My off-the-top-of-my-head recall on previous inaugurations isn't very deep. I was two years old when John Kennedy in 1960 famously said, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
I probably napped through that speech, but have seen it hundreds of times since.
Then there was 1977 when Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalyn decided to walk the parade route.They talk about that every inauguration
But I doubt there's been anything approaching the feel of this one -- maybe Ronald Reagan in 1980 after the moribund Carter years and the Iran hostages were released. There was a renewed can-do spirit. But that would be the only one.
Other than Rush Limbaugh, who's on record he hopes Obama fails, people of all views and all cultures on both sides of the aisle hopes the new president can deliver. This country badly needs this administration to do just that for the problems are many.
Obama has already delivered in one area. We're breathing the fresh air of hope.
Showing posts with label inauguration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inauguration. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sign of the times
A volunteer was placing several signs on the front doors of the Black Historical Culture Center, which will hold its own inaugural ball tonight.
"Please Be A Courteous Drinker. Smile And Call A Cab. We Want To See You In Four Years At Our Next Celebration."
"Please Be A Courteous Drinker. Smile And Call A Cab. We Want To See You In Four Years At Our Next Celebration."
Getting ready
As the parade began for Barack Obama around 3:30 p.m., preparations were about finished at the Black Historical Culture Center. A ball is scheduled to coincide with the myriad of balls in Washington.
"We set up tables last night, and the finishing touches are going on right now," said Dorothy Ragster. "It will be just fabulous, just wonderful."
Atoie Horton, who became executive director of the center on Jan. 5, said she hopes the event captures the moment.
"It will be a huge celebration of everyone coming together and enjoying this historic time and keep the momentum going," she said.
There will be a screen and live television feed of the Washington balls.
"We set up tables last night, and the finishing touches are going on right now," said Dorothy Ragster. "It will be just fabulous, just wonderful."
Atoie Horton, who became executive director of the center on Jan. 5, said she hopes the event captures the moment.
"It will be a huge celebration of everyone coming together and enjoying this historic time and keep the momentum going," she said.
There will be a screen and live television feed of the Washington balls.
Classroom viewing
Like many schools, Canyon High School had a feed of the Obama swearing-in and acceptance speech through an LCD feed to all classrooms that weren't testing.
"We had a few students wearing Obama T-shirts today," said Canyon principal Tim Gilliland. "It was kind of a big day, a little excitement in the air. People are anxious for a change."
"We had a few students wearing Obama T-shirts today," said Canyon principal Tim Gilliland. "It was kind of a big day, a little excitement in the air. People are anxious for a change."
'Anything is possible'
Tramicah Young, a junior from Sweeney near Houston, is a wide receiver on the West Texas A&M football team. He bounced around like one after the inauguration ended.
"Anything is possible," he said. "Your parents tell you that and as a child you're either hard-headed or don't believe them. But to see an African-American as president, and like he said, 60 years ago he wouldn't even been able to eat in a lot of restaurants in this country is amazing to me."
"Anything is possible," he said. "Your parents tell you that and as a child you're either hard-headed or don't believe them. But to see an African-American as president, and like he said, 60 years ago he wouldn't even been able to eat in a lot of restaurants in this country is amazing to me."
A familar face
The Rev. Joseph Lowery, who gave a rousing benediction, made an an Amarillo appearance last year. He was the keynote speakerat the NAACP Freedom fundraiser banquet.
Lowery, 87, is a Methodist preacher and a former leader in the civil rights movement.
Lowery, 87, is a Methodist preacher and a former leader in the civil rights movement.
To serve, not be served
President Obama continued to assert the importance of service in his acceptance speech. It was a theme he pushed often during the campaign.
"Remeber with humble gratitude our men and women who patrol in far-off lands," he said. "They embody the spirit of service, the willingness to find meaning in something other than themselves. That must inhabit us all."
Micah Baker, an English graduate assistant, found that call of service refreshing.
"When he addresses us as citizens," she said, "that definition includes service, community service, service that is above just going to work. One community project at a time is how he sees us getting this nation stronger."
"Remeber with humble gratitude our men and women who patrol in far-off lands," he said. "They embody the spirit of service, the willingness to find meaning in something other than themselves. That must inhabit us all."
