Thoughts on the Inauguration Ceremony
We have a new president. Relish in that thought for a moment.
Eight years ago, I was one of very few people who saw the potential for disaster in George Bush and Dick Cheney. Eight very long years later, like most Americans, I feel a sense of relief I can’t put into words. So, I thought I would give an unnecessary critique of the Inauguration Ceremony.
The President Obama’s Acceptance Speech
He’s being roundly criticized for not “seizing the moment” and delivering a speech filled with soaring rhetoric and an all-important catch phrase that stirs people’s emotions. There were no “ask not what you can do” quotes that will be remembered two hundred years from now ... and, my response is ... so the hell what!
His speech displayed something we haven’t seen or heard in eight years, the manner of a proper president. His words struck exactly the right tone and exactly the right levity for the moment.
He spoke the truth and that, by itself, is more than enough to guarantee him a place in history.
Rick Warren’s Invocation
For all the hooplah surrounding Obama’s decision to invite this evangelical preacher to give the invocation at the inaugural ceremony, I have to say that his speech was quite possibly the most pedestrian, unintellectual, uninspiring, morass of dogmatic crappola I have ever heard.
If this tripe is the best that one of the nations’ preeminent voices of god can do to inspire the faithful, it’s no small wonder why people are so easily impressed. Not only was his speech a disjointed morass of dogmatic religious garbage, but it spoke about nothing to no one. I guess that’s what happens when a bigot can’t rail against gays. He didn’t even invite the crowd to join him in saying the Lord’s Prayer.
But, keep sending him your money ... god talks to him.
Aretha
You are a national treasure ... But, it’s time to retire. Listening to her rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” was simply excruciating.
The Presidential Poet, Elizabeth Alexander
I will freely admit that poetry frequently overwhelms my feeble mind. That said, Mrs. Alexander’s effort was a perfect example of why creative works commissioned for specific events so frequently miss the mark. She had a mere two weeks to write the poem of her lifetime. No one can do that.
Her delivery was as inspiring as being told by a doctor, “I’m sorry, but we did all we could”. There was no cadence and no rhythm to the piece. And, the poem contained many passages where her word-smithing was so forced it was like listening to the sound of a child trying to force a round peg into a square hole.
Archive it in the circular file.
“Air and Simple Gifts” and the Dream Quartet
I’m one who believes that contemporary composers (John Adams, I’m referring to you) are a pathetic bunch of talentless hacks who couldn’t write an orchestral piece to save their sorry souls.
Fortunately, the man who arranged this marvelous homage to Copeland was none other than Hollywood composer, John Williams. Played by the dream quartet of Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill, and Gabriela Montero, this piece was transcendent (even if it was pre-recorded to accommodate the bitter cold).
This moment, for me, marked the very real and very clear difference between Bush and Obama. Highlighting the night and day difference between Toby Keith and YoYo Ma. “Put a boot in your ass” and “Appalachian Spring”. Ignorance and joy.
The arts aren’t dead yet ...
Rev. Lowery’s Benediction
Simply beautiful.
Michelle Obama and the kids
I like this woman, a lot. She was considerate enough of the financial crisis to find an unknown designer to create her outfit, instead of opting for a ludicrously expensive designer label. And, she shopped for the kids at J Crew. Unlike Laura who paid for her daughters $8000 gowns with tax-payer’s dimes.
