“I was there.” Those are the words that someday I will be able to say to my children and my children’s children. Today marked an amazing day in the history of the United States as President Barack Obama took office as the 44th President of this country. I spent the morning with thousands of other people watching the Inauguration simulcast on a big screen in front of City Hall in a scene that could only be described as surreal. There was a great sense of anticipation, a tremendous amount of jubilee and excitement in what many could only classify as “hope” seized the day.
I remember the party we went to on November 4th, the night the votes were tallied and the will of the people was expressed. There were cheers and shouts of excitement, tears shed as people hugged and sobbed for a new belief in what could be possible at this moment. Today was the realization of that moment 2 1/2 months ago.
As I stood among the crowd I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotion that took place. Directly in front of me a couple stood embraced with tears pouring down their face after Obama took the oath of office. Another man to my right openly sobbed as he held his arms high with clenched fists before shouting at the top of his lungs with what I can only describe as a shout of freedom. All throughout the crowd scenes such as these took place over and over again. Never before have I seen so much emotion, so much hope, and so many dreams for a brighter tomorrow than I did today on the faces of the people of San Francisco.
Nelson Mandela wrote a letter to President Obama that was delivered today that masterfully captures the tone that many in San Francisco and around the world are experiencing today:
“Your election has inspired the people around the world more than any other recent event… Amongst many in the world there is a sense of hopelessness that had set in as so many problems remain unresolved and seemingly incapable of being resolved. You Mr. President have brought a new voice of hope that these problems can in fact be mastered.”
Today is a new day, and President Obama’s voice is one for the ages. Let us continue to hope, continue to pray and begin working hard to see the change in this world that we dream possible.
Related posts:
- African Aid
- name mash-ups: my moment of creative genius
- bono’s sermon to the nation.
- I Voted for Bush…Can I Take It back?
- waiting on the world to change.
Full text of Mandela’s letter: http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/inauguration-blog/2009/Jan/20/mandela-letter-given-obama/
Hope…
I hope Obama doesn’t socialize our nation as he has promised to do.
I hope he doesn’t make huge national security changes which will be damaging not only to the US, but to nations abroad.
I hope he doesn’t find a new “church” like the one he attended in Chicago which spewed hatred for America that he attended for over 20 years.
I hope he doesn’t continue to be best buddies with terrorists on our home soil.
I hope he doesn’t bring back communisim.
I hope he and Rahmbo don’t have the kinds of political connections to our beloved Illinois governor as many think he does.
I hope he realizes the poor choice he will make by closing Guantanimo.
I hope he finds Christ.
I hope that so many “Christian” americans realize the poison about to be unleashed to this world via our new president and come to a clear understanding about who he really is.
Yes We Can.
Yes We Can.
Yes We Can.
Change? Yes! What is change? No one really knows, but it’s catchy – so let’s all chant it.
Barack Obama – President of the World.
or…
antichrist. We’ll see.
Wow, sounds like you have a pretty closed minded view on life, Dan. Real Patriotic.
Dan, I love your response. You found a way to say what I have been wanting to say for so many months.
I applaud you Dan!!!
Here’s a great perspective:
http://justplainron.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/should-we-be-colour-blind/
So i guess God can’t deliver hope through a democrat… is that what you’re saying? Or is it God can’t deliver hope through a black man?
Chris, I don’t think either is true. I truly hope the best for President Obama, and I will be praying for him every step along the way – but some of the things he has promised to do somewhat scare me to tell the truth.
Can God deliver hope through a democrat – yep
Can God deliver hope through a black man – yep
But, is the hope Barack has sold America really the hope we need? my opinion is no.
I was there too, so excited to see joy and hope in the eyes and faces of the San Francisco I love. Imagine San Francisco patriotic- proud to be part of this America. Imagine San Francisco cheering when the simulcast portrays a woman saying, “This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Imagine
this city emotionally engaged in not only the words of a man but in the message he carries about care for the world God created, generosity towards the people of the planet, and support for things like education and the sciences. The citizens poured in, honoring the request for socks, and filling boxes to give away to peolpe who need them. We, San Francisco, are ready for tomorrow. We were there!
Ryan,
Questioning one’s patriotism for disagreeing via the freedom to choose and disagree given to us by patriots doesn’t make one bit of sense. Close minded? No, sir. Open minded.
Four years ago, no one knew who Barack Obama was. He was a back-seat senator. It’s quite funny to me that his FIRST executive office is President of the United States. It’s odd to me that he spoke “change” everywhere he went – yet – no one really knows what “change” is. Change. Change Change. Change Change Change. It will be one of Time Magazine’s word of the year, I’m sure. Sure. We can change – however, I’m quite concerned as to the direction he thinks we should go.
