Whatever your politics or nationality and wherever you are and what you’re thinking and feeling, I think we can all agree that this is a big day for America.
The swearing in:
The speech:
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A peaceful transfer of power doesn’t happen everywhere in the world. We take it for granted sometimes, but it’s actually really, really cool.
And it snowed today in the southeast!
I teared up a little bit when they announced him and he came out of the White House.
Yay for the USA!
Not only this nation, but the world celebrates today!
That a nation can hear these words spoken and believe them so completely is a sign that the spirit of a nation is not something that can be defeated by difficult times. It is a sign that there is no substance greater than hope, that the difference between triumph and tragedy is more a matter of character than circumstance, that the will to greatness will not suffer defeat.
I envy any nation which takes those words to heart, which turns those words into opportunities and siezes those opportunities to build a future in which those words are accepted as a fact which no longer requires belief.
When I saw him speak, I couldn’t stop crying, my knees went weak and I held my bible next to my heart. He really is the blessed one who will save the world.
Yea America! I’m proud of us. Sure, it took our personal security being threatened, but we finally woke up. I was worried that we never would.
Kiersten, I teared up also – when he was sworn in, and started his speech. I was so moved.
We have a new President!
This brings to mind a line from another Presidential transition a few decades ago…”Our long national nightmare is over.”
Speaking for me only.
A HUGE day. And the sentiments that are poured out everywhere just shows we’re still a nation with hope, who hasn’t gone completely cynical.
I like happiness and tears at the same time. I feel so good all over today.
I was in tears during his speech. It’s a marvelous day to be an American.
For the first time in eight years, I was proud to be an American. What a classy president we now have.
I’m echoing Kiersten.
Yay for the USA!
I blogged about how today’s inauguration knocked a huge hole in the barrier between races.
For that reason alone, it really is a great day.
Thanks, Nathan! I was watching the Associated Press feed on the ‘Net and the thing decided to go looking for its server just as Mr. O was taking the oath. Erg…..
Awesomesauce.
Proud for so many things that have to do with this man. Not the least of which is his approaching the task with what appears to be a full and sober understanding of what it will take to pull this nation up again. And I pledge to help in any way that I can.
Personal responsibility. Dig it.
outini n. 1. the alcoholic drink that finally makes you pass out; usually the last of the night.
Amazing, amazing day. I feel blessed this happened in my lifetime.
He has a very tough road ahead of him, but I am optimistic that he will do well. I’ve always been proud to be an American, and now I’m proud to be proud of our President again. Or something like that.
There was so much talk during the campaign about his supposed lack of accomplishments, but here’s one marvelous thing he did (and I think I have the audience’s support on the difficulty rating for this task):
He wrote a book and succeeded in selling it to a publisher.
I bet he also wrote an awesome query letter and landed a great agent.
Honestly bawled like a baby. YES WE CAN!!!
Also loved his smile (you know that beautiful smile he has) when the gentleman swearing him in stumbled a bit. I grinned like a fool as he smiled. Does anyone else know the moment I’m referring too?
I’m so proud of our country.
Here in Indonesia people stayed up until early hours of the morning to watch. “Barry” they call him here — half the people in Jakarta claim they knew him when he was a boy living there.
I love that he fluffed his lines when he was being sworn in, even though he just had to copy what the dude was saying. Too cute, Barry.
Anyway, yes, it’s a great day. Congrats to all you lot over there.
I enjoyed watching the inauguration this morning. I even teared up a little. I am so proud of our country and to be an American.
I actually took photos of my TV to capture the moment. My brother was in DC – he texted me the details from his spot under a Jumbotron. It’s a fine day in America. May we all have a year full of hope and peace.
And a good friend just sold her manuscript to a major house!
KIM
I hate my wordver: Sadream. No, no more sad dreams.
What a day. Wow. So happy.
And hey, Nathan, thank you for your kind comment on my blog regarding the Cybils short list. Much appreciated.
I think I’m touring in San Francisco again this spring. Will let you know when/where.
LM
He actually didn’t mess up his lines when he was being sworn in. Justice Roberts got the wording of the oath wrong, which is why Obama was smiling and waiting for him to fix it. Nice guy.
FYI, All, the New York Times Online has uploaded “Recollections of Obama’s Ex-Roommate.” The ex is Phil Boern, who shared rather deplorable-sounding quarters with Mr. O when they were students at Columbia U in New York.
Boern in the story predicts Mr. O will be “a great president because of his intelligence and even more because of his good heart.”
I think most of us agree? 🙂
Adaora A.,
Yes, I know what you’re talking about–that moment when the Chief Justice messed up!
Mr. O is such a sweetie. Oh, how I hope The System doesn’t change him!
My second grader came home from school, and before she even asked for a cookie, she said, “I was part of history today, Mama.” The whole school watched the oath on TV. Very cool.
It was an amazing day and I was lucky enough to be on the Mall! Far, far back but it was still an incredible atmosphere!
An amazing day. Even for us writers, there are no words to describe the way it felt. Gobama. Go us. Huzzah!
