Newsworthy
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 1:08PM | by Katy There's something newsworthy happening today, and I can't seem to remember what it is...something about Washington, maybe? Am I supposed to be giving a speech? Is someone important going to be at a Mall somewhere? Actually, the mall sounds really nice right about now!
Alright, I'll quit being ridiculous. I understand today is an extremely important time in our Nation's history. I recognize the significance of this event and how it will forever change the way the world views the United States of America. I can identify with the excitement many feel as we embark on a new era in our country and, quite frankly, in our world.
Here are some things I DO NOT understand:
Thousands arrived before daylight Tuesday in standing-room-only trains. They carried blankets and wore Obama scarves to ward off the wind chills below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Suburban Washington train stations were jammed. A four-story parking deck at the Springfield, Virginia, station was filled at 5 a.m., CNN's Barbara Starr reported. But trains rolling into the stop about 15 miles south of the Capitol had no room for the hundreds on the platform, Starr reported.
"It is going to take a good, long while for people to get downtown," Starr said.
But just being among the crowd is good enough for many.
...Some will be more than a mile from the swearing-in ceremony, watching on giant TV screens erected along the National Mall.
(From CNN.com)
First of all, Obama scarves? Really? Has fashion become so horrific in the States since I left? Let's pray this trend doesn't spill over into Europe. I can just picture these gorgeous French models with their mile-long legs and wild hairstyles strutting the runway in their Nicolas Sarkozy scarves. What a horrible idea! Let's just bring back applique holiday sweaters and MC Hammer style parachute pants while we're at it. Yes, those are the two worst fashion trends I could come up with.
I want to make sure you all didn't miss this part: "wind chills below 15 degrees Fahrenheit." Now that's just plain madness! What do you want to bet some of those people will have infants there as well? Just hoping against all hope that Obama will make the three mile trek to where they're camped out to bless that child with an inaugural kiss.
Next, "A four-story parking deck at the Springfield, Virginia, station was filled at 5 a.m." Call me cynical, but does anyone else find it a bit ironic that nearly 1% of our nation's population is hopping into their gas-guzzling, greenhouse gas-spewing vehicles to trample the beautifully landscaped green space? I'd love it if someone just counted the number of gasoline-powered SUV's in that city today versus Earth-friendly scooters. But, that's just me. Maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps Washington DC looks more like a Prius convention than a soccer mom rally.
Finally, "Some will be more than a mile from the swearing-in ceremony, watching on giant TV screens erected along the National Mall." Fascinating. I'm sure many of these people have driven their guzzlers hundreds or thousands of miles in their tacky scarves to watch the inauguration with their infants in the freezing cold. What's worse than that is they STILL have to see it on a television screen! Does that strike anyone else as a bit overzealous? Don't get me wrong, I'll brave the cold for lots of things. Georgia football is a great example. But if someone insisted that I would have to wake up at the crack of dawn, fight 2 million people to attend, sit miles from the stadium, and still only get to see it on the television, I'd have to decline. I can scream and get excited in the comfort of my well-heated, Obama scarf-free home.
Katy
I'm enjoying a midnight snack over here...it's a great, big "can of worms"!
I'll add this post to "Lessons I learned the hard way." Today's lesson? Stay out of the kitchen if you can't take the heat. And I REALLY try to avoid heat most of the time. However, I do want to share a few thoughts that are weighing heavily on my mind as I'm trying to sleep...
First of all, I did not watch the inauguration, because I was preparing for an upcoming presentation. I will most likely see bits and pieces as I scour the Internet to get my news at a later time. I'm on a bit of a "news fast" lately. I just had to confess that. ;-)
Second of all, while I do not see eye-to-eye with most of Obama's political views, I will consistently pray for him. I WANT him to succeed, and I know that if the Lord wills it, he can do great things for our country! I feel no need to criticize him as a human being any more than I felt the need to criticize George Bush. I can't imagine a more difficult job in all the world right now, and I believe our new Commander in Chief could use a massive amount of prayer.