Second, for twenty years – he sat listening to rev. Wright. If you haven’t heard his sermons, you should you tube them. This man hates white America. Barack sat back and applauded. He contradicts scriptures with nearly every word that flows from his mouth hole. It’s a small cult. Yet, “christians” have surrounded this man – really knowing nothing of him – and embrased him as the most powerful man in the world. It simply makes no sense. 56 million agree with me. So, really, before jabbing at my patriotisim, I suggest studying up on the real details of this guy who we all now serve.
Finally, I do find it amazing and quite…proud – in one sense of the word – that some of America has gotten past it’s racial differences. That, truely is historic.
Do I think a God can use a democrat? Sure!
Barack is far more than a democrat – he’s a radical liberal with views on society that rival those of Marx, Stalin, and our good buddies the ol’ U.S.S.R. We all have seen how those have turned out.
Like socialism? Think his ideas are good? Ask France and Canada. They’ve had it for years. Many of them travel to America for healthcare.
Think we all should “share the wealth?” Sure – but forced giving is not sharing. It’s not scriptural. We, as Christians, should do as scripture says and support our brothers and those less fortunate. This, however, is a “freedom” given to us – to give from ourselves. Not have it taken and redistributed.
Wow, sounds like the fine folks of SF have finally found religion. Monts, your job is done now!
Imagine that this exact same scene happened not in a sophisticated place like SF, but instead in a backwoods fly-over place like Mobile or Topeka and instead of mixing the quotation of scripture with praise for a Democratic president they were cheering the election of John McCain and Sarah Palin. How creepy would that scene be? Seriously Monts, you aren’t just a little creeped out by the over-the-top (and really as of yet totally unearned) praise and adoration and messianic expectation of this new president? I’m all for giving this guy a shot of lifting him up with my prayers, but come on – you all sound like a bunch of midwestern hicks.
Sarah Palin or Joe Biden? Come on now…that’s easy.
McCain or Obama? I can clearly see why America was twisted! The ol’ war horse just didn’t work for conservative America.
I can’t wait for 2012. lol…it will be a Huckabee / Palin tag. Yay. Obama’s in for 8 years for sure.
Wow. I’m amazed at the response to a post about hope being met with such cynicism and vitriol. Can’t we revel in the possibility for change just one day? Can’t we dream about a better tomorrow instead of experiencing the same fear tactics of the past?
I guess I understand more now why Christians have the stereotype they do. Unless your a Republican you can’t party with Jesus. So just bitch and moan that the anti-Christ Obama has come to power. Whatever. I’m glad I’m not a Christian.
Joe,
You’re missing my point. The freedoms we have been given in America give us the waypoint to disagree and to share concerns as we see fit. You talk about fear tactics – and this is one of the items I agree with you on – but in another way. I hate to say it, as so many has, but 9-11 was a fear tactic. Not by us, but prompted us to many of the actions we have taken. Right or wrong, lets not get into it, but “fear” plays a very big part in our government.
A different type of fear is one of belief. I “fear” the choice we have made. Nonetheless, we have made it. Now we wait and see. I promise you, if this turns out to be a good decision, you will hear it from me. Until then, no. I will not “wait just one day” to express my disappointment.
Please don’t “stereotype” Christians. Everyone has the freedom of choice in this country – and the freedom of speech. This blog is ran by a friend of mine – and many who know me post on it. Some don’t, but know what to expect from my responses. The anti-christ remark was from a debate of old and was thrown out there as another extreme as I feel we are at a different extreme. If my personal opinion has offended you and your opinion of Christians in general, please accept my apologies. My views are based on a very conservative nature and as we all learn and grow, myself included, I ask you to read the views of others that post here as well. Not all take the same stance that I do. It really means nothing more than we all agree to disagree or have a nice debate on our differences.
If you decide to reply, I’d love to hear your voice on “change.” To continue the discussion.
Again, my apologies if my views and opinions have offended you or continued your labeling of the “Christian.” It was not my intent.
There are two things that we must hold in tension about this week’s events. The first thing is that there is great historical/cultural significance to Obama’s presidency. Americans should be proud is “how far we’ve come” in issues related to race. Obama’s presidency is an historically important moment that should be celebrated by all people. The second thing, however, is that I worry that in the symbolism of the moment we have become so enamored with the idea of Obama that he will not face the type of accountability that is essential for the presidency. In a shocking display of disrespect an outgoing president (who has handled the transition with much more grace than Clinton) was booed and mocked by Obama supporters Tuesday while people orgasmically celebrated the ascension of our new king (I’m sorry if I’m sounding cynical again – although you’ll forgive me if I can’t help but laugh at the accusation of sounding cynical after listening to eight years of cynicism and conspiracies from the lefties.). Honestly, Obama can do no wrong right now (he could even unilaterally invade a country right now and people would be celebrating his brave wisdom). Some of that is going to be natural in the immediate wake of his innauguration – I understand that. Sure, we should party and celebrate and cry (if you feel the need and if you feel that personally impacted by his election) and have concerts and all that. I just really hope that eventually we will reach a place where we can move beyond the symbolism of the moment and hold president Obama accountable for decisions that he has or will make.
