwise is to dishonestly misrepresent the history of this country in furtherence of ends which they would very likely disapprove.

This country was built by people striving for their own self-interest – and in the process, as a by-product created something great for the descendents. Even to the extent that the pilgrims were building a “city on a hill”, this was done for themselves, with the objective of living their vision of a virtuous life.

“For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth.”

Nonsense. They did it for themselves. America is built on the collective good that follows from individuals seeking to serve their self interest.

Neither is as good as Kinnock.
Wardytron
I really really liked Neil Kinnock as a speaker, and as a bloke, and as a leader of the Labour Party. I wish he’d had a term as PM, but stupidly we have a system where people who aren’t me are allowed a say in all this.

Do not cry for me in the Celtic New year.
The Kinnock family of porcine mammals are super rich, why have a stressful aging thankless job like Blair when you can hogg the trough?

I hate to see these brilliant talented black performers prostituting themselves, like the mediocre Pete Seeger, but evidently they feel their efforts worthwhile.

“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.” – Honest Obe

Hahahaha he promises 4 years of funnies.

1924, Mohammed Ali to whom Gandhi showed such affection said, : “However pure Mr. Gandhi’s character may be, he must appear to me, from the point of religion, inferior to any Mussalman even though he be without character.”
In 1925 he emphasized: “Yes, according to my religion and creed, I do hold an adulterous and a fallen Mussalman to be better than Mr. Gandhi”.

Aaaah, but did he flunk a whole semester of math?

Ben

Obama’s genius lies in the presentation of the (virtuous and sensible) status quo as something entirely different.

Yes.

Definitley.

Georgw W Bush has great policies.

His problem was in the presentation.

This is what worries the extreme anarchist detached lefties who so hate Bush. Obama will continue with many many aspects of the Bush policies, across the board, but his presentation will sound completely different. And acceptable to the rational left.

Such is politics.

However, I think that Obama is an intellectual whereas Bush ……..

Bush was inarticulate but he wasn’t stupid at all.

It’s a wonder that such an inarticulate person could have won the presidency of the USA at all.

Goodbye George.

I may miss you.

I once read in in a small article not prominently displayed in the local newspaper, that Bush admitted the second Iraq war was a mistake. One can’t believe everything this newspaper says, but is it true? What an admission to make in the view of the lives it cost! – I think he should have saved time, energy, money on the more dangerous country, Iran.

I would have been moved by Obama’s speech when I was younger, but I’m now a bit more jaded about politics. But I didn’t actually hear the speech, so who knows.? However, it does bring tears to my eyes when I see my favourite moderator being run down. I mean, it’s just human to be mawkish now and then. And Obama is unique and inspiring in the history of American presidents. A black man, at last – that’s almost enough to make me shed a tear – and an honour to American voters. I thought he would never make it as the Born Again Christians seem to constitute a considerable percentage of the population. And, despite clichés, Obama has something youthful, fresh and idealistic about him, which I hope will take him through the tough realities he will have to face. The thought of the promise & possible failures, the weight on his young shoulders, is enough to make you weep.

A quote from my Master, Adorno:

“If you can show yourself weak without provoking strength, you have found love.”

P.S. That a bit of Diana’s funeral stuff is going on about Obama, is neither his fault nor hers, but of the people who undulge in it. I have missed most of it. The public wants to do a bit of soul-washing at regular intervals, the CNN and other channels thrive on wars and soul washing, they are in their element, there cheeks are flushed with joy, they are filled with vigorous intensity, and the have a huge audience all day and night long.

I saw a prominent female CNN journalist watching the twin towers going down from a perfect vantage point, unable to restrain her smiles and laughter. Maybe it was hysteria. I’m not lying. It should be possible to revisit those scenes on video.

It was a nice anodyne speech – clearly written by a young fella new to the ways of the world. Obama read it quite well but surely he is no Reagan – that old chap could really make you believe.

