Blog posts by category: Inauguration Day
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Kelley Hodges on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 9:04 PMThank you, President Bush
Thank you, President Bush. Thank you for standing up for the United States and dealing with the worst attack on American soil in years with confidence, grace, and determination.
Thank you for vowing to defend and protect our nation to the best of your knowledge, facing public disdain and hatred in the process. Thank you for being pre-emptive and attempting to reach the core of the problem before it potentially reached us.
Thank you for keeping taxes low for all. Thank you for understanding the need for Americans to keep their money and use it how they want.
Mr. President, during your time in office you have faced many challenges but have dealt with them in a way like few others could. You have faced criticism with your head held high, never wavering from your values and striving to make America a safer place for all of us.
So thank you, President Bush. While history and people may see otherwise, know a few realize and appreciate the effort you put forth to make the United States, and the world, a better place to live.
President Barack Obama, you, too, have many challenges ahead of you. The nation awaits your first actions as the leader of this country. While you deserve respect as the commander in chief, I can only hope you that you realize that keeping this nation safe is your No. 1 priority.
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by William Popielarz on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:42 PMFirst 100 days already under way
After the elaborate ceremonies that took place in Washington the last couple of days, it is now down to business.
We can now see Obama's most important issues to him be put into action. It will be interesting to see what Obama can actually push through.
Today in his speech he talked about his critics who say he can't possibly do everything he promised. But he believed he can, and he cited the America of the past. It is going to take a united effort from everyone to move this country forward.
In other news, Obama really is important on the international stage. My girlfriend is studying abroad in Rome, Italy, at John Cabot University, an American University in Rome. Today they asked 20 students to come on the Italian version of "Larry King" to talk about the Obama inauguration. Everyone around the world is interested and intrigued by an Obama administration. Hopefully this newfound confidence will help America's image across the world and help us get things done globally.
In this new day and age, as the world is becoming flatter and flatter, that will be very important. We have to be the leaders in helping out Third World countries, helping to end genocide and spreading messages of peace and prosperity to all.
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Terrence Randolph on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:38 PMThe start of Obama's administration
As one of the first acts of administrative business, Barack Obama is taking charge of the White House. He has ordered a halt on all pending regulations until he and his staff are able to review them. President Obama is displaying his desire to be a hands-on leader and his commitment to the American people.
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Margaret Lalonde on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:36 PMThe only thing missing from the inauguration
Today's inauguration brought a lot of festivities, including two fantastic musical performances. However, one thing was missing: Apparently "Congress" voted against including the following performance. In my opinion, a very unfortunate decision.
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Emily Lawler on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:36 PMStudents gather at MSU Union to watch inauguration
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Kayla Roney on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:36 PMObama to speak at each ball tonight
There are sure to be many new inspirational quotes and soundbites on the news tomorrow, as Obama will give a speech at each of the 10 official inaugural balls in Washington, D.C.
"THE NEIGHBORHOOD BALL" is the first of its kind and the most interesting to me. Open and accessible to all Americans, tickets are free or affordable. It is being hosted by Obama to keep his commitment to make this inaugural celebration open and accessible to all Americans.
America's troops will be honored at the "COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S BALL," which is free to its invited guests but not open to the general public. Attendees include Purple Heart recipients, families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military and will be broadcast to American troops around the world on the Pentagon Channel.
MTV will broadcast the "YOUTH INAUGURAL BALL" which is for guests ages 18-35. Kanye West, Kid Rock and Fall Out Boy will headline.
There are then seven regional balls with tickets costing $150 each. There is the "OBAMA HOME STATES INAUGURAL BALL" for Illinois' and Hawaii's invited guests and the "BIDEN HOME STATES INAUGURAL BALL" for Delaware and Pennsylvania. The others include the "EASTERN INAUGURAL BALL," the "MID-ATLANTIC INAUGURAL BALL," the "MIDWEST INAUGURAL BALL," the "SOUTHERN INAUGURAL BALL," and the "WESTERN INAUGURAL BALL."
It will be a busy night for the new president.
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Mallory McKnight on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:36 PMIf Obama is our man, we need to be Obama's people
Two of my professors didn't hold class today. Not because of harsh weather, illness or car trouble, but so students could watch a man stand before his nation and promise that change had come.
The next four years will reveal whether or not politics will change. The cynic in me says probably not. However, I couldn't help but feel that something was different.
A break from fear. A hope that the actions of the government to reflect the will of the people. A chance that we might unite everyone and stop the hate that so long governed a lot of America's policy decisions.
Obama has a lot to live up to. For all the talk of hope going around these days, what Obama really needs right now is a little faith. Faith that these goals are achievable and obstacles surmountable.
We need to believe in a hope for a future created by us for us. Obama may have been the man chosen to lead, but we are the people chosen to carry out these grandiose plans and ambitions. We need to be ready for the challenges that lay ahead. If Obama is our man, we need to be Obama's people.
The pomp and circumstance is over. Let's go to work.
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Jessica Ceh on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:24 PMObama's first full day in office will be spent talking to military advisors
President Barack Obama will spend Wednesday, his first full day in office, with his team of national security advisors to discuss military decisions. They will most likely discuss Obama's promise to remove forces from Iraq within 16 months of his inauguration and to put more troops into Afghanistan. Also, there is talk that Obama wants to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba.
Obama is definitely going to make military decisions soon, but will look for guidance to be sure the right moves are taken.
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Kaitlin Gustafson on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:02 PMDog Watch 2009
As big of a day as this was for their father, Sasha and Malia Obama most likely had other things on their minds while going throughout the day's pageantry and display. This topic has been on the minds of many when a much-needed fluff story appeared in this turmoil of economic times.
This topic is of course, the promised puppy brought to our attention on election night. This saga (coined "Dog Watch '08) has been hitting news stands for the last couple months. We're down to the wire now, and the final verdict still seems to be shrouded in mystery. Two contenders are still in the mix - the Labradoodle (a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle) and the Portugese Water Hound. Both were chosen for their lack of shedding, due to Malia's allergies.
Still no word as the family has begun moving in to the White House. We can only hope to find out as soon as possible and put this story to rest (only to be replaced by endless tales on the dog's name, personality, etc.)
Here's a fun clip from The Daily Show (featuring Anderson Cooper) called the "Puppedential Debate."
Category: Inauguration Day
Posted by Terrence Randolph on Tue, Jan 20, 2009 at 8:02 PM6 Cabinet members confirmed; big names still being questioned
On the first day of Barack Obama's Presidency 6 of his appointees to Cabinet posts were confirmed, but two members that have come under fire have yet to be confirmed. Hillary Clinton, whose husband has received undisclosed donations from foreign countries, is said to possibly have a conflict of interest. Senator Clinton has said that there will be more transparency coming and it is widely believed that she will pass the questioning that will come from the Senate.
The appointee that will have a little harder time getting through the questioning that he faces is Timothy Geithner. He has started to go through a great deal of questioning regarding the fact that he did not pay some of his taxes earlier in the decade. This is particularly bad news, considering he is supposed to head the Treasury department. There are conflicting views as to whether or not he will be confirmed, but the general consensus is that after some debate he will eventually pass the Senate's test and be confirmed.
