Obama’s Inaugural Address: Reflections
January 21, 2009 by lisa
Filed under government & politics
We were glued to the television at midnight last night, eagerly anticipating, as the whole world watched with bated breath and excitement, the first speech that Barack Obama was going to give as President of the United States. Whoever wrote, “When America sneezes the world catches a cold” was absolutely right, because this most powerful nation has an effect even on the lives of ordinary people thousands of miles away.
Green is In!
So here we are, a little speck on the planet’s map, knowing that what he says is important, that more than just our Filipino politicians copying his campaign strategies for the Philippines’ 2010 campaign the new directions he will take his country in will be the direction his country will “bully” us into.
For the first time, I am happy to look up to America as a world leader because Obama promises to focus on saving the planet, and if America can start the trend of more prosperous nations being sensitive about consuming the world’s resources to the disadvantage or exclusion of those nations that are less powerful, then “Hurray!”
And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
. . .
And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.”
Obama’s kind of sensitive leadership will be what the world needs. The bullying that the world underwent during the time of George W. Bush, like his father before him, leaves a black mark in world history. I understand that there are terrorists in the world, but the invasion of Irag, Kuwait and Afghanistan was really all about Iraq and its oil, not about getting rid of terrorists.
If at all, Mr. Bush served as the great recruiter for Al Qaeda, just as Mr. Marcos before him was the greatest recruiter for the Communist Party of the Philippines
Americans must understand, just as some richer Filipinos must, that when one lives an excessive, wasteful life, one depletes the world’s resources and it is the reason many are poor. Where God has given us bounties for free and for everyone to share, the greed of some cause deprives those with less of the same access to those free gifts.
For example, Laguna de Bai has milkfish that should be harvested by all the people in the area for their consumption, but some powerful people have erected fishpens and have been allowed to mine the waters for fish. Why is it that in the Philippines this body of water is considered and treated as real estate?
Lisa’s answer to her own question: Because we allow it.
We just...
I always admire the smooth transition of administration in US, more than anything else. The bickerings were set-aside for a while, see how the US bureaucracy was rarely affected.
Yes, Pres. Obama, no question, is the Man of the time. The world is looking-up to him to inspire a lot of changes in the US and its policies affecting the globe. I will post a comment after his 100 days in the office.
Hi Edgar,
I thought I struck the word envy off my vocabulary but I ENVY the electoral process of the United States, I envy that smooth transition, I envy America for having a Barack Obama. How I wish the Philippines had an inspiring agent of change like the US has.
I do look forward to seeing what happens in the next few months. Will await your comments.
All the best to the U S A!!!
I’m writing from the US — yesterday, I visited Washington, DC. Three days after the inauguration, the capital had a homeless man seating in front of the Canadian embassy, enjoying the afternoon sun. Three days after the inauguration, the bleachers in front of the FBI building were still erected. Three days after the inauguration, the white tents, the fences, and the portalets in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (the White House) as well as those behind the Capitol are still there. And there was garbage everywhere the people had gathered to watch Obama be sworn into office. . . . I wonder who is in charge of clearing up?
What does such situation mean?
President Obama will be watched for his next actions — that his spoken promises shall be delivered. It is what the world awaits.
I hope that the Land of [relative] Plenty will not disappoint. All around Washington, DC are structures with the principles and sayings of Democracy — I hope that in Obama — the American people [and the world] will know that leadership and management and a slew of other things does not only depend on the person at the top — but that it starts from each one of us.
I, too watched Obama’s inauguration and all I can feel is HOPE and clamour for CHANGE for America. Why? Because anything and everything that happens there affects the whole world including us. I admire their support for their new president and the way they see the future under Obama’s administration. Like them, I’d rather be optimistic. Yes, the whole world awaits his every action. And the most important thing is he has the mandate. Let’s just hope for the best.
I’ve a lot of respect for Obama but I think too much damage has already been done by global economic systems based on increasing production, spending, and debt. The economic stimulus will only buy some more time, but eventually deflation will continue, likely leading to hyperinflation, and probably in the long term de-industrialization to some extent. And if production does pick up we face in turn a resource shortage.
Finally, whatever affects the U.S. will also affect many other countries, including the Philippines. We are already seeing this through major economic problems facing countries ranging from Germany to Britain to Australia and even Iceland.
President Obama is a symbol of hope for alot people and the positive energy from the inauguration is a good sign. I believe that hope is preferable to despair. What I like about Obama is that he emphasizes that everyone has to contribute to make things work out. “Contribute” doesn’t necessarily mean only monetarily. Our contribution can be volunteering in our community. We shouldn’t be mere spectators waiting for the hero to do the change.
“We shouldn’t be mere spectators waiting for the hero to do the change.”
You hit it on the nail, Tina. Being elected into office is not the end all and be all of life for the politician. In the Philippines, it is, except when seeking higher office, and when the highest is reached, Philippine Presidents, like Marcos and Arroyo, try their darnedest to stay forever, using charter change — a shift from the Presidential system to Parliamentary.
Mr. Obama looks like he wants to save the planet, with America as leader, with him as leader of America. He can actually do this — BUT — with the help of everybody.
Working alone or for the interests of big business, the world will plunge into chaos like it almost did under the watch Mr. Bush the Younger.
For the Philippines it has to be the same engaged citizenry. We have to wake our countrymen up to this positive attitude and that there is light beyond the limbo we are in.