Regardless of my feelings, my comment about Fox, a network I won't watch, is that they were the only network to receive the Bushes when they landed in Texas. My comment was not a reflection of the disdain I might feel, but what does it say about the networks who were there (Fox is known as a conduit of the Bush Government) and even more– the ones who weren't there?

THis is just my .02 worth.

dr.e

“Only Fox tv was there to greet the president and his family when they finally reached their destination in Texas. ” I liked that Fox did show Obama goodbying the Bushes as they came to their plane. Class.

dr.e

Something still pondering. . .Faith in the Inauguration and the “backgrounds” of each prayer. . . Starting with the rejection of the atheists attempt to ban prayer of “In God We Trust” for the swearing in then moving to Bishop Gene Robinson's opening prayer from Lincoln Memorial and HBO “accidentally” not airing it. . . .Rick Warren's invocation, he did not feed into the culture wars, yet it did not feel like a gathering prayer to the “something greater”. . . Rather it rung of a carefully crafted political positioning to be inclusive while giving a five minute sermon to God like a president delivering the State of the Nation . . . Like a man walking on a tight rope. . . Compared to Bishop Gene Robinson's feet in the fire prayer which rung like a deep petition of social issues with a focused intent of HELP! us God for it's hot down here and we cannot do it without the Higher Source. . . .Then there was background of 87 year old Rev. Joseph Lowry, like a well aged bottle of champagne finally ridding it's cork. . .with thank you, thank you, thank you, we are gathered all around. . . .” Left Every Voice and Sing”. . .with its message. . .chose on the side of love not hate, on inclusion not exclusion, on tolerance not intolerance. . . I once heard that God creates and heals mankind by evolution, whereas man creates by revolution, what God creates is slow yet endures what man creates is fast but often crumbles as another one takes its space. . . as i listened to Rev. Lowry and the background thought of that. . . . All of this is subjective and may not be what others heard or what is “real”. . .Hesitate to write of other's prayer but something i am still thinking about and peeling from the inauguration. . .

Good Music. . . .the multi-cultural gifting of Yo Yo Ma, Perlman, McGill and Gabriela Montero with Simple Gifts. . .perfect song for our time. . .
Like you Dr. E.. . .loved Aretha Franklin's hat. . .and the background of hats and African American women and how it was a perfect day to wear the “crowns”. . . .As she sung additional lyrics floated in, “signed, 'wrapped', and delivered” like a silent song within the song of a much greater song. . . like her coat, layered and warm. . .

A Sad One. . .President Carter being snubbed by the other past Presidents. . .And the humble strength of both President Carter and Roslyn which moved with an essence of deep integrity. . .

A Bit of a Sigh. . .The mighty presidents of the past are walking proud and slow. . