Barack Obama

I am watching it just now Irish, such an amazing piece of history.

wasnt that just fantastic to see

wow, definitely, I'm so glad I took the time to watch it. He's an amazing speaker and I hope he brings some great changes to the world.

brilliant speech

~it was a very good speech but I thought they could have had some more uplifting music? Aretha Franklin singing to the tune of the British national anthem was a bit bizarre!

We did watch it, but after seeing it for the 6th time, we decided to watch something else.
I agree Aretha, something more uplifting would have been good.
Gail x

Truly uplifting - particularly liked the way he said that despite so many new changes and challenges - values , respect and common decency are old ways that should be cherished.

Surely this man will warrant more respect and understanding than George Bush both at home and throughout the world.

A great day for those who have suffered huge indignities based on nothing more than the colour of their skin.

i watched his speech a few times and at certain parts of it the hairs were standing up on the back of my neck. great speech, great man.

He seems to have a great presence doesnt he i hope he will fulfill everyones hopes.

~hopefully BB~
I only hope that everyone does not expect miracles overnight~that just can't happen! He is not superman!

Think hes already done that Arlene just by getting elected.

To be able to change the mood of a nation in these bleak times to a level not seen since JFK is a miracle - to recall
Martin Luther Kings speech ' I have a dream ' .I consider this to be the end of the American Civil War , Abraham Lincoln declared in his Contitutional address - and the pledge of allegiance how many ever listen to those words ?

They were not looking for special treatment , just equal treatment that was declared constitutionally .

~I watched from about 4pm and I must admit to worrying the whole time that something would happen~although there has never been such tight security for any other occasion according to the press~the car was supposed to be gas,explosion and bullet proof!

They were not worried about Al Quaida ~more disaffected whites~it is a tribute to them that it all went off smoothly!

Have a look at his Presidential website~there may be a bit of hope re climate change there!
See www.whitehouse.gov

Hello all,
We watched it too (with my ten year old asking every minute if that was enough now and could he play on the Wii).
What a gorgeous outfit Aretha Franklin was wearing. I covet that hat a bit! I'm sure it suits her better though. Although that's not the grooviest song she sang (My country, tis of thee, sweet land of liberty...) I just was happy imagining her up there singing about RESPECT. That's what all this was about really. Fair play to the man. We were commenting that even if his policies turn out to be useless - i do hope not - , he looks great, can speak really well, and is a younger, more dynamic leader for the country. All an improvement on the berk Bush!

Weeding you certainly dont mince your words do you? lol A great day for all of us, something none of us though would ever happen, good luck to the poor man, he certainly has an uphill struggle.

The election and inauguration of Barak Obama, has been many things to many people, and like you, I hope he can live up to the expectations. He seems a very flexible leader and that should help in the next few very difficult years. Plus like Weeding I am just relieved to get that moron out of office!
The swearing in was very exciting, and Aretha Franklin was a good pick for the festivities.
Arlene, the writer of the national anthem was not known as much of an original. I've always thought he could have come up with his own tune! : )

A truly wonderful time! Something I thought never to see in my lifetime since, when I was born, blacks were not allowed in the same restaurants or public transport as whites. Now look ..... the Buck Stops There!

isnt it amazing how times change and this is def for the better.
hopefully no one expects miracles , but i really do think he will make a change

Well I missed it all. Hope to catch up, I so wanted to watch it, got the builders around at the moment, lots of mess, lots to clean when they go. Will be for the next 6 weeks.

ah it will be worth it in the end Michaella, hopefully the 6 weeks will fly by

He has a HUGE job ahead of him, doesn't he! I wish him every success in it - and more!

