I have the same reaction to Inaugural festivities, and have since being on the cusp of adulthood as GHWB took his turn with hand on bible.
This is supposed to be an inauguration, not a coronation. That ideal hearkens back to Geo. Washington's time, where (probably apocryphally) he was offered the title of King, with all the usual benefits thereof, and he declined. The notion that the President is our master is historically inapt -- the President is our servant, not the other way around.
The Inaugural festivities are something more royal than one would expect given that approach to the relationship between President and citizenry. It approaches King and subjects. That problem is clearly present here yet it is not specific to Obama nor this inauguration. Does Obama's pop-icon status exacerbate the problem? No doubt -- yet that it not his "fault", for lack of a better word. It's a cultural problem, which Obama can help fix by increasing transparency in govermnent generally and specifically by reducing the pomp and circumstance associated with being POTUS.
kidmercury
· 11 months ago
inaugurapalooza is indeed a scary proposition, as the rock star effect of obama will be on full display. terrible.
i'd have more hope if there was a govt that understood getting smaller was the way to improve things. obama doesn't understand that, either because he doesn't know better or because big government is a good business for his sponsors, and he is beholden to his sponsors. i'm betting the latter.
meanwhile operation American Empire, built on the 9/11 lie and still a big part of the all political and economic problems, continues in full effect, with no signs of slowing down. to this end obama is also into national service, which is a nice way of saying slavery to the state.
in the end, though, empires always self-destruct, largely because they're not able to continue financing themselves. (conquering the world gets to be pricey).
gregorylent
· 11 months ago
watching cnn.com from bangkok .. and feeling the same as mr. wilson
andyswan
· 11 months ago
Obama has been a celebrity for 18 months now....I see no reason he would stop now. Plus, I am a huge fan of celebrating the peaceful transfer of elected power in a big way. I loved the inauguration parties for GW and I'll love this one too....unlike the media which seemed to have such repulsion to the expenses of one but not the other.
Today is a very exciting day for the US to show the world, once again, that NO ONE does it better.
Then we can move on with making sure Obama fails to get his campaign promises fulfilled and sticks to puppet for the Bill Clinton Administration as indicated.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
You have a stronger stomache for coronations than I do andy
andyswan
· 11 months ago
Somewhere late tonight in a remote part of the world, as the President sips champagne with billionaires and their designer wives, a financier of an operation designed to test the new President's fortitude will have his throat slit silently by a man that no one even saw.
We don't limp into greatness.
JakeGint
· 11 months ago
I like that, but make it a garrotte. No blood, leaves the returning body guards guessing...
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
You sure that's going down tonight?
andyswan
· 11 months ago
Done.
Ed
· 11 months ago
Dangerous: "But Obama has an opportunity to get me back on the train with his speech today" All we've had that's positive so far is "speech", or talk.
Actions? The most expensive inauguration in history.
Obama has received a huge amount of praise, gravity, and leeway, because folks are so sick this current administration's destruction of America. He gets credit because the people voted for change. He has not massively impacted our nation and world for historic betterment for four years now. That's 4 years away. Do you want to tell you kids in 2012, if we're worse off, and much is uncovered, (despite a biased press), that you were drunk with emotion, and didn't see we were heartily repeating mistakes?
He is not MLK, and has accomplished anything yet. Enough.
The downward spiral in this country is not only George Bush and a handful of crooks around him. Nothing happens in Washington without Obama's party at the trough.
Even the smartest on the Left in this country are already in denial. Emotion has swept so many up since the campaign, and we are a nation worshiping a man before he has fulfilled one mightily orated promise.
We can be honest, or we can be worse off.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
Yes, I agree about a lot of this
But words do matter
They inspire
That's why I was looking for the right words
We got some of them, but not tough enough for my taste
Tony Confrey
· 11 months ago
Fred,
I think your original post and this followup are right on the money. Words do matter, they can inspire or they can lay the ground work for whats to come by setting expectations. I thought Obama hit the right tone yesterday. This was not the soaring inspirational speech he could have given (and has in the past) but a sober assessment of what lies ahead. When you really read it you can see the message load and clear.
