Obama's Speech

It was purely by chance that I caught Obama's speech at teatime today, but coverage on BBC News 24 was taken over by the inauguration. There is one thing that came across more than anything to a non-US citizen, and that is that no matter whether Americans believe in his policies or not, it would be difficult to argue that the man in charge of their country was not a good man. His policies notwithstanding, his heart is in the right place, and his sincerity shines through.

To someone in the UK, certain things stand out as being completely the opposite of David Cameron, most notably that Obama in his speech attempted to bring his country together, whereas Cameron seems obsessed with tearing ours apart. For example:

"We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else".

I'm not so well-versed on America's current situation to know whether the above words have truth to them, and whether everyone has the same chance - such things are often in reality a pipe-dream. But it is fascinating to hear Obama even utter those words about the poorest in society being given a chance when Cameron has basically declared them the dregs of society in the UK and a bunch of scroungers. Obama also praised the "youth and drive" of his country, whereas our PM sees the youth of Britain as nothing but a bunch of no-hopers, and seems intent in putting everything he can in their way to stop them from fulfilling their potential.

It was, as expected, an eloquent, moving and inclusive speech.

Congratulations to President Barack Obama on his 2013 Inaugural swearing in!

130121_President Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_First Lady Michelle Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_Obama Daughters Sasha and Malia_Inauguration.JPG

May God bless his second term in the White House!!

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

I'm a Brit. I walked 6 miles and stood for hours in the freezing cold to see Obama's first Inauguration in person.

I had the opportunity to meet Cameron when he visited DC, but I chose to go to work instead.

Chris

It was, as expected, an eloquent, moving and inclusive speech.

Congratulations to President Barack Obama on his 2013 Inaugural swearing in!

130121_President Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_First Lady Michelle Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_Obama Daughters Sasha and Malia_Inauguration.JPG

May God bless his second term in the White House!!

As my wife says to the 3 year-olds in her Kindergarten class, "use your words".

Chris

It was, as expected, an eloquent, moving and inclusive speech.

Congratulations to President Barack Obama on his 2013 Inaugural swearing in!

130121_President Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_First Lady Michelle Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_Obama Daughters Sasha and Malia_Inauguration.JPG

May God bless his second term in the White House!!

What's the problem, ian?

It was, as expected, an eloquent, moving and inclusive speech.

Congratulations to President Barack Obama on his 2013 Inaugural swearing in!

130121_President Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_First Lady Michelle Obama_Inauguration.JPG

130121_Obama Daughters Sasha and Malia_Inauguration.JPG

May God bless his second term in the White House!!

What's the problem, ian?

Oh no...not again......

I was relieved that Americans voted wisely, congratulations to the President.

Is it just me and Barack that think Michelle was looking kinda' 'hot' yesterday?

michelle-obama-57th-presidential-inauguration-2013.jpg

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Is it just me and Barack that think Michelle was looking kinda' 'hot' yesterday?

She had some competition.



Chris

Is it just me and Barack that think Michelle was looking kinda' 'hot' yesterday?

She had some competition.



Chris

You think Obama looked hot?

I was relieved that Americans voted wisely, congratulations to the President.

Is it just me and Barack that think Michelle was looking kinda' 'hot' yesterday?

michelle-obama-57th-presidential-inauguration-2013.jpg

Michelle looks Hot everyday!

Michelle looks Hot everyday!

I wouldn't go that far. Some days she
looks like the Dr. Seuss character...
The Grinch.

Before I get the overly-ripe put downs that
are bound to come my way, do an image
search. If your honest you'll see what I'm
talking about.

I feel like I'm in a really bad Twilight Zone episode a lot lately, even more so than usual! But at least I'm not giving up, and clinging to a hope that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't an oncoming train!!

I feel like I'm in a really bad Twilight Zone episode a lot lately, even more so than usual! But at least I'm not giving up, and clinging to a hope that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't an oncoming train!!

That's sad. I trust you are seeking help.

Did you like the President's wonderful speech? I sure did.

His words gave me, and millions of others here and around the world, much hope!

I don't like Obama, but I'll respect the office and hope for better in four years.

It was purely by chance that I caught Obama's speech at teatime today, but coverage on BBC News 24 was taken over by the inauguration. There is one thing that came across more than anything to a non-US citizen, and that is that no matter whether Americans believe in his policies or not, it would be difficult to argue that the man in charge of their country was not a good man. His policies notwithstanding, his heart is in the right place, and his sincerity shines through.

To someone in the UK, certain things stand out as being completely the opposite of David Cameron, most notably that Obama in his speech attempted to bring his country together, whereas Cameron seems obsessed with tearing ours apart. For example:

"We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else".

I'm not so well-versed on America's current situation to know whether the above words have truth to them, and whether everyone has the same chance - such things are often in reality a pipe-dream. But it is fascinating to hear Obama even utter those words about the poorest in society being given a chance when Cameron has basically declared them the dregs of society in the UK and a bunch of scroungers. Obama also praised the "youth and drive" of his country, whereas our PM sees the youth of Britain as nothing but a bunch of no-hopers, and seems intent in putting everything he can in their way to stop them from fulfilling their potential.

