Thursday, January 22, 2009

The flub heard 'round the world


Posted by Courtney E. Howard

President Obama had to be sworn in twice this week, due to what is being called "the flub heard 'round the world" by Chief Justice John Roberts. What happened? Perhaps he was nervous about the more than 500,000 people in attendance – reportedly more than during any other inauguration ceremony. Polls reveal that a majority of the American public thought it was "no big deal," but I found it embarrassing. He was reading it, yes? Jeez.

I could be a bit jaded, I admit, however. Ever since the election of 2000, and the finding last year that George W. Bush was not the winner of that election, I am dismayed, disheartened, and a bit disgusted.

President Obama took it all in stride, even cracking a joke to reporters attending the second oath; after all, he has bigger things to worry about, including what is deemed "the in-box from hell." I could have done without the flawed start but after hearing the President’s speech, I am nonetheless optimistic.

Okay, so it wasn’t the most powerful inauguration speech ever heard (a la John F. Kennedy), but I did find it inspiring, thought-provoking, and motivating.

What do you think, about the bungle and the speech?

2 comments:

  1. I wish these guys could get it right, as now a THIRD oath of office is in order. The first time the president and chief justice couldn't figure out when or where to say the word 'faithfully,' and the second time they forgot the Bible ... and speaking of that Bible, I understand that Abe and Mary forgot their family Bible back in Springfield, and had to run out and buy a new one at the last minute for the 1861 inaugural. Couldn't Barack and Michelle have done the same thing for the Oval Office swearing in? Then a president 150 years in the future could use the 'Obama Bible' for his ceremony.

    -- John Keller

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  2. I think you need to relearn your history. The Electoral College elected George Bush, not Al Gore, as president of the United States following the 2000 election. Not only is it erroneous to declare Gore the winner, it is unconstitutional.

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