I kind of agree with you, Fred, in that we all hope the Obama administration will not shirk from calling for sacrifice and hard work and all
but i think its a little "bah humbug" to not grin and enjoy the humungous party for what after all is not just a celebration of the peaceful transfer of power 9as if thats not enough!), its also a truly significant historical watershed event in human history (not just USA history) vis a vis civil rights and diversity and minority rights etc etc etc
bottom line, i think big inaugurations are appropriate no matter what -- look world, this democratic system works! -- and in this particular case, i say, PARTY ON!
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
That's what everyone is telling me today Steve
I guess I've got a little ebeneezer in me :)
Steven Kane
· 11 months ago
You're allowed. Especially given your typically sunny, far-center disposition.
BTW, here's another reason to party hearty:
BHO is not only the first ever African-American President; he is also the first President ever to NOT be of northern European descent.
In fact he is only the second President in history to not be of English or Irish descent (Dwight D. Eisenhower's family immigrated from Germany.)
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
Yeah it was a big day. Sorta feeling silly about my bah humbug attitude but I still have it to be honest. I want action not words now.
RonDC
· 11 months ago
Wrong. From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Dunham Barack Obama's mother had English, Irish, Dutch, French and German heritage from her parents. Just because he is half African the other half doesn't count?
Steven Kane
· 11 months ago
I am duly corrected.
DCVC
· 11 months ago
Wow, what a disappointing, cynical post - I am frankly surprised at you.
I am writing from DC; I was down at the celebration on Sunday and I have to tell you, you are in the distinct minority. People are not just celebrating the "celebrity" of Obama, they are celebrating the change he represents. And you cannot over-state the historical significance of this as well.
If you think the President can effect change without the support of "the people", then you don't have a clue how the political system works. This celebration is an important part of his accumulation of a vast storehouse of political capital for him to spend on the extremely difficult and important work ahead.
Further, your lip-pursing reaction to the Inauguration simply discounts the extraordinary and amazing process by which power is transferred - peacefully. It is amazing to watch, and should not be taken lightly, especially if you've ever spent any time in the many places around the world where this simply does not happen.
I for one, am extremely excited to see a full 1% of America massing to collectively watch and participate in this amazing event.
Bush spent $40 million on his 2nd inaugural, and the press cried and yelled that he is spending too much, it's too lavish, etc., etc. etc.
Barack is spending $140 million (maybe even more??) and not one peep about this anywhere. The economy is in the crapper, we are trying to cut costs everywhere we can, and they go ahead and spend like this? My take on Barack is that he is a classic narcissist and the fact that they are spending all this money on "his party" doesn't phase him in the least. What a joke.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
That's kind of my point
I'm a believer (to steal from the monkeys) but it still bothers me
Rex Hammock
· 11 months ago
Couldn't disagree with you more on this: 1. It is a day to celebrate many, many things. The pomp and ceremony say to the world and to ourselves, this is special and unique and is -- even more than all inaugurations -- an incredible moment in history. 2. Unlike countries that have a monarchy, the President serves as the head of state. This is, indeed, a coronation, of sorts. It's one of those rigid state events that conveys a sense of context in history and context in the world. 3. Jimmy Carter tried the "anti pomp" Presidency and it didn't work. The "OFFICE" of the Presidency is not just about the person -- it's about the nation and the bigger-than-life responsibility of the office (Didin't y'all watch West Wing? ; ) ). 4. Lastly, the money for the concerts and "black tie" stuff is going straight into the pockets of waiters, taxi drivers, extra-duty pay for police, small business who rent tents and jumbotrons, etc. The money for the "fun" events was raised privately and is acting as an economic stimulus for the much battered travel and tourism business.
