For my first entry into the world of blog I’m going to hit upon a topic that probably won’t get much coverage elsewhere. I refer, of course, to the inauguration of the new President of the World, Barrack Obama.
Or should that be Barrack Hussein Obama? For although admirably not mentioned in Obama’s inaugural address, his middle name ‘Hussein’ has obvious significance, as does the colour of skin, the flavour of his politics and the tone of his entry into the white house.
Never before has a man broken so many entrenched assumptions about US political values. Enjoying unprecedented levels of cross party support, public hero worship and global approval before he even swore the oath, Obama knew this day was never going to be anything but monumentally historic.
The ceremony occurred before a swarming crowd of over two million. Billions more around the world tuned in via TV, internet and radio. Still more would later listen to the highlights, podcasts, webcasts and such like. No room for error then. Well, in theory anyway. The Chief Justice, whose job it is to swear in the president elect, fumbled the recitation of the presidential oath –to Mr & Mrs Obama’s obvious amusement. No harm done though and following this quirky moment Obama took to the stage. There, before the eyes of the World, Barrack Hussein Obama, the 44th and most popular President of the United States of America, leader of the free world, delivered a flawlessly passionate and resolute statement that was sincere, powerful and incredibly stirring.
The opening formalities quickly dealt with the outgoing president, thanking him for his service to the nation and so forth. Muffled applause and some booing could be heard at this. Regardless, this was big of Obama, considering the numerous, serious problems he has inherited from his predecessor. A failed and hated Bush listened from the sidelines. No longer looking like the dread lord of neo conservative warmongering. Nor even resembling his alter ego of the comedy cowboy - the linguistic buffoon of student wall posters. He appeared old and rejected - a political dinosaur with the face of a howler monkey.
In a reminder that this is, as so many US car bumper stickers proclaim, “The end of an error”, we were told what is going to change. Healthcare would now be a priority. There would be no more Orwellian choices between safety and ideals, no more brutal treatment of enemies and no more blind worship of the unregulated free market as some kind of benign entity. Rejecting the “With us or against us” dogma of the previous administration, Obama promised America would open the hand of friendship to those who would take it. Directly addressing the Muslim world he promised to pursue mutual respect. Explicitly denouncing the polarisation of US society he announced “On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics”. Obama wants the US to reclaim the moral high ground in an enlightened manner.
Obama painted a vivid picture of the challenges ahead and contrasted the hope of this moment of glory to the real difficulties faced. Adhering to the political wisdom of “never waste a crisis”, he painted a jarringly realistic picture of the state of things, using strong imagery that evoked rising tides of prosperity, gathering clouds and raging storms. We need to work to overcome the present financial dangers, he told us. Obama knows that the current crisis means he can’t rest on his laurels - even during his political honeymoon. He is telling us that neither can we afford to rest.
Acknowledging the responsibilities that accompany US power, a theme seemed to be that the US would be less inwardly focused. The US has previously been seen internationally as insular and isolationist when it suits yet aggressively hands on in pursuit of its own agenda.
The American public is often accused of being almost blissfully unaware of the problems of the wider world – even those directly linked to US foreign policy. This image is reinforced by terrified New Yorkers screaming “Why do they hate us so much” following the 11th September attacks.
That the need for a man like Obama is recognised by the US electorate suggests a certain loss of innocence on the part of the American public. A public that Bill Hicks once parodied as panicking “Shit, they’re lying to us.”
More and more Americans, particularly of younger generations, are as aware of the implications to US credibility of their previous inward focus as they are of the damage done to it by aggressive foreign policy. Obama’s speech acknowledged this sea-change and suggested America is ready to integrate with the world positively and take the responsibility of understanding the issues beyond its own borders.
Undoubtedly, then, the new President represents many positive things. The reality of the coming era of in America, however, is a different debate. Google will throw up zillions of discussions on whether Obama’s message is merely astute political populism at its best or whether things really will change. A jubilant mood pervades in the USA. But we Brits are a cynical bunch when it comes to politics, particularly US politics (and with good reason).
To this Brit, though, his message seemed genuine and has inspired hope. To reinforce this, in his first days on office, Obama has already done several good things. His Presidency is all the more hopeful because, having already broken the mould of US politics (in the height of the Dubya era, who would have expected a liberal, young, black Democrat who values alliances in the name of peace to become president?) and triumphed over the prejudices of the establishment Obama shows that anything is possible and hope can be restored. Such triumph-over-adversity themes are the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters but all too often rejected by us cynical Brits.
