There will be much said about the inaugural address delivered by President Obama in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Much of it just plain left me speechless.
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”
“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”
“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and
begin again the work of remaking America.”
“As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.”
“…know that America is a friend of each nation and every man,
woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we
are ready to lead once more.
”
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and
non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from
every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of
civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger
and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall
someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the
world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that
America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
“To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame
their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you
on what you can build, not what you destroy.”
“What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a
recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to
ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly
accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is
nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than
giving our all to a difficult task.
Be Sociable