That's all. I'm back to celebrating the day.
markslater
· 11 months ago
i agree - be proud of this country.
Giordano
· 11 months ago
I'm watching this from Singapore and I have to say that, as an atheist and a firm believer of the separation of church and state, I would be happier if there were less churches, pastors and religious paraphernalia involved. That's really spoiling it for me.
markslater
· 11 months ago
completely agree - if i had one gripe it would bee that.
brooksjordan
· 11 months ago
I hear ya.
In many ways, though, I see this is as a celebration for black people in this country, and I want them to have their moment.
My sister is black (adopted) and is very involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha, a national sorority of black women that since their founding in 1908 have built themselves up brick by brick.
Yesterday, she said to me "It's here. It makes me want to cry." I mean, me too, but not like her. It's different. She's experiencing a joy, a catharsis, that comes from being black on this particular day.
That's why this gala is worth every penny in my mind.
dantinpa
· 11 months ago
Great comment. I had mixed emotions about all the hoopla, given the current state, but your point and others are much appreciated.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
I understand that and it's certainly a very big day for humanity in that regard
It's even more special that it comes a day after we celebrate MLK
Seth Lieberman
· 11 months ago
It is totally trite but can't help smirk at the phrase "end of an error" today.
mattmaroon
· 11 months ago
I think it's good that this inauguration looks just like every other one. What better way to send a message to everyone that everything is going to be alright than going about your business the way you always have? People are panicky enough without our President sending a message that things are too bad to have a real inauguration.
The inauguration is like a funeral, it isn't for the person being celebrated, it's for the ones doing the celebrating.
PizzaForADream.com
· 11 months ago
The only HOPE and CHANGE we will get with this new administration are the full embrace of Socialism and the loss of many more of our freedoms. The BIG government will get significantly bigger and both ourselves and future generations will pay for it. McCain would have been no better, but Obama is the wrong man at this time in our country's history. Both political parties are playing the same game with our futures with nothing in the way to stop them.
Yule Heibel
· 11 months ago
Well, up here in Canuckistan where all sorts of services (like Hulu) are blocked and I don't have a TV (don't subscribe to cable), my saturation by hoopla has been minimal. But quite by accident, I managed to find UStream just in time to hear the end of the musical performance and then see the actual inauguration and listen to Obama's speech.
It was great.
I can say that because I didn't see all the stuff leading up to it. Read about it, didn't see it, though.
The pomp is over the top, but on the other hand, if a person is watching it, they're complicit. If we want to actualize the "yes we can" mantra, tough love with ourselves regarding what we consume is part of it. The media stream washes the edges off us, but it's the edges we need. I saw the inauguration, heard Obama's speech, and now I'm turning UStream off. If I watch more of this, it'll take *my* edge off, sort of like too much booze. (I'm happily drunk just knowing that Obama is in and Bush is out!)
PS, re. cynicism: maybe edges (rough ones) are good as cynicism-busters. No edge is slippery - cynicism just oozes with the smooth slippery bits.
PPS: Reading this, I realize it makes me sound like a total Techno-Peasant, heh. Oh well, off to hoe my row now...
hypermark
· 11 months ago
Personally, I thought that it was a great speech, both in terms of calling us to live to the greatness of our history, and setting a tone of transparency, accountability and integrity.
While it’s easy for some to parse the pomp and cite cynical tones, I for one, believe that rhetoric matters. It sets the narrative, which provides a lot of the tailwind (or headwind) that drives governance.
We should celebrate this day for what it is: a launch party. The product (or service) still has to deliver the goods but that shouldn’t diminish what this day represents.
