Favorite moments from inauguration day

January 21, 1:19 PMPolitical Issues ExaminerJudah Freed

Previous Next

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Political Issues Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

In a day filled with historic moments, what scenes from the inauguration of President Barack Obama will stick in your memory? Here in photographs are a few of my favorites, the moments that most moved my heart and my mind.

President Barack Obama rests his hand on President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible as his wife Michelle Obama holds it as he takes the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

When Obama took the oath of office by placing his hand on the bible once owned by Abraham Lincoln, he energetically touched his spiritual mentor. Will his course be as dificult? Will Obama complete the "karmic" tasks that Lincoln left undone? Such thoughts feilled me as I watched inthis moment. 

Barack Obama, left, joined by his wife Michelle, second from left, and daughters Sasha, third from left, and Malia, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Chief Justice John Roberts displayed his hubris when he did not bother to accurately memorize the presidential oath of office, nor did he bother to write it down so he could administer the oath correctly. Even though Obama let Roberts know about the goof, when the chief justice tried again, Obama graciously repeated the words that Roberts give me to say. I believe that all the right words of the oath were spoken even if in the wrong order, so the oath is legally binding. Barack Obama will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, faithfully.

Former President George W. Bush departs from the Capitol in a helicopter after the swearing in of President Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States during the 56th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. Obama, his wife Michelle, Vice President Biden and his wife Jill wave from the Capitol steps. (AP Photo/Tannen Maury, Pool)

At a neighborhood inaugural ball in Denver last night at the Mercury Cafe, I asked diverse people what was their favorite moment fromthe day. Their nearly unanimous reply was the moment  that the helicopter containing George W. Bush lifted off the ground, visibly marking the official end of the eight-year Bush administration. Curiously, I was reminded of the helicopter lifting off the roof of the U.S. embassy in Saigon to mark the end of the disasterous war in Vietnam.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk down Pennsylvania Avenue en route to the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, Washington. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, Pool)

When Barack and Michelle Obama stepped out of the limousine and began walking together down Pennsylvania Avenue, I admired his his personal courage in leaving the protective vehicle and boldly walking down the street. He showed his faith in the American people. Sure, I knew that Secret Service agents were everywhere, but the moment still felt scary for me. And when Michelle Obama lovingly took his hand, I felt a lump in my throat.   

President Barack Obama, right, and first lady Michelle Obama, left, have their first dance of the evening during the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

In an evening filled with balls given for the elites, I have to praise the Obama team for scheduling an inaugural ball for the common people and making that event the Obamas' first stop. The symbolism gave me hope. In a similar way, I'm glad he scheduled a ball for hard-working miltary personnel -- not the top brass, mind you, but the troops who carry out the orders given by the Commander-in-Chief. Yet it's the Neighborhood Ball that inspired me the most. And my favorite moment was when Obama took Michelle in his arms, giving her a sexy and loving look. They swayed to the music while Beyonce sang the classic ballad by Etta James, "At Last." Maybe I'm just an old romantic at heart, maybe it's just that part of me waiting for own love to come along, but a tear of joy welled up in my eye as I watched them dancing. At last!

Other Examiner stories
on Inauguration Day 2009

Inauguration Roundup

FYI: January is the anniversary for the 1776 publication of Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Please click for my columns on Paine's life and work. 

A REQUEST: Please keep your comments relevant to the topic of the
posting above. And please practice civility. Thanks.