I’ll chime in real quick on my thoughts of the word “change”.
Change is stopping the political and moral direction of the US government over the past 8 years. It means we stop torturing. It means we start following the Constitution. It means we stop with the “shoot first/ask questions later” mentality. It means we do what we can to cease the expanding gap between those who have too much and those that have barely enough. It means we hold ourselves accountable to our actions.
I know you like to throw around “socialism”, Dan. How about, instead of getting on a soapbox and yelling about all the things that might happen, you give Pres Obama a chance? This country is in a really poor shape right now. Thousands of jobs being lost day after day. Our standing in the world greatly eroded. Many folks losing sight of the American dream. Too much hatred. Too much anger. Too little of “let me help you with that”. Do we continue the path we are on? A path that leads to anarchy and revolt? Or do we step back for a second, see all the mistakes we have made, and make the necessary changes so that we all become one country with one goal.
Thanks for your response on “change,” Jeff.
On the issue of torturing, is it necessary? I believe in some cases, it is. If you would liek me to elaborate, I will.
On following the constitution, the new president has already spoken directly about changing the constitution to allow for more governmental control and regulations.
Regarding shoot first – we didn’t. Terrorism did. We are now on the offensive. Sorry, but facts are facts.
Regarding “ceasing the expanding gap” between those who have and those who don’t, this is not something that should be forced by big government. In Vietnam this happened – one of my employees’ father was forced by the north vietnameese government to give his 14 acres of land to those who had none. The land was divided among 22 different families. All eventually left the country because no one could make it work – half of them weren’t farmers. To this day, the government still controls the 14 acres his father “owned” and gives portions of it to farmers who in turn pay hefty taxes on the land. In his words, no one can make it work. Socialism does not work. Redistribution is unconstitutional and not Biblical. Big government is nothing more than the bully in high school.
President Obama will get his chance – obviously so. However, it’s left up to the remaining voices of conservatism to continue to spread how his ideas are flawed in order to do whatever we can to stop them from happening.
The American dream is indeed failing. And it’s due to democratic and liberal rules and regs that will bring it to it’s knees.
Am I hopeful for the future…yes. There is something stirring within the people of our country and around the world. Here is the one thing that seems to stand out to me through all of this…I keep hearing Christians lament about how people are putting hope in a man and not in Christ, but this should make us stop and think…why are they putting their hope in a man and not in Christ?
As the Church and as Christ followers we should be representations of the Kingdom. When people come into contact with the Church they should come face to face with the hope of Christ and be compelled to want to learn more. But the truth is they aren’t. And we should be asking “Why?” and “What can I do to be a representation of Christ that compels people to draw hope from Him?” “Where are we missing the mark?”
Jumping into a political throw down doesn’t do this..especially when we are not speaking the truth in love. All this does is continue to push people towards looking for hope in other places.
While what you say is good, there will always be debate on political issues – especially when the soil we live on seems to be taking a turn for the worse. It would be ignorant to simply back down and not say anything when you see your country that God has given you taking such a radical view on life, liberty, and properity.
There is indeed something stirring among the people – and it isn’t good. It’s quite scary.
Let’s just remember that while there is fear that people have given him accolades before he has done anything…there are others who are quickly judging and dismissing him before he has done anything. And yes we can look at his past record, but this is a different level of responsibility and who’s to say he can’t change on these things your fear?
The stirring is a seeking…so as Christ Followers let’s help them find what they are seeking…true Hope and Peace. Armchair quarterbacking isn’t going to get us anywhere…We need to show love in our words and actions.
There is completely warranted fear. This is the FIRST executive office this man has ever held. The fear stems from his political backing (Ayers) from which his career started, his choice of “spiritual” guidance (Wright) from which he gleans his morals and ethics, his socialistic tendancies (et al. Marx, Stalin, Russia) and his views on society in general.
Your thinking is comparable to the thought process of allowing an athiest to pastor your church. It goes completely against what you think is right – but hey – let’s not look at his past or his lack of credentials – let’s just give him a chance.
That thought process is flawed.
The stirring is not seeking. The stirring is a body that is confused by lack of communication to effectively explain the decisions our government has made and is sickened by the state of our economy driven to the ground by Bush 1 and Clinton. For years, economists have forseen this day. You idea of “armchair quarterbacking” further goes to show how the left is close-minded about truth and right thinking. You don’t want to hear it. This is what scares me about society and some believers today. You simply don’t want to hear right thinking. You don’t want to hear other opinions. And when they are stated, you call it things like “armchair quarterbacking.”
I keep hearing peace peace peace like we are back in the 1960′s. Unfortunately, were not. In order to achieve peace, we can not sit idly by as we are attacked and torn.