Micah Baker, an English graduate assistant, found that call of service refreshing.
"When he addresses us as citizens," she said, "that definition includes service, community service, service that is above just going to work. One community project at a time is how he sees us getting this nation stronger."
Striking the right chord
Micah Baker, an English graduate assistant, was engaged in President Obama's acceptance speech. She clapped and nodded often.
"He was right on target on a number of things," she said. "More equality, true diplomatic relations and not choosing security over liberty, and his call of service was a highlight. That was a departure from previous administrations."
"He was right on target on a number of things," she said. "More equality, true diplomatic relations and not choosing security over liberty, and his call of service was a highlight. That was a departure from previous administrations."
Loudest applause
Two moments in President Obama's speech generated the most response at the WT Fieldhouse, as much, if not more, than the end of his official swearing-in.
"Our challenges are real, serious and many," he said. "They will not be met easily, but know this, America, they will be met."
That got flags to waving as did Obama's promise to terrorist nations.
"Our spirit is stronger than yours," he said. "We will not be broken. You can not outlast us and we will defeat you."
"Our challenges are real, serious and many," he said. "They will not be met easily, but know this, America, they will be met."
That got flags to waving as did Obama's promise to terrorist nations.
"Our spirit is stronger than yours," he said. "We will not be broken. You can not outlast us and we will defeat you."
Hosting students
More than 300 high school and middle school studedents were at WT as part of a federally funded program, The College Talent Search Program. The program, which started in 1965, is designed for low-income, first-generation college potential students.
They helped make up much of those watching the inauguration at the WT Fieldhouse. They were fed lunch and will be given a tour of campus. Students came from the Palo Duro and Caprock cluster as well as from Hereford, Bovina and Friona.
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They helped make up much of those watching the inauguration at the WT Fieldhouse. They were fed lunch and will be given a tour of campus. Students came from the Palo Duro and Caprock cluster as well as from Hereford, Bovina and Friona.
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Rick Warren
Rick Warren, who provided the invocation, was a subject of some controversy because of his stance against gay-rights marriage. Warren, who wrote the best-selling "A Purpose-Driven Life," is the pastor of Saddleback Church in California.
"We celebrate a hingepoint in history," Warren prayed. "We are so grateful to live in this land of unequalled opportunity where the son of an African-American parent can rise to the highest point of leadership in this country. Dr. King and the angels must be shouting in Heaven."
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"We celebrate a hingepoint in history," Warren prayed. "We are so grateful to live in this land of unequalled opportunity where the son of an African-American parent can rise to the highest point of leadership in this country. Dr. King and the angels must be shouting in Heaven."
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Cable Guy
West Texas A&M basketball coach Rick Cooper had the television cable taken from his office for hookup to view the inauguration on the Fieldhouse floor.
"They took my cable," said Cooper, whose office is upstairs in the Fieldhouse. "I was going to watch the inauguration. Now I have to watch Midwestern."
The Buffs host Midwestern on Thursday. The Mustangs are on a 10-game winning streak. Cooper was watching a recent tape of Midwestern's last game.
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"They took my cable," said Cooper, whose office is upstairs in the Fieldhouse. "I was going to watch the inauguration. Now I have to watch Midwestern."
The Buffs host Midwestern on Thursday. The Mustangs are on a 10-game winning streak. Cooper was watching a recent tape of Midwestern's last game.
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Pizzas anyone?
Small pan pizzas were on sale in the foyer of the WT Fieldhouse around 10:40 a.m. for any hungry high school kid from Amarillo who were selected to attend the inauguration watch party.
Two screens were set up on the basketball floor between a life-sized cutout of Barack Obama. Glare prevented a real sharp picture.
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Two screens were set up on the basketball floor between a life-sized cutout of Barack Obama. Glare prevented a real sharp picture.
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Sportscenter
Not everyone at WT is inflicted with inauguration fever. A group of about six students were rather sleepily watching a second-floor TV and ESPN's morning "Sportscenter." Skip Bayless, who gets tiresome in about 15 seconds, was holding court on the Super Bowl.
Skip Bayless? Today? Please.
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Skip Bayless? Today? Please.
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Conversation starter
At West Texas A&M's Activities Center, a march is expected to commence soon to go to the Fieldhouse to view the inauguration on the big screen. In the meantime, students are milling around, some stopping to watch some of the early coverage on the first-floor television.
