"When we put our shoulders to the wheel of history it moves...it moves forward". (President Obama 1/20/2013)

In the last 4 years our President has faced intractable opposition, but we've made progress:
Revitalizing the economy, overhauling healthcare, appointing two women to the Supreme court, Lily Ledbetter, Auto Industry comeback, DADT, Wall Street reform, ending the Iraq war, winding down in Afghanistan, DREAM-ers.

May we co-create an America that recognizes our absolute equality, is safe for all our children, that lifts up our families, and intends a positive, fair and dignified future that is worthy of us. Reverend King would be proud and happy to know that President Obama looks out for everyone, regardless of background and creed.

About the Inauguration festivities, the President said "'we're celebrating each other". Martin Luther King's legacy lives inside the actions, integrity, commitment and character of President Barack Obama - and his mission goes forward when we collaborate, learn to live together, and take action together in new ways.

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

That must have been hard on Barry to admit that he is subject to the Constitution. Makes you wonder if he had his fingers crossed when he took the oath of office yesterday. That pesky piece of paper is a real pain in the ass for him. Imagine the nerve of the founders to put checks and balances in place to prevent the President from governing like a King. For example, why did the founders have to create Congress when a royal President could just as easily issue laws using Executive Orders. Same thing with the Supreme Court: Who the Hell are they to sit in judgment of the royal Presidents actions??

Thank God for the foresight of the founders.

I have to wish the Dr. King had lived to see the inauguration of this President. It was the work he did that led to this day. I remember those days too, IR. I remember Dr. King stepping out in faith and moving a nation to do the right thing, and he did it in the face of such danger that we can't begin to imagine, and he lost his life over this cause.

One man can make such a difference to this world, and Dr. King was a gift to all of us. It is meet and right that this inauguration take place on a day that we celebrate the life of this extraordinary man.

Congratulations, Mr. President. And thank YOU, Dr. King.

Pigotry

January 20, 2013

This is a beautiful day - a little chilly, courtesy of our neighbor Canada's wintry weather.

We do our part to maintain the warm er cool relationship between our nations.

Outstanding post IR . . . truly inspired . . . I thank you.

Cheers, IR, for your post!

What a great day it is. We honor Martin Luther King, Jr., and those who walked beside, sat in, sat down with him to force the awful truth of segregation and its vileness into the public's conscience through peaceful activism. Much work remains before us yet much has been accomplished. Today we also honor MLK with the Second Inauguration of the first black President, Barack Obama. It doesn't get much better than this.

Inaugural poem by Maya Angelou for January 1993 Clinton - the 'first black president' (excerpts)

History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, and if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.

.

It's the Nobel laureate Toni Morrison who refered to Clinton as the 'First Black President'

This is a day of great ceremony. The President already took his oath for a second term yesterday. But today, with much pomp and circumstance he will do it again. We, as a nation, celebrate the beginning of another four years of coming back from the brink of destruction and continuing the long pull back to stability. It's also a time for a bit of reflection and some soul-searching. In that spirit, I ask:

Will right-wing extremists get on board, or will they have another Inauguration Day "Destruction Dinner"? Will they raise a toast to obstruction? Will they spit in the fact of an electorate that rejected them on every front?

Republicans told us again and again that the economy could never recover because of "uncertainty". Yep, that was it - uncertainty. More than a decade of Bush/Obama tax cuts and the economy crashed and then struggled to come back. It still hasn't come back all the way, even though the taxation question is no longer uncertain. So what do Republicans do? They play games - nasty games, destructive games - with the debt ceiling. They're going to raise the debt ceiling every three months. MAYBE! Now there's a solid foundation for job creators. Three-month business plans. That is the essence of uncertainty, and don't dare lay the blame at the feet of anyone but Republicans for it.

Inauguration Day was preceded by a national day of worship: Gun Appreciation Day. Gun shows bloomed across the nation, where weapons bristled and patriotic Americans congregated. Could you imagine a safer place than a gun show, where the wet dreams of crazed gunners came true? At three gun shows, five people were shot. Guns don't shoot people, staunch defenders of the second amendment shoot people.

Here's a question that begs for an answer! Why do we have corporations? The true value of a corporation is limited only to the people who own and/or run the corporation. That value is based on being shielded from liability. If you own stock, or your pension fund owns stock in Megabuck Monstrocorp, and MM is poisoning the water, or creating space alien molecules, or they're out on a shopping spree looking for bargain basement Congressman........Well, you're just pure as the driven snow, aren't you? The corporation did that. Not you. When you get right down to brass tacks, there is absolutely no reason for the continued existence of a corporation. You want to do business, you do it just like any small proprietor.

Why should we expect employment rates to be the same today as they were a century ago? Today, the majority of us live in cities. Robotics and mechanization are the norm, not the exception. Employment has moved off-shore. Yes, my fellow lefties, we have created a class that lives on the dole - too lazy and/or too good to soil their hands.

Yes, it's Inauguration Day, and it's also a day to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. His legacy is to remind us that none of the things we take for granted came easy. Let's ask the tough questions. Let's pull together to do what needs to be done, and yes, if it means walking over the obstructionists who block the road back to security, let's walk. We must move forward. Might not be a bad time to remember how we got here. Every one of us is a descendant of immigrants.

Albany Joe:

It's no secret I don't even try to sugar coat the way I feel some times like many of my fellow lefties. It gives me great pleasure to know that you will suffer, squirm, bitch, piss, and moan for another four years. It's even better knowing you won't accomplish spit.

Although still a Brit at heart in 1967, MLK in an address to Canadians stirred a new found pride in the duality that I was becoming ... he stirred a sense of pride in many around the world who fought the true fight and everyone's skin was in the game.

It is a deep personal privilege to address a nationwide Canadian audience. Over and above any kinship of U.S. citizens and Canadians as North Americans, there is a singular historical relationship between American Negroes and Canadians.

Canada is not merely a neighbour to Negroes. Deep in our history of struggle for freedom Canada was the North Star. The Negro slave, denied education, de-humanized, imprisoned on cruel plantations, knew that far to the north a land existed where a fugitive slave, if he survived the horrors of the journey, could find freedom. The legendary underground railroad started in the south and ended in Canada. The freedom road links us together. Our spirituals, now so widely admired around the world, were often codes. We sang of 'heaven' that awaited us, and the slave masters listened in innocence, not realizing that we were not speaking of the hereafter. Heaven was the word for Canada and the Negro sang of the hope that his escape on the underground railroad would carry him there. One of our spirituals, 'Follow the Drinking Gourd', in its disguised lyrics contained directions for escape. The gourd was the big dipper, and the North Star to which its handle pointed gave the celestial map that directed the flight to the Canadian border.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Why is MSNBC broadcasting on Inauguration Day from a bar?

It is such a beautiful day with thousands of people streaming onto the National Mall from all across the nation, and they're in a bar?

People are so happy as they're being interviewed. One woman was just interviewed - a 70 year old volunteer.

It's the people we want to hear from, not pundits. Good grief.

People outside are so happy, so excited. Inside the bar - the usual "let's tell the country how Obama doesn't reach out" BS.

How many republicans are missing the Inauguration btw? Can't be bothered to attend such a momentus occasion.

Thrilled for all those who are attending. And of course thrilled for President Obama and the country.

Ron Indiana

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing:

This past weekend Republicans returned from their three-day retreat at Williamsburg, Virginia and what they learned is that they have a "communications problem" when it comes to talking about women, immigration, fiscal matters, and voter suppression.

The GOP hasn't changed much. If you can't win by debating your ideas in the public forum, then go to plan B…cheat.

Ron

If they know what's good for them; they will President Obama has a mandate. They semi-caved withe the debt ceiling. It's time for the GOP to put their money where their mouths are. They want bi-partisan. Okaaay, show the majority (mandate) of American they are sincere. I hope they can stop lying.

Ron, Backhouse, well said.

I see the right-wingers again dined on sour grapes and lemons for breakfast; they really should eat a more balanced diet. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. Yet, I cannot help enjoying their poorly disguised misery and jealousy. Nothing the right can say will dampen my spirits or lessen my pleasure as I watch today's traditional pomp and circumstance as well as the joyous festivities that follow it.

What a great day. Our President is inaugurated and it's also MLK's Birthday. Couldn't be more fitting. Many of our "Republican Brothers" will whine and snivel and say it's the end of Democracy as "THEY" know it. Couldn't happen to a nicer group of clowns. Get over it. You've got 4 more years to get use to it. Get with the program and think about "OUR" Country first and just not yourselves.

And Mr. President push hard for gun reform. You know how to do it.

Ron in Indiana, you forgot one, Rick Snyder in Michigan, ran as one tough nerd, and became one terrible governor for the middle class, his first move was raise taxes on the seniors and the poor. Take money out of schools and give his rich buddies a nearly 200 billion dollar gift. The Michigan legislature which also was republican rushed through some of the most repulsive legislation in the nation. All these republicans seem to be on the puppet strings being pulled by the Koch brothers, and the Mackinac center. The tough part is we will be under their influence for the next 8 years, at least until the next census. Gerrymandering is going to be a problem nation wide. However, there is hope as the democrats are winning the state wide elections and it will hopefully play out in their favor as republicans, and particularly the righty fascist will disappear due to their inclusion party.

