Mom in Mental Motion

President Obama is making his first official speech. Apparently he requested to be left alone for two days to work on this speech with his 27 year old speech writer. He is talking about all the negatives he is facing and we are facing as a nation. Such pressure on one man. But he feels he is up to the challenge and feels he can meet the challenge. He quotes Scripture but yet he doesn’t truly follow it, that saddens me. I wish this speech were more about how he is going to make real change rather than state why change is needed. It’s not the fault of few but of many.

He says it’s time to remake America with hard work and bold and swift action. I agree but I don’t agree with some of his proposed actions. He does have some good ideas and believes we can and will do.

(my satellite is acting up!!!)

Ok, back to the speech. He says the market will spin out of control if we don’t keep a watchful eye. He proclaims that America is a friend to each nation and we are ready to lead once more. He said that our ancestors knew that our power alone cannot protect us, but our qualities are what protects us.

(Note-he is wearing a flag on his lapel today.)

He is speaking to those who wish us harm saying we will defeat them! Yeah, as long as he supports the military. America must play it’s role in seeking world peace, he says.  He believes we should be judged on what we build and not destroy. He wants to help poor nations, good.  He is honoring those in service today for our nation. I wonder how many are watching overseas?

He says our challenges may be new but those weapons that we must use to fight against them are old. Honesty, courage, etc…He is quoting Washington from during the Revolutionary War.

It was a good speech as far as speeches go. The crowd is in awe. There is now a poem being read by Elizabeth Alexander, she wrote it. I don’t get poetry but this is good. I will have to find it later and post it.

As much as I would like to keep blogging and watching, I have to get on with my day. I hope someone has enjoyed and benefitted from my blogging today.

May God Bless us today and our new President.

Joe Biden took his oath. I guess he doesn’t get to make a speech.

Now we will listen to a bunch of great musicians play a special composition just for today. I don’ t know how they can be playing those instruments out there in the cold. But they do sound great! The pianist is hardly dressed for the weather! None of them are. No overcoats. Oh wait, the pianist has on fingerless gloves. Smart move on her part. They are really enjoying playing the music. I guess they are as pumped as the crowd is and the cold isn’t bothering them. But would they really admit it? Probably not, it’s an honor to be asked to play at an Inauguration and I would not complain!

One more note about security. I heard there is one security person for almost every person there. Wow! I am still waiting on an official crowd estimation.

Next up, the Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. to administer the Oath of Office to Mr. Obama. Everyone is standing and cheering. The whole family is with him. They are botching up the oath! lol…nerves!!!

We now have a new president!!!!! May God Bless him!!!

He is making his way to the doors. The crowds are going wild for Biden and one can only imagine the response for Obama. I don’t care for the “savior” attitiude towards Obama but I will allow others to feel that way. He looks extremely sober and nervous. I would be.

He is trying to not smile but at the same time, he wants to. The pressure is on. This is no longer a “what is going to happen” but it’s here and now for Mr. Obama. It will be on his shoulders soon enough. And he knows it.

Preceding Mr. Obama are a bunch of senators and congress people. Everyone is waiting for Mr. Obama and here he is now. He was announced as President-elect Mr. Barack H. Obama. He will use his full given name when sworn in. He is not an ugly man. Now they are chanting Obama. He is only a man. He took a look at the crowd and I would love to know what he thinks.

Mrs. Diane Fienstein is now going to emcee the events. I am going to end here. I will comment again later after the speeches and such. I want to concentrate on the events and be in prayer.

The whole Biden family is now there. Now I see Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush walking and talking. They are part of an elite club. Now all the former presidents are being introduced. The military salutes them as well. I am impressed with the pomp and circumstance of this whole ceremony. Lots of greetings to each former president and wife as they make their way to their seats. The first Bush is walking with a cane because of some balance issue from back surgery. But he is there! Only Ronald and Nancy Reagan are not there, Mr. Reagan having passed away some years ago. Apparently Mrs. Clinton is not yet the official Secretary of State, having not been unanimously voted in by the senate as of yet to that position.

Here comes the Lincoln Bible being used for the swearing in.