We (the World) Can- What a great moment in our history- Thanks Nathan for this post-
Kit Grady
I’ve been blubbering and smiling all day long at the touching moments and speeches. We as writers, can see this as testament to the power of words. I wish our new President all the best.
I’m happy to see an african-american in the white house, but his policies scare the hell out of me.
I feel like he’s used race to pull the wool over the eyes of millions of people.
I agree Nathan. The election is our chance to state our politics. Now, win or lose, it is time to get behind the President and make things happen.
Many Canadians watched the Obama inauguration ceremony as well – he’s well thought of in Canada. There’s finally a statesman in the White House again! He brings hope to us all. Some people are born leaders – I’d say he’s definitely one of them. It’s a great day for the USA.
It’s less a great day for Obama, who has yet to do anything, than it is for those who sacrificed to make it possible for him to get where he is.
The three young men buried in the dam; the lady who sat in the front of the bus; the girl who faced the baying hounds to go to college; and on and on. It’s their day!
I’m not very political, but I feel good about today and ready to move on to another chapter in history.
Scott said it best: “Awesomesauce”
Things I did to avoid the inauguration:
Watched Dr. G reruns
Changed the channel a lot
Sneezed (Darn Cold)
I just wonder how loud the audible thud of realism will be.
AND AFTER WINTER COMES SPRING FOR THIS LITTLE WEED IN THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY… i.e. Idealistic fiction has been casting charismatic black men and women as presidents of the US for more than a decade. It’s about time reality caught up. But I look at him and don’t see either black or white – just smart, strong, caring and about as patriotic as it’s possible to get without actually being assasinated for it. … so here’s hoping that the era of murderous idiots has similarly passed in the US, or else the USA will fall so heavily from grace, and lose so much international face that it surely would never recover – not in my lifetime or even that of my children… but back to positive news; after every winter comes a spring, and my own 3 year winter was broken this morning in the form of a very keen acceptance of my own idealistic SF thriller with Harper Collins!! Yayy!!… Anyone happen to know know any fortitudinous agents who might be interested in representing me? (wink wink)… just kidding, Nathan. I know u only focus on works that appeal to your specific tastes… but here’s hoping spring follows swiftly for all of us here! 🙂
We’ve come a long way, baby!
I think that, no matter what our political opinions are, we can all cheer for our country today.
Just in case you’re interested, you might enjoy my blog post from yesterday. It’s a reminiscence for MLKJ day of how far we’ve come. I grew up in SC, and things were not very smooth along the pathway to desegregation.
I was in my car during much of the inauguration and gave up wiping the tears off my face. I wasn’t sobbing, just rivers of tears down my cheeks. At one red light I happened to look over at the driver next to me and saw he was in the same condition. We both just beamed at each other and flashed a thumbs up.
Wow.
I am a proud Canadian and today was so incredibly happy and proud for my American friends. My children came home from school and excitedly told me that today history was being made and they’d all sat in the gym and watched the new president as he took his oath.
Incredible.
And of course, the poem.
Which was simple and strong writing. A highlight.
I watched this along with a whole group that included other people from my university and people outside of the university community. It is one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had, and I’m glad that I had it with a group; I would not have had the same experience if I had seen it by myself.
ManiacScribbler =^..^=
President Obama is an author, a writer, one of us. He knows the power of words. But words like, “freedom” “justice” “courage”and “democracy” only have meaning if they are accompanied by action.
We can cry and hug each other and feel relief that our country will be back on track, but the challenge I heard today was to claim these words, take individual responsibility, and do more.
Tomorrow cannot just be another day as usual. When our colleague asks us to spread hope and make change we must ask ourselves, “How can I help?”
I promise to use my skills to bring change; I am hoping each of you will too. Perhaps together our words and stories can be part of a new collective Anthology of HOPE.
We can make a difference. Yes we can.
Yes, we DID! =)
We are a nation composed and held together by the most dangerous things in the world — ideas. The foundation of the United States is an idea of democracy, that men can get together and solve their problems with words and most of all, ideas.
Words are the second most dangerous things. This is why free speech is enshrined in the first amendment and the Declaration of independence speaks of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Happiness is an idea completed, words made true.
The most dangerous of all things – ideas.
Our country’s come a long way since the day I watched Walter Cronkite announce Dr. King had been murdered. But we still have a long way to go. As President Obama said today, the challenges we face are real. And they won’t disappear overnight. One step at a time, folks, one step at a time and we’ll all make the journey together.
Pride in being an American should not be attached to one man or one party.
The idol-worship of this man is worrisome to me. If he is a good man, as it seems he is, then perhaps the unadulterated adulation he receives from many won’t go to his head too much.
Obama exhorts action by oneself to promote development, yet too many, I fear, want him to do something for them instead of working together. We are a country of takers, not givers – Obama has spoken frequently of trying to get us back to a state of volunteerism and community, but I don’t think people really get that.
May his years be fruitful and peaceful.
I’m proud that “anything” can happen in the United States of America. It gives me hope!
I stayed up to watch his speech. In Malaysia, this was at 1 a.m.
And Obama didn’t disappoint.
I’m not an American, but I feel the hope and the promise.
*whoosh*
Thats the Sound of a few billion people’s collective sighs of relief around the world.