In this day of festivities, we will look forward to what is possible, not look back to what has transpired. We will look for hope, and prosperity returning to the middle class. One more time congratulations to the president and good luck in the future to fight against those that would destroy America with their fascism.

I sure hope President Obama can fix the mess he inherited of the past four years. Things are SLOWLY getting better in spite of the progressive/liberal agenda. I hope he doesn't screw it up.

Beverly - Think Progress? Is that where you get your information? Pathetic!

Pat Boston MA.

Why is MSNBC broadcasting on Inauguration Day from a bar?

Pat,

I don't watch Moaning Joe. I don't like having my intelligence insulted. I'm assuming it's because
the newsmedia are CONTROLED by the global elite; and to no surprise, because they OWN it they CONTROL it; thanks to billions of dollars corporate gaint; COMCAST.

Floyd,

I can't think of anyone more deserving of the "prime" parking spot on a day like today!

Beautiful... simply... beautiful!

*Waves to Ron, NewDay, Bev, Pat, David, Nash, BCWC, Miss Piggy, Jody, Johntho, CA Tom & Backhouse*

For adding to the momentum of this historic day!

Why is MSNBC broadcasting on Inauguration Day from a bar?

They're hoping to catch Otis in action...?

There was a moment during the 2008 presidential campaign, when one campaign staff asked Candidate Obama: what was there left for Barack to accomplish to become President. Because all of you might know already that Barack had already accomplished a lot up to that point. As a Columbia political science major, Barack went to Harvard law school, then became the first African American to be President of Harvard law review, then Illinois state senator, then US Senator at a very young age.

.

Candidate Obama said, let me paraphrase, that he wanted to be President ... to inspire all Americans that the American Dream is alive and well FOR ALL.

Thanks, Pres. Obama. U R truly inspirational.

.

Best wishes to your 2nd term. We will absolutely support you.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
-- Martin Luther King Jr.

IR, very inspiring post..thank you!

The above quote should sit on every lawmaker's desk as a constant reminder that they are sent to work for ALL the people regardless of party or special interest.

BCWC, thanks for the reminder about Canada being the North Star of freedom and the underground railroad that led to it. That's one of MLK's speeches that too often doesn't get the attention it should. Whether it was slaves heading north to freedom or American Indians who fled there from persecution, Canada welcomed them.

michigan northener

Obama goes into second term with same old same old .

they have no clue .

1 million people expected at inauguration . only two had to take off from work .

michigan northener

You are (to say the least) frothing at the mouth over a LIE. WISE UP KID. You and FOX NEWS FAKE NEWS have issues with the truth.

President Obama gave us:

a) healthcare

b) START treaty

c)ended the war in Iraq

d) is ending Afghan War

e) made sure the rich paid their fair taxes

f) kept this economy from falling into the 2nd Depression

g) got bin Laden

I don't watch Moaning Joe. I don't like having my intelligence insulted.

ROFLMAO.

Best comment of the day!!!

Ron great post. You got to the heart of the conservatives main problem, they don't have a communication problem, they have a VALUES problem and I might add a very big problem.

Imagine having to give workshops on how to be respectful towards people, telling them not to use the word rape, or work to try to suppress women's rights or insult groups such as, LGBT or suppress the vote for minorities. Yet, sadly they need to, astonishing to me that these elected officials, some well educated in the finest institutions of the land, have never been learned respect of others and their opinions or their lifestyles. But telling them not to use certain words doesn't make it stop, it is just covering up their insensitivity but their hearts don't change.

Most of all, they never learned manners, to this day, if my adult children were to do or say what some of these individuals do, my opinion on that would be heard.

Today is a sad day for America.

As said from my Favorite Redneck Friend from Virginia, i've been fortunate to live thru several of these days. The days after MLK was Gunned Down were filled with Fighting in my Old stompin grounds, but WE survived ! Guns were for Hunters, so Fistacuffs, was the name of the Game. That way, We All Lived.

This past weekend, several Gun enthusiast from across America, were accidentally Shot, as they tried to show thier Faith in thier 2nd amendment rights. You just can't make this stuff up!

The writers of this thread had the Gall to even mention GWB's 2nd inauguration speeech of "Freedom & Security", while Failing to mention The Patriot Act, which was implemented by the same GWB. The writers of this thread also gave the House GOP leadership Credit for coming up with a still undevelopded Political Victory, after the statement they produced about a 3 month Debt ceiling increase. The writers then Failed to give Sen. Schumer the same Credit for saying the GOP had better get ready for Revenues coming from Tax Reform(which is more likely to happen than a 3month increase in the Debt ceiling)!

My Personal Hope is that Sen. Majority Leader Reid tells "The Turtle to Stickit where the Sun dont Shine" & makes Fillibuster Reform, The Order of the Day!

Until that happens, nuttin will move Real America Forward !

You Betcha!

Occupy SoggyBottom!

Today is a Great Day for America!

I love all the pundits wringing their hands lamenting that the Republicans must change after their shellacking in 2012. Lets get real. Obama won with 3% of the vote against a terrible candidate, the aid of a compliment media, and billions of taxpayer dollars spent in swing states. Nobody has yet came up with a good explanation as to why the 2nd debate was held in New York (24%+ for Obama, try finding the undecided there) and included debate questions like "How are you different from George W Bush"? Hardly a landslide given the assistance Mr Obama was given.

What is missing from their collective hand-wringing is a discussion of what Mr Obama's second term agenda contains. It appears he is already setting up a straw man fight with the NRA over assault rifles. Of course this ignores the fact that most gun homicides involve handguns. Yet another solution that does not address the cause of the problem (Frank-Dodds anyone). There is no discussion of the spending cuts required, even those in the DoD, to bring our budget into any kind of balance. All we get is, there's been 1.4T of cuts so far and another 1.2T in sequestration. Off course the 1.4T are cuts in spending that hasn't actually occurred so they are only reduction in a budget that was never going to be implemented. The 1.2T are real, which is why both sides are looking to avoid them, but that is only 120B of a 1T deficit.

This is the real issue facing the country. Not guns or immigration or even the Middle East. Some interesting facts.

2009 Unemployment rate was 7.8%, 2013 it's still 7.8% after 1T, plus all the money the Fed has printed.

2009 The debt was 10T, 2013 16T+ an increase of over 60%.

This is not a sustainable path, and no matter what his supporters claim, he is as fiscally irresponsible as George W Bush.

@ Ron Indiana, you have to say this with a southern drawl, "What we have here is a failure to communicate"

Beverly, I can't help think as I look at this crowd of proud happy faces how they played such a huge part in defeating Citizens United. How many of those people on the Mall stood in line for hours and hours so they could vote for Barack Obama back in November, despite obvious voter suppression. Who volunteered for an entire year, gave what donations they could so today could happen.

Today is for them as much as for Obama/Biden.

Great great day for America.

Obama to lay out 2nd term goals in his inaugural address today, among them are:

The theme of protecting the middle class, which Obama will probably address Monday in his inaugural speech and detail next month in his State of the Union remarks, carries into a new term some of the liberal populism of his last election.

Gun-control measures, immigration overhaul, clean-energy initiatives and college affordability are priorities that, at the outer end, Obama will have until the 2014 midterms to achieve before slipping into lame-duck irrelevance. He will also face the unfinished business of his first term, including ending America's longest war.

.

OK,

protecting the middle class......

Thanks, Mr. President.

Backhouse - That was his list of accomplishments? Economy sucks! Heath Care really, 2 liberal rubber stamps, Lily who, Gm still owes 25 BILLION and is still a bankruptcy threat & Chrysler is foriegn owned, DADT that has helped our military SO much, Wall Street helped pay for the inaugural. Thanks to GW's Iraq plan, Afganistan troop numbers have tripled to over 65,000, Dreamers keep dreaming the pandering is over! And don't forget the SCREWING of the middle class, median income down $4,000.00, What a useless President!

Gun-control measures, immigration overhaul, clean-energy initiatives and college affordability are priorities that, at the outer end, Obama will have until the 2014 midterms to achieve before slipping
into lame-duck irrelevance.

As I said. An increase of 60% in the debt does not even register on a "progressive's" radar. Debt, deficits...they don't matter.

..and on the ACA thanks for protecting the middle class

In California, Aetna is proposing rate increases of as much as 22 percent, Anthem Blue Cross 26 percent and Blue Shield of California 20 percent for some of those policy holders, according to the insurers’ filings with the state for 2013. These rate requests are all the more striking after a 39 percent rise sought by Anthem Blue Cross in 2010 helped give impetus to the law, known as the Affordable Care Act, which was passed the same year and will not be fully in effect until 2014.

