What Does the Inauguration Mean to You?

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What Does the Inauguration Mean to You?

posted at 12/30/2008 10:55 AM EST

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Jodi_Westrick

First post: 9/12/2008
Last post: 11/17/2009
Total posts: 41

What does Barack Obama's inauguration mean to you? Was it an historic event and a source of inspiration, or overproduced and overcrowded? What parts stood out to you, your friends and family? Where were you, what did you see and how will you remember it? Share your views here.

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Re: What Does the Inauguration Mean to You?

posted at 12/30/2008 3:20 PM EST

jheath53

First post: 8/29/2007
Last post: 5/29/2009
Total posts: 4085

Replying to:

As Jan. 20 fast approaches, many are finalizing travel plans and gearing up for the big inauguration.So, we ask, what does this inauguration mean to you? For native-Washingtonians, it may mean congested traffic and nightmares on the Metro. For those willing to look past the inconveniences, it may represent something historic as we swear in our nation's first Black president.Tell us - what does this inauguration mean to you?
Posted by Jodi_Westrick

As a native to the area, I'm generally of the view that inaugurations are something to be avoided. However, I am really excited about this one. It's truly a historic event. Normally I would work on inauguration day, but I plan to take this one off and watch the whole thing on TV.

Although I've advised against it, my daughter plans to go down there. She knows she probably won't see a thing, but she wants to say she was there.

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Why I believe

posted at 1/1/2009 9:26 PM EST

dncthm1

First post: 1/1/2009
Last post: 1/1/2009
Total posts: 1

As an American that happens to be black and come through the Jim Crow south this is one opportunity that I though would never happen in racist America. Not only me but a lot of people, but here we are.

I was so afraid that John McCain had hoodwinked the public in believing that he was the best person to get us out of the mess that his party created that I became a polical junkie. But I never gave up hope I knew the time was now. I had lived to see many changes come to the same America I though I hated. Now I know my grandchildren have a real possibility of being judged by the content of their character. I have seen it and now lived it. It is only going to get better. This is why I believe

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the next president

posted at 1/6/2009 3:01 PM EST

NanyA1

First post: 1/6/2009
Last post: 1/6/2009
Total posts: 1

As a latinamerican woman, what I can tell is that as far as I know, this will be a unique oportunity for latams. We need to get together and work together to make a better world. The next president must be a latinamerican-spanish speaker "persona".

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Re: Why I believe

posted at 1/8/2009 4:38 PM EST

SimmertimeinDC

First post: 11/6/2008
Last post: 3/17/2009
Total posts: 60

Replying to:

I was so afraid that John McCain had hoodwinked the public in believing that he was the best person to get us out of the mess ... Now I know my grandchildren have a real possibility of being judged by the content of their character. I have seen it and now lived it. It is only going to get better. This is why I believe
Posted by dncthm1

Sorry, but the financial mess was initiated by the very social engineering that you admire. Becoming a socialist nation does not get us out of the mess. Secondly, how does Obama skin color get us out of the mess? Third, are you saying that blacks are not being judged by the content of their character in 2009? Seems to me that everyday news is revealing a lot about their character that has nothing to do with skin color.

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Frustration! Angst!

posted at 1/9/2009 2:29 PM EST

hisgrace03

First post: 1/9/2009
Last post: 1/16/2009
Total posts: 2

I have sticker shock from the exorbitant prices being charged for many of the events surrounding Obama's Inauguration. I am very frustrated that to participate in...even something as public as the Inaugural Parade, one has to pay a charge. The balls, parties and hotel accommodations are all priced for the wealthy elite. Who is benefiting from this financial fleecing of the American people? I think it criminal for citizens, voters and supporters of Obama, who will by then be this country's president, to have to pay for the privilege to stand on public streets just to get a mere glimpse of him passing by. I am annoyed by all the money pilfering around this Inauguration and very concerned that the little people are being left out. I certainly hope it is not an indication of things to come from Obama's presidency.

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History?

posted at 1/11/2009 4:40 AM EST

skip1937

First post: 1/11/2009
Last post: 1/11/2009
Total posts: 1

I am confused when alot of people say history was made when BO was born from a white woman like every other president and a british subject father...yes, history for british subjects, no new history for whites...as for the voters, it doesn't sound like the inauguration has been made affordable for those who would care to attend. very sad if this is geared for the elite.

