Song, Benediction and Celebration
20 January 2009 2:43 pm by Taylor Marsh
“I’m a lefty. Get used to it,” Obama quipped as he signed his name. -- CNN
What a celebration. ..and there was song, Aretha, who else? …and John Williams’ “Air and Simple Gifts.” As for being there, I’m being flooded with emails that it’s simply a disaster. The problem for people with tickets seems insurmountable and very frustrating. So, if you’re watching it at home, be glad. You’ve got the best seat around.
It’s also being reported that Senator Teddy Kennedy will be released from the hospital tomorrow. Exhale.
“Senator Edward Kennedy experienced a seizure today while attending a luncheon for President Barack Obama in the U.S. Capitol. … After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue. Senator Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation, and will be released in the morning.”
Rev. Lowery’s Inauguration benediction is below (via Lynn Sweet). He showed Rick Warren how it’s done.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far along the way, thou who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee. Shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand — true to thee, O God, and true to our native land.
We truly give thanks for the glorious experience we’ve shared this day. We pray now, O Lord, for your blessing upon thy servant, Barack Obama, the 44th president of these United States, his family and his administration. He has come to this high office at a low moment in the national and, indeed, the global fiscal climate. But because we know you got the whole world in your hand, we pray for not only our nation, but for the community of nations. Our faith does not shrink, though pressed by the flood of mortal ills.
For we know that, Lord, you’re able and you’re willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds and deliver us from the exploitation of the poor or the least of these and from favoritism toward the rich, the elite of these.
We thank you for the empowering of thy servant, our 44th president, to inspire our nation to believe that, yes, we can work together to achieve a more perfect union. And while we have sown the seeds of greed — the wind of greed and corruption, and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness and we come in a spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our president by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other.
And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance.
And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.
Bless President Barack, First Lady Michelle. Look over our little, angelic Sasha and Malia.
We go now to walk together, children, pledging that we won’t get weary in the difficult days ahead. We know you will not leave us alone, with your hands of power and your heart of love.
Help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid; when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right.
Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen!
REV. LOWERY: Say amen --
AUDIENCE: Amen!
REV. LOWERY: — and amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen! (Cheers, applause.)
Thanks to Lowery Obama’s inaugural had a Frost/Angelou moment. Something worthy of memory, something enriching, something inherently American.
Memorable.
Warren’s was not.
I loved the Benediction. It is worthy to go down in history as one of the best, IMHO.
Warren’s comments were an underwhelming monotony. Where was the fire let alone the brimstone!
Agreed, Betsy.
Warren was trying to be impressive instead of let the words lift his emotions from the heart. Playing for gravitas never works.
Warren felt the words down to his soul.
Thrilled Kennedy is being released tomorrow!
I agree Taylor. Warren was not impressive at all. Lowery was very impressive. I love that prayer too.
The parade is really great too.
I just loved this section:
Help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid; when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Yes, I liked that part too. Also liked the last part about blacks, reds, whites, etc. With the chuckles that was just great.
I wonder what executive orders he is going to overturn right away. Gibbs said some would be controversial. I hope the abortion one is overturned right away.
I wonder what executive orders he is going to overturn right away. Gibbs said some would be
controversial. I hope the abortion one is overturned right away.
Betsy | 01.20.2009 – 6:23 pm | #
Betsy – I think that the “gag rule” is to be overturned almost immediately from what I read, can’t remember where. I hope so because it is an awful restriction for anyone working in reproductive health. It was terrible during the Reagan years and then Clinton overturned it only to have Bush put it back into practice.
Jane I think you are right. I believe i read that somewhere also.
My daughter’s boyfriend teaches high school Government and History, and he, along with other teachers, took 20 students to the inauguration. My daughter spoke to him and they were all very emotional, beyond words, actually.
The only other time her boyfriend has been moved this way was this past summer during World Youth Day in Sydney. Imagine that….attracting bigger crowds than the Pope. This is far beyond historical.
However, there is much more to be done. It is up to us to reach out to the cynics and embrace them. There is hope for them.
It never ceases to amaze me how alienating our government and ceremonies are. The speech quoted in this thread makes my jaw drop! Regardless of the emotion involved, regardless of how it was delivered, this is an official government inauguration and it is ridiculous.
I don’t know why people of other faiths don’t stand up against this nonsense. Freedom of religion does not extend to forcing down the throats of the populous. It’s not a theocracy and it is alienating to everyone who is governed by this body who is Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, agnostic, athiest or anything else under the sun. It’s bad enough that we are governed by religiously inspired laws. This is just so blatant I can’t believe it’s being celebrated here.
Let’s hope that the presidential oath is the only part of the Constitution that Chief Justice Roberts screws up.