Obama: $45million, Bush: $42.5 million. First off, the $140 is made up. Secondly, the part of it that is real includes security which was never counted before. http://mediamatters.org/columns/200901170003
War.Writes
· 11 months ago
Obama certainly sounded like he was ready to get to work... his speech was a mix of hope, gravity and seriousness.
blake johnson
· 11 months ago
Fred, I totally disagree with you here. I just got back from the inauguration, and the positive energy in the crowd was palpable. I don't think I've ever been a part of something so special. Over a million people celebrating the end of the Bush administration and welcoming the change Obama represents. On top of that the election of the first African American president marks a monumental occasion, and I for one think a celebration of this historic moment in our history is in order. Obama's speech was phenomenal, and set a tone of peace, collaboration and openness in the world for the next 4 years.
Scott Sherman
· 11 months ago
Hi Fred,
I appreciate your post, though I do have to differ with you from several perspectives. First, I don't think people who are not african-american can really grasp the enormity of this moment (and, no, I am not african-american). This is the first african-american president; this is the end of the Civil War (I believe we are starting a new "Act" in our nation's history); and, african-american people want what all white people have received to date. They want a glorious celebration just like others have received in the past. I think it makes a great deal of sense and is cleansing for our country and our democracy. Such a celebration is cathartic and essential.
In many ways, to not honor this new president in the same way would be to take away from this incredible achievement. I remember when folks were worried that Martin Luther King was some kind of "communist" because he was fighting for civil rights. MLK was no communist. He wanted the "american dream" for ALL americans. I think that is true here... though on a much smaller scale... the election of Obama is a watershed moment in our history. People want to mark that, they want to celebrate that and they want EXACTLY what others have had before (and, that includes good as well as bad presidents). Obama supporters (namely African-Americans) NEED to feel the thrill of this moment, with the same pomp and ceremony and celebration that those who have persecuted african-americans experienced. To not do like-for-like would cheapen the day and make for a difficult transition.
So, I say enjoy. Savor. Party. And, in another day, we will all begin the rebuilding of this great country. We have a lot of work to do, and, much sacrifice.
As a true-to-self liberal Fred is being cool, cerebral, and hostile towards power and authority, as well as towards the tendency of people to "coalesce temporarily into hives, a process that is thrilling, as anyone who has ever "lost" him or herself in a choir, protest march, or religious ritual can attest"...
The interesting thing about conservatives is that they tend to put value on "respect to power and authority", as Prof Haidth points out. This is just an amazing graph in support of the hypothesis: http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/fav-obama.php Notice how, once he became The Chief, Obama won over the rest of the nation. Based just on moral psychology, I bet that in the coming months Obama will be viewed more sceptically by sardonic, left-leaning intellectuals (like Fred) than by the power-worshipping sheep on the Right. Fascinating!
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
That's certainly where my head is at right now
I gave money to him starting in the fall of 2007, gave the max every time I could, did not vote for him in the primary though I came close, and did vote for him in the general election. I also wrote a lot of words of support for him on this blog.
From where I sit, it's time he starts delivering on all of that support in terms of real actions.
flowman1
· 11 months ago
Words do matter.
Here's a slower, calmer way to read/hear what Obama said:
It runs longer than the speech itself (by half), but you have the time to see all the words and how he put them together.
The speech was very good.
Michael_Josefowicz
· 11 months ago
Turns out he pretty much did what you asked, IMHO. Now the games begin.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
I agree and tweeted that during the speech
toddsavage
· 11 months ago
Couple of things, I am a man without a party anymore, so consider me independent. First of all, the fact that they spent $140 million+ on this inauguration is absolutely disgusting, especially given the economic climate we are in. Second, Obama has not convinced me that he has "core values" and that he can make tough decisions - he appears to me as someone that wants to please others, and that is VERY dangerous as President of the U.S. I hope he proves me wrong. Say what you want about George W. Bush, but the fact that he 100% supported the surge when it was the most unpopular decision you could ever make showed me a lot about his "core". Third, I hope the Bush-haters "let it go" and move on with putting their energy into fixing this country. The amount of Bush-hating I saw on Facebook yesterday was just ridiculous. Let's "let it go" and put our energies into fixing this country - we are going to need every ounce of it! Obama is now my President, and let's do everything we can to support him.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
I totally agree about Bush hating. When I heard he was boo¹d yesterday it made me sick. I never liked him, never voted for him, never could look at a picture of him without feeling sick to my stomache, and am happy to see him go. But he was the president of the US. We gotta respect him for that. Particularly now that he¹s retired.
