Opinion Talk

By George P Burdell

January 20, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

They should have used a teleprompter for the oath of office. As short as it is, B Obama flubbed it in two places. The speech writer for the inaugural did a good job though.

By ND

January 20, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this

The man’s going to be president for the next four years, maybe eight… maybe it’s time the AJC started learning how to spell his name right?

By Nicole

January 20, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this

“…and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath”

By J. Boyd

January 20, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this

“And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.”

By krich

January 20, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

Mr Burdell the Chief Justice messed the oath up. President Obama knew it that is why he laughed.

By gttim

January 20, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this

Yeah, it was Justice Roberts that botched the oath. Not surprising, he has been trying to trash it since being appointed.

By Big Hib

January 20, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

I liked this part of his speech because it is putting the focus on America and it’s citizens and not individuals.

By Night Train

January 20, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this

Mere words! Let’s wait and see what his actions are. Talk is cheap.

By Joe

January 20, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

George, President Obama wrote the speech. Credit where credit is due.

By ODHummel

January 20, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true…This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

By Tori

January 20, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this

This speaks volumes…

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

By Scott Lange

January 20, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this

“We will restore science to its rightful place…”

By Proud

January 20, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this

George, if you were paying attention, they stated after all was said and done, Obama did not “flubb up” as you put it. The guy reciting it to him screwed up. If you were watching CNN, they spoke about it. Oh and Obama wrote his own speech. :-)

By Josh

January 20, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this

Now it’s time to see if his actions speak louder than his words.

By reebok

January 20, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this

I think Obama was laughing because he knew the oath of office and the Chief Justice didn’t. I also think (based on what I’ve read) that Obama wrote his own speech.

By Incredulous

January 20, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

Joey Lowery’s insult of white people was the most memorable line of the event. BTW, the Dow is down 244. Why? I thought things would be better with change. (Forgot to ask which direction.)

By Lester Maddox

January 20, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

I think what will be remembered is how B. Hussien Obama ran down George Bush.

By Lester Maddox

January 20, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

Nothing memorable about the speech…maybe in four years someone else can write it for him.

What the hell was that poem about at the end?

By Ron

January 20, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

Not to be “nit-picky” but I believe Obama meant 40 something years ago re: father not able to eat in any restaurant. l960s rather than 60 years ago. Speech as a whole was good.

By Ron Mexico

January 20, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

Obama has been set so high upon a cloud by the media, anything less than walking on water will be a disappointment. Build them up to tear them down. Best of luck to Obama, hes got his work cut out for him. The greatest insult goes to the race-baiting Jospeh Lowery. This man is exactly why the black race cannot move on and get the past out of their way. “Leaders” (use lightly) like Lowery are stuck in the 60’s and still think the white man is hoseing down the black man with a fire hose. Go ahead, cheer, cry, hold Obama up high, but the cold reality of this world will soon greet you.

By DJ

January 20, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

Shows what you know George P Burdell. Obama didn’t flub. It was the chief justice who was incorrect in his oath for Obama to repeat. Bet you voted for McCain. Just looking for anything to say.

By Justine

January 20, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works

By DJ

January 20, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this

Ron, it’s funny how you try to be nit-picky, but if Obama’s father wasn’t able to eat in a restaurant 40 years ago, wouldn’t that also be correct for 60 years ago as well (Even more so than 40 years ago)? At least 40 years ago, there were some type of recognized changes.

By GW

January 20, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world … that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it).”

Credit indeed.

By Keith

January 20, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

Congrats to the first bi-racial president. To the morons out there who think he is “black,” think again. If he is half white, which is a fact, how can he be the first “black” president?

By Opus X

January 20, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

The best line of the day is when Rev. Lowery disparaged the white devils. It is about time white embraced right. Can I get an amen?

By RealityKing

January 20, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

The one so obviously aimed at progressives..

”..hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.”

By Earl

January 20, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this

Did they have to toss in the ghetto poem at the end. Classy.

By Monica

January 20, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this

“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.”

By Opus X

January 20, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this

Ahhh, censorship. Isn’t it great to have both the pen and the eraser?

By smith

January 20, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this

I didn’t watch it. It’s a sad sad day for America. Stupid is as Stupid does.

By Ken

January 20, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this

I see they had a “hip hip” ball. Unreal. Gotta love those thugs. Can’t wait to see how bad he screws up America. We know how great black leadership is.

By Sheryl

January 20, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this

His speech was great.

Lowry tried to ruin it with his dig on the white man.

By RealityKing

January 20, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this

It seemed like the whole speech was aimed at awakening liberals from their selfish laziness and mindless dissent…

By charles

January 20, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this

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

By Earl

January 20, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this

So, now some people can finally be proud of their country. Interesting. Will this translate to a reduction in crime in some areas? Don’t hold your breath.

By Peter

January 20, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this

Gotta love the intelligence on this Blog…….. mostly from the Uneducated Right…….. those two words really do go together !

By Sheryl

January 20, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this

…”For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled 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 plowed 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.