What was with ‘Chelle’s outfit? It appeared to have been made from the seat fabric from a 1970’s yellow Ford Transit van.

Hitchens on Channel4 with a paisley tie and a bottle of water.

And that’s attire was after his Vanity Fair “makeover”. My wife was appalled at the pattern clash.

P.

“For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life.

This is complete crap; they did it for themselves, and to suggest otherwise is to dishonestly misrepresent the history of this country in furtherence of ends which they would very likely disapprove.

By “for us,” he meant for their children and grandchildren and future generations, knowing that they themselves were unlikely to live more than a modest existence

“They did it for themselves. America is built on the collective good that follows from individuals seeking to serve their self interest.”

As Gene says: absolute sub-Ayn Rand twaddle.

P.

For me, the most amazing part of the speech was simply to hear Obama acknowledge “non-believers” as true Americans. It’s not so long ago that George Bush Sr. said “I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.”

P.

I’ve re-read the speech a couple of times and it really is very sombre.
“…and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous” – I thought this was one of the most significant lines.
He looked so vulnerable yesterday – I just hope the secret service do their job in the coming months and years..

I have also been re-reading Obama’s Jeremiah Wright speech and it moved me to tears. I can’t agree with you guys about Kinnock – I thought he was a terrible windbag. And I’ve been a Party member for years.

By “for us,” he meant for their children and grandchildren and future generations, knowing that they themselves were unlikely to live more than a modest existence

Do you think Obama mean’t his own dad? Obama senior never struck me as a family man, thou he did end up with a very “modest existence”.

A good and sober speech, preparing the faithful for the fact that Obama won’t be working any miracles soon. But it wasn’t in the class of “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”

Stu:

“Obama read it (the speech) quite well but surely he is no Reagan – that old chap could really make you believe.”

I can’t remember being convinced by anything Reagon said, but then I was a casual newspaper reader. I’m not sure the ability to convince is always such a good thing. I won’t give a recital of the names of evil convincers of past and present history. I’m afraid a lot of people give up their savings to ‘convincing salesmen.’ I think being a bit uncertain, naive, fallow, hesitant, is a first sign of intelligence.

Who can have certainties in the world we are living in?

George Bush Sr. is quoted literally (above) as saying “I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.” Why complain about Islam, when we have this going on at home? – in the land of free speech, “the brave and the free”, the self-made man. By comparison Obama’s speech is a blessing on our souls. But my ‘heart’, if I still have one, is with him, as it’s not going to be easy for him to live up to his ideals.

Here is a different way to experience the Inaugural Address…as a flow:

http://www.textflows.com/ObamaInaugurationFlow

It runs longer than the speech itself, but you see the whole thing newly.

The speech was excellent.

It was an excellent speech that used our past to help show us the way forward during this critical time both at home and abroad. It was not in the same league as FDR’s “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” or Churchill’s “I have nothing to offer except Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat” speeches, but then there are seldom speeches that are.

Particularly liked Obama’s mention of Khe Sahn (usually politicians avoid mentioning Vietnam) and his including non-believers with his roll call of religions. Latter makes up partly for Obama having sleazy Rick Warren give the invocation, for which I hit the mute button. Rev. Joseph Lowery, who was a co-founder with Martin Luther King of the Southern Chrisitan Leadership Conference (SCLC), was magnificient in his benediction.

Thanks Dennis, Textflows is an excellant way of experencing Obama’s Innagural Address.

Who is George Bush Sr? There is no George Bush Jr., how can there be a George Bush Sr? The elder George Bush is named George Herbert Walker Bush, where as the son is named George Walker Bush, two different names, where as Senior and Junior refer father and son with the same name. George Bush the elder, would be more correct than senior.

And now we have a President who I wish the best of luck, and he needs to employ speech writers with some Presidential history knowledge, or atleast the ability to do research. I think that is a grave error not to know how many people before you served in the highest office in the USA.