In other states, like Florida and Ohio, insurers have been able to raise rates by at least 20 percent for some policy holders. The rate increases can amount to several hundred dollars a month.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/business/despite-new-health-law-some-see-sharp-rise-in-premiums.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

But what can you expect when an insurance company cannot refuse an already sick patient and allow them unlimited claims. That's a business model that will work.

Fiesty-

Thanks for the heads up. "HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN".

Rick,Ky

My Personal Hope is that Sen. Majority Leader Reid tells "The Turtle to Stickit where the Sun dont Shine" & makes Fillibuster Reform, The Order of the Day!

Turtles breath through their butts. No kidding. It's called cloaca breathing

Cloacal respiration in animals

Some turtles, especially those specialized in diving, are highly reliant on cloacal respiration during dives.^[6] They accomplish this by having a pair of accessory air bladders connected to the cloaca which can absorb oxygen from the water.^[7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloaca#Cloacal_respiration_in_animals

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2325/is-it-true-turtles-breathe-through-their-butts

only two had to take off from work .

You're right Michigan Notherner. They were Boehner and McConnell.

Unfortunately, no one has figured out a way to get republic party people to work,.....they just soak up the profits from people that DO work.

Northerner, there is that certain class of people with an entitlement attitude that no matter how many government tax breaks you give them, no matter how many government programs they get on, no matter how much money and free stuff you give them these people will never get off their a$$es and put in a real hard-earned day's work for a fair day's wage off the government dole in the real world.

We call these people Republicans.

Not one objective comment from the FR regulars. No challenge to do better (except toward the right).

Exactly as expected from the FR regulars...

I wonder where the debt will be in 4 years... Better?

I wonder where the unity of this country will be in 4 years... Better?

I wonder where my income will be in 4 years... Better?

I wonder where religious freedoms will be in 4 years... Better?

Where will treatment of medically diagnosed mental illness be in 4 years... Better?

I wonder how "gun reforms" of 2013 will be viewed in 4 years... Better?

What will be the status of radical Islam's growing strangle hold around the globe be... Better?

I wonder if my social security will be fully funded in 4 years... Better?

More specifically, will gang-bangers stop the killings in the next 4 years because of rules... Better?

Will Mexico still be attempting to halt illegal importation of marijuana in 4 years... Better?

And if a blind eye is turned toward marijuana from Mexico, will a blind eye be turned on everything in 4 years... Better?

Let's challenge this president and his cronies to do BETTER. Everyone is so quick to give him a free pass. Why not hold him (them) to the same standards as all presidents in the past. I don't understand how 51% of this nation has become so enamored with BHO and his WIFE'S HAIR!

There are critically important issues this president will have to work WITH congress to get done. Drop the "all or nothing" approach and come to the table with bipartisanship to get crap done - and don't give me the same old garbage of the "party of no", or "sweeping election mandate", or "obstructionists", or "Michelle has bangs now!"... Come back with bipartisan attempts to be constructive and truly move this country forward FOR ALL her citizens!

Obama's next for years, trying to turn America into Illinois. My state, a red state, Indiana is next to the financial mess of a blue state that the Democrats have destroyed. Indiana has a 500 million dollar surplus this year, Illinois has a 9 BILLION dollar deficit! Indiana has a 2 BILLION dollar rainy day fund, Illinois is 93 Billion dollars in penison debt that is killing thier state and has reduced education spending 400 million this year alone. Bev and Fiesty celebrate the coming destruction of America brought to you by the Illinois role model.

Concerned one:

How bout' cutting military spending by 75%,....starting in YOUR district. How bout ending tax breaks for companies shipping jobs overseas like Sensata and Delphi,...both Romney companies? How bout' ending H1B Visa corporate welfare? How bout taxing the rich same as us? How bout' focusing on things that matter?

Who are you anyway,....bin Laden's Mom?

Biden 2016

To continue cleaning up after the republic party's mess.

Pat Boston MA.

Beverly, I can't help think as I look at this crowd of proud happy faces how they played such a huge part in defeating Citizens United. How many of those people on the Mall stood in line for hours and hours so they could vote for Barack Obama back in November, despite obvious voter suppression. Who volunteered for an entire year, gave what donations they could so today could happen.

Today is for them as much as for Obama/Biden.

Great great day for America.

Pat, our President said today is our day.

Yes, it is a momentous day. Dr King's dream is in the making. If he were alive today he'd be beaming.

Our President made our country a better place Saturday's National Day of Service ... What other President would actually get their hands dirty to inspire and make our country a better place? I can't think of any other.

BTW: He also got his hands dirty working as a community organizer in Chicago's Atlgeld Gardens. I know this to be a fact.

What a beautiful man he inspires people. No matter what the dopey pundits ( left or right) say we are living at a time in history we can proud to tell our grand-kids about. I am so thankful to all those people who stood in line for hours and hours. No other President has ever inspired people to hunger for their right to vote. I just got a peek at Nancy Smash. She is beamng. I think Nancy Pelosi knows her chance of getting the gavel back is increasing.

One more thing; I hate myself for not answering my e-mail to volunteer for Saturday's National Day of Service.

Don't worry Bev, your like most liberals, do as I say, not do as I do!

well stated Concernedone. i'm sick and tired of being told how great things are when they stink. play the blame game is all both parties can do. we need to come together as a whole. the country is more divided than it has ever been .

Forty-nine percent of people questioned in a CNN/ORC International survey released Sunday say things are going very or fairly well in the country, with 51% saying things are going pretty or very badly.

The 49% figure is up six points from last November and it's more than double the 21% who said the country was in good shape at the time of Obama's first inauguration in January 2009.

"That's the good news," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "The bad news is that no president has faced a public in this sour a mood at the start of his second term since the question was first asked nearly 40 years ago. More than six in ten said the country was doing well when Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan had their second inaugurations, with 58% feeling that way when President George W. Bush started his second term in 2005."

your like most liberals,

Geo,....you just identified yourself as the typical "educated" Conservative/Regressive.

The correct form of the contraction you wanted is "you're".

You're welcome.

Well here is the new strategy Concernedone, by not attempting to compromise with republicans as he did the first four years the president is getting more cooperation from them (albeit reluctantly) than ever, when he offered them big cuts in exchange for tax hikes they refused the bargain, then when he held firm they gave him tax hikes with no cuts, and now they have caved on the debt ceiling, and talk of shutting down the government. The republicans have made it more advantageous for the president to take firm positions rather than try to accommodate and negotiate with them as he often tried in his first term. He gets a better deal when he gives them a dose of their own medicine, republicans don't like compromise, that looks bad for them to compromise with this president, they rather like being boxed in by him, and then crying about it. It is not working for them politically outside their base, just ask the Governor of NJ, the most popular republican in the nation, with the lowest approval rating ever recorded, all house republicans should line up and hug the president it did wonders for the governor of NJ, his numbers are through the roof.

How bout' cutting military spending by 75%,....starting in YOUR district. How bout ending tax breaks for companies shipping jobs overseas like Sensata and Delphi,...both Romney companies? How bout' ending H1B Visa corporate welfare? How bout taxing the rich same as us? How bout' focusing on things that matter?

OK, so the current budget is 613B, cut by 75% would be 450B in savings. Tax breaks for companies shipping jobs overseas, not sure. Do you have a source we could use? But what about Chrysler building Jeeps in China? Does that count as moving jobs overseas or just not opening a new Production Line here? I believe the rich are already taxed at a higher percentage than most of us (except for Warren Buffet) so that would actually lower revenues, unless you think we should start taxing the 47% who pay no income tax.

At the end of the day that brings us to around 500B, maybe 600B....still a deficit of 400B, and you would probably have higher unemployment insurance as all those soldiers, sailors and airmen are laid off.

http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2013/FY2013_Budget_Request_Overview_Book.pdf

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130114/AUTO04/301140373/Chrysler-build-Jeeps-China?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

http://taxfoundation.org/blog/even-14-romney-pays-higher-rate-97-his-fellow-americans

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/economy/14leonhardt.html

Hey Michigan Northener,

"1 million people expected at inauguration . only two had to take off from work ."

I know five people (from the south) who are going and will have to take time off of work. You're pathetic.

Rick,Ky

This past weekend, several Gun enthusiast from across America, were accidentally Shot, as they tried to show thier Faith in thier 2nd amendment rights. You just can't make this stuff up!

Rick,Ky

They are WND (WORLD NUT DAILY) sycophants; I bet . Their stances are very disruptive and extremely wacky.

Check this out:

A Utah man brought a rifle and a pistol with him to a J.C. Penney department store to demonstrate that guns can be safe in the hands of law-abiding citizens.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23769604&nid=148

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I understand why shoppers were unnerved? After all the mass killings what would else could they be?

I also understand why the gun touting shopper would be paranoid about a tyrannical government. One minute he's buying a hot dog and diet coke, before he can enjoy it; the next minute he is being handcuffed by Eric Holder's agents. The man's freedoms were taken away. HaHa HeeHee!!! ☺

I can envision those handouts and talking point presentations on the next Sean Hannity town hall forum hosted by the "word doctor" Frank Luntz about sensible gun control too .

i'm sick and tired of being told how great things are when they stink.

