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Obama sets the tone in his inaugral speech
Published on January 22, 2009 By Bahu Virupaksha In Current Events

Like the rest of the world, I too sat up late watching a moment when History is made right before our eyes: The installation of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the USA. The crowds that swept into Washington DC to watch the first African-American take the "sacred oath" as Obama put it, was unprecedented. The music that was strummed up for the occasion was a blend of blues, country, jazz and rock: a mixture that will appeal to all ages.

First of all, Obama slipped in taking the oath. He must have rehersed it before taking the oath, and the Chief Justice had to administer it again in the White House. Apart from that "foul up" the oath taaking went off perfectly.

The speech itself was a bit of diaappointment: the rhetorical flourish that we have come to expect from Obama was not there. But the substance of his policy was laid out in good measure. Rightly he said that the time for hard decisions has come: the recession has hit the middle classes very badly and the 800 billion $ bail out package will certainly bring some cheer. I feel the Obama will adhere the Keynesian macro-economic policies by which huge government projects will be launched to create assets and employment, and therefore the fiscal deficit will increase leading to a degree of inflation. But the economy will, hopefully, pull through.

Obama struck the right chord by referring to the long road the American society has taken since Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech. His election has certainly brought a sea change in the attitude of many who were hostile to US and its international behavior. Obama has not only a broken economy to deal with, but also a very difficult international situation. Israel and Palestine issue, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan are all pressing problems and the world is watching to see his moves. I think he will ensure that the free hand given to Israel in dealing with the Palestenians will be reined in: USA will play a more pro-active role in the peace process and the Annapolis process may be kickstarted again. On Iran, I think Obam will be much more realistic and will not ingulge in the axix of evil rhetoric that spoined the party for Bush. The closing down of Git Bay Prison has started with the excecutive order haltin the trials.

On education Obama will be a real innovator. He has rightly stated that real change can be brought about only through quality education and I have a feeling that the hall mark of this presidency will be education and health insurace.

The American people have shown courage and maturity in electing Obama. Now he must live up to the Great Expectations he has raised all over the world.


Comments
on Jan 22, 2009

On education Obama will be a real innovator. He has rightly stated that real change can be brought about only through quality education and I have a feeling that the hall mark of this presidency will be education and health insurace.

You mean on government indoctrination.  It seems even people overseas have fell for this "change" nonsense.

 

on Jan 22, 2009

I have this crazy feeling that Obama will be just another politician and will probably not do most of the stuff he promised. I have yet to confirm this but I heard rumors that Obama plans on sending more troops to Afghanistan. That doesn't sound like bringing our troops back home to me, but like I said, it's just a rumor for now.

on Jan 22, 2009

Charles,

   He has actually talked about doing this for a long time. He has argued that we need an orderly withdrawl in Iraq to focus on the people whop actually attacked us (Bin Laden). I would expect to see a shifting of some combat forces over to Afganistan, but not as many as are currently in Iraq. I agree with this idea, as it will shift our attention to the true source of the terrorist movement.  Thanks.

on Jan 22, 2009

the 800 billion $ bail out package will certainly bring some cheer.

Sure if your a company like Citi bank that got $25 billion (twice) since September and are now worth only $19 billion. That's a better disappearing act than David Copperfield could ever perform! So who's the next target to waste money on? It isn't the people who though Obama was going to pay off their mortgage or student loans that will be cheering. Goes to show you people will vote for anything if they think they will personally get something out of it.

His election has certainly brought a sea change in the attitude of many who were hostile to US and its international behavior.