Or should that be Barrack Hussein Obama? For although admirably not mentioned in Obama’s inaugural address, his middle name ‘Hussein’ has obvious significance, as does the colour of skin, the flavour of his politics and the tone of his entry into the white house.
Never before has a man broken so many entrenched assumptions about US political values. Enjoying unprecedented levels of cross party support, public hero worship and global approval before he even swore the oath, Obama knew this day was never going to be anything but monumentally historic.
The ceremony occurred before a swarming crowd of over two million. Billions more around the world tuned in via TV, internet and radio. Still more would later listen to the highlights, podcasts, webcasts and such like. No room for error then. Well, in theory anyway. The Chief Justice, whose job it is to swear in the president elect, fumbled the recitation of the presidential oath –to Mr & Mrs Obama’s obvious amusement. No harm done though and following this quirky moment Obama took to the stage. There, before the eyes of the World, Barrack Hussein Obama, the 44th and most popular President of the United States of America, leader of the free world, delivered a flawlessly passionate and resolute statement that was sincere, powerful and incredibly stirring.
The opening formalities quickly dealt with the outgoing president, thanking him for his service to the nation and so forth. Muffled applause and some booing could be heard at this. Regardless, this was big of Obama, considering the numerous, serious problems he has inherited from his predecessor. A failed and hated Bush listened from the sidelines. No longer looking like the dread lord of neo conservative warmongering. Nor even resembling his alter ego of the comedy cowboy - the linguistic buffoon of student wall posters. He appeared old and rejected - a political dinosaur with the face of a howler monkey.
In a reminder that this is, as so many US car bumper stickers proclaim, “The end of an error”, we were told what is going to change. Healthcare would now be a priority. There would be no more Orwellian choices between safety and ideals, no more brutal treatment of enemies and no more blind worship of the unregulated free market as some kind of benign entity. Rejecting the “With us or against us” dogma of the previous administration, Obama promised America would open the hand of friendship to those who would take it. Directly addressing the Muslim world he promised to pursue mutual respect. Explicitly denouncing the polarisation of US society he announced “On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics”. Obama wants the US to reclaim the moral high ground in an enlightened manner.
Obama painted a vivid picture of the challenges ahead and contrasted the hope of this moment of glory to the real difficulties faced. Adhering to the political wisdom of “never waste a crisis”, he painted a jarringly realistic picture of the state of things, using strong imagery that evoked rising tides of prosperity, gathering clouds and raging storms. We need to work to overcome the present financial dangers, he told us. Obama knows that the current crisis means he can’t rest on his laurels - even during his political honeymoon. He is telling us that neither can we afford to rest.
Acknowledging the responsibilities that accompany US power, a theme seemed to be that the US would be less inwardly focused. The US has previously been seen internationally as insular and isolationist when it suits yet aggressively hands on in pursuit of its own agenda.
The American public is often accused of being almost blissfully unaware of the problems of the wider world – even those directly linked to US foreign policy. This image is reinforced by terrified New Yorkers screaming “Why do they hate us so much” following the 11th September attacks.
That the need for a man like Obama is recognised by the US electorate suggests a certain loss of innocence on the part of the American public. A public that Bill Hicks once parodied as panicking “Shit, they’re lying to us.”
More and more Americans, particularly of younger generations, are as aware of the implications to US credibility of their previous inward focus as they are of the damage done to it by aggressive foreign policy. Obama’s speech acknowledged this sea-change and suggested America is ready to integrate with the world positively and take the responsibility of understanding the issues beyond its own borders.
Undoubtedly, then, the new President represents many positive things. The reality of the coming era of in America, however, is a different debate. Google will throw up zillions of discussions on whether Obama’s message is merely astute political populism at its best or whether things really will change. A jubilant mood pervades in the USA. But we Brits are a cynical bunch when it comes to politics, particularly US politics (and with good reason).
To this Brit, though, his message seemed genuine and has inspired hope. To reinforce this, in his first days on office, Obama has already done several good things. His Presidency is all the more hopeful because, having already broken the mould of US politics (in the height of the Dubya era, who would have expected a liberal, young, black Democrat who values alliances in the name of peace to become president?) and triumphed over the prejudices of the establishment Obama shows that anything is possible and hope can be restored. Such triumph-over-adversity themes are the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters but all too often rejected by us cynical Brits.
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