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Re: Frustration! Angst!

posted at 1/11/2009 5:24 PM EST

easternstar25

First post: 1/11/2009
Last post: 1/11/2009
Total posts: 4

Replying to:

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Re: Frustration! Angst!

posted at 1/11/2009 5:53 PM EST

easternstar25

First post: 1/11/2009
Last post: 1/11/2009
Total posts: 4

Replying to:

I was able to secure parade tickets, very lucky. I would love to attend one of the official balls but the price of $500 is a little to pricey. They have yet sale the tickets are $150, but if they go as fast as the parade tickets I may not be lucky again. Some of the volunteers that I worked with, making calls, etc... Where not able to get Inaugurations to no events. You had to win the lottery and that included everyone and anyone who even did not support him that call the congress or their Senate offices, leaving the volunteers and true supportors not having a great chance to receive the lucky tickets. A co-worker whom was not a supporter was able to get tickets their an account sent out by the PIC, an selling them now for and unknown increase price. I say President Obama would want me to save my money and not spend another penny due to the recession.

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Re: What Does the Inauguration Mean to You?

posted at 1/12/2009 3:36 PM EST

gm123

First post: 8/30/2007
Last post: 11/19/2009
Total posts: 56

I'm very happy that we finally got someone that's only half white in the White House, and isn't old enough to be my grandfather!

But, the craziness of the inauguration is beyond me. Who in their right minds wants to go into DC for that, when you can see it better at home?

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Bush will be out

posted at 1/12/2009 3:44 PM EST

P522

First post: 1/12/2009
Last post: 1/12/2009
Total posts: 1

I will be celebrating because Bush will be out! Who'll be rebuilding our infrastructure? Good bye no-bid contracts for Halliburton!!! And how about some law and order overseeing the executive branch!

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Re: Bush will be out

posted at 1/12/2009 5:28 PM EST

Alex511

First post: 7/18/2008
Last post: 11/25/2009
Total posts: 78

fr P522: >I will be celebrating because Bush will be out! Who'll be rebuilding our infrastructure? Good bye no-bid contracts for Halliburton!!! And how about some law and order overseeing the executive branch!<

Oh, SO true! dumbya should be given 30 minutes to clear out his desk, be escorted to the BACK door by security, and have rest of his stuff shipped COD to his "ranch".

As for deadeye dick, 15 minutes to clear HIS desk, get a one-way trip to the back door, and have his stuff shipped via slow boat to China COD.

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Discovering the Obvious

posted at 1/12/2009 6:24 PM EST

Fineline

First post: 1/12/2009
Last post: 1/12/2009
Total posts: 1

Obama is a fabrication created in his own image and made in the U.S.A. He's not a child of Africans brought to tis country as slaves to whites. He's a bi-racial man from a white mother and a Kenyan father who deserted him when he was two.

Most Blacks in the U.S. voted for him based on the color of his skin. Whites voted for him to wash away the shameful past of slavery and to try once and for all to bury the issue of race. Arabs voted for him because his middle name is Hussein.

I did not vote for Obama, not because of the color of his skin but because of the content of his character. Were he a man of character, in these hard economic times for Americans of all stripes, he could have shown a modicum of empathy by limiting his inauguration to taking his oath of office on the Lincoln Bible. Instead his team has been preparing a lavish, extravagant spectacle for what looks more like a coronation than an inauguration.

I don't blame Obama. After all, the lion is a lion. Obama's a master seller. I blame the buyers. Lincoln was right. You can fool some of the people all of the time.

half black. He's

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What the inauguration means to me.

posted at 1/12/2009 11:59 PM EST

kcandlc

First post: 1/12/2009
Last post: 1/12/2009
Total posts: 1

As a scientifically trained Black man who has reached the age of three score and ten I was shocked at the great victory of B. O. However during the long electoral process the Spirtual side of me was awakened as I noticed the profound effect his presence had on massive audiences. People were moved to cry, faint, and to believe we can do what is needed if we work together.
A hurricane came along to assist him and finally came the "the great recession."
Surely his destiny was preordained.Our GOD sent Pres. Obama to lead the world and He will protect him until his Messianic mission is finished.