Heres to Change
David F. I love your comment about how our country is founded on “ideas”–dangerous indeed.
Our country is a great one; our peaceable process works. I’m proud that we have an African-American president.
The bandwagon jumping frightens me though, as it seems to frighten President Obama. As easy as it is to jump on, shed tears of joy, and swell with pride, it’s just as easy to jump off in a month or two–or six–when we discover that President Obama cannot, in fact, “save” us.
What I heard from him yesterday was not bandwagon jumping but an insistent resolve. That’s the foundation of our nation, and it’s what he wants and expects from us. Determination. Work. Purpose.
God bless America.
I have his autographed photo in my living room and when I look at it I can’t stop from getting all teary eyed and weak. I get that warm fuzzy feeling inside when I see him speak. He’s Abe Lincoln and George Washington and FDR, and he’s exceedingly and lovingly going to save our wonderful country. And luckily for us all he has come just in time.
Harray for our country, our people and our government. Let us come together to improve ourselves and our presence in the world. We have a long way to go, but we’re in it for the long haul.
Very big day! It was a great, energizing moment for all of us, I think.
In all of your celebration, don’t forget that half the country didn’t vote for him. It is harder to graciously win than lose sometimes and at work it’s more of a “We beat you” attitude.
Have your day, we’ll have ours next, and so on.
I’m tired of people either rubbing it in or trying to indicate that he is somehow more than human in his attributes. I’m more than sick of seeing the media cowtow to him in every way possible. If it’s a Republican, they will dampen even the inauguration. In fact they were decrying George Bush’s second inauguration for being $40 million but not a peep for $150-170 million here.
“He’s Abe Lincoln and George Washington and FDR”
Someone is setting themselves up for a big disappointment if they really think about this statement.
Out of curiosity, would everyone here be weapy eyed and teary if a Republican were the first black President?
Just wondering if the thrill goes up your legs regardless of party or if it’s just because he is a Democrat black President.
The Last Witness-
I can’t speak for everyone, but a lot of people I know are more excited about the person than the skin color and party affiliation.
Anon,
you speak of the cost of his inauguration being about $150-170 millions. you failed to mention the cost of American lives and the war that the last president started.
and for all the people want to claim that this election was about race, sorry but I don’t think so. It’s about a man who has motivated so many Americans. I haven’t felt motivated by a President in my entire life. It’s okay to like your president, I know we’re not use to that.
I went the three Obama parties last night. Everyone was so excited it was both uplifting and emotional. At one friend’s house, their three adorable little children sang the Obama song that became so famous on Youtube. We all cried and hugged.
They reminded me of Jack and Jackie Kennedy. Michelle has such sylte and grace, and they danced together so romantically. I recorded the festivities and I’m watching them again tonight.
I think it’s interesting how President Obama’s blackness is being viewed now by some as a trump card, when at the beginning of his campaign it was never considered as anything but an obstacle. Cynicism is so powerful, it can shapeshift with the best of them.
Also, many people I know who didn’t vote for him are now firmly behind him and think very highly of him. For those who are still seeing this as a two-party pissing contest––and I speak to both parties here––I encourage you to open your mind a bit.
I agree with our host. I really couldn’t care less what he looks like. It’s just the feeling that you finally have a president who represents and is engaged with everyone. It doesn’t hurt that he actually is a good speaker too. I have realistically high hopes.
One more thing: everyone is wanting to “now come together and get things done”.
Uh, where have you been the past eight years? Were any of you attacking President Bush? A few quotes from this very post:
“Our long national nightmare is over.”
“For the first time in eight years, I was proud to be an American. What a classy president we now have.”
etc., etc., etc.
So I ask you, by what authority do you ask anyone to work with President Obama?
Also, all of the posts comparing him to the Messiah, of all things are a bit…overzealous, don’t you think?
Nathan, thanks for allowing polite dissent.
I’ve never been more proud of my country than I was yesterday. I’ve always been proud of it, but more yesterday. President Obama will bring change and hope and prosperity. It’s the change we can all believe in. We’re already talking about naming a street after him in my town, and maybe even a school.
Why stop there? Just rename a couple of states… 🙂
Can what? I’d really like to know the specifics.
Obama won the election fairly and hope he can do great things for the country.
Of course, if you had elected Moose you would get a turducken in every pot and an electric car in every garage.
And he’s a writer! A damn fine one.
God Bless America.
-From a Canadian
Guess I’m late to the blog, but I wanted to add my two cents. I can’t believe I’ve witnessed such a miracle in my lifetime. All my deepest prayers have been answered with President Obama. I’m hoping they change the rules while he’s still in office so he can run for a third term.
I can’t speak for everyone, but a lot of people I know are more excited about the person than the skin color and party affiliation.
I can’t speak for everyone, either, but personally I’m excited because we have a couple of good-looking men in the White House for a change. Could be the reason for my sudden interest in politics. ; )
The Last Witness said…
Why stop there? Just rename a couple of states… 🙂
🙂
I'm coming very late to this thread, but I just found it.
Here it is almost another election day, and I am still so glad America made the choice they did in '08.
Yes we can, always.