Northerner: If things suck it is because you made them that way. Why don't you develop a sound work ethic? The "party of personal responsibility" tells us you don't sit around waiting for good stuff to happen. Just try working hard with persistence, and even you might become a prosperous Democrat one day.

Reform your life and take responsibility. Work hardso you can keep repubs on the dole.

its not just obama, he cant do nothing if all congress wants to do is block him, Jesus im so freaking tired of the people in congress

Help me stop this BS, sign my petition on the whitehouses website, its to set up term limits for congress.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/create-term-limits-members-congress/hD8b8j6z

Presidential Inaugural trivia -

1981 First Inauguration held on the west front of the U.S. Capitol.

For more information about presidential inauguration and some of the FIRSTS, visit this following website:

http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/about/facts-and-firsts

The Sunday, January 20th swearing might have been the first time Obama did not ignore the Constitution since becoming president. But why would he when the sole beneficiary of following the Constitution this time was him? I wonder how much blame or excuses you will hear from Obama in his inauguration speech? You can bet there will be plenty of jabs at Republicans, during the same speech Obama talks about the need to unite a divided country. Obama set the tone for his first term by saying Republicans to the back of the bus. So far his second term has kicked off by telling the press there would be no compromise on the debt ceiling. An increase needed because of a failure in leadership. It is hard to be optimistic for a second term for Obama, the man who ushered in division and hatred for purely political gain.

what about Chrysler building Jeeps in China?

I don't think President Obama is on Chrysler's management team or Board of Directors. No,....I didn't check, but it's just a wild hunch. Where they build the Jeeps ain't his effin' call. Wouldn't you agree Alan? Good.

Profits re made in ascendant Middle Classes. The top 5 ascendant Middle Classes are all outside the U.S., thanks to repub trade policies.

Here's a big SHOUT OUT to the fringe of the fringe TeaPeople.

Thank you for all you have said and done to ensure that Barack Obama was elected again President!

Since your tactics...lies, hate and devisiveness have worked out so well for you.

TeaPeople, please continue!

Hillary 2016!

WOW Look how thick that limo door is. they make tanks with less armor. Mr. president, I want your car.

oh yeah, I almost forgot my message to republicans. FOUR MORE YEARS, FOUR MORE YEARS , FOUR MORE YEARS. Sorry, just had to get that out of my system. I feel much better now. lol thank you America for showing good sense.

I don't think President Obama is on Chrysler's management team or Board of Directors. No,....I didn't check, but it's just a wild hunch. Where they build the Jeeps ain't his effin' call. Wouldn't you agree Alan? Good.

Yes I do agree, but didn't you bring up the savings possible on removing tax cuts by moving jobs overseas? When did I mention that this had anything to do with President Obama? I simply asked if they open a new production line overseas is considered moving jobs?

Wonderful speech Mr. President. Dr. King would be so proud of you, just as the rest of us.

God bless, and we in the US should sleep better knowing that it was YOU who got elected, and not the other guy.

The theme of protecting the middle class, which Obama will probably address Monday in his inaugural speech and detail next month in his State of the Union remarks, carries into a new term some of the liberal populism of his last election.

Yeah, he's done an amazing job of 'protecting' the middle class while ACA rapes my paycheck with insurance increases and he lets the payroll tax expire for me while at the same time letting his butt buddies in GE, Citigroup, etc hide their money overseas and NOT pay taxes. And even though I've asked about that many times on these forums, not one of you liberals will ever respond. No excuse for it I guess.

Gun-control measures, immigration overhaul, clean-energy initiatives and college affordability

His gun-control measures aren't going to stop the violence even though I agree with most of them. The liberals used Sandy Hook for politics, nothing more.

He'll have to cram through amnesty for his illegal buddies because he'll never get it through congress. The majority of the country (both parties) are against amnesty.

Clean energy? Be the same as the last four years in giving away money to his donors so that they can give themselves big bonuses and declare bankruptcy.

College affordability.... good luck on that.

IR - thanks for posting that great tribute to one of our greatest national heroes, Martin Luther King. And to all of you that can appreciate what a truly positive historical moment this in our history, Salud.

Bev - Thank you for teaching me something new today, on this historical day. Indeed, Cloacal breathing!! It explains so much about McConnell, and out of reverence for Dr. King and President Obama, I'll refrain from commenting on until a later date (or later post), which ever comes first.

GOPisextinct - No comment on how bad Obama and the Democrats fuc$ed up Illinois? Shocking, just looking for your well educated response to Illinois pending bankruptcy!

Profits re made in ascendant Middle Classes. The top 5 ascendant Middle Classes are all outside the U.S., thanks to repub trade policies.

You mean like NAFTA? What about the free trade deals with South Korea, Columbia and Panama? Didn't President Obama claim who would re-negotiate NAFTA? You think he'll do that in his second term?

How exactly do the Republican trade policies differ from the Administration's?

An estimated 500,000 to 700,000 bundled-up spectators began to descend on the National Mall Monday morning.

It's estimated that 4 people would actually miss work.

It's estimated that 4 people would actually miss work.

Aren't National Holidays great - unless you work for Wal-Mart!! Gotta keep those red state welfare queens happy by letting them shop on a National Holiday.

A 'Fiasco' Creates Pre-Inaugural Uproar

"Rapper Lupe Fiasco was not feeling the inaugural love on Sunday night when he was supposedly thrown offstage and escorted from the premises of a Washington, D.C. concert hall during a pre-inauguration concert.

The Grammy nominated rapper was performing at the StartUp RockOn Inauguration bash at the Hamilton Live Theater when he publicly criticized the president. According to concertgoers, the 31-year old performer went on an anti-war, anti-Obama rant during which he shared that he didn't actually vote for the president."

http://news.yahoo.com/fiasco-creates-pre-inaugural-uproar-145330260--abc-news-politics.html

Doesn't he know that all must bow to Emporer Obama or remain silent?

It's a great day. I am inspired.

After a weekend of fly by posts from fly over country bumpkins it is really nice to see a thread full of happy friendly posters. Hardly any fly by posts at all. :0)

This is your day President. Have a good one.

Remember

D = Drive forward

R = reverse back into the ditch

Read a piece on "Slate" 2 or 3 days ago Authored by "John Dickerson". While a mix of mine and His, I attribute what I write below to Mr. Dickerson's "Slate" piece.

During His Inaugural Speech from the Capital steps the President will call us to action. He will actually be doing so on the steps of a building where collective action goes to die. Let us hope, the President, during His first term, has learned He cannot gain republican cooperation with Schmoozing. HE MUST DE LEGITIMIZE THE OPPOSITION! He can do this through a series of clarifying fights over controversial issues which will force them to either side with their coalitions most extreme elements, or, at least cause another rift in that party that will drive it further into disarray. E. G. Consider those republican crazies who hold an "absolutist" view of the 2ed amendment even at the cost of any effort to effect responsible gun control and maintenance.

If the President is tough enough, resolved enough, and has His arms around 3 major issues, He will go a long way toward such an accomplishment. These are gun control, immigration reform, and a broad view of fiscal policy, especially here at the time when recovery from the long, long, recession is blooming. All He needs is gop overreaction, and/or goofy dissention from and among gop leaders. It is high time He brought focus of the absolute sorriness of the gop and stuck it right into the faces of all Americans.

Jim Spence wrote:

An estimated 500,000 to 700,000 bundled-up spectators began to descend on the National Mall Monday morning.

It's estimated that 4 people would actually miss work.

Makes me wonder why those four people didn't go to the inauguration.

If we assume the nation's debt is $16trillion, the debt ceiling is $16trillion, and the Republican House passes its own budget which has a deficit of $3trillion but the House refuses to raise the debt ceiling, what does that tell you about the stupidity of the Republican House?

While the Democrats in the Senate have refused to even bothering to bring up the ridiculous budgets passed by Republicans in the House (both contained provisions requiring the repeal of Obamacare, zero funding for planned parenthood and the effective destruction of Medicaid and Medicare,) the Senate Republicans refused to allow votes on Democratic alternatives.

The reality is, the Senate has to eliminate the ability to kill all activity in the Senate through the use of the filibuster. I don't think Sen. Reid will totally eliminate the filibuster, but it will be scaled back. The large number of bills and appointments approved, without objection, at the end of the last session indicates that the GOP has, presumably, learned its lesson.

Let us all hope the next budget the House Republicans present isn't the "destroy the US, except for the Defense Department, which we'll increase" plan they have had for the last two years.

Dirp - You make too many assumptions...

The debt limit is 16.4 trillion (yep, the 400 billion is a big number that must be accounted for). You also make a jump to offer the House Republicans passing a budget... Not sure where that came from. They currently have no plans to do so. They want to hold the POTUS and elected Democrats to the LAW and force them to offer and pass a BUDGET! What's wrong with that...??? Everyone knows the Left has not passed a budget since, what, the beginning of 2009? Everyone knows BHO's humiliating failure on the one budget he offered where not one single Democrat voted in favor of it, correct? But isn't it the law that our government must operate within a voted and approved budget...???