Michael_Josefowicz
· 11 months ago
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I don't see it that way. We'll just have to wait and watch closely. Meanwhile, we should all keep in mind that Obama was elected by just barely over 50% of about 65%. He did not win a "mandate" as Bush didn't have a "mandate."
The real job for us in the communication space is to deepen and extend the conversation that started yesterday. Some of our liberal friends are going to be surprised. President Obama is not a liberal, as that word has been understood since WWII. "Conservatives" are going to be surprised. The "values" used by the Bushies to hijack the Republican party are not, and never were conservatives.
Look to American values, Yankee ingenuity and responsibility. As the President said, we are Christians, Moslems, Jews, Hindus and non believers. That sounds about right, but I never heard that said by a President of the United States of America. My take is that the era of bullshit is over. For business, for government, for education.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
I sure hope the era of bullshit is over
Michael_Josefowicz
· 11 months ago
A couple of years ago, Eric Schmidt had a meeting with the conservative leadership in the UK. He told them at the time that the era of bullshit is coming to an end. Imagine the Google bullshit meter search. (he didn't use those words)
But if I can follow everything a pol has said through my RSS, it turns out that the easiest thing to do is to tell the truth.
And we all know that no matter what the bullshit is, everyone will do the easiest thing to do.
Shane
· 11 months ago
To be honest, I am very concerned about the number of people who have invested their entire emotional well-being in the President of the United States. Call me a cynic, but to put all of your eggs into the President basket is setting yourself up for disappointment because by himself Obama has no power to follow through on any of his campaign promises. He has to get through the corrupt cesspool known as Congress, where the votes are always for sale. I hope that he does well, but I am not counting on him to magically fix every problem that ails the country, as many believe he will.
Jason_Horowitz
· 11 months ago
I'm looking at this thread a little late, but don't see any follow-up about the speech. Fred, I think you got exactly what you asked for there: an earnest call for sacrifice, "a new era of responsibility" and a new way of doing things. Time will tell about the administration's effectiveness, but all indications from the campaign and transition are that Barack Obama follows up on his commitments. At the end of the day, his ability to deliver depends as much on all of us as on the President. Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but I think the inaugural glitter is a great way to communicate our pride in a peaceful and orderly transition, which we take for granted but which is more the exception than the rule in the world. And it was nice that the faces celebrating in DC this time actually reflected America!
Obama didn't give a good speech, that is for sure, but I'm not sure it matters when you have folks like Bernie Madoff managing peoples money. Wall Street is corrupt and until it gets fixed our financial economy is going to be in shambles. I defy anyone to name another industry in worse condition. Autos looks pretty by comparison.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
I thought it was a good speech but there will always be naysayers about everything
DaveGoulden
· 11 months ago
There was way more to this inauguration than fancy balls. We were in DC from Sunday through the ceremony. It was one of the most incredible experiences to be around millions of people who were all super positive and uplifted.
On Sunday, there was a free concert attended by 500k people. Sure, there were celebrities there, but the spirit of the event was awesome. Here's my post on what it was like to be there. http://oneslowfamily.com/2009/01/19/a-million-s...
On Monday, there were over 200 service projects around DC heavily promoted by the Inauguration Committee. We participated in two of them. At one event alone, 12,000 volunteers prepared 85,000 care packages for the Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And, of course, the main event was unbelievable with close to two million people sharing the experience. Here's a few pictures of what it was like to be there. http://www.flickr.com/photos/12327371@N03/sets/...