Next, I would love it if my fellow Americans could step back with me for a moment and recognize that race and diversity are aspects of our culture that should be celebrated! And I don't hear an awful lot of celebrating... from ANYONE! What I do hear is those who choose to put down other races, exploit their own race, or even ignore that we were created differently (which is also a ridiculous response).
Just as God made me uniquely female, he also made my skin a different color than many of my precious brothers and sisters. So, let's not pretend like we're not different from one another, but let's also realize that every human being - whether male, female, white, black, red, yellow, democrat, republican, Christian, atheist, agnostic, gay, straight - EVERY SINGLE ONE of us will stand alone before the Creator of this world. We were all made in His image...so let's start acting like it!
Finally, y'all don't make me change the settings so that you'll be forced to include your email addresses. I too enjoy a bit of anonymity, but some of you might get a little too brave. ;-)
Reader Comments (17)
I'll be honest. This post was quite the downer. I only continued reading because I expected something more, I don't know, positive from a motivational speaker. I usually enjoy your posts, but the judgement passed on liberals really disapointed me. I know this is your blog and of course you should feel free to post your opinions, but this is sad blip on my otherwise pride filled day.
Fair enough, yours truly! And I appreciate your comment...honestly. I too have an enormous amount of pride in our nation. I merely enjoy a bit of playful banter about the media - who have been complaining outwardly about how the inauguration will produce 575 MILLION Pounds of CO2 (http://thechillingeffect.org/2009/01/14/ifl-inauguration-will-produce-575-million-pounds-of-co2/). Perhaps I could have made that more clear.
My intent was not to offend liberals, democrats, republicans, or conservatives. My religious and political views are clearly defined throughout this site, but that does not mean I enjoy bashing those who don't share them. I do, however, enjoy seeing things from a different point of view. Yes, I could speak from a more serious standpoint about world events, but I prefer to use this forum in a more lighthearted way.
I will work on communicating my sarcasm a little less offensively. I definitely don't want to do that.
God bless!
Well, I have to say it is overexadurated. The whole point is to get the world excited for US or let the global poluation know the love you have for Obama, I guess. I am so happy and upbeated for what the miracle your country has done, I have to say. Also, in fact, I think as a black, he must has his well-glorious personality and objects of life and the world, otherwise he even wouldn't be one of the candidates. He deserves and your country deserves this. To relief so many hearts and which be led by a new spirit they trust more and hope better. good for your country to make everything possible. I am happy for the fact of the happening as a person looking something positive is on in the battle-over world.
faith restored. Somehow I knew you'd respond so eloquently. We're all in this together!
I AGREE WITH Katy (her first post in particular). This was the high blip on my otherwise absolutely frightening, most annoying day. No way do you deal with those conditions to just cram in a stadium and watch it on TV. I can watch that from my couch in my underwear. AND...I can pick my nose at the same time and no one will judge me. AND I could watch in HD, which is better than real life anyway. Yes its historic, but its not the second coming of Christ like they tell you on TV.
Yours Truly should relax. Katy isnt judging anyone. Leave it to the liberal loonies to always get offended.
By the way, how many people were getting paid welfare from MY hard earned dollars to go out there and have a good time while I slaved away trying to keep my job?
Tonight I pray for our nation and Brian's new boss.
Bradford was there today :)
For the record, Obama is HALF black. Also a "glorious personality and objects of the life and world" do not make anyone a good president.
Oh Katy! That first part cracked me up! I was reading it to my friend, whose house I'm at, and she was laughing just as hard as I was. Which was a good thing, because she is sick :(
If I find an Obama scarf I will send it to you! :)
xoxo
ps feel free to put me on the e-mailing list when you post new entries
It is an amazing time in history, no matter what your views are. I'm very thankful that we have so many people reading our little website who care so much! I also love that we have people reading who have different views from us. I ask that you all pray for the new President (my boss) and the hundreds of people helping him make decisions. I do hope that, though some people disagree, this will bring us together as a country. Please keep reading and respectfully posting.
