[lbo-talk] Obama's inaugural address: make change our friend!

Charles Brown charlesb at cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Wed Feb 6 10:32:51 PST 2008


I can hear it now!


> My fellow citizens:
>
> Today we celebrate the mystery of American renewal.
>
> This ceremony is held in the depth of winter. But, by the words we
> speak and the faces we show the world, we force the spring.
>
> A spring reborn in the world's oldest democracy, that brings forth
> the vision and courage to reinvent America.
>
> When our founders boldly declared America's independence to the
> world and our purposes to the Almighty, they knew that America, to
> endure, would have to change.
>
> Not change for change's sake, but change to preserve America's
> ideals—life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. Though we march to
> the music of our time, our mission is timeless.
>
> Each generation of Americans must define what it means to be an
> American.
>
> On behalf of our nation, I salute my predecessor, President Bush,
> for his half-century of service to America.
>
> And I thank the millions of men and women whose steadfastness and
> sacrifice triumphed over Depression, fascism and Communism.
>
> Today, a generation raised in the shadows of the Cold War assumes
> new responsibilities in a world warmed by the sunshine of freedom
> but threatened still by ancient hatreds and new plagues.
>
> Raised in unrivaled prosperity, we inherit an economy that is still
> the world's strongest, but is weakened by business failures,
> stagnant wages, increasing inequality, and deep divisions among our
> people.
>
> When George Washington first took the oath I have just sworn to
> uphold, news traveled slowly across the land by horseback and
> across the ocean by boat. Now, the sights and sounds of this
> ceremony are broadcast instantaneously to billions around the world.
>
> Communications and commerce are global; investment is mobile;
> technology is almost magical; and ambition for a better life is now
> universal. We earn our livelihood in peaceful competition with
> people all across the earth.
>
> Profound and powerful forces are shaking and remaking our world,
> and the urgent question of our time is whether we can make change
> our friend and not our enemy.

etc.

Oh, right. That was Bill Clinton's in 1993.

Doug ___________________________________

CB: So, does this mean you think Obama could actually win in racist America ? Seems like you are really worried that Obama might win.

If so, seems like you are indirectly partaking in the euphoria and illusion.



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