Rik Wuts
· 11 months ago
I'd not looked at it this way, but you're absolutely right. This would have been an amazing opportunity to ostensibly turn things into a new direction. Maybe what's missing in Obama's inner circle is some conceptual, non-political thinkers. People who can take an idea or a situation and turn it upside down....
All Comments
This is supposed to be an inauguration, not a coronation. That ideal hearkens back to Geo. Washington's time, where (probably apocryphally) he was offered the title of King, with all the usual benefits thereof, and he declined. The notion that the President is our master is historically inapt -- the President is our servant, not the other way around.
The Inaugural festivities are something more royal than one would expect given that approach to the relationship between President and citizenry. It approaches King and subjects. That problem is clearly present here yet it is not specific to Obama nor this inauguration. Does Obama's pop-icon status exacerbate the problem? No doubt -- yet that it not his "fault", for lack of a better word. It's a cultural problem, which Obama can help fix by increasing transparency in govermnent generally and specifically by reducing the pomp and circumstance associated with being POTUS.
i'd have more hope if there was a govt that understood getting smaller was the way to improve things. obama doesn't understand that, either because he doesn't know better or because big government is a good business for his sponsors, and he is beholden to his sponsors. i'm betting the latter.
meanwhile operation American Empire, built on the 9/11 lie and still a big part of the all political and economic problems, continues in full effect, with no signs of slowing down. to this end obama is also into national service, which is a nice way of saying slavery to the state.
in the end, though, empires always self-destruct, largely because they're not able to continue financing themselves. (conquering the world gets to be pricey).
Today is a very exciting day for the US to show the world, once again, that NO ONE does it better.
Then we can move on with making sure Obama fails to get his campaign promises fulfilled and sticks to puppet for the Bill Clinton Administration as indicated.
We don't limp into greatness.
All we've had that's positive so far is "speech", or talk.
Actions? The most expensive inauguration in history.
Obama has received a huge amount of praise, gravity, and leeway, because folks are so sick
this current administration's destruction of America.
He gets credit because the people voted for change. He has not massively impacted
our nation and world for historic betterment for four years now.
That's 4 years away.
Do you want to tell you kids in 2012, if we're worse off, and much is uncovered,
(despite a biased press), that you were drunk with emotion, and didn't
see we were heartily repeating mistakes?
He is not MLK, and has accomplished anything yet.
Enough.
The downward spiral in this country is not only George Bush
and a handful of crooks around him.
Nothing happens in Washington without Obama's party at the trough.
Even the smartest on the Left in this country are already in denial.
Emotion has swept so many up since the campaign, and we are a nation
worshiping a man before he has fulfilled one mightily orated promise.
We can be honest, or we can be worse off.
But words do matter
They inspire
That's why I was looking for the right words
We got some of them, but not tough enough for my taste
I think your original post and this followup are right on the money. Words do matter, they can inspire or they can lay the ground work for whats to come by setting expectations. I thought Obama hit the right tone yesterday. This was not the soaring inspirational speech he could have given (and has in the past) but a sober assessment of what lies ahead. When you really read it you can see the message load and clear.
In a shameful plug I'll point you to a different way of experiencing the speech, its worth the time:
http://www.textflows.com/ObamaInaugurationFlow
Compare with the soaring inspiration of his victory speech a short few months back:
http://www.textflows.com/ObamaYesWeCanFlow
reminiscent of King:
http://www.textflows.com/MLKDreamFlow
Tony
but i think its a little "bah humbug" to not grin and enjoy the humungous party for what after all is not just a celebration of the peaceful transfer of power 9as if thats not enough!), its also a truly significant historical watershed event in human history (not just USA history) vis a vis civil rights and diversity and minority rights etc etc etc
bottom line, i think big inaugurations are appropriate no matter what -- look world, this democratic system works! -- and in this particular case, i say, PARTY ON!