This is the journey we continue today.”

Best because it spans the efforts of ALL of the Americans that have come before us. ALL of them.

By Rusty

January 20, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this

Rev. Lowery,Sir you are an embarressment to this great State.You just had to get in the little dig didn’t you? You have managed to kill a great legacy for yourself in a matter of seconds. Martin would’ve been so proud.

By KJ Sampson

January 20, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this

Keith, realize this is a nation that once considered, by law, that any person with as much as 1/4 of their immediate ancestry being non-white to be be non-white themselves and thus relegated to 2nd-class citizenship. Indeed, many an American slave in the South was biracial. Didn’t change their legal status in society.

So while you’re technically correct in stating that President Obama is biracial, remember that the term “biracial” is a relatively new concept in American racial politics. And, frankly, when we first see most biracial people of African descent, we usually think they’re just plain Black folk.

By The Truth

January 20, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this

It truly was an inspiring afternoon of change and I do hope that all constituencies give this man a chance to see what he can do. He is truly in a Catch 22 and he knows it in some regards. But I agree that Joe Lowery ruined it for me at the end. He just could not pass on the opportunity to run his mouth and slap racism in there. Truly, sir, you are a real disgrace….

By RealityKing

January 20, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this

DOW -332.13 -4.01% 7,949.09

There is certainly no doubt about what Wall Street and the American investor think of Obama and his merry band of liberals..

By RJones

January 20, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this

I thought the best line was ” Whoop, there it is “!

By Speech Write

January 20, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this

44 Americans did not take the oath of office. Seconds into his presidency he does not know what he is talking about. Embarrasing.

By Linda Chastain

January 20, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this

Nothing special about the speech. Joseph Lowery should be ashamed of himself. He is a disgrace.

Obama followers will soon learn that the President cannot and will not do all things he promised. President Bush had more things to deal with in the last 4 years than any President ever and I think he did a great job under the circumstance.

By B

January 20, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

I agree about Lowry—what a joke. The speech was what I expected. Several references to race, yet whites get blamed for keeping the race issue alive. What a load.

By senoiadawgs

January 20, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this

Such a great spectical today. This is truly the United States were all races can come together. So sad that one black man, Joseph Lowery who is suppose to be a man of god appeared to be the most racist person in Washington, DC and totally disgraced this day and it’s meaning to the black community and the United States of America.

By gsual

January 20, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this

“Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”

By Concerned oldtimer

January 20, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this

Speech was weak I think. But I do remember his line during the campaigne…”Words, Just Words” I will look forward to see what he actually does and how much it will cost me.

By Realist

January 20, 2009 5:52 PM | Link to this

ITS NOT SURPRISING THE NUMBER OF RACIST WINGNUTS THAT ARE SO BESIDE THEMSELVES OVER THIS DAY..LOL..HOPEFULLY THEY ALL CLUTCH THEIR LEFT ARMS LATER ON AND JUST GET IT OVER WITH…JUST BE GONE. REV. LOWERY WAS GREAT, THE ENTIRE CEREMONY WAS GREAT. PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA SPOKE TRUTH TO POWER AND ALL OF THOSE STILL GRINDING THEIR TEETH THAT HE IS THE PRESIDENT CAN KICK ROCKS.

By J

January 20, 2009 5:52 PM | Link to this

Get over yourselves! Embrace change. If you don’t, it will consume you. The others have had several opportunities, now its time for someone different. Obama taught you how to run a campaign. Now, he’ll show you how to run a country. And your right, he’ll come out looking like star compared to George W.

By Peter Tosh Fan

January 20, 2009 5:56 PM | Link to this

Just read in the NYT online that Obama listened to Bob Marley and Peter Tosh in college in NY. So , I go for the Tosh line..”You goota pick yourself up and dust yourself off…” …..

We got one cool prez and CNN is off the mark saying his speech was not a stunner. It was.

By cynthia

January 20, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this

George George George! Mr. Obama did not flub the oath; the esteemed Chief Justice did. Mr. Obama immediately knew it was wrong; that is why he stopped and gave the Chief Justice a slight head nod as a prompt. And by the way, Mr. Obama wrote his own speech.

By southfulton

January 20, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this

Just so you know, Rev. Lowrey did what he was supposed to do. He was speaking as a social activist. As a white female from the south, I understood completely what he was saying. Please put this in historical context.

By KT

January 20, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

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.

By beki

January 20, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

Great speech, with analogies, alliterations, and parallel constructions. He knows how to construct sentences and string them with bravura statements to ” our better nature.” Yet, the next 100 days will determine how well he may achieve his goals; and, I will be anxious for him to succeed while Republicans hope - and pray- that he may fail so they can retrieve the White House and power.

By John

January 20, 2009 6:13 PM | Link to this

Get your facts right. The Cheif Justice flubbed the lines and President Obama wrote his own speech.

By Bi-racial

January 20, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this

I wonder which side of Obama is going to screw up his black side or his “George Bush” related white side??

