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Obama Inaugurama!!!
So, like many of you, I took almost an hour out of my workday to watch “Barack H. Obama” (did you notice that that’s how he was introduced, though Roberts did use the “Hussein” during the swearing in?) officially end the worst goddamned eight political years of my life (and keep in mind that I STILL FUCKING HATE FUCKING REAGAN!). I watched with 7-8 Valencia faculty and staff and one lone African-American student who wandered into our administrative offices. It was cute that when Roberts asked people to stand that those around me did, too, though I wouldn’t despite their entreaties (dude, it’s on TV–we’re not there). And they clapped and whooped at various times during the speech.
So why do I feel so underwhelmed by all this? Out of all the people I watched it with, I surely donated way more money to the campaign, and only one other person there did any canvassing like I did (though mine was a paltry two days’ worth right before the election). Shouldn’t I have been clapping and standing and misty-eyed and such?
Nah. I was willing to do a lot to get Barry elected, but the Hopey-McChange rhetoric can’t help us now that he’s in. I’m no pie-in-the-sky optimist. He’s facing some of the biggest difficulties any president has since FDR, and the lovefest will die out pretty fast when tough choices get made. And keep in mind that we elected a guy who’s a little too conservative for my tastes: note his opposition to gay marriage, willingness to sabre rattle with Pakistan, etc. I mean, douchebag-driven Rick Warren delivered the invocation, and I snickered when he said something about loving all the people on earth (you know, except those gays, the love for whom should be displayed by sending them to some place where reading the bible can cure them of their unnatural lusts).
Yeah, yeah, I know–he has to do these things to triangulate and get elected, but hey liberals: don’t be too sure that he doesn’t actually believe in some bearded, sandal-wearing, Caucasian god and hold other views that don’t match yours. Still, this doesn’t mean he’s not a damn far sight better than anyone we’ve had in that office since I’ve been alive. He is. But don’t let the ground hit you too hard the first time he legislates against something near and dear to you.
Discussion
3 comments for “Obama Inaugurama!!!”
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I couldn’t agree with you more about Obama’s start. His symbolism is certainly powerful–actually makes me proud to be an American in a way I haven’t in years and years–but the reality of his time in office might come to cross swords with that symbolism of hope.
I really think his biggest challenge will come from disappointed supporters on the left who will be intolerant of his politically necessary moves to the center to get things accomplished.
I would guess from what I’ve learned of him such compromises and centrism is much more of where his head and heart is at than his boosters would care to admit. For me, when I realized he was such a pragmatic, I finally became a full-fledged convert.
While he might not be the dream child everyone on the far left was hoping for, I hope everyone will see that there is still much to celebrate here. For me, I think his reality might be even *more* exciting that his symbolism.
The infamous New Yorker that had the drawing of Obama fist bumping Michelle had a profile of him focusing on his time in Chicago, and the overriding theme was that Barry was a sharp-elbowed opportunist who would make friends and throw them over when better friends became available. I think we were supposed to be surprised and a little appalled, but, like you Anj, it made me like him better.
He’s no neophyte wussboy, as some would style him; he’ll twist arms and get shit done. But we ultra-libs shouldn’t assume that what gets done will always be what we’d most like to see.
It’s important to remember that Barry is only really opposed to calling it “gay marriage.” He supports a civil union that gives the homos all the rights that marriage does. I’m guessing its just his (cynical) deference to a country that’s not ready to call it marriage.