I guess I've got a little ebeneezer in me :)
BTW, here's another reason to party hearty:
BHO is not only the first ever African-American President; he is also the first President ever to NOT be of northern European descent.
In fact he is only the second President in history to not be of English or Irish descent (Dwight D. Eisenhower's family immigrated from Germany.)
I still have it to be honest. I want action not words now.
I am writing from DC; I was down at the celebration on Sunday and I have to tell you, you are in the distinct minority. People are not just celebrating the "celebrity" of Obama, they are celebrating the change he represents. And you cannot over-state the historical significance of this as well.
If you think the President can effect change without the support of "the people", then you don't have a clue how the political system works. This celebration is an important part of his accumulation of a vast storehouse of political capital for him to spend on the extremely difficult and important work ahead.
Further, your lip-pursing reaction to the Inauguration simply discounts the extraordinary and amazing process by which power is transferred - peacefully. It is amazing to watch, and should not be taken lightly, especially if you've ever spent any time in the many places around the world where this simply does not happen.
I for one, am extremely excited to see a full 1% of America massing to collectively watch and participate in this amazing event.
Barack is spending $140 million (maybe even more??) and not one peep about this anywhere. The economy is in the crapper, we are trying to cut costs everywhere we can, and they go ahead and spend like this? My take on Barack is that he is a classic narcissist and the fact that they are spending all this money on "his party" doesn't phase him in the least. What a joke.
I'm a believer (to steal from the monkeys) but it still bothers me
That's all. I'm back to celebrating the day.
In many ways, though, I see this is as a celebration for black people in this country, and I want them to have their moment.
My sister is black (adopted) and is very involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha, a national sorority of black women that since their founding in 1908 have built themselves up brick by brick.
Yesterday, she said to me "It's here. It makes me want to cry." I mean, me too, but not like her. It's different. She's experiencing a joy, a catharsis, that comes from being black on this particular day.
That's why this gala is worth every penny in my mind.
It's even more special that it comes a day after we celebrate MLK
The inauguration is like a funeral, it isn't for the person being celebrated, it's for the ones doing the celebrating.
It was great.
I can say that because I didn't see all the stuff leading up to it. Read about it, didn't see it, though.
The pomp is over the top, but on the other hand, if a person is watching it, they're complicit. If we want to actualize the "yes we can" mantra, tough love with ourselves regarding what we consume is part of it. The media stream washes the edges off us, but it's the edges we need. I saw the inauguration, heard Obama's speech, and now I'm turning UStream off. If I watch more of this, it'll take *my* edge off, sort of like too much booze. (I'm happily drunk just knowing that Obama is in and Bush is out!)
PS, re. cynicism: maybe edges (rough ones) are good as cynicism-busters. No edge is slippery - cynicism just oozes with the smooth slippery bits.
PPS: Reading this, I realize it makes me sound like a total Techno-Peasant, heh. Oh well, off to hoe my row now...
While it’s easy for some to parse the pomp and cite cynical tones, I for one, believe that rhetoric matters. It sets the narrative, which provides a lot of the tailwind (or headwind) that drives governance.
We should celebrate this day for what it is: a launch party. The product (or service) still has to deliver the goods but that shouldn’t diminish what this day represents.
And now for something completely different:
The End: A George W. Bush Cartoon
http://thenetworkgarden.com/weblog/2009/01/the-...
God bless America!
Mark
I appreciate your post, though I do have to differ with you from several perspectives. First, I don't think people who are not african-american can really grasp the enormity of this moment (and, no, I am not african-american). This is the first african-american president; this is the end of the Civil War (I believe we are starting a new "Act" in our nation's history); and, african-american people want what all white people have received to date. They want a glorious celebration just like others have received in the past. I think it makes a great deal of sense and is cleansing for our country and our democracy. Such a celebration is cathartic and essential.
