Obama Gave America Hope

By Warren Anderson
Tirana Times Special Correspondent

Washington,D.C., January 21, 2009. On a bright and cold but crisp Noon on January 20th, 2009, America’s 44th President was Inaugurated. With estimates of between 1.5 million to 2 million in attendance on the Capital Mall, and a televised worldwide audience of over 100 million, history recorded, once again, the peaceful transfer of power between the most powerful man on earth and the man, chosen by the people of the U.S., to replace him. Other than taking place five minutes later than prescribed by the Constitution, and after some confusion regarding the Oath, the deed was done and Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th man, and the first African-American, to take the Oath of Office of President of the United States.
According to reports from the Washington, D.C. Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service, there were no incidents to report; no arrests, no troubles. With over 40,000 Federal, State and local law enforcement officers and National Guard troops, those in charge were ready for anything. Bomb detection and disposal units, bomb sniffing dogs, radiation detection units, snipers on roof tops, medics and medical personnel as well as volunteers from the Red Cross were all on hand. They even sent Defense Secretary Robert Gates to a secure location, in case anything happened to the rest of the government leaders. All precautions and preparations for the worst, which fortunately did not happen.
What did happen, rather, was that nearly 2 million people gathered on “America’s front lawn”, the National Mall, a space of some 3 1/2 miles from Capital Hill in the east to the Lincoln Memorial in the west. They gathered in special VIP ticketed areas or, the general mass of people, just gathered wherever they could view one of the many jumbo TV screens set up for viewing across the length of the Mall. They gathered to strain to see and hear their newly elected President take the Oath of Office and, as President, give his Inaugural Address.
Getting nearly 2 million people to the Mall is no easy task. The Washington, D.C.Metro, one of the largest in the U.S., is only able to handle 1 million a day. Many people camped out on the Mall, a very cold proposition, considering the below freezing temperature. Others began the journey at 4:30am when the Metro began running. Many walked from hotels and homes. The only major problem the whole day was someone falling onto a track at one of the Metro stations, causing back-ups and delays.
For all the cold and the crowds, for all the long walking and long waiting in lines for security checks, one heard very little if any grumbling or complaining. People were in a happy, festive mood. They realised that they were about to witness history: not only the changing of political forces and power in America, but that an African-American was going to be President of these United States of America for the first time. That a man whose father was born and raised in Africa was going to be living and working in a building African-American slaves built; where African-Americans had toiled and worked in menial jobs, and; where relatively few, until recently, had any power or influence, had their voices heard or even been invited to dine. Families of all ages and sizes, people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as religions joined together on the Mall to witness history. Security was present but more to keep everyone safe and moving than to intimidate. In fact, few if any weapons were noticed on security personnel, none on the military folks. People were friendly and talkative with strangers, commenting on the cold but also eagerly waiting for the festivities to take place.
Cheers went up when various Democrat luminaries were introduced, polite applause for Republicans. A few booed President Bush when he was announced, but they were soon hushed by others in the crowd that said that was not right, to respect the office, if not the man. Deafening cheers went up when Michelle Obama or the daughters were announced and seen on the screens. Louder still the announcement of Biden and pandemonium when Obama himself was seen and then announced.
The crowds cheered again after Biden took the Oath of Office for Vice-President, and again absolute bedlam after Obama finished his Oath. It was done. He was the one now. President Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States of America.
There did not seem to be many moments when the masses cheered during President Obama’s Inauguration speech. But it was obvious that all were listening to every word. His speech was not one meant to make people cheer or laugh, but rather a serious, measured speech explaining the difficulties ahead and reminding Americans, and the world, that America has faced tougher times before and had been victorious and successful in achieving a desired outcome by hard work and perseverance. Obama stated:
“That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
“These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land – a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met.
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
“On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
“We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted – for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things – some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”
It was a reminder of how America became great, why America was great and how America would become great again. Obama was calling on all Americans to dedicate themselves to one another and the nation in order to turn what seems like disaster into success. He spoke of the patriotism of those who have volunteered recently for the Armed Forces and who were protecting us by standing watch in lonely and dangerous places around the world. He reminded Americans what they seem to have forgotten; that America can not rely on the few to give all. All Americans must give some to share the burden.
President Obama finished his speech by recalling the darkest hour in American history, December 1776. With few if any supplies, and only a few thousand men – most whose enlistment would be up by the New Year, 1777 – General George Washington was faced with a terrible decision – fight with few resources and little hope of success, or give up. President Obama reminded Americans of that history by saying,
“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. 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.
“This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
“This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed – why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
“So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled.
“In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing.
The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”
“America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”
The crowd erupted again, many obviously moved to tears by the words and sentiment expressed. It was a simple speech that touched simple but true themes and forgotten truths about America, the American character and American history.
As quickly as the Mall had filled, it began emptying. The cold was compounded by a very brisk wind, making the temperature feel even colder on exposed skin. Yet, again, people were in great spirits. It felt as though there had been a new dawn, a turning point in American history. It felt the same way after President Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration, replacing Carter. At that time it felt like we finally had someone who knew what to do at the helm of the ship of state. Our enemies would fear us, not laugh at us. The hostages were freed.
Tradition states that after the Inauguration there is a lunch for the new President. Senator Ted Kennedy, a stalwart and crucial early supporter of Obama’s, fell ill, causing concern from the new President as well as Congressional colleagues. He is expected to be out of the hospital shortly.
Delayed due to the lunch, as usual, the next order of business in Washington, D.C. was the Inaugural parade. Those watching TV and those with tickets for the bleachers along the parade route, and who were fortunate enough to get through security check points quickly, saw the new President and First Lady walk a fair distance of the 1.5 mile route. Cheering and jubilation were evident on the faces of those waving fervently at the First Couple.
The parade, made up of over 10,000 people from all 50 states, lasted longer than most of those who paid to sit and watch them. The biting cold and the desire to get ready for the Inaugural Balls probably had something to do with that. Even the Presidential viewing stand was empty but for the President, his wife and security and staff.
An Inauguration is not complete without Inaugural Balls, and this inauguration had 10 official balls. The President and First Lady, as well as the new Vice-President and his wife attended each of the ten. The President started with the Neighborhood Ball, where he showed that he was either very tired or just could not dance. He said and did the same at each, finishing at the Ball held at Union Station just before 1AM, over an hour ahead of schedule.
At the end of a long day it was obvious a line had been crossed. Finally, America had someone in place who knew what Americans were thinking, how they felt and that could actually articulate those thoughts. It was also obvious Obama could coherently state what was needed to be done and had the guts and the sense to tell Americans what they needed to do, as well as the sacrifices and difficulties that lay ahead. But most importantly, on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, President Barack Hussein Obama gave America hope. We have done it before, many times. We can do it again. Yes we can!