Confidence in Obama will soon decline as the market showed yesterday. Down 4%. More than any other inaguration day in the history of America.
Some of the things going on yesterday and before were totally insane. I’ve never in my life seen such pomp and circumstance surrounding…well…anything. This makes me think of what really coule be going on here. It’s almost as if comm trails are real and some sort of mind control has been sprayed over America. Check this out:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/13/chris-matthews-i-felt-t_n_86449.html
It’s Chris Matthews comparing Obama to Jesus and saying how he gets tingling feelings running up his leg when Obama speaks. Tingling Feelings!?!?!? Man I’ll just leave that one along. Yet another reason why only to watch Fox News.
Jeff, I don’t know you, but I, for one, am thankful that someone has finally called for a change in the tone and the direction of this country. Too much hatred? Too much anger? Amen to that!
I especially like hearing such things from a person with the wisdom and the loving spirit to tell a sitting president of the United States on his blog to “go to Hell” so we never have to hear from you again. Very uplifting and loving. Thanks for lecturing us on how nice we should be to President Obama. Change I can believe in.
To Tracy’s point. I agree that we owe it to Obama to give him a chance. But like I said, what worries me is that many people are too eager to separate the Barack of history from the Obama of faith. In other words, all that really matters (to some) is the idea of Obama (I’ll never have to worry about the price of gas, my mortgage, paying my hospital bills, our standing in the world, the melting of the ice caps, or the BCS system ever again! Hallelujah!) rather than what he is going to substantively do while in office. I look forward to seeing what he will actually attempt to accomplish. He has taken some positive steps already today. We’ll have to see how it carries out over the next few years, but don’t abandon your objectivity simply in favor of some obscure concept of “change.”
Rags,
If Obama could get rid of the BCS system for more of a tournament-style end to the season, I would be able to overlook all his past and his ideas and hail him as king.
I would even vote for him for a second term. And a third.
And I would have his children. Yes. That’s it. Have his children. Because I would love him. And tingly feelings would run up my leg too.
Food for thought:
List of Presidents where the Presidency was their First Executive Office:
George Washington
James Madison
John Quincy Adams
Zachary Taylor
Franklin Pierce
James Buchanan
Abraham Lincoln
Ulysses S. Grant
James Garfield
Benjamin Harrison
Warren Harding
Herbert Hoover
Dwight D. Eisenhower
John F. Kennedy
Barack Obama
(15 Presidents out of 44 Total… and not bad company.) It’s a pretty bad argument you’re waging Dan.
P.S. notice one President not on that list – G.W. Bush. How’d that turn out for the country–Great(er) Depression?
Chris,
Kennedy was in politics for 14 years serving in numerous roles. His exposure was gained in the 56′ election in which he lost the bid for Vice to Stevenson. Little bit broader than a community organizer.
Eisenhower was in the miltary as a commander, general, and finally chief of staff before finally entering politics. He was actually courted by both parties to run for them given his experience in foreign politics. Nope. Not a community organizer. He wasn’t friends with terrorists, either. He helped kill them.
Hoover actually held an executive seat as United States Secretary of Commerce – a post he held for 8 years – before taking his first elected office in 28′. Many attribute this to Smith’s religious views and America unwilling to elect a Catholic. Commerce Secretary = Community Organizer? Nope. Sorry. Good try, though!
I’ll keep going if you would like. Fact of the matter still stands. America has never elected a more inexperienced, unqualified person for the most powerful position in the world.
And, actually, Chris, Barry is the 43rd different president. Grover Cleveland had non-consecutive terms.
Chris,
G.W. accomplished more in 4 years than many presidents ever did in 8. Need a list? Here you go. Enjoy.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1066122/posts
Yes, please keep going. I want to keep wasting your time like you do everyone else’s.
Obama has been in politics since ’97 as an Illinois State Senator and as Senator of Illinois. That’s not as inexperienced as you’d like to believe. Lincoln was more inexperienced… as was Washington… and Grant. Many didn’t even have any experience.
You’re a douche. A “patriotic” douche.
ehh…sorry. That list was only his first 4 years. I can provide you with the latter 4 list if you would like
Chris,
you just lost all credibility with your name calling. It’s typical for liberals to act childish, so I sluff it off and compare it to the actions of a 4 year old. Congrats to you! Your parents should be ever so proud.
If you have anything worth while to share, please do. Otherwise, the door is to your left.
funny thing. i’m not a liberal. i’m a central illinois member of the republican party. and i hate that i’m associated with you through that.
you may be the most bigoted person i’ve ever met. you give repubs a bad name everywhere.
I’m not a republican, Chris. I’m a conservative, so your party is safe.
You sure talk like a lib. May want to check your pants and make sure you are male, too. You may be confused there as well
And now, the comment section is closed.