If the congress has a budget, they can actually have a blueprint to work from. Without leadership there is chaos. Lead from the top down, or FAIL from the top down. Bring a budget the majority can agree on so our congress has a starting point. Fail to bring anything one's own party can't vote for and you have chaos. You want to reign in the TP conservatives, give them some starting point to work from! The alternative is to sit back and call them names like "obstructionists".

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/21/us-usa-fiscal-debtlimit-idUSBRE90K0NO20130121

Love the picture of Biden behind Obama. He always looks like his diapers are full of sh_t.

They want to hold the POTUS and elected Democrats to the LAW and force them to offer and pass a BUDGET! What's wrong with that...??? Everyone knows the Left has not passed a budget since, what, the beginning of 2009? Everyone knows BHO's humiliating failure on the one budget he offered where not one single Democrat voted in favor of it, correct? But isn't it the law that our government must operate within a voted and approved budget...???

Absolutely TRUE!!!!!

All Democrats can think about is not having to cut Medicare or Medicaid, but what that is virtually the only thing that has a cap on spending. NONE OF THE OTHER ENTITLEMENTS have that. And of course, Obama has no plans to cut entitlement spending at all.

So why is the debt, continuing? Aren't we already spending more for welfare than ever before?The fact that he says he wants to take on debt makes us laugh. Everyone knows deep down that it is just all talk, otherwise we would have seen something by now. And no, cutting defense spending won't make up for all the welfare that he is giving away.

Federal spending on more than 80 low-income assistance programs reached $746 billion in 2011, and state spending on those programs brought the total to $1.03 trillion, according to figures from the Congressional Research Service and the Senate Budget Committee.

That makes welfare the single biggest chunk of federal spending — topping Social Security and basic defense spending.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/18/welfare-spending-jumps-32-percent-four-years/#ixzz2IeYZPzRj

When did I mention that this had anything to do with President Obama? I simply asked if they open a new production line overseas is considered moving jobs?

Since you asked Alan, allow me to school you up. The Chinese have a smart policy of mandating that every product sold in their country IS PRODUCED IN THEIR COUNTRY. Chrysler was forced to comply with the Chinese policy. Meanwhile Chrysler is expanding virtually all of its domestic plants in Detroit, Dundee, Mi, Belvidere, Il, and Toledo, Oh among others. We are adding tens of thousands of U.S. jobs,.....thanks to Obama.

A novel idea,.....no?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/28/us-usa-taxes-repatriation-idUSTRE79R5S420111028

Repubs shot this legislation down.

Chinese have a great trade policy. It used to be ours until 1980 or so. Now you pubbies are blocking any jobs from coming home.

That cover it for you sonny? Next time I'll use smaller words for ya'.

"what about Chrysler building Jeeps in China?"

Economics 101. The Chinese economy is expanding and they want Jeeps. Cars are very expensive to ship so auto companies build them in the nation where they are sold. That's why Honda, Toyota, BMW, ets have plants in the US. Chrysler is NOT transferring Jeep production to China, they are making Jeeps in China for the Chinese just like Honda makes Hondas in america for Americans.

This entire "Jeeps in China story was nothing more than some lame attempt by Mitt Romney to make people believe a huge fire was burning when in fact, we didn't even have any smoke.

Hello folks, I don’t get this whole blind support for Obama. I voted for Obama in 2008 and won’t make that mistake again. I have decided not to vote in the future as both parties serve their masters, the Banksters/Wall Street and the Federal Reserve. Enclosed is why I don't blindly follow Obama .

1. Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize and he increased the troops in Afghanistan and authorized military force in Libya, supports Al Qaeda in Syria but not in Mali. He has authorized drone strikes in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Uganda, and Burundi. Authorized the assassination of American citizens acting as King, judge and jury in Yemen murdering Anwar al-Awlaki his 16 year old son and Samir Khan. Authorized armed drone surveillance in Iran and the US. This is all done without gaining congressional approval.
2. Re-signed the Patriot Act and signed the NDAA (National Defense and Authorization Act) allowing for indefinite detention of U.S. citizens without Habeas Corpus.
3. Passed the National Defense Resources Preparedness Act (NDRP). This Executive Order allows the government to take pretty much whatever it wants including crops, farm equipment, vehicles, boats, aircraft and fuel to “prepare” for the national defense. This includes making people work for free. You think I’m kidding about the free labor? Here’s a line straight from the EO that says, “. . . to employ persons of outstanding experience and ability without compensation. . .” This is authorized even in peace time!
4. Failed to close Guantanamo Bay prison.
5. Continued the use of torture (outsources to other countries).
6. Continues Rendition.
7. Has deported more immigrants than any other president.
8. Allows the Federal Reserve to bail out domestic and International banks without oversight.
9. Allowed MF Global CEO John Corzine to fund raise for him after Corzine steals 1.6 billion of U.S. investor money. Allows the international banking elite to break international laws and perpetrate theft and fraud on the American public. They have given the world 1.4 Quadrillion in derivatives fraud, the HSBC drug laundering and terrorist fraud, the MF Global fraud, the PFG fraud, the high frequency trading pilfering and stock market fraud, the manipulation of the precious metals and bond market fraud, the MERS mortgage fraud, nearly countless individual frauds from both Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, and the international 800 trillion LIBOR interest rate fixing banking fraud, just to name but a few recent FRAUDS and breaches of Bankster credibility and trustworthiness and who’s gone to jail? In blind obedience to the plutocrats we bail them out over and over and over again. You know their motto, privatize profits and socialize losses!
10. Obama has eliminated our 4^th Amendment (NDAA) and is going after our 2^nd Amendment through the back door. What’s next, the 1^st Amendment?
11. The list goes on and on.

Obama has shown to me that he is just another puppet of the elite with warlord tendencies. Why does anyone follow him blindly?

Obama proudly declares that 10 years of war are over. I guess Al Quaida didn't get the memo.

so I think I will venture into the land of Pigskin.

Are you talking about me...or some other pig? At least I am a good pig, or at least a pig leaning center-left. But after I put on some makeup (bat guano) this morning, I still see a pig in the mirror.

.

Mirror Mirror in the wall,

which is the fairest pig of all?

Me !!!!!!

..

bcwc, have a great inaugural day.

Each time I look at that flag, I'm reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those fifty stars and those thirteen stripes. No one built this country on their own. This Nation is great because we built it together. This Nation is great because we worked as a team. This Nation is great because we get each others backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we’re joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong."

President Barack Obama

State of the Union

January 24^th, 2012

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Inauguration Day Mr. President. Our destiny is stitched together, today we are all Americans or we should be. We should be glad that we have the ability to help make it work for our citizens and the means to have our voices heard. Disagree with the President if you must, but respect the Office and the person who is in it and today I would ask all for that respect.

Pigotry ... when it comes to skin I will always be your Lucy.

Enjoy your day also.

BCWC---can't get on the thread above but wanted to thank you for sharing that piece about Dr. King---what an event that speech must have been.

Here in western Pa. we are torn by the Super Bowl. The Ravens are our bitterest rival and we're tired of the Ray Lewis story. However, we value the achievement of being the only team with 6 Super Bowl victories and don't want to see San Francisco do that. So we're rooting for the game to be cancelled!

From an article in this morning's Washington post:

Obama’s ability to work with the Republican Party, through a mix of persuasion and confrontation, will probably determine his success — and his legacy, for better or worse.

Time for bipartisanship - a call to the GOP...because the President has always been willing to work with the GOP.

Republicans, by working with the President, you are saving your own party. Otherwise, more electoral whacking in 2014 and 2016.

Steeler Fan-380417

The speech was on CBC radio as part of a series called the Massey Lectures. Any Canadian with half a brain, and most Canadians have one, would listen in. The CBC is a national resource and like NPR to the south, one to be cherished and maintained,

for more ...

http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/massey-lectures/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massey_Lectures

When I was a child, all newscasters were white men. When I was a child, there were no women and no black faces in any of the leadership positions. The worst part of this is that I didn't really notice. It was just the way things were. Then we were blessed with some incredible people who looked and really saw, and they changed the world.

Today, a black man will take the Presidential Oath of Office for the second time. Dr. King, I wish you were here. I wish you could see this. I pray every day that my grandchildren will grow up believing that all races, cultures and religions are truly represented in every aspect of government and leadership. I pray that my grandchildren will always believe that this is the way it should be.

Let us rejoice, because our nation is still moving forward, still fulfilling its promise to be the shining light on the hill.

JFK's quote "ask not what your country can do for YOU, but what YOU can do for your country"

BHO's quote "we need a government that can work for you, to make your lives easier, and I will do my best to make that happen"

boy oh boy, has this nation changed. we are right on the abyss of becoming a welfare nation and nobody says a damn word about it. there's only one problem, we don't have the money to pay for it, and that is a FACT, numbers don't lie, Presidents do, Congress people do.....

