Inauguration

When I can locate a transcribed version of Barack Obama's Inaugural Address I will post the link. I haven't found one yet.

I'll leave the deep analysis to the so-called experts, and I'll touch on a few things here.

First, President Obama did not give the oath of office word for word. Does that matter? Will he redo it later? I was pleased Justice Roberts used his full name when administering the oath. It seems media and others have avoided it, but it IS his name.

Second, I liked the part of President Obama's address concerning our current economic crisis. He said that it was indeed the result of the "greed of some", but also our "collective failure to make hard choices". We, as a people, should take responsibility for our mistakes if we expect others to take responsibility for theirs. Much of the economic crisis blaim should rest on the shoulders of the American people. We chose to accept risky mortgage loans. We chose to spend more than we earn. I'm glad President Obama mentioned our collective accountability for this crisis.

Third, he pointed out that loyalty and patriotism are old but true principles that we should live. Agreed.

Fourth, he spoke of a "new era of responsibility...duties to ourselves, our nation..." and that this is the "price and promise of citizenship". True. Let's do as he said, "Pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off..." Let's change our bad habits. Let's take responsibility for where we have gotten ourselves and challenge OURSELVES to be responsible for where we will go and whom we will become.

If you haven't watched or read the Inaugural address, I would encourage you to do so. As CNN reporters over-stated, "There is something in there for everyone."