Friday, January 23, 2009
Generalizing Statement
My generalizing statement for this paper is that the media has perpetuated so many myths, ranging from tautology (MLK/Lincoln) to the quantification of quality by his massive inaugural approval rating, even before Obama did anything as our President.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Media reaction
Mike Tramontelli 1/20/09
Prior to the inauguration there were a lot of literature and articles printed showing the “myths” that surrounded Barack Hussein Obama ranging from his associations wit MLK to how it would be crazier having an African American first lady rather than the conventional white one. However, Obama’s inaugural address addressed many different issues that I thought might have been overlooked. He spoke eloquently for twenty full minutes. It was kind of ironic that the only time that Barack misspoke today was when he was repeating his oath. It’s still really refreshing to hear him speak. He talked about redemption and uprising that seemed to shake everyone in the crowd (in a good way). “Mr. Obama promised to take “bold and swift” action to restore the economy by creating jobs through public works projects, improving education, promoting alternative energy and relying on new technology.” (NYT) Apparently right after the luncheon that Obama had with the members of congress, the White House’s chief of staff placed a hold on all pending regulations until Obama got a chance to see them first. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to agree on everything,” “And I assure you our administration will make mistakes.” (NYT) He knows that on this most glorious of days that our country elected him not only because he was the face of change that an old regime neglected but that he is now poised to lead our great country. Obama also quelled the dissent of the skeptics in his inaugural speech. There was still doubt up until this day that he wouldn’t be able to lead us and his inexperience would hinder what we were trying to accomplish as a country. “What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them.” (Inaugural Address).
After the luncheon, where cancer-stricken Senator Kennedy suffered seizure-like convulsions and was rushed to the hospital but will be released in the morning, Obama signed nominations to his cabinet and the various secretaries of etc… What I found most interesting was that the Republican Senators delayed the nomination of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state because of old conflicts that still might have roots. The myth of Obama v. Clinton wasn’t even touched upon today. Bill and Hillary received roaring applause from the crowd and it seemed that any residual discord was over. I do respect the republican senators for their fortitude even on the day where George W. Bush and Dick Chaney faced jeers and dissent from the crowd. After the ceremony was over Bush flew back to Texas and made a speech that almost sounded like he was validating his presidency. He said that approval polls and pubic dissent weren’t things that guided his presidency. He used the platform of 9/11 and the progress that was made in regard to the struggle to subdue global terrorism. “She told me she was excited about me mowing the lawn and taking out the trash –- it’s my new domestic agenda.” This is what many people who were there would have liked to see Bush do four years ago. I myself didn’t boo the former president but this was the largest inauguration crowd ever and many of these people didn’t approve of Bush and it was heard.
“But although the crowd and the podium around him were full of elated African Americans, Mr. Obama, the first black to become president, did not dwell on that in his speech.” (I’m not sure what were doing for works cited yet for the class but ill just write the publication for right now, NYT) When I was on the mall I was surrounded by every race and ethnicity and it just didn’t matter because the only thing that mattered was the jubilation that everyone shard on this day. He even used the same bible as Lincoln used on his inauguration. Colin Powell, who grew up in times of segregation was meet with cheers and he was quoted as saying that this was a time to tear up in celebration. The centennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, another Illinoisan who took the office at a time of national turmoil and a man whom Mr. Obama clearly looks to as an inspiration for his own presidency. I feel that it is a good thing that Obama is following Lincoln’s drive and ideas but I don’t want him to base his presidency on the fact that he needs to be Lincoln. Obama has different topics to deal with and huge problems facing Americans today. In addition when I was on the mall listening to Obama’s speech, I finally realized what turmoil America has to endure throughout his new regime. “Today is about validation of the dream Dr. King enunciated 45 years ago on the steps on the Lincoln Memorial,” said Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina.