JCB

We would not be moving toward being a welfare nation if the corporations were not cutting pay and benefits and insuring that a man could work forty hours per week without earning enough to feed and house his family. This is the fault of the monied class, not the Democrats. It is the rich who demand more and more on the backs of the laboring classes.

underemployeds quote "We would not be moving toward being a welfare nation if the corporations were not cutting pay and benefits and insuring that a man could work forty hours per week without earning enough to feed and house his family. This is the fault of the monied class, not the Democrats. It is the rich who demand more and more on the backs of the laboring classes"

Under, the democrats are OWNED by the corporations you so love pal, both parties are OWNED by business, not just the republicans pal. Look at the money that they, the Dem's, got flooded with during the election, more from "business" than the other party. Obama said he do "away with lobbyists" in 2007 as a candidate, yet there are 40% more in DC now than when he took office. the reason you can't live on your 40 hour week paycheck is because the money you have buys one third or less of what it would buy 30 years ago. let the Fed keep "printing" money, as they have been for the last 4 years, and see how that works out for you long-term.

Beautiful post, underemployed. Thanks.

Feeling kinda happy, so will just say: Look at the charts. They do not lie.

inequality-p25_averagehouseholdincom.png (PNG Image, 631x346 pixels)

bikini graph | The Political Carnival

miklkit

Here is a graph that shows the trend to beat down the middle class began in the 70's and continues to this day. The growing gap between wages and productivity is the profits the CEO's have been paying themselves for their financial "genius". It's also where the money to move our manufacturing base offshore has come from.

http://rwer.wordpress.com/2010/11/20/graph-of-the-week-usa-productivity-and-real-hourly-wages-1964-2008/

'On The Pulse Of Morning' : An Inaugural Poem by Maya Angelou for Clinton's 1st inaugural (1/20/1993)

A Rock, A River, A Tree

Hosts to species long since departed,

Marked the mastodon,

The dinosaur, who left dried tokens

Of Their sojourn here

On our planet floor,

Any broad alarm of their hastening doom

Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.

But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly,

forcefully,

Come, you may stand upon my

Back and face your distant destiny,

But seek no haven in my shadow,

I will give you no hiding place down here.

You, created only a little lower than

The angels, have crouched too long in

The bruising darkness

Have lain too long

Facedown in ignorance,

Your mouths spilling words

Armed for slaughter.

The Rock cries out to us today,

You may stand upon me;

But do not hide your face.

Across the wall of the world,

A River sings a beautiful song. It says,

Come, rest here by my side.

Each of you, a bordered country,

Delicate and strangely made proud,

Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.

Your armed struggles for profit

Have left collars of waste upon

My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.

Yet today I call you to my riverside,

If you will study war no more.

Come, clad in peace,

And I will sing the songs

The Creator gave to me when I and the

Tree and the Rock were one.

Before cynicism was a bloody sear across your brow

And when you yet knew you still knew nothing.

The River sang and sings on.

There is a true yearning to respond to

The singing River and the wise Rock.

So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew

The African, the Native American, the Sioux

The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek,

The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheik,

The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher,

The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher.

They hear. They all hear

The speaking of the Tree.

They hear the first and last of every Tree

Speak to humankind today.

Come to me,

Here beside the River.

Plant yourself beside the River.

Each of you, descendant of some passed-

On traveler, has been paid for.

You, who gave me my first name, you,

Pawnee, Apache, Seneca, you

Cherokee Nation, who rested with me, then

Forced on bloody feet,

Left me to the employment of

Other seekers -- desperate for gain,

Starving for gold.

You, the Turk, the Arab, the Swede,

The German, the Eskimo, the Scot,

The Italian, the Hungarian, the Pole,

You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru, bought

Sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare

Praying for a dream.

Here, root yourselves beside me.

I am that Tree planted by the River,

Which will not be moved.

I, the Rock, I, the River, I, the Tree

I am yours -- your passages have been paid.

Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need

For this bright morning dawning for you.

History, despite its wrenching pain,

Cannot be unlived, but if faced

With courage, need not be lived again.

Lift up your eyes

Upon this day breaking for you.

Give birth again

To the dream.

Women, children, men,

Take it into the palms of your hands,

Mold it into the shape of your most

Private need. Sculpt it into

The image of your most public self.

Lift up your hearts

Each new hour holds new chances

For a new beginning.

Do not be wedded forever

To fear, yoked eternally

To brutishness.

The horizon leans forward,

Offering you space

To place new steps of change

Here, on the pulse of this fine day

You may have the courage

To look up and out and upon me,

The Rock, the River, the Tree, you country.

No less to Midas than the mendicant.

No less to you now than the mastodon then.

Here on the pulse of this new day

You may have the grace to look up and out

And into your sister's eyes,

And into your brother's face,

Your country,

And say simply

Very simply

With hope --

Good morning.

........................January 20, 1993

All Hail to the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! WOW. And Wail the Retuglican/ TEABAGGER who are holding their empty BAGS, pulling onto them and crying. HA Ha. I have been calling emergency rooms all morning and they are checking in (heart attacks, stomach ache, head aches, suicide attempts and pains every where) LOL This is It! Want to or not, believe it or not! The best way out, if you are not the cowards you are, is to do the right and courageous thing, go the the cemetery, dig a hole, lie in it and have your co-partners cover you with dirt, where you really belong. HA Ha ha ..... Or you can be like:

Oh, I forget, the fat ... slob, drug est-limpballs who said he(it) was going to leave the United States if the President was elected for the first time, is still here; sobbing, insane, leaving a trail of stench & hatred and needs a straight jacket since his white, wet, cold sheets and hood can no longer fit

Trivia! This is the first time in modern history that New York wine will be served at the inaugeraul Luncheon.

California wine is better, but I'm prejudiced. :0)

Thanks Nash. A day without Nashville is like a day without sunshine. Thanks for saying it better than an Old Redneck ever could.

We are lucky Barack Obama emerged on the scene, just when we needed an inspiring leader, and I, for one, am grateful he agreed to stay on for a second term. I wish I could be on the Washington mall today to show the world: this is my President, and I support him 100%.

You people are deluded and obviously unintelligent that Muslim has done everything in his power to take away our rights and destroy this country. He is trying very hard to get mindless idiots like you two to follow him into him becoming the first Dictator of the USA

I Thank God for President Obama. A true and Great Leader!

Amy,

Got your note. Well done. I stand corrected and apologize.

Oh, thanks WCA. I appreciate your apology. If it makes you feel better, it came as news to many other readers. I got other comments telling me they'd learned something new!

Thanks for dropping by today Nash - it wouldn't of been the same without you!

Let us raise a glass of red kool-aid in honor of the best President this country has ever seen!

Salud!

BTW: Your girls are getting more gorgeous every year! ☺

Beautifully stated Nashville. Just beautiful.

Feisty,

There is no better place to be than right here with my First Read family on this special day - cheers!

P.S. So good to see all of you here . . . I miss our daily chats and hope that I can be a more regular visitor in 2013!

Nashville, terrific post.

Nash---great to see you today and as always your post stated what I've been thinking, only better!

I was so struck by the swearing-in yesterday at the President and his family---how his daughters have grown up before our eyes and the love you see in every photo.

Then I heard Morning Joe being critical of the President's remark to his daughter--"I did it"---obviously a reference to the fact that he got the oath correct the first time and something they'd teased about. No mention of the fact that the first time 4 years ago the Chief Justice had flubbed the oath, requiring the re-taking. Joe went on a riff about how selfish the President was to say that. As if the President has ever acted selfish. Anyone who saw his talk to his campaign workers could see how he recognizes the support he's gotten over the years. Only Joe could take a moment like that and twist it around, as he did the whole show. Instead of being a celebration of our coming together, it was a self-indulgent rant.

*waves to Steeler Fan & Jody*

Thanks for stopping by . . . love and miss you!

Nash...beautifully said. so good to see you here, especially today, we can say ..... We built that.....with great pride!

Enjoy it all.

Thanks Gingerbread Mamma . . . good to see you . . . days like today make all the rough days worthwhile!

Hey Republicans ---- listen up. I think I have a strategy that may work for you.

Now --- Mitt Romney may have been the best you had and that’s the problem --- he was the best of a horrible, insane, ridicules batch. Seriously – Rick Santorum, Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cane, Newt Gingrich --- as president ---- any of them?? I don’t think so. But that’s all in the past. So let’s look to the 2016 election. This is my advice Republicans --- if you want to have any chance of winning in 2016

• FIND A BETTER CANDIDATE THAN YOU DID IN 2008 AND 2012.

Same bar as the last time? Ordering doubles of the same plot?

Any idea where Speaker Boehner, Senator McConnell, Congressman Cantor and company will be this evening?

Just like all cowards, they will wait, of course, for the cover of night.

Thinking the same thing Da Noid.....they will have to try harder this time as we helped foil their plans to make him a one time President.

Has Mitch eaten his crow yet, inquiring minds would like to know.

They will make the bold proclamation, "We will stop at nothing to make the President a two-term president". In four years, the minions on the right will rejoice as they proclaim, "They kept their word".

