The original photograph this collage is based on was taken on Jan. 20, 2009 by Washington Post photographer Jonathan Newton. The individual "pixels" of the collage of Barack
Obama's oath of office comprised of thousands of photos taken by people who attended the Inauguration as well as The Associated Press and Washington Post staff photographers.
The Lincoln Bible. How fitting is this?
Kids humble and amuse us.
What we can't underestimate is the splash
Obama's presidency has made around the world. This photo is in Peru. I would encourage folks to look at photos and articles from various countries and all continents, and then ask the question: why is bringing in this new president such a popular thing, within the US and without? Here's a link to newspapers around the world: www.refdesk.com/paper.html
While it remains very hard for me to not to be cynical or skeptical of anything coming out of Washington or in politics in general, the magnitude of yesterday exceeded my doubts. I do reiterate, though, that we Americans can only change if we change ourselves first. The notion that our problems are socialism, terrorists, Bush, higher taxes or the devil will not help us. They might give us something onto which we can project our own frustrations and shortcomings, but obsessively focusing on the "outer" want change the "inner." We all have worked to do. Yesterday, when there was a "slip up" during the "swearing in," it reminded me that no matter how much preparation we make or how much perfection we aspire to, nothing is perfect and laughing at our gaffes is good. What's really funny is that, in the early afternoon, when I was trying to get into my car, I slipped on a patch of ice in the parking lot and fell. Embarrassed at first, I then just laughed. I'm still laughing!
The original photograph this collage is based on was taken on Jan. 20, 2009 by Washington Post photographer Jonathan Newton. The individual "pixels" of the collage of Barack Obama's oath of office comprised of thousands of photos taken by people who attended the Inauguration as well as The Associated Press and Washington Post staff photographers.
The Lincoln Bible. How fitting is this?
Kids humble and amuse us. 
What we can't underestimate is the splash Obama's presidency has made around the world. This photo is in Peru. I would encourage folks to look at photos and articles from various countries and all continents, and then ask the question: why is bringing in this new president such a popular thing, within the US and without? Here's a link to newspapers around the world: www.refdesk.com/paper.html
While it remains very hard for me to not to be cynical or skeptical of anything coming out of Washington or in politics in general, the magnitude of yesterday exceeded my doubts. I do reiterate, though, that we Americans can only change if we change ourselves first. The notion that our problems are socialism, terrorists, Bush, higher taxes or the devil will not help us. They might give us something onto which we can project our own frustrations and shortcomings, but obsessively focusing on the "outer" want change the "inner." We all have worked to do. Yesterday, when there was a "slip up" during the "swearing in," it reminded me that no matter how much preparation we make or how much perfection we aspire to, nothing is perfect and laughing at our gaffes is good. What's really funny is that, in the early afternoon, when I was trying to get into my car, I slipped on a patch of ice in the parking lot and fell. Embarrassed at first, I then just laughed. I'm still laughing!
7 comments:
It's a move in the right direction.
Jon
great write up.
The first dance was great, Beyonce singing "At last".
taanks. well, as someone said, "if you can't fly, run. if you can run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. But, at least do something.
CAN"T
America's reputation is very damaged right now
i believe it's due to the wars we're involved in. that, an the kyoto protocols. keep in mind that historically it's not Repub presidents that simply plan and execute battles. Dems do this too. i am for protecting ourselves and our interests, but through using intelligence first.
Oh Allen, the falling down trying to get in the car....I can so identify:) Funny story! Glad you could just LAUGH.
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