Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Proud Day!
I watched the Inauguration of the new US president today and thought it was quite interesting. I really loved the musical number composed by John Williams. That was way cool. What I also really enjoyed (to continue my list of things I love about America) was the excitement everyone had for this big day. It was a big deal, festive, with prayers, etc. People really got into this, and it was not only another president, but an emotionally big deal. I liked that. I liked the excitement, and emotional attachment to this event (versus maybe skepticism and cynicsm in Europe). But, what I really wanted to say, you may love Obama or you may hate him, but alas, the man can speak! I love listening to him, and while I realize he may not live up to his own words, I find his messages/speeches rather empowering and hopeful. Let's hope this president will deliver as promised!
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7 comments:
Here comes the cynical European: Was this an inauguration, i.e. a serious political event, or a carnival?? What self-glorification!!! All I can say is: "The Show must go on..." How about taking the money wasted on balloons and spending it on all those children who live below the poverty line?! Mr. Obama, you are the president of a real country, not the lead actor in a Hollywood blockbuster.
I hope all of this doesn't go straight to his head. I like Obama and I hope that he really can turn things around.
Hahaha, given our increasingly diverging views, maybe I'm becoming American afterall?! Well, the self-glorification lies in the tradition, which I think is an imitation of kings being crowned - that's all they knew back then when they cut free from the Brits. But, first of all, Obama did try to cut inauguration spending by something like 200 million dollars. Also, while this seems over the top and like a "carnival", where does it say that an important political event has to be all solemn and somber? We've been raised to apply reason and logic to everything, and so Europe's politics are logical, and full of skepticism and questions. If something happens, it happens because we thought it through and deemed it the right course...I like that, BUT, I realize that celebrating something forges emotional ties, and emotional ties bind you to a cause and make the event a personally important and meaningful thing - kind of like we get all emotional over the Soccer world championship, or when the wall came down. Emotional attachment can be dangerous, but also very empowering. It overcomes reason at times, and can lend you wings where wings are needed for a leap of faith to change something, and not to wait how reason can get you there.
Oh Fran, I fear you have become more American. :) I'm all for emotional ties and public bonding, but I do think American politics tend to exaggerate it. The crowning of a king or queen is a somber and sacred event; the king receives his duties in humility. Self-glorification smells of hypocrisy, in my mind. But I do like Obama, and I have high hopes for the US, so I wish him and America well. I really do. :)
Talking of which, I haven't gotten around to replying to your e-mail, but I will soon. I'm just more about small talk via blogs and facebook these days. sad, I know.
Just want to say Fran, that I enjoy reading your views and those of your European friends as foreigners in this country. That, combined with Quinn's perspective as an American in Europe along with my own travel experiences in Europe and India (and hopefully more to come in the future) provide me with food for thought and help me be a more informed member of the international community and less ethnocentric. And I confess, I cried while singing the national anthem yesterday and I'm probably one of the most cynical Americans you'll find, at least when it comes to politics. (I didn't like any of the presidential candidates this year)
thanks guys...well, Isabelle, I admit the whole inauguration is overdone in my book as well! But that's just how the US is. However, if that's what helps them get excited, and into something, if that gets them going to change, and do stuff, then I'm willing to put up with it. Or, maybe I also just don't see all the circus as much anymore since I'm surrounded by it all the time. You keep calling me on it - that way I won't get too American ;). Speaking of blogs and facebook, I need to add you to my skype account again, but can't find you?...
My skype account is jonniisa. :) Would be nice to have a chat sometime. :)
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