Recap of Inauguration 2009
By The Warmest Wednesday • Jan 21st, 2009 • Category: The Warmest Wednesday •
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Provided below are written word links to various speeches/prayers from Inauguration 2009.
Barack Obama, 44th President of the US, Inauguration Speech:
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. CLICK HERE for full speech and video.
Text of Rev. Joseph Lowery’s prayer/benediction:
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. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen CLICK HERE for the entire prayer.
Inaugural Poem
The following is a transcript of the inaugural poem recited by Elizabeth Alexander, as provided by CQ transcriptions.
Praise song for the day.
Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others’ eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, “Take out your pencils. Begin.”
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, “I need to see what’s on the other side; I know there’s something better down the road.”
We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.
Some live by “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”
Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.
What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.
In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp — praise song for walking forward in that light.
Video of America’s Song, Barack Obama’s Inauguration Song
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What a lovely post. I have to ask a serious question about the inaguration and I’m asking you because I value your opinion on Obama more than anyone elses. I heard that $158 Million our Federal Tax dollars went to the production of ten Inaguration Balls. When I heard this, it struck me as strange because I thought that Obama was all about rolling up his sleeves and fixing the economy. When California is nearly BK and issuing IOU’s on tax refunds to residents, I would assume that Obama would be bailing out a state with that money before spending that on parties. But, I don’t want to assume the worst of him and it could just be political rederick going about in my ultra-republican community. I wanted to ask you about it and get your insight on it.
I’m sure, in times past, money hasn’t been an object in an inaguration… but, we haven’t had an economy like this since The Great Depression.
I appreciate hearing your perspective. I didn’t want to write a post about it until I emailed/chatted with you about it.
Sheri
Sheri´s last blog post..Book Review: Nearlyweds
Hey Sheri, I haven’t done any research on the costs yet…I know some funds came from donors, some came from the DNC and some was from taxpayers. The amounts thrown around were exorbiant…but as far as the parties…I wonder how much was actually funded by the public since those who attended had to pay and the alcohol , was not free…it was a cash bar. More importantly, while this was the most expensive Inauguration, I would like to know what percentage was paid by taxpayers compared to the past…until I see those numbers I’m not going to be too concerned.
Bottom line…this is an issue that is of concern to many…so I expect to see a lot of blogs and commentary regarding it. LOL.
I believe the Inaugural Poem was written by Maya Angelou for Bill Clinton’s inauguration. She was interviewed by Tavis Smiley the night before Inauguration and talked about it.
My understanding is that the bulk of the costs came from donors and attendees. But I’m sure everyone would love to know the numbers and percentages, to clear up any misperceptions out there.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Debut Author: Kaye Dacus and Stand-In Groom
Wow, to have it all it in one page, the speech,, the poem, Rev. Lowery’s benediction and the song. What a beautiful song.
If the costs seem exhorbitant and they probably are, bear in mind, the country has never seen an inauguration like this. Look at the other side. Washington D.C. and surrounding make bunk off of it, so their economy was boosted. This inauguration helped the economy also, just think of all the money made. If I had thought about it sooner, I should have gone and set up a hot beverage kiosk. The money I could have made. LOL
Dera´s last blog post..Where the Line Bleeds–A Southern Tale: Review & Commentary
Dera…lol regarding the hot beverage kiosk…it definitely would have been welcomed!