It’s not a theocracy and
it is alienating to everyone who is governed by this body who is Muslim, Hindu, Jewish,
agnostic, athiest or anything else under the sun.
Deerly | Homepage | 01.20.2009 – 7:01 pm | #
“And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.”
Rev. Lowery
somebody spent allot of time on this:
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That is so cool Geo!
Help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under
his or her own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid; when justice will roll down like
waters and righteousness as a mighty stream
This too was my favoriate passage. Pure poetry.
Deerly …
I too struggle too with the separation between church as state at government ceremonies. Eventually I just made the choice to accept that in this space and time it continues to be necessary for people to turn to their God to sanction such events regardless of weather I believe or not. At least we have reached the societal point where no ONE religion rules so while not perfect, it is at least progress.
I’m sure you all remember Cornyn and his drunken buddy Tom DeLay who relentlessly sought the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Cornyn is the Bush family’s lapdog. They’re still avenging George Sr.’s second term annihilation by Clinton. And now they pick on the little lady.
Cornyn’s the poster boy of sleeze. They redistricted Texas to their benefit, and perhaps in due time they will pay for this.
Oh gosh, Keith reminded me that we now have Dubya in Texas permanently. Now he can go out and play with our incompetent governor, Perry, whom he appointed when he ran for President.
Geez, he left Texas, destroyed the country, and now he’s back and Perry is still in charge? Heaven help us!
I’m sure you all remember Cornyn and his drunken buddy Tom DeLay who relentlessly sought the
impeachment of Bill Clinton. Cornyn is the Bush family’s lapdog. They’re still avenging George
Sr.’s second term annihilation by Clinton. And now they pick on the little lady.
icemama | 01.20.2009 – 8:07 pm | #
you’re right, it’s the leftover anti-Clinton stuff from the 90’s
Icemama
I remember that “redistricted” bs game they played in Texas. Didn’t know Cornyn was involved but not surprised. You know Hillary ..
she just laughed it off. Hope they show the swearing in tomorrow on C-span.
Sorry .. that response was to GeoT
They really did a number on Texas icemama. I remember when that happened, I was so appalled.
Cornyn reminds me of a sleeze too. I’d love to have heard what Hillary said to him today. He probably was trying to explain to her why he couldn’t vote for her, and I hope she told him to go take a hike.
Inaugural Ball events
http://www.demconwatchblog.com/diary/577/tonights-inaugural-events
Sorry .. that response was to GeoT
IndyRobin | 01.20.2009 – 8:18 pm | #
got it! I like that passage as well.
Cornyn reminds me of a sleeze too. I’d love to have heard what Hillary said to him today.
He probably was trying to explain to her why he couldn’t vote for her, and I hope she told him
to go take a hike.
Betsy | 01.20.2009 – 8:18 pm | #
I hope the roll call vote makes him look silly, which I think it will.
IndyRobin | 01.20.2009 – 8:17 pm | #
Betsy | 01.20.2009 – 8:18 pm | #
I missed that girls! Hillary’s got more cajones than them.
The President is speaking. WOW it feels so great to say that and have it NOT be Bush!!!!!!!
here’s a better link for tonight’s parties
http://www.demconwatchblog.com/upload/pages/InaugurationCalendar.html
IndyRobin | 01.20.2009 – 8:21 pm | #
We had sadly forgotten what it was like to hear an intelligent President speak. And a likeable one too.
GeoT | 01.20.2009 – 8:22 pm | #
Thanks Geo.
Awwww ..their first dance, It was beautiful.
We had sadly forgotten what it was like to hear an intelligent President speak. And a
likeable one too.
So true. Unlike most, I didn’t hate Bush. I just felt a deep pity everytime he opened his mouth and wanted to ‘pretend” I was from “Canada”
Icemama,
I missed that girls! Hillary’s got more cajones than them.
Why do you think Obama made her SoS … lol. She will be takeing those 3am calls afterall!!
We had sadly forgotten what it was like to hear an intelligent President speak. And a
likeable one too.
icemama | 01.20.2009 – 8:23 pm | #
we’re changing from an administration that used fear to govern to one, I hope, that will be based on our strengths…
BTW CNN just said they will stay on live through the last ball @2am
Presidential PDA’s
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/20/barack-and-michelle-obama_n_159504.html
“I just made the choice to accept that in this space and time it continues to be
necessary for people to turn to their God to sanction such events regardless of weather I
believe or not. At least we have reached the societal point where no ONE religion rules so
while not perfect, it is at least progress. “
Sure but it is explicit that the God people are to turn to is the Christian god. I am not religious but I would have MUCH less of an issue if they were inclusive of all religions institutions and decided on a more spiritual tone and less dogma and Jesus praising which is alienating. I understand that hte majority of Americans may believe that but we are one of the only countries with the separation of chruch and state explicitly written into our constitution and we seem to follow it less than any other Western country.