Joseph Goss, 33, a full-time student and Rick Martinez, full-time worker and part-time student, stood and silently watched and then weighed in with each other as to what today meant.
"Stuff like this makes me proud to be an American," Goss said "Anyone can be president. Up until now, it's been just white old males, and when I say old, 60 to 70 years old. Now you see this, and it's great."
Martinez, a native of Corpus Christi, may not be able to watch the actual swearing-in since he works in the physical plant, but if not, he'll listen on the radio.
"Hopefully, this day will never be forgotten," he said. "It's something we as Americans need to retain this enthusiasm. Just the knowledge that a minority can run things is huge."
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Joseph Goss, 33, a full-time student and Rick Martinez, full-time worker and part-time student, stood and silently watched and then weighed in with each other as to what today meant.
"Stuff like this makes me proud to be an American," Goss said "Anyone can be president. Up until now, it's been just white old males, and when I say old, 60 to 70 years old. Now you see this, and it's great."
Martinez, a native of Corpus Christi, may not be able to watch the actual swearing-in since he works in the physical plant, but if not, he'll listen on the radio.
"Hopefully, this day will never be forgotten," he said. "It's something we as Americans need to retain this enthusiasm. Just the knowledge that a minority can run things is huge."
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Too busy, but interested
Robert Crowder followed some of the early inauguration coverage, but likely won't see the actually swearing-in of Obama. As owner of Tascosa painting, he has a crew that has to finish up a remodeling job.
"It seems like most of the inaugurations are the same," he said, "but I know this is a whole different deal with a black president. I guess it depends on what side of the fence you're on because obviously for blacks, it's an historic day with the triumph of race."
Crowder, 50, a former pharmacuetical rep, said he's ready to get behind Obama.
"I may not agree with all his policies, but I think we should give the guy a chance, Republican or Democrat," he said. "He ran a good campaign, and and he's reaching across the aisle. It seems like he's moving a little closer to the center than he was based on his voting record in the Senate."
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"It seems like most of the inaugurations are the same," he said, "but I know this is a whole different deal with a black president. I guess it depends on what side of the fence you're on because obviously for blacks, it's an historic day with the triumph of race."
Crowder, 50, a former pharmacuetical rep, said he's ready to get behind Obama.
"I may not agree with all his policies, but I think we should give the guy a chance, Republican or Democrat," he said. "He ran a good campaign, and and he's reaching across the aisle. It seems like he's moving a little closer to the center than he was based on his voting record in the Senate."
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Casual observers
Jack Loring, 77, and Ricky Farris, 55, were eating breakfast before 8 a.m. Tuesday. Some early inaugruation coverage was on the TV several feet away. That might be as close as they get to watching today's festivities.
After all, it is a work day.
"I'm just going to be too busy," said Farris, an insurance adjuster. "I've got to go out of town. I'm not going to watch it."
Loring said he'll like peek in on Barack Obama's ceremonies on occasion.
"I'm not just going to sit down and concentrate on it," he said, "and it's not because of his color. I've never watched any of them."
Will you watch any highlights on the nightly networks?
"How are you going to keep from it?" Loring said.
Nevertheless, they both hope Obama is effective in leading the country and the tough issues that await.
"I hope they're successful, I really do," said Farris, who voted for McCain in the general election. "This is probably the worst economy any president has faced since Roosevelt.
"It is," said Loring, "and I'm old enough to remember the Roosevelt deal."
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After all, it is a work day.
"I'm just going to be too busy," said Farris, an insurance adjuster. "I've got to go out of town. I'm not going to watch it."
Loring said he'll like peek in on Barack Obama's ceremonies on occasion.
"I'm not just going to sit down and concentrate on it," he said, "and it's not because of his color. I've never watched any of them."
Will you watch any highlights on the nightly networks?
"How are you going to keep from it?" Loring said.
Nevertheless, they both hope Obama is effective in leading the country and the tough issues that await.
"I hope they're successful, I really do," said Farris, who voted for McCain in the general election. "This is probably the worst economy any president has faced since Roosevelt.
"It is," said Loring, "and I'm old enough to remember the Roosevelt deal."
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