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i choose me

posted at 1/13/2009 12:38 AM EST

choqokat

First post: 4/12/2008
Last post: 1/13/2009
Total posts: 2

i didn't vote for BO in the primaries because i really didn't know him and, based on what i've seen during my lifetime, i also didn't think he'd make it through the primaries. i wanted to say, as a black u.s. female citizen, that i elected the first female president. it seemed so right. his time would come. who knew it was now?

when BO was running for the u.s. presidency, i already knew i wasn't voting for mccain. okay, maybe my feelings that his behavior toward his first wife shouldn't have been the only reason i couldn't acknowledge/accept his candidacy, but that's how it played out for me. so, now i'm thinking that u.s. citizens must want better, because things sure aren't good. i'm a live-day-to-day, resilient type of person, yet i've never been so hopeful in my life. he won and i'm still feeling hopeful. why i place this new attitude on BO's winning is too multi-faceted to write, but i can't deny there is relief that the resident-in-chief is out. yes, BO is black, and exactly why can't i enjoy that aspect of it? i'm more elated, and very proud, over the fact that other countries have shown how happy they are over this decision.

i read earlier today that canadians - CANADIANS! - came across the border to support BO's election campaign with grass roots efforts. i was moved. i'm too moved, overall, to send in a video.

anyhue, i'm feeling a build-up of wanting a piece of this historic moment so that i can say i knew where i was when BO was inaugurated. you know. the sensation to which only a foreign sportscaster can aptly give expression: "goooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaalllll!!!"

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inauguration

posted at 1/13/2009 5:06 PM EST

geno3

First post: 1/13/2009
Last post: 1/13/2009
Total posts: 1

This is just another moment in history when a fellow human is recognized to lead and be recognized. We should all be seriously humbled because of any unjust doubts and beliefs of his unacceptable nomination to be in office of our nation at this time. Lets take what we learned from the past and all move foward together on to the future and decide to participate moving foward and not make the same mistakes as before. I think this inauguration is the start of this celibration to move foward.

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Litter Free Inauguration

posted at 1/14/2009 6:35 AM EST

Bradenkay

First post: 1/14/2009
Last post: 1/14/2009
Total posts: 2

I just wanted to let you know Litter Free Inauguration is picking up PR steam!
We did a phone interview with CNN this afternoon.
We are gaining traction and with more attention to the issue, we can make Inauguration litter free for real!!!
Thank you for all your hard work!
Be the Change!
Braden

Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrea-chalupa/happy-litter-free-inaugur_b_157436.html

CNN iReport:
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-180825

AOL News:
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/01/13/litter-free-inauguration/

Website:
http://litterfreeinauguration.blogspot.com/

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historical -- and frustrating

posted at 1/14/2009 10:00 PM EST

esthermiriam

First post: 1/14/2009
Last post: 10/27/2009
Total posts: 8

Yes, of course, feeling that it's historic as a political event
-- and -- for locals, a LOT of inconvenience, some potentially
serious, as a public event.

Relief that Feds recognized some measure of its costs to the city and region... Annoyance that exciting events advertised "not available to the public": what's with the jazz at Kennedy Center, e.g.? ... Hope that there'll not be logistical crises and harm to visitors who don't know what they are getting into, and apparent confusions will sort themselves out...
Discouragement that this allegedly new kind of politician can only find Protestants to pray in the name of all Americans, not to mention at least one who did NOT deserve to be so honored...
Desire to feel better about it all, and anxiety about the day after.

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Re: Discovering the Obvious

posted at 1/15/2009 12:12 PM EST

SimmertimeinDC

First post: 11/6/2008
Last post: 3/17/2009
Total posts: 60

Replying to:

Obama is a fabrication created in his own image and made in the U.S.A. He's not a child of Africans brought to tis country as slaves to whites. He's a bi-racial man from a white mother and a Kenyan father who deserted him when he was two.

Excellent Post!!!

The messiah is our first affirmative action president. One who would never have won the DEM primary if not for his skin-color. He has done nothing or accomplished nothing that would qualify him to be president.

I am sure he will grow in the job, in other words OJT. His appointees offer in the way of his advertised "change". In reality "change" was a code word for affirmative action, integration, first black, etc. Maybe someday we will mature out of this silliness.

BTW, McCain was not a good alternative.

half black. He's
Posted by Fineline

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Re: Why I believe

posted at 1/15/2009 12:15 PM EST

SimmertimeinDC

First post: 11/6/2008
Last post: 3/17/2009
Total posts: 60

[QUOTE]As an American that happens to be black and come through the Jim Crow south this is one opportunity that I though would never happen in racist America.

Sorry you hate America. However maybe it is time that you grow out of your hate and get a job. Unfortunately your group will never succeed until they do the samething. Instead of being a laughing stock of culture and behavior, why not join the mainstream and integrate into America?

At some point maybe "being black" will get tiresome and you will become an American.

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