obama the cowboy, originally uploaded by Mr. Wright.
I have followed Barack Obama’s speeches for some time now, and I’m busy reading his book. I have to say yesterday’s was a bit of an anti-climax for me. Parts of it seemed a little – corny.
Perhaps though it was not the speeches fault.
I am hungry for actual policy ideas.
And today he took action. Freezing the salaries of his staff that earn more than $100,000 and freezing the prosecutions of the prisoners of Guantanamo.
But reading through the speech afterwards a few things did stand out and gives a clear indication of changing priorities to come. But let me just say – Veels geluk meneer die President!
I do hope you don’t disappoint.
“…we are in the midst of crisis”
“Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.”
Leapin’ for Obama, originally uploaded by Delta Niner.
“Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”
obama, fuck yeah!, originally uploaded by Marc Johns.
“…our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed.”
“We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise healthcare’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.”
yes we can, originally uploaded by k.flight.
“Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.
The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.”
message for obama, originally uploaded by happeningfish.
“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. To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.”
“And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.”
Obama digging new White House garden, originally uploaded by The Kitchen Gardener.
“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.”
Related deployments:
You do seem very much like a lot of Americans in that when totalitarianism comes here, we won’t have the “two minute hate.” Rather the “two minute love.” It’ll be the same.
As to your quoting his speech, like most US presidents he didn’t write it, he just read it.
He’s not a horrible person, but he is not a god. Our Ralph Waldo Emerson put it best, “Every hero becomes a bore at last.”
As I read all the blogs like yours, I feel like I’m in an international group hug. It ain’t pretty.
Yeah I know a lot of the hype is cringe worthy. I doubt though he had not written his speech. Read his first book.
He can actually do better than this speech, in comparison its wooden.
He has already given flesh to parts of the speech in the last few days. I think the speech is very him.
Perhaps the world needs a group hug now and then. As an analogy – I remember with fondness the early rave parties I attended.
But yes, if I saw a photo of back then I’d probably be embarrassed.
Will he disappoint? Of course on many points he will. The hopes are just set to high. On balance I hope he will achieve a lot though.
Jon Favreau wrote the speech.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/20/barack-obama-inauguration-us-speech
Interesting link that -
“For a politician whose rise to prominence was largely built upon his powers as an orator, Obama is well versed in the arts of speech-making. But today’s effort will tower over all previous ones.”
I don’t think it did. Although it was’nt bad. But perhaps he should stick to writing them himself if he can find the time.
He should stick to writing speeches rather than choosing a cabinet, because picking non corrupt cabinet members doesn’t seem to be his strong suit.