Derrly,
Today Rev. Lowery stated these words as GeoT shared:
And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the
oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches,
our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.”
It is the first time in MY memory that it was a “state” prayer (lol) of actual inclusion. Believe me I HEAR what you are saying. I stopped personalizing the separation vs state issue and was able to feel better:) While not conventionaly religious, ( deplore organized religion that kills in the “name” of God.
I am a deeply spiritual person and part of my spirituality is allowing people their very own God. Hope this helps and thanks so much for talking with me about this.
I am not
religious but I would have MUCH less of an issue if they were inclusive of all religions
Deerly | Homepage | 01.20.2009 – 9:03 pm | #
“And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the
oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches,
our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.”
Rev. Lowery (today)
How often do you see a President and wife dancing with other people as the Obama’s did at the Commander-in-Chief’s ball.
I went to the new White House site and sent a message to them that I hoped they stayed the same down to earth fun loving people that just stepped into the WH today. His work is just starting but I do hoope he stays the same person that he was when he took the oath today.
we are one of the
only countries with the separation of chruch and state explicitly written into our constitution
and we seem to follow it less than any other Western country.
Deerly | Homepage | 01.20.2009 – 9:03 pm | #
actually there is nothing explicit in the Constitution about Religion other than “no Religious test” for holding office.
How often do you see a President and wife dancing with other people as the Obama’s did at the
Commander-in-Chief’s ball.
I went to the new White House site and sent a message to them that I hoped they stayed the
same down to earth fun loving people that just stepped into the WH today. His work is just
starting but I do hoope he stays the same person that he was when he took the oath today.
Betsy | 01.20.2009 – 9:50 pm | #
what’s the lowdown on the gown? Michelle looks great don’t you think?
But you can’t pick and choose a line or two from two long and showcased speeches and ignore the rest. Could it have been worse? Of course! There is always a way to make religious dogma more extreme.
Does that mean that *one* religion should have such a dominant place in our *government*? Absolutely not! Most people are spiritual in some way and I wouldn’t begrudge a spiritual message (heck, this is a big, emotional day!) but to have it be explicitly Christian (with a nod to the deviants) is very offensive. It’s not Obama’s fault, this is how our government is operated.
The discussion of religion in government seems to exclude persons of *other* faith and that makes me sad as well.
The issue of a dominating religion in this country’s government and policy is way too big for this discussion but I really wish people would care and talk about it when it crops up.
The argument that “this is how it is so learn to deal” doesn’t sit well with me as a gay rights activist, as a feminist and as an American who feels that that answer is a cop out. Either we are a theocracy or we take steps to try to reverse that.
Separation of church and state and genuine freedom of religion is the epitome of empty rhetoric. Alas.
GeoT, I missed who the designer of her gown is. She really looks beautiful. I bet the girls are in their new beds sound asleep while Grandma watches over them.
Anybody know which ball Palin will be attending?
LMAO icemama, I don’t think she’s anywhere to be found.
No M.O.O.S.E. Ball?
I bet the girls
are in their new beds sound asleep while Grandma watches over them.
Betsy | 01.20.2009 – 10:02 pm | #
someone called her the “First Grammy” :=)
Cindy McCain, at this hour, would’ve been doing a “Cher” changing dresses in the limo for each ball. Probably at $200,000 a pop.
The argument that “this is how it is so learn to deal” doesn’t sit well with me as a gay
rights activist, as a feminist and as an American who feels that that answer is a cop out.
Deerly,
My attempt was to only to aknowledge your feelings and share how I cope. Tonight is a night of celebration so if it is your decision to spend it caught up in your feelings of disapointment then … ok
Everyone else … beautiful day and have a great great night!!!
BTW:
a wonderful testimonial about the inauguration by Geraldine Ferraro on Fox tonight. She was very complimentary and she is another example of someone that has the grace to move beyond the campaign scrambles.
Everyone else … beautiful day and have a great great night!!!
IndyRobin | 01.20.2009 – 10:39 pm | #
we’ll all have a good sleep tonight :=)
Good night all.
Night.
Good night all—WOW—I, as an African-American–fought like hell in here for my girl—Hillary—when she didn’t prevail—She stepped up—and I had to follow here lead…Taylor had to drag some of us to the polls kicking and screaming—but WOW—I am in AWE….We as a People are on our way to redemption. This is a moment in which its many joys are unfolding and I hope….let me rephrase that—I have faith that our best moments are still to come with this Administration. Good night all….get a good nights rest—and wake up early to get our country back on track!!!