Another little tidbit I just saw on the Washington Post was that China censored a part of Obama’s speech. A small portion of his speech dealt with him going off on the oppressive countries and making sure they knew that America wasn’t done. In that portion Obama mention the oppressive forces known as fascism and communism. China was apparently afraid of Obama’s diatribe or they thought that it was a direct shot at China. Whichever is the case, China wants to keep their citizens in the dark. In addition, he was mentioning fascism and communism as a negative factor some countries have and China didn’t want their people to know. I feel that China will be an advantageous ally, if we can get them on our side, but they have to know that we don’t see eye to eye on everything. I thought this was the most pervasive quote of Obama’s speech: “you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.“
Prior to the inauguration there were a lot of literature and articles printed showing the “myths” that surrounded Barack Hussein Obama ranging from his associations wit MLK to how it would be crazier having an African American first lady rather than the conventional white one. However, Obama’s inaugural address addressed many different issues that I thought might have been overlooked. He spoke eloquently for twenty full minutes. It was kind of ironic that the only time that Barack misspoke today was when he was repeating his oath. It’s still really refreshing to hear him speak. He talked about redemption and uprising that seemed to shake everyone in the crowd (in a good way). “Mr. Obama promised to take “bold and swift” action to restore the economy by creating jobs through public works projects, improving education, promoting alternative energy and relying on new technology.” (NYT) Apparently right after the luncheon that Obama had with the members of congress, the White House’s chief of staff placed a hold on all pending regulations until Obama got a chance to see them first. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to agree on everything,” “And I assure you our administration will make mistakes.” (NYT) He knows that on this most glorious of days that our country elected him not only because he was the face of change that an old regime neglected but that he is now poised to lead our great country. Obama also quelled the dissent of the skeptics in his inaugural speech. There was still doubt up until this day that he wouldn’t be able to lead us and his inexperience would hinder what we were trying to accomplish as a country. “What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them.” (Inaugural Address).
After the luncheon, where cancer-stricken Senator Kennedy suffered seizure-like convulsions and was rushed to the hospital but will be released in the morning, Obama signed nominations to his cabinet and the various secretaries of etc… What I found most interesting was that the Republican Senators delayed the nomination of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state because of old conflicts that still might have roots. The myth of Obama v. Clinton wasn’t even touched upon today. Bill and Hillary received roaring applause from the crowd and it seemed that any residual discord was over. I do respect the republican senators for their fortitude even on the day where George W. Bush and Dick Chaney faced jeers and dissent from the crowd. After the ceremony was over Bush flew back to Texas and made a speech that almost sounded like he was validating his presidency. He said that approval polls and pubic dissent weren’t things that guided his presidency. He used the platform of 9/11 and the progress that was made in regard to the struggle to subdue global terrorism. “She told me she was excited about me mowing the lawn and taking out the trash –- it’s my new domestic agenda.” This is what many people who were there would have liked to see Bush do four years ago. I myself didn’t boo the former president but this was the largest inauguration crowd ever and many of these people didn’t approve of Bush and it was heard.
“But although the crowd and the podium around him were full of elated African Americans, Mr. Obama, the first black to become president, did not dwell on that in his speech.” (I’m not sure what were doing for works cited yet for the class but ill just write the publication for right now, NYT) When I was on the mall I was surrounded by every race and ethnicity and it just didn’t matter because the only thing that mattered was the jubilation that everyone shard on this day. He even used the same bible as Lincoln used on his inauguration. Colin Powell, who grew up in times of segregation was meet with cheers and he was quoted as saying that this was a time to tear up in celebration. The centennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, another Illinoisan who took the office at a time of national turmoil and a man whom Mr. Obama clearly looks to as an inspiration for his own presidency. I feel that it is a good thing that Obama is following Lincoln’s drive and ideas but I don’t want him to base his presidency on the fact that he needs to be Lincoln. Obama has different topics to deal with and huge problems facing Americans today. In addition when I was on the mall listening to Obama’s speech, I finally realized what turmoil America has to endure throughout his new regime. “Today is about validation of the dream Dr. King enunciated 45 years ago on the steps on the Lincoln Memorial,” said Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina.
Another little tidbit I just saw on the Washington Post was that China censored a part of Obama’s speech. A small portion of his speech dealt with him going off on the oppressive countries and making sure they knew that America wasn’t done. In that portion Obama mention the oppressive forces known as fascism and communism. China was apparently afraid of Obama’s diatribe or they thought that it was a direct shot at China. Whichever is the case, China wants to keep their citizens in the dark. In addition, he was mentioning fascism and communism as a negative factor some countries have and China didn’t want their people to know. I feel that China will be an advantageous ally, if we can get them on our side, but they have to know that we don’t see eye to eye on everything. I thought this was the most pervasive quote of Obama’s speech: “you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.“
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