I've not seen or heard the speech yet, but you're quite right about the differences between the current US President and his British equivalent. The British default position, generally, is often to look on the sad side of life. Prime Ministers of all politcal hues, it seems to me, have a tendency to want to have dialogue on only the more aggessive issues that create the public mood. If British people - via media represetations - are outraged about something, the political rhetoric may then try to follow it. And so, the greatness, or the potential giantness of any human is not praised or even encouraged. Obama, on the other hand, perhaps in a typically Amercan way, reminds us of what's possible. That after all, is how you can make a difference. And I think also that, as Obama actually worked his way up, despite facing some major obstacles along the way, he actually achieved the Dream, and he can, with authority, say that you too can achieve greatness.

Back to my negative Blighty friends and family now...!

I feel like I'm in a really bad Twilight Zone episode a lot lately, even more so than usual! But at least I'm not giving up, and clinging to a hope that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't an oncoming train!!

That's sad. I trust you are seeking help.

Did you like the President's wonderful speech? I sure did.

His words gave me, and millions of others here and around the world, much hope!

Well, as far as my health, I am going to see a specialist on February 4th, and I am really hoping that they can give me good news towards getting me cured with my ailment(s)!

It was purely by chance that I caught Obama's speech at teatime today, but coverage on BBC News 24 was taken over by the inauguration. There is one thing that came across more than anything to a non-US citizen, and that is that no matter whether Americans believe in his policies or not, it would be difficult to argue that the man in charge of their country was not a good man. His policies notwithstanding, his heart is in the right place, and his sincerity shines through.

Indeed - that is what came through, more than ever. He could speak freely, finally. And his goodness is most apparent. I don't know if that "little girl" really does "have the same chance" as anyone else for success in anything she chooses to work hard at and do well. Some people get lucky, AFTER working very hard and very well at trying to make their own luck. Will that change in another generation? Will it really become true? We'll see. One thing is for sure: just because ONE young man, totally obscure, a person of color, grew up to be President, does not mean all things are equal. Or that Now All Is Well. Because that's an illusion. And a hope.

It happens sometimes: Sonia Sotomayor, the Supreme Court justice who administered the Veep's oath, also lived that story. But I saw her last night on Jon Stewart - accomplished, hard-working, smart, and I wondered why others, who worked as hard, and are just as good at what they do, are left adrift. Well, there are genuine institutional reasons why that happens, and there is much that hasn't been solved yet. Or even addressed.

There are people who have worked all their lives, sacrificed it all, are just as accomplished - but the institutional structures in which they work have foreclosed their opportunities. For most, but not all.

There's your answer.

Oh, yeah. The Prez IS hot! (Is that gray hair real? Or is going for a more "mature" look?)

rjm
P.S. -- "Teatime"? You guys still DO that? Really? (Here, it was before 9 AM, and I was sick as a dog, but I still watched it!)

To someone in the UK, certain things stand out as being completely the opposite of David Cameron, most notably that Obama in his speech attempted to bring his country together, whereas Cameron seems obsessed with tearing ours apart. For example:

"We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else".

I'm not so well-versed on America's current situation to know whether the above words have truth to them, and whether everyone has the same chance - such things are often in reality a pipe-dream. But it is fascinating to hear Obama even utter those words about the poorest in society being given a chance when Cameron has basically declared them the dregs of society in the UK and a bunch of scroungers. Obama also praised the "youth and drive" of his country, whereas our PM sees the youth of Britain as nothing but a bunch of no-hopers, and seems intent in putting everything he can in their way to stop them from fulfilling their potential.

Did Obama lip sync his speech.

Did Obama lip sync his speech.

Surely not. Especially since he once again (and it was HIS goof this time), screwed up the oath. In the "public" oath, the one that was just for show yesterday, he took it as "President of the United State." And he knew he did it, and sorta got stuck and looked embarrassed. For a moment. Jon Stewart had a bit of fun with that last night.

rjm (If the Stewart/Colbert refs start to get annoying, just lemme know!)

Did Obama lip sync his speech.

Since you forgo the requisite punctuation, we know you are being hella funny. LOL!

Obama is a Kenyan!

Obama is a Kenyan!

When you align yourself with the fringe, you lose the ear of those worth knowing.

Hawaii Health Department Grants President Obama's Request for Certified Copies of 'Long Form' Birth Certificate
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=71462e6edb79c23595f73fe38&id=9d8904b9d5

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie stated: “Considering all of the investigations that have been done and the information that has been provided, no rational person can question the President’s citizenship. We have found a way – once again – to confirm what we already knew: the President was born here in Hawai‘i. State officials of both parties have verified that President Obama’s birth records show that he was born in Honolulu.

More here -->
Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_citizenship_conspiracy_theories#Born_in_Kenya

If a cat is born in a stable, it doesn't make it a horse........

If a cat is born in a stable, it doesn't make it a horse........

You can lead a horse to water ...