What this post is actually saying is this;

Congratulations Mr. President! We are grateful to have you lead this nation!

It is just right wing speak folks, I have the dictionary.

Just another right wing idiot cult member that doesn't know what the hell they are talking about. Perhaps they should move out of their mothers basement and get a job.

Abraham Lincoln is turning over in his grave, Lincoln fought to free this country and preserve the rights of all mankind in the United States of America where as, this idiot has done nothing but try to repress our rights every since his was elected and now that he has been re-elected he will do even more damage.

The question, of course, being, "How are you more repressed today than four years ago?"

The people of this country need to wake up and have this idiot impeached and have Biden thrown out of this country.

Impeachment - "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High crimes and Misdemeanors."

So, on what basis are you impeaching the President?

As for "throwing him out of the country", you can't do that to a citizen. Sorry.

It's time for EVERYBODY to put Rpstlouisraymond on ignore. He just escaped from the loony bin this morning.

Sore losers? Republicans like this one are just a losers. I got a question for you pond scum. When does your rights stop and mine begin? Or do you think because I am a liberal I don't have any rights?

Yes Mo, I will now put that right wing idiot cult member on ignore.

messing with the 2nd ammendment is grounds for treason,,,,look it up

I did but nothing came up. You must be mistaken. There were numerous articles about how the 2nd amendment is our least important and outdated amendment. Did you read about the mass shooting yesterday in New Mexico. Tell that dead family about the 2nd amendment.

Really, mess?

Hmmmm, then what oh what is Article V of the Constitution?

Why, could it be a way to amend? Curious minds want to know.

Guess Mess TX missed the five shootings at three Gun Appreciate Day events Saturday. Imagine that, a bunch of folks showing off their loaded guns accidentally shooting each other or themselves proving the point that guns in the hands of fools is a recipe for danger.

Actually the shooting themselves is not surprising, you are actually 22 times more likely to shoot yourself or someone else unintentionally if you own a gun then you are actually in danger of being a crime victim. The story in that is guns do not make you safer and as a matter of fact make you less safe then if you have no gun.

Ah oh - apparently no one told that Mess in Texas that the extremely conservative Supreme Court Justice, Scalia, already ruled the government has the right to implement gun control, and ban certain types of weapons. Perhaps Messy Texas would like to take his gun and argue with Scalia and his gun. Talk about a Mess!!

Good point RedDevPS. Must remember that.

" this idiot has done nothing but try to repress our rights every since his was elected"

• So tell us -- what right do you NOT have today that you did have on January 19, 2009.

Axelrod should have thanked the Republicans for nominating a guy who proudly declared he paid as little tax on his extreme wealth as he possibly could.

When did paying taxes go from being a sign of adulthood to only something "losers" do? Republicans have lurched so far to the right, they have lost their reputation for being truly conservative, in the old fashioned sense of the word. It used to be, if you were conservative, you upheld the instituitions of the country: you completed your military service, you paid your taxes, you honored teachers, and you held corporate leaders to their responsibilities. What kind of conservative shakes hands with the likes of Donald Trump?

Tom Mariner said,

they are so busy blaming each other that they forget that the lost the election of two guys, but WON the House, which really reflects the sentiments of the nation.

If the number of votes cast in house elections is a true indicator of the national sentiment then clearly the nation leans Democratic. More votes were cast for House Democrats than Republicans but because of redistricting many republican house members retained their seats.

Amy,

What taxes Romney, and Trump, and Obama, and Buffet pay is set by law and they followed the law. The law does not want people to pay taxes because it is their "patriotic" duty. If you want to get partisan about it, the Secretary of the Treasury in the first term BROKE the law of paying taxes and was not only not punished, but permitted without jail or financial penalty to catch up.

The reason our country and Administration does not want people to pay more is that tax policy is less about raising revenue and more about incentivizing companies and people to do what the government wants them to do. If they just wanted money, they would have no "deductions" and a flat tax. We think home ownership is beneficial to America, so we give deductions for that. We know that more investment in businesses creates jobs for Americans so those employed will pay more personal taxes and compete with other countries -- that is why we have "capital gains taxes". If a government wants a bunch of blueberry muffins to be sold, give a deduction on them and stand back!

But the point is that during the campaign the very talented David Axelrod led the conversation away from the economy, coming together as a nation, and deficits, because he knew the Republicans really had the right answers. Now, he is coopting those concepts as if he thought them up fifteen minutes before Meet the Press. Being an American, I know the Republican concepts will work so really don't care who implements them. I vote across political lines anyway because I think both the Republican and Democrat parties are damaging to our land.

But every Republican in the campaign paid every cent of tax we asked them to.

campdog -- That's a "dog ate my homework" excuse. The 435 House seats were decided because the winners ran a better campaign and the voters thought they could do a better job -- just like the Presidential Campaign. The reason that 60% of the governors are Republican and have Republican state legislators is that the people feel they will do a better job. What is stunning from both sides is that a Republican state government elected a Democrat Administration and vice versa.

Yeah, I feel the Obama Campaign was incredibly more effective, probably because of my admiration for the attack dog Alexrod, but in reality, the people vote for (and deserve) the government they get.

No excuses -- just do better the next time if you don't like the result.

So you are denial that gerrymandering didn't play a factor in the house being won by the republicans even though democrats received a majority of votes nationwide?

Perhaps more states should think about what California did, with a group of non politicians redistricting the state. It resulted in some interesting races with two democrats almost getting into a fight on stage, as they were both put into the same district.

Gerrymaneandering is soooo yesterday. And is now associated with republicons.

Represent! : How election 2012, redistricting changed California's congressional map (graphic) | 89.3 KPCC

TomMariner....

I don't know what a "dog ate my homework" has to do with the fact that redistricting or gerrymandering is a reality and it has impacted the number of Republicans elected to the house. Common sense tells most of us that gerrymandering must work otherwise it would not be employed.

As for your comment, "No excuses -- just do better the next time if you don't like the result." I couldn't agree more, and neither could the electorate as Democrats retained the Senate majority, the Presidency and picked up seats in the house.

Youth and intelligence are like eggs in a frying pan. Wisdom is in the slow cooker.

Well said BCWC, I heard it a bit different with the old stag and young buck standing on a hill over looking a group of does in the valley. Young buck says to the old stag, "lets run down there and breed one of those does." Old stag says "lets walk down and breed them all". Lots of truth in that.

2016 is Hillary's turn. She will crush any republican in a landslide and she will be our first Female President. Just think how great that inauguration will be in four years.

Biden will win by a landslide. It not the age, it is the state of mind, the compassion at heart and the open hands to serve all persons in spite of who they are, what they have and where they come from .

There are a number of reasons why the republicans lost. Here are just a few.

1. If the only demographic you win is white men, you lose. America is a melting pot of people of all races and backgrounds.

2. If you try to suppress the vote, you will get a much higher voter turn out - especially if you try to suppress the Black vote.

3. You offer up Michele Bauchman, Herman Cain, Newt, and Rick Perry as a choice instead of Christie or even Jeb Bush.

4. You didn't even like the candidate you settled on, but Mitt and all his money just muscled everyone that you preferred out of the way.

5. Too many clowns with psycho talk like Rush, Trump, Hannity, O'Rielly.

6. Birthers and other psycho talkers with accusations of the president being from Kenya, he's trying to take our guns, he is a Muslim, and he's not one of us was getting the rest of our nerves. Unbelievably, these people seriously believe this stuff.

7. Mitt with a warmed over Bush plan.

8. Obstruction - elected officials actually willing to tank the country just for a win. People were upset at the lack of respect for the presidency. Allowing this juvenile response to losing an election to stand is a dangerous precedent because that just means everyone will do that.

Your memory is as short as your junk, did you forget George W. Bush? He is the one that caused this mess in the first place.

dmwt - pull your head out of that toilet bowl and be an American.

Yes. Texas favorite son Georgie Bush WAS the worst President in history. Glad you recognize it.

nice try...

bush was a far better president..

are you braindead??

Really, was it the war in Iraq or the tanking of our economy or his 10 trillion in tax breaks to the rich that makes Bush so great?

Nope. Read what the poor sod's ranking is. The only folks that love them some Georgie "Shrub" Bush are those that are educated in Texas.

odumb ass was sworn in..with the loweet ratings since ww2

dont mess with texsas

bush was a far better president..

Thank you, I have not chortled, sniggered, farted and burped at the same time for ages.

Poor Mess: this is going to be a difficult day for you. Your President Obama was voted in with 53% of the vote. That is the ONLY rating that matters. Far better than the Republicans have done.

So what bothers you the most, mess, your President's race or party?

Now. Quit reading right wing trash sites and educate yourself.

George W. Bush comes in at the 35^th best president … only 7 places above the worst. It should also be noted that he is the lowest ranked (worst) for any 2 term President.

http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=2899

One thing I don't get about the worst president EVAR thing is... have you actually looked at all the rest of them? Do you know what they did and what they didn't do? I'm not into history in a strong way so I could never say this or that president was the worst ever. Just which ones I like and which ones I don't based on my limited knowledge.