I agree the enemies of the US are surely be at ease now. Iran an N. Korea, these were the only nations "hostile" to the US, Sure people in other countries may have not liked US policy, but did it impact their lives? Did they stop trading with the US? Did they cut diplomatic ties? NO, unless you're Iran or North Korea. Maybe they were just a bit envious the US had the balls to do what it said it would do in the first place. If you refer to Muslim nations, most of the people there hated the US before GWB and will hate us still. It's just that the liberal media in the US "felt their pain" because GWB was theirs, bird of a feather and all. You'll see less of these stories now, but that doesn't "change" reality. What will be the reaction now when it's Obama being hung or burned in effigy? At least the terrorists can look to excellent living conditions while waiting for their multi-million dollar trials, f they are captured, and on the tax payers dime to boot. US troops can't expect the same during their brief incarceration before execution. They ot to line every liberal up to look at the remains of "captured" US soldiers, just as the US army lined German citizens up to "tour" the concentration camps after WWII.

The Inauguration was a tremendous affair (and too expensive IMO) but at the end of the day it was just words. As they say actions speak louder than words. This man has changed direction on many issues all ready. Why should I be inspired by what he says today? Some people can be bought cheaply, not this kid. He's going to have to show me something more substantial than a prepared speech.

Charles - Obams said during the campaign that he wanted more troops in Afghanistan. He believed that was where the war should have been focused on. We'll see if he still feels that way. Remember he wanted to go into Pakistan too. We'll see just how much they love BHO there now that GWB is gone.

on Jan 22, 2009

I have this crazy feeling that Obama will be just another politician and will probably not do most of the stuff he promised. I have yet to confirm this but I heard rumors that Obama plans on sending more troops to Afghanistan. That doesn't sound like bringing our troops back home to me, but like I said, it's just a rumor for now.

That certainly won't appease his loony left base will it?

on Jan 22, 2009

Island,

   How is over 52% of the registered voters in America a "left loony base?" That would be same same is in saying that the 48% who voted for McCain are all right wing nut jobs. It does not make snese.

on Jan 22, 2009

He has actually talked about doing this for a long time. He has argued that we need an orderly withdrawl in Iraq to focus on the people whop actually attacked us (Bin Laden). I would expect to see a shifting of some combat forces over to Afganistan, but not as many as are currently in Iraq. I agree with this idea, as it will shift our attention to the true source of the terrorist movement. Thanks.

Charles - Obams said during the campaign that he wanted more troops in Afghanistan. He believed that was where the war should have been focused on. We'll see if he still feels that way. Remember he wanted to go into Pakistan too. We'll see just how much they love BHO there now that GWB is gone.

That is true, but he did also say he wanted to bring the troops home, something many on the Left tried to put in many of the bills when looking for a Time Table to withdraw from Iraq. Sure, he believed in sending more to Afghanistan, but that was after he said he wanted the troops home ASAP. Keep in mind Obama changed his opinions quite often during his campaign but not many actually mentioned that. Make me wonder why he would want to send people who believes were killing innocent civilians into Afghanistan.

That certainly won't appease his loony left base will it?

My point exactly.

on Jan 22, 2009

Island,

How is over 52% of the registered voters in America a "left loony base?" That would be same same is in saying that the 48% who voted for McCain are all right wing nut jobs. It does not make snese.

Where did he say 52%? I missed that part. I believe he was refering to specific people, or are you saying 52% of Americans wanted the troops home?

on Jan 22, 2009

It really was nothing special (the speech or the content).  He is known for delivering great speeches.  But that makes him a good orator.  The rest is yet to be proven.  And his promises, other than being a recipe for disaster, are not really new either.

In other words, he has a lot to prove to live up to the hype.  But I dont expect those who demand we bow low and scrape and grovel at his feet because he is the president (while never affording the same respect to others who have held the office).

on Jan 22, 2009

How is over 52% of the registered voters in America a "left loony base?" That would be same same is in saying that the 48% who voted for McCain are all right wing nut jobs. It does not make snese.

Appeasing the 52% and the loony left base is 2 different things.  only 20% of the voting block is the loony left.  The rest of his votes came for one of 2 main reasons - the economy or greed.  They will be molified (or probably most will not) by the improvement in the economy regardless of what he does or does not do for the base.