I'm sure he'll do a great job. He's better qualified than me, besides, I'd never get time to do gardening or be n this fab site if I were a president! Good luck to him and lets all pray for some positive vibes for the rest of the world from the good ol' US of A to pick us all up a bit and make people smile a bit more, there's too much sadness and depression at the moment. There were lots of smiling happpy people at the ceremony I noticed.

your right GF , a lot of doom and gloom about .
pity tho that he wont be on GOY anymore as Marquerite said lol

~well at least he hasn't got the oil companies twisting his arm the way Bush had so that can't be a bad thing!
I thought his wife looked really smart and a lot of thought had gone into her choice of dress ,designer etc~one theory is that she is being advised by someone from American Vogue magazine~ so why not?You can get the best advice and choose not to use it?
She is not the one in charge but is being scrutinised over every tiny detail~I hope they all survive it! Since when does she have to be a fashion icon?
Good luck to the whole family!Sounds as though they will need it!

He does have a huge task ahead of him........but what backing he has got....especially from those who suffered the terrible floodings in the New Orleans area. Under George Bush there was not much help or recognition of the devastation. He certainly does have presence and brings hope to all the nationalities that make up the USA.

I cannot believe you all watched our big slice of History yesterday -- and I am SO pleased! I work at home, and sat in the kitchen for part of the day watching it, and took my lunch and breaks during the important parts, and then had it on the internet as well. I have to say, as a 50 year old American woman, it was the first day in all my life that I have been this proud. President Obama has a huge task in front of him, but he made us feel as if he can do it. He gave us hope and he seems like just a good man, with a lovely and smart wife, and a nice family. Which we all are happy about. I kept calling my mother to comment on how handsome he is, and how nice him and his wife get on, and what did she think of this and that. I don't know anyone that wasn't excited yesterday. There were approximately 2 million people in Washington DC yesterday, and I have been there myself protesting different things over the years, so I know what it feels like to be there. I pray now that he takes all the energy that was there yesterday, and does good good things with it.

I haven't had a chance to read your comments yet, but i can't wait. It's really exciting, that's for sure!!

..and no need to mention the past (BUSH!)..we move on to the future. !!!

I was so pleased Obama got in, seems a nice fellow.

The man may not be able to "work miracles" but what he can do is inspire folks to take action. I was unable to watch due to work but just knowing the "history" being made warmed my heart. The one thing that impressed me about the man is when he was a Senator. A couple of years ago I wrote several politicians in regards to a matter I felt strongly about. Senator Obama was the only one that responded not once but twice after I replied to his response.

Dotty, it's ok, we're not expecting him to be useless at all, just so much work ahead...
The (British) night b4 he was elected we both went to sleep trying SO hard not to be too sure of his victory, just in case of a crashing disappointment, and oh, the happy feeling when i woke to Hub bringing me tea and told me Obama had made it, what a glad day, for all of us. It matters to us little countries too, we're all affected.
And, yes, i do find him handsome!
I hope his wife can enjoy her new role, I'm sure it's not easy.

I just uploaded a new photo you might like to see. Lots of people were celebrating all over the world and lots of cities had rallies to watch the inauguration. My son went to Atlanta to take pics of the celebration, and I particularly like this one.

Have you seen the email that's circulating of a Youtube post of a song written to celebrate President Obama's Irish roots...??

Aye Lori ive seen it , lol once is enough to hear that song

Wohlibuli, i would love to see the pic from Atlanta

wohli,
can't see picture!

I just pray that everyone gives him a chance and doesn't start with the negativity too soon. Already I see how the forces at work try to undermine the work he's trying to do...we can only hope that with over 2million people at his inauguration it's enough to remind the press what the people want.

It is heartwarming to be reminded that we are all on one planet, and what effects one affects us all.
It's a small world afterall....

~he just has to hold his nerve and go for what he wants to do ~if he keeps the people onside by explaining what he is trying to achieve he has a good chance!

yes, i agree..and i have to agree with your opinion about the music...although i believe Aretha did a great job on it!

...listened to a lot of Aretha F over the weekend. Very cheering. What a voice. What a woman, what a HAT.

Weeding, Did you ever manage to see my pics? Just got a new laptop computer, hope it's not a problem with it. Let me know please!

Amazing how President Obama's election inspires people...! In El Salvador the winner of the presidential elections held posters of Obama and his party chanted: yes we did (though they were rebuked by the US embassy)...I voted for Obama and watched in amazement when he won (and I burst into tears) and saw the inauguration it was very emotional for me... aboslutely thrilled that he was elected...