In many ways, to not honor this new president in the same way would be to take away from this incredible achievement. I remember when folks were worried that Martin Luther King was some kind of "communist" because he was fighting for civil rights. MLK was no communist. He wanted the "american dream" for ALL americans. I think that is true here... though on a much smaller scale... the election of Obama is a watershed moment in our history. People want to mark that, they want to celebrate that and they want EXACTLY what others have had before (and, that includes good as well as bad presidents). Obama supporters (namely African-Americans) NEED to feel the thrill of this moment, with the same pomp and ceremony and celebration that those who have persecuted african-americans experienced. To not do like-for-like would cheapen the day and make for a difficult transition.
So, I say enjoy. Savor. Party. And, in another day, we will all begin the rebuilding of this great country. We have a lot of work to do, and, much sacrifice.
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/haidt08/haidt08...
As a true-to-self liberal Fred is being cool, cerebral, and hostile towards power and authority, as well as towards the tendency of people to "coalesce temporarily into hives, a process that is thrilling, as anyone who has ever "lost" him or herself in a choir, protest march, or religious ritual can attest"...
The interesting thing about conservatives is that they tend to put value on "respect to power and authority", as Prof Haidth points out. This is just an amazing graph in support of the hypothesis:
http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/fav-obama.php
Notice how, once he became The Chief, Obama won over the rest of the nation. Based just on moral psychology, I bet that in the coming months Obama will be viewed more sceptically by sardonic, left-leaning intellectuals (like Fred) than by the power-worshipping sheep on the Right. Fascinating!
I gave money to him starting in the fall of 2007, gave the max every time I
could, did not vote for him in the primary though I came close, and did vote
for him in the general election. I also wrote a lot of words of support for
him on this blog.
From where I sit, it's time he starts delivering on all of that support in
terms of real actions.
Here's a slower, calmer way to read/hear what Obama said:
http://www.textflows.com/ObamaInaugurationFlow
It runs longer than the speech itself (by half), but you have the time to see all the words and how he put them together.
The speech was very good.
made me sick. I never liked him, never voted for him, never could look at a
picture of him without feeling sick to my stomache, and am happy to see him
go. But he was the president of the US. We gotta respect him for that.
Particularly now that he¹s retired.
Meanwhile, we should all keep in mind that Obama was elected by just barely over 50% of about 65%. He did not win a "mandate" as Bush didn't have a "mandate."
The real job for us in the communication space is to deepen and extend the conversation that started yesterday. Some of our liberal friends are going to be surprised. President Obama is not a liberal, as that word has been understood since WWII. "Conservatives" are going to be surprised. The "values" used by the Bushies to hijack the Republican party are not, and never were conservatives.
Look to American values, Yankee ingenuity and responsibility. As the President said, we are Christians, Moslems, Jews, Hindus and non believers. That sounds about right, but I never heard that said by a President of the United States of America. My take is that the era of bullshit is over. For business, for government, for education.
But if I can follow everything a pol has said through my RSS, it turns out that the easiest thing to do is to tell the truth.
And we all know that no matter what the bullshit is, everyone will do the easiest thing to do.
Obama didn't give a good speech, that is for sure, but I'm not sure it matters when you have folks like Bernie Madoff managing peoples money. Wall Street is corrupt and until it gets fixed our financial economy is going to be in shambles. I defy anyone to name another industry in worse condition. Autos looks pretty by comparison.
everything
On Sunday, there was a free concert attended by 500k people. Sure, there were celebrities there, but the spirit of the event was awesome. Here's my post on what it was like to be there. http://oneslowfamily.com/2009/01/19/a-million-s...
On Monday, there were over 200 service projects around DC heavily promoted by the Inauguration Committee. We participated in two of them. At one event alone, 12,000 volunteers prepared 85,000 care packages for the Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And, of course, the main event was unbelievable with close to two million people sharing the experience. Here's a few pictures of what it was like to be there. http://www.flickr.com/photos/12327371@N03/sets/...