Brian
I don't think you always need to be "motivating" just because you happen to be a motivational speaker. This blog isn't your job, just something you all do to keep us informed of your exciting life! I enjoy it. And Brian....I'm still waiting for an email back, but once in 2008 is good. Can I get 2 in 2009?
This is a Squarespace test.
Howdy Howdy Howdy! Whats up Morgans? Dont worry about your new boss Brian, "the people" are his boss so we need to remember that. I didn't know ya'll started a political blog, but I like it.
Let me get my opinions out there by saying that I think ALL politicians STINK and have lost touch with "the people." I don't know if B.O. will help (pun intended) but could he really do any worse? Hopefully that "balance of power" thing will come through for us. However, never underestimate stupidity. Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even dumber than that!!!
So all that aside, are the Morgans doing fine on the other side of the pond?Enjoying your wooden beams? Things in Texas are goin' aite. I tell you what though, we sure could use some motivational speakin' around my office. People getting "reduced" left and right. Its like Survivor in here.
Who is Mike "Lews?"
Well, I have been out of town for a few days and I missed all this! This is interesting. My thought is simple, I think. On Jan 20, we had beautiful wedding with the new president. That is what everyone in the media and probably most that voted for him was looking for. The first "black" president. Well we got him and all the pomp and circumstance. The media has drooled. Now let's see how the MARRIAGE will be. I think too many get caught up in all the junk. I think he and all the past and future presidents should take their oaths just like he took the second one that he had to. In a hall somewhere. We have had the wedding. Now I guess there will be a honeymoon period. I am focusing on the marriage. What is he going to do. I know he is the man now and I do pray for him. I do not wish him any harm and if he is the one who gets the Fair Tax pushed through, that will be great with me. I won't be mad because a (black) demorcrat did it.
Wow, I never thought I would be able to rant on this site. That felt good! Oh, by the way, this is Joey.
Is everyone sitting down? I know that our new President has bolstered the office to a status of fame not yet seen by many in this country. I know that all americans are praying and hoping that he will be the greatest commander in cheif we have ever had. All that being said, it is our local goverments that we had better be paying attention to. Those in office down the street from you will have a greater affect on you in the short term and long term than the federal goverment will ever have. When an issue is brought up in your local city council or county board hearing make your voice heard as loud then as you are now. If we show as much intrest in what happens a mile from our homes as we do in what happens in Washington our communities and cities will benifit from it. It would be a terrible shame if all of this political excitement faded away because some finally got what they wanted or the other half just lost intrest because they feel like their voice isn't being properly portrayed. Stay informed about your local process and you will see your world change before your own eyes and not on a TV screen.
I must say I mostly agree with you, Katy. (I'm sorry it took me so long to read this.) I work in a metro Atlanta mall. The location of the mall means I am one of 2 non-african decended people on staff at my studio. This is a factual observation. Directly across from the studio is a kiosk. It sells things like "We did it" t-shirts and t-shirts that had President Obama's face next to Dr. M.L. King, Jr's face. Personally, I find that offensive. Dr. M.L.King, Jr. gave his life in the pursuit of equality, he made great and amazing strides for civil rights of all people and he deserves people's utmost respect. At the point those t-shirts hit the stand all President Obama had done was talk a good game. I wait and hope that he proves himself worthy of the confidence people in my country have put in him. I pray for his health, safety and success. That's just my 2p, for what it's worth.
Olivia,
You said something very important: "I pray for his health, safety and success." May we all continue to do that on a daily basis - regardless of our political views! Also, I think Drew makes a GREAT point. I wonder how many of those who oppose President Obama's policies (or George Bush's policies for that matter) have taken the time to write their congressional representative or to even participate in their local government. How many of us have put actions behind our criticisms? The beauty of the American political system is the freedom we all have to challenge it. Let us all remember that M.L. King, Jr. was actually ONE MAN! Something I have always admired about his life is that he pursued equality PEACEFULLY and PRAYERFULLY. Let us all follow that beautiful example! Sure, it's easy for me to criticize and worry about where our nation is headed...it's much more challenging to do what Ghandi recommended: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
~Katy