Now the Bush twins and the one husband are being seated. Who knew it would take an hour to seat all the dignitaries and such? Every time they show a panoramic view of the Mall and surrounding areas, I am truly amazed at the enormous amounts of people.

Now they are showing the Obama girls making their way out to the doors to get seated. Apparently their grandmother is moving into the White House with them. Just what our president needs, a meddling mother-in-law! lol…I bet she is a great supporter of their family having been the caregiver of Malia and Sasha during the whole campaign and transition time. Those girls are cute and have huge smiles on their faces! 

Now Laura Bush and Lynn Cheney are being seated. Again, many greetings for them. Even Al Gore and wife are there! lol…now they are showing a moving truck on the southside of the White House. That makes it real! Apparently by the time the Obamas arrive at the WH later today, all their stuff will be there and unpacked for them. Such is the life for the president!

Now we see Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden getting ready to make their way to their seats. Now the president and vice-president are making their way down. Bush and Cheney will not leave with high approval ratings but I approve of them! Mr. Bush is still a good looking man and has a nice smile, no matter what!

They are about to play Hail to the Chief for the last time for George W. Bush!! Bush is an honorable man. He is getting lots of handshakes and greetings. I wonder if he is sad or relieved today? Either way, he did a good job in tough times.

Now it’s time for Obama and Biden to make their way outside. Not together, how interesting. Is that for safety reasons?

Obama Inauguration Schedule 2009

There is so much security! Tons of police, national guard, and all manner of security personnel. Apparently the Beast gets about 8 miles to the gallon, no green machines when it comes to security. I just have to wonder what Bush and Obama are discussing while riding to the Capitol? Wouldn’t you like to have been a fly in the vehicle?

Mrs. Bush and Obama have arrived and the same with the VP’s, present and future. Michelle Obama is much taller than Laura Bush. And Michelle’s outfit is much nicer than the one she wore at the convention. She is wearing a yellow-gold brocade jacket/dress combo. Mr. Bush and Obama are now there. What will they be doing for the next hour?

I guess it’s a tradition for the old president to ride with the president-elect to the Capitol for the swearing in ceremony. They are riding in a limo nicknamed “The Beast”! It’s some vehicle! Bullet-proof and all. Just what you would expect the future and current leader of the best nation in the world to be riding in.

They are now beginning the parade to the Capitol. There are so many people and lots of screaming. It’s amazing the press coverage we have. The line of cars following the Beast is about 20! I wonder if they wear seatbelts in those limos. I know the day that the Obama girls went to their new school in DC, they were not in seatbelts! They could be seen leaning up from the backseat looking out of the windows.

Can the driver go any faster? I mean, I guess the police are not issuing them any tickets today. They are calling the area at the Capitol, “Freedom Plaza”. The lead vehicle must be press as we are “looking back” at the procession. Wow, a so much security! The manhole covers were welded shut and they took down all the traffic lights.

Everyone is selling something in DC today. From hats to handwarmers, hotdogs to handshakes, it’s all for sale!
The crowd is still building. Fox news is showing lots of different view points. They are showing people from all over the USA. They showed one lady who was layered up and it wasn’t all clothes, but food and water and things for the day.
They showed someone in a Snuggie! lol…

Now they are saying over 2 million people. Apparently that is about the same amount of space per person equal to the daily paper unfolded once. Not much space, but when it’s that cold, you don’t mind. The body heat from 2 million will help it stay warmer.

Another set of special guests in the VIP seating is Capt. Sullenberger and crew from Flight 1549. That is the plane that landed on the Hudson River on January 16, 2009. It was a crash landing in which not one person died. There were injuries but no deaths. The plane was recovered. The Captain and crew are being hailed as heroes, and rightly so.

Now the Senators are walking out to their spots outside. The tea is almost over and now Mrs. Barbara Bush is arriving to support the new president. George H. W. Bush and the twins are there as well. I didn’t think so many former presidents, etc. would be there.

Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bush are now leaving. Oh the gift is reported to have been a journal and pen dated today for the Bushes to journal their days after leaving office. Interesting.