By Honest Lee

January 20, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this

A brilliant speech, though it lacked a short, memorable line for people to recall, like Kennedy’s “ask not…” line. Too bad.

For all you haters blaming today’s stock market dip on Obama’s inauguration, I’m certain you don’t blame Bush for the 4000 point drop in the Dow that occured on Bush’s watch. Hypocrites,

By dave

January 20, 2009 6:43 PM | Link to this

“As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.” The abandonment of constitutional ideals and laws in exchange for a false sense of security has weakened this nation. Ignoring the Constitution, breaking laws and redefining others in order to save the country is like disobeying the teachings of the bible in order to bring people to Christ. Chief Petty Officer, Retired

By wpmalone

January 20, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this

I agree wth Keith. Our new President is Black and White. How in the hell can he be our First Black President. I did not vote for him but I beleive he will do well. BUT I am so tired of this Black thing. He is Bi-racial.

And did anyone notice how the supporters that did go to Washington, sat on the monuments and statues, like a bunch of ignorant stupids with no morals or standards. It was really disgusting. I really hope that other countries don’t think that we just let the village idiots out of thier cages.

By Steve

January 20, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this

Absolutely divisive and racist comments. Completely inappropriate.

White America has been Embracing “What’s Right” for 40 years …

Ok, we get it … .

By sigh

January 20, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this

I suspect if you look at just about ANY mass congregation of people at an historic event (and yes, people, it’s HISTORIC, not HISTORICAL - check a usage dictionary, ferchrissake) you’d find people sitting on WHATEVER they could find to see better, and since most major European cities are COVERED in monuments and statues, that means that they are used to it.

Frankly, anyone who would use “stupids” as a noun is far more of a disgrace to the US educational system than excited people trying to get a better view.

By Not an Atlanta Transplant

January 21, 2009 1:52 AM | Link to this

Hey Rev. Lowery isn’t it time you stop using that same worn out prayer you been using since Rev. Orange was alive?

By JP

January 21, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this

Reverend Lowery is one of the last a civil rights legends alive. Nothing that man says can be considered racist by white America because he was attacked by dogs and water hoses by your grandparents and their peers. Im sick of white america claiming that they are offended by comments that cleary are not racist in any way possible. And whoever said that white people elected Obama is wrong. All people of every race share his victory equally. Also the only homogenous voter group were the white republicans or democrats who voted for McCain. Of course the democratic white vote helped win the general election but most of these same voters were afraid to vote for Obama in the primary election because he is black. The civil rights issues that Rev Lowery spoke about at the end of his benediction are still important now. Just because we have a black president doesn’t mean everyone white person in america is “embracing what is right.” Look at the Oakland, NY, and NO police shootings of young black men by white officers.

By Rusty

January 21, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

Sorry, but ole’ Lowery had to beat the race drum because that’s his purpose in life. Much like Jackson, Sharpton,the King kids and the rest of them.It’s their livelyhood. White America is the majority of the population and to say that we didn’t play a more significant role than other demographics is simply not true. Whitey guilt died on Nov. 4 2008. Free at last,free at last, thank God almighty, we’re free at last!!!

By Captain

January 21, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

Rev Lowery’s ending line was shameful, and I suspect embarassing to Pres Obama. Rev Lowery was given the opportunity to participate in one of THE most historic moments in the history of The United States of America. Yet, he could not resist a “cheap” shot at all of those of us who are white. We too were part of the moment, part of history, AND WITHOUT US THERE WOULD BE NO OBAMA PRESIDENCY. I have no idea if Rev Lowery is filled with such rage and anger that he could not control himself, I have no idea if he now regrets his unseemly comment, but he certainly should. There is a time and place, this was neither. Rev Lowery owes an apology to Pres Obama and the nation for taking such a august moment in history to attempt to ‘stick it to whitey’.

By Captain

January 21, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this

JP You are wrong, dead wrong. Your attitude was exemplified by Rev Lowery’s comments, and it is time to move past that. Your resentment needs to be shed, left behind. White voters who did not vote for Obama are no more racist than black voters who voted for Obama simply because he is black. As for your contention that young black men are being shot by white officers, has it come to your attention that young black men are shooting young black men and women? Has it come to your attention that young black men are killing each other at alarming rates? Has it come to your attention that young black men are committing crimes such as robbery, burglary, rape, murder at alarmingly high rates? If you would like to be upset about shootings, I suggest you should begin within the black neighborhoods where black on black crime continues to escalate. I have to wonder, these young black men shot by white officers, is it possible they put themselves into situations that resulted in them being shot? Or, did those officers simply shoot innocent men who were minding their own business?

If not for white voters, Barack Obama would still be a STATE Senator in Illinois. JP, you need to lift yourself from your angry attitude and judge people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. We all need to do that, including Rev Lowery, who as a minister should pray for those of us he chose to condemn unfairly.

By RealityKing

January 21, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this

Sorry Captain, but Obama was clearly nodding in agreement during Rev Lowery’s shamelessness..