44.
Update: A well-delivered speech, I thought. If rhetorical skills and prepared speeches were all that we’ve been missing – and, if nothing else, we have been missing those – then we’re in good shape. A fair amount of godbothering, which I presume the perpetually aggrieved set will forgive just this once.
I really liked these bits:
We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you…
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. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
I find myself wondering what this means:
(To) those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
Since one of the effects of our consumption has been to lift a billion people out of existential poverty, I hope he maps strategy to task on that bit wisely.
I guess we’ll see.
Anyway, the man didn’t get my vote, but he’s my president nonetheless. I’ll pray for his success, and I hope you all do as well. Our fates are conjoined.
Update 2: The reaction to the inaugural festivities among some in the invited audience -
The crowd packed on the west side of the Capitol grounds serenaded President Bush in mocking fashion when he took to the inaugural stage alongside Vice President Dick Cheney.
“Nah nah nah nah, hey hey, good-bye,” a section of the crowd chanted.
The crowd packed immediately below the podium received Bush in stony silence when he took his seat on the stage surrounding the podium where Barack Obama was scheduled to take the oath office to become the 44th president of the United States.
Classy.
The jeers are among the final public feedback Bush will receive as president.
PS: A typical crowd late Sat nite in those days ranged from people in black tie just over from the Opera to T-shirts and cut-offs–and everything in between–sport-coats &ties, slacks and shirts, etc.
Crowds were usually three deep with only a body’s worth of space between that gaggle and those sitting on the beer cases behind–and as it took so long to mix Mr. Nicks complicated concoctions that the best strategy in ordering so as not to run dry between orders was to make every drink a double and order two–two doubles for yourself and two for your date. ‘Twas quite a sight to see a room packed full of “two-fisted” drinkers standing around conversing/swilling, er, sipping.
quick Nick’s story — go in with a cherry boy friend, who orders a beer. Mr. C says, “No beer. This is a haaaad drinkin’ baah’ “. Not everywhere you can get a Kermit’s Middle Finger served in a toilet bowl.
Never would have found that place without my yat buddy, JJ Deforneaux. just one of the great Nola icons — like Charlie’s, F&M, Casamento’s, Camelia Grill, Mandina’s, and Angelo Brocato’s. I just decided. Screw the SFO trip for my wife’s B-day. I don’t care what she wants. JazzFest it is!
G-man, I ain’t stayin’ if anyone starts drinking. I’m too young for that stuff.
Snake Eater – real tread heads don’t eat snakes, we crush ‘em and grease the tracks with ‘em. They are much too valuable to eat. Saves on logistics.
How fortunate for me that this good company is as diverse as can be, and I may lay claim to some familiarity with all… I am old(er), been known to tip back a slight libation (Kentucky Bourbon – no Scotch for me, which flies in the face of my Highland lineage, ah well), earned the iconic emblem of The Corps (which, by association, means that I am in love with naval aviators that brought their toys to one of my gunfights), qualified as a Bradley Gunner in the Current Gun Club (and no snarky comments from you Army Tankers – I’z in a Combined Arms Battalion, with means I’z a treadhead “light” – I’m just willing to get off of the hull and get my boots muddy…), AND I’m typing this as I listen to the wing-wipers across the way prepping their F-16s for the day’s missions, Balad (formerly called “Anaconda”) being mostly an Air Force installation these days…
… Me, a “weekend warrior” besides – ‘though I haven’t enjoyed that work schedule for derned near five months now, with seven to go…
I still don’t know where I stand with our new C-In-C… The politics of the Nation don’t really seem to effect the little hamlet I call home, because we always seem to use our time fighting the Other Side Of The State (Olympia), so I expect that most of my time, when I return home, will be spent pulling in the pickets to a smaller perimeter and trying to keep said hamlet alive… (Somebody mentioned running for mayor when I get back, said that I’d already been voted in, they just didn’t tell me…)
Like others, I shall bitterly cling to my Garand, my Colt, and my Bible, and hope that the divisions threatened by the far ends of the spectrum never come, ‘lest I be called to don my kit again and quell certain civil disturbances on my home soil (and quite possibly bear arms against those who’s beliefs I actually share…)
I’m all for giving back to the Lefties the same treatment they gave Our Man, only where they used the intellectual equivalents of Molotov cocktails with a Kalashnikov kicker, I hope we use intellect and surgical precision to defend our believes, and, in the tradition of the Snake-Eaters of the world, we do it with unfailing civility and a dash of panache…
I’m just saying…
And I heard there was some drinking, er, thinking club mentioned? With points for seniority? Does 43 years life experience qualify?
Latest word has it that BHO got around to taking the oath, the corrected version, a second time late Wednesday afternoon.
BTW, he isn’t the first to have to take it twice. Just, errrr… the most recent. Somebody, apparently against Skippy’s advice, thought it was a good idea to be sure, no questions.
Skoal, wassail and urrrah!
oops…
G-Man – My heartfelt and humble thanks; I feel like a better man now, and I also bow in deep salute to all the other respected inductees!
I raise my illusional / virtual cyber cup which is filled with anything from air, to juice, to draft to single malt, depending on your own likes, and I drink your health.
Skoal, wassail and urrrah!
oops…
GW,
“Fair Winds and Following Seas”
You are a class act warrior and tailhooker to boot.
I am proud and grateful to this wartime president of 2 terms who outlasted the Lilliputians.
It’s only been about 70 hours and already Barry looks like a deer in the headlights being chased by hounds. Did you see the look he gave that dolt Biden yesterday at a swearing in? LOL.
In a perverse way this will be an interesting ride Lex, Lexxites and Lexbabes.
b2