tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post7204364002118794854..comments2023-08-08T09:33:17.017-04:00Comments on Between the Columns: Obama's inaugural address-downJon a.k.a. "Our Karl Rove"http://www.blogger.com/profile/07897027916290412548noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-13481653468506628462009-01-23T09:36:00.000-05:002009-01-23T09:36:00.000-05:00As usual with his speeches, you need a bit of time...As usual with his speeches, you need a bit of time to reflect and capture the myriad of references, layers of political perspectives and even the multiple meanings of the individual words and phrases. My sense was that it was comforting (hearing his calm and measured voice) and absolutely appropriate to the times and the occasion. I have already downloaded the speech and gone through to see Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-91371045643244841652009-01-22T09:53:00.000-05:002009-01-22T09:53:00.000-05:00I think part of it is that we on the left have see...I think part of it is that we on the left have seen this sort of blind following by those on the right. It's a mindset that we have to snap ourselves out of. But it might take a little time.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11298215369738638280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-86501923730012590652009-01-22T09:15:00.000-05:002009-01-22T09:15:00.000-05:00What I find so fascinating about the Obama concept...What I find so fascinating about the Obama concept is that many of us (including you, LaLa) feel the need to tell others that you are not one of the blind converted. That you are one of the ones that will keep their head straight and not be swooned by Obamarama. <BR/><BR/>The fascinating aspect about this is that I know of not a single person who is under his spell so thoroughly that these Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811046697755785750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-15277387911783528692009-01-22T03:44:00.000-05:002009-01-22T03:44:00.000-05:00Don't get me wrong, I applaud the guy and all of h...Don't get me wrong, I applaud the guy and all of his decisions already on the first day on the job! All I am saying is that we shouldn't let our guard down and we should remain vigilant of what is being said and done by President Obama, otherwise we'll truly make him a High Priest and we'll just become his yes-men.<BR/><BR/>Not everything Obama does and say is sacrosanct and untouchable. His Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-352810456990390682009-01-21T20:20:00.000-05:002009-01-21T20:20:00.000-05:00Lala,I have yet to re-read or re-watch the address...Lala,<BR/><BR/>I have yet to re-read or re-watch the address, and I may take on a project of dressing down the dress down right here, should I have the time.<BR/><BR/>We may have heard similar rhetoric (and that should be of no surprise -- Obama and W share equal amounts of political savvy), but we are hearing the rhetoric from very different souls.<BR/><BR/>It's far too easy to pattern match Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811046697755785750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-32086801568215869422009-01-21T12:12:00.000-05:002009-01-21T12:12:00.000-05:00I was actually somewhat taken back by some of his ...I was actually somewhat taken back by some of his sentences. Jon Stewart drew a parallel between those parts of his speech to those of the outgoing President's, and while I wouldn't have gone that far with my comparison, he did make a very valid point: we've heard some of this rhetoric before and it was all too familiar to my ears.<BR/><BR/>"High Priest of the Civil Church of America" - yeah, I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-13864579350799920172009-01-21T10:35:00.000-05:002009-01-21T10:35:00.000-05:00I see what you mean Jon, and I know we should be t...I see what you mean Jon, and I know we should be taking ownership of our own decisions, but I do believe that the "culture of negative leadership" has been very effective at modifying our behavior. Supporters frothed at the mouth with fervor; those on the fence seemed to fall on the wrong side for way too long; and opponents were browbeaten into inaction.<BR/><BR/>I think many people start this Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11298215369738638280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-20602691205964600662009-01-21T10:01:00.000-05:002009-01-21T10:01:00.000-05:00Unlike many, I did not see Obama specifically scol...Unlike many, I did not see Obama specifically scolding the prior administration toward the end of the speech. I did see him condemning the choices that were made by Bush/Cheney, but the larger narrative was about all of us -- how we all have let our leaders lead us down the path toward our worst instincts.<BR/><BR/>Sure, Bush created a culture of negative leadership, but for leaders to be Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811046697755785750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712116808773474478.post-81845499079183441332009-01-21T09:22:00.000-05:002009-01-21T09:22:00.000-05:00I had exactly the same feelings about Obama scoldi...I had exactly the same feelings about Obama scolding the previous administration with Bush and a wheelchair-bound Cheney just behind him. But boy, do they deserve to be scolded!<BR/><BR/>It was a very down-to-business type speech, wasn't it.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly, a British friend of mine thought it had a "lowering expectations" feel, and compared it to speeches by Tony Blair. I didn't interpretGrahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11298215369738638280noreply@blogger.com