I'm sure there are presidents out there that are worse for our country than Obama. No matter which side of the table you might set at. LBJ maybe?

Not sure why you all are allowing this POS from TexASS to drag you down on a glorious day like today!

Please don't feed him - haters are gonna hate no matter what and tomorrow is another day!

I REFUSE to get caught up in their acrimony and pettiness (at least for today)! ;o)

Their ONLY purpose is to diminish the spirit of the celebration...

What is really sad is W. Bush was not elected but instead appointed by the supreme court with the job of President.

Please don't feed him - haters are gonna hate no matter what and tomorrow is another day!

Absolutely.......Haters can only survive when fed.....at this point, they are withering on their hate. They have no reason to live for anything but spewing nonsense, hate filled rhetoric.

Every now and again, I love to counter rwnj's hatred with facts! Not that they can take it in, but it annoys them and adds to my joy of this day!

I love to counter rwnj's hatred with facts!

No one enjoys poking them with the truth more than I do!

I just feel they shouldn't be given any kind of stage today to ruin the mood.. ;o)

Since World War II, the only president who started his second term with an approval rating lower than Obama's is George W. Bush, whose rating stood at 50% in January 2005

The lower numbers for Bush and Obama are in part a function of the country's partisan divide, which has deepened steadily since the early 1990s ... thanks Newt !!!

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-approval-poll-bush-20130117,0,6580151.story

But it is so much FUN today, Feisty! WE WON!

I'm being nice. Really. There is some mean stuff out there, but this will do. Have a happy day all!

Bush On Jobs: The Worst Track Record On Record - Real Time Economics - WSJ

George W. Bush's Resume

"bush was a far better president.."

The reality is no president since Kennedy had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in BETTER shape than did George W. Bush and no president since FDR had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in WORSE than did President Obama. When Bush left office the economy was shrinking by 6%, we were losing over 700,000 jobs per month and the DOW was under 8,000. Today the economy is growing by just under 3%, we've has 33 straight month is private sector job growth and the Dow is above 13,000.

History will very likely judge George W. Bush as the worst president since the WWII and probably one of the 3 worst of all times.

To: newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

"Poor Mess: this is going to be a difficult day for you. Your President Obama was voted in with 53% of the vote. That is the ONLY rating that matters. Far better than the Republicans have done."

What a joke - that 53% is. They mainly are made up of the lazy, fraudalent "parasites" of this nation that continue to suck the entitlement systems dry - thanks to Odumbo. All he did was continue to enable them and that is why he got the win - the only reason!. There are more of them now versus hard working, tax paying people. That has to change.

P.S He just barely made it too. We the non-parasites will stop him and his policies..just wait and see.

yep..

dont forget,,he will continue crapping on the constition,,enforcing only the laws he feels like...appointing more crooks...

he would burn a flag if he wouldnt get caught...this guy is a POS....always will be

Oh were a goona tax the rich OK. Bet on it.

dmwt You can't even spell Texas correctly.

Speaking of Red States. So many necks that don't know anything.

markinbecker

Speaking of spelling, I do believe that you left out two 'i's in d_mw_t's name.

Poor, mess, when you can't use fact, you just make things up, just like Fox "news". Did you ever answer my question? What is Article V of the Constitution. And which upsets you more, that your President is black, or Democratic? Or could it be that you simply are uneducated and have no clue about any of this?

LOL @ mark. I'm betting dmwt is probably from east Texas. Very illiterate out that way.

If you're going to start pointing fingers at "stupid" people, you'll find that's a long road to travel because they are on all sides. Don't make me post the "Keep Obama in prezidint!" video.

DaNoid---at first I was surprised that the folks on the right seemed unaware of the Heller decision, written by their hero Scalia. Then I realized that they just don't care---when have facts ever gotten in the way of what they want?

Actually, President Obama is one of the GREATEST Presidents in History. As for W. Bush, the worst ever. Heck, he wasn't even elected and he can't even travel over seas, due to possible arrest warrants.

Greatest Presidents in history? Why? Just because you said so?

Healthcare is not better or less expensive, immigration reform is not complete or even started, people are making less now then they were 4 years ago. The government and the country is divided. So why is he a Great president?

I'm not saying Bush was great either, but I sure don't see what President Obama has accomplished to garner your admiration.

Our US economy is doing so much better. The stock market is up, 401 K are going up in value from the 2008 crash, unemployment is down, housing is improving, the debt that was created under W. Bush is going down some, and we as a Nation are again respected by the World. Then we see one war is over, Bin Laden is dead, Member of the military can be with the partners of their choice, Obama care will be in full force by 2014 and revenues will be going up.

President Obama has done a GREAT job as President in his first four years as President. In the second term we will see even better results.

Also, folks need to realize that President Obama is not the reason for our high debt. That is a total myth cooked up by the extreme right, who know nothing but hate, and want our Nation to fail.

Also, I'm looking forward to the Presidents Organizing for Action, taking on the NRA and other causes that we the Nation need. Take it to them Mr. President!!!

How quickly they forget...the condition of the country when Obama was inaugurated in 2009. Our troops were bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan. Osama bin laden was out there, plotting more strikes on the homeland, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression was putting people out of work and tanking the housing market....and now....

The auto industry is roaring back, consumer confidence is up, Osama, Qaddafy, and a host of other terrorists are gone, and Republicans are starting to understand climate change science - after hurricanes, floods and tornadoes got their attention. I feel good about the next four years, much better than I sdid in 2009.

thats a lie..

obama is the worst

George W. Bush is the lowest ranked (worst) for any 2 term President.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-approval-poll-bush-20130117,0,6580151.story

Facts Republicans Hate:

Job losses per month in January 2008: 800,000

Job gains last month: 160,000

33 straight months of private sector job growth

GDP growth in 2008: negative 6%

GDP growth last year 2.9%

Dow Jones Average in January 2008: Under 8000

Dow Jones Average today: 13,500+

Record domestic oil production

GM – all time record profits

Near record corporate profits across the board

Osama Bin Laden --- dead

Iraq war --- over

www.inaugural.senate.gov/about/facts-and-firsts

I think this is the link, but I tried to verify and have failed. The site has been too busy? I don't know.

Kind of like those fair ground Tea meetings and Gun Shows, where the grounds are littered with corn dog wrappers, bottles and cans.

And blood from the "accidental" shootings. lol

Ya beat me to it Shellie-657180.

They let anyone into those things.

Bloomberg Unveils Videos of Arizona Gun Show Sting - WNYC

Only in the mind of the low information people.

Everything is about perception......depends on one's point of view. Me, I am certainly not fond of the President's and the Democrat's policies and plans for this country. However, the President and his family look great today. Anyone who thinks differently may be somewhat warped. I hope they enjoy the day because it is a day for them and this country that we should enjoy and put aside our differences and especially suspend the name calling and insulting. There is plenty of time left for that but today is not the time.

I'll drink to that! Clink!

California wine..........:0)

Yes, they have . And many haters would cut off their tea bags; wherever it is hanging, to have children like these. But, I guess this will not happen. My grandmother use to say, 'If you hate, you are always trying to catch up with those you hate. WoW but LOL with truth

I believe because,

Our eyes have seen the glory of the second term of PRESIDENT OBAMA. And our eyes are fixed permanently with hope to see more glorious days of democrats who are more faithful and patriotic to the United States. If your eyes have not seen the glory, pick a number because there is a long line of headed to HELL.

I pay a lot of taxes and if that helps you; I am sure it does. I do not care. We are in this together; whether you agree or not. This is the United States; not the lonely state.

Alice, if you are just paying the government the suggested amount you are not paying your fair share. Get out that check book and write a check to the Treasury Dept.

Why common, you need more assistance?

Inaugurations are largely paid with private donations. I think it is a good time for the country to celebrate the peaceful process of electing leadership, especially when that leadership switches to a different party. I don't think the reminder of loyalty to country is a waste at all.

lol...with the IQ to match

You forgot me! JimS-459172. Please add me when you get a chance.

News flash for don't mess with texas. You are pretty much born with the IQ you will have all your life. Your IQ is your ability to learn, ability to understand and ability to figure things out. People with an IQ of 100 to 105 can get through college but it takes a huge amount of work compared to people over 130.

How rich, someone who misspells Texas talks of others IQ. LOL

How rich, someone who doesn't understand the use of apostrophes talks of others' IQ. LOL.

how rich stupid female dog...someone dont understand how screen names go when one is taken...if all you got is being the spelling police,,,you better grab some more d-cells for your night stand friend,and get a life...shellie cant even spell shelly right..

what a doushe

Shellie - it's our job to help them with their poor spelling and grammar. It's all we can do for them at this point. I hope that Obama could get our best scientists trying to find out what is wrong with them. If it's a genetic difference or a genetic defect or what. We know that they are missing many human traits but we don't know why. Maybe it's a virus and a cure could be developed? If it is just that evolution has left them behind, why has this happened?

dont mess - if your feelings are hurt, we know you are doing the best you can.