Barack Hussein Obama II - The 44th President of the United States

Today ( 20th January , 2009) is a great day for America. Senator Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States. Not only is he the first African American holding the highest position of the land, he is also the 4th youngest President in  US history. It has been a long journey since the days of slavery , Martin Luthur King and Malcolm X. Dr. King once said "I see the promise land .........I might not get there with you.....", I think part of that promise land is found today and Dr. King would have been pleased.

Even though I could not be there in person at the inguration ceremony, I could  feel the synergy , the excitment and revived hopes from the people who were there. With the exception of those still having a problem with having a black man in the White house, most were filled with joy, many of them had difficulty suppressing their emotions.

To many of them, it is not because Obama is the first African American  President in US history, but bacause Obama represents changes and hopes. Indeed, my impression of Obama is that he is different from other presidents before him. His eyes told me that he desires changes and his manner tells me that he is a worker and an executor, not just talks and inspiring speeches. I hope my feelings are not deceived by his inspiring charisma which he constantly displays.

There is a great amount of expectations that Obama needs to fill. The first year is very crucial to his presidency. At the very least, the period should show signs of improvements if not the elimination of the problems he promised to solve during his campaign. Indeed he has a lot problems to solve, but he also has a large pool of resources that he can employ. In theory, the democratic congress could help him in obtaining these goals. Now, the honey-moon is over, it is time to get down to work and deliver.

The inguration went smoothly except for a few grammatical errors . For example, the pastor said " more healthy" instead of healthier and the "screw-up" from one of the Supreme Court Justices (highest judges of the land) swearing in the President. Obama was supposed to repeat what this Justice said, and because the Justice couldn't remember the oath properly and spoke the oath incorrectly, Obama hestitated for a few seconds before continuing the original version of the oath  that he memorised properly beforehand. It is a slight embarrassment for this Supreme Court Justice that the swearing-in ceremony was out-of-sync. Watch this video , time= 0.53 seconds

 

Obama didn't follow what the Justice said but used the original version of the oath regardless, this shows that he is his own man and not a follower.

I feel embarrassed just watching it.

This is his inauguration speech.

Part 1:

"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 Sanh.

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."

In his campaigne, he rarely mentioned racism existed in the US,  including slavery, but once he is the President, he talks about it~~~~ One of the reasons he won the white votes is because he didn't based his campaigne on white's guilt like many other Civil Right movement leaders running for office.

Part 2:

"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."

This show that he has not forgotten his root, where he is from.

"We are ready to lead once more....."

I thought this was an attack  on the previous President - George W Bush, indicating that US has lost the leadership of the world with his leadership."

".....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."

".....We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

This says the US is tough to their enemy but not a bully, a softer stance from the previous adnministration. He also emphasizes on "co-operation" between nations, this signifies a softer but a still tough defence policy from the Obama Administration.

".....To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. 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. 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."

Again, a more amicable tone to the Muslim world. It says "we are tough if you attack us  but can be your friends". I particularly like this part of the speech: "but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist"

Again, his speech emphasises on changes and people must work together to solve the problems, problems can not be solved by the government alone.

There is a reason why western leaders are usually from the school of political science or law. they make inspiring speeches. In Asia, it is different, they are usually from school of engineering or "real science", these people have more "substances", less on talks.

I wish him and his administration the best! I think he has to thank George W.  Bush also. If it is not for him, Obama wouldn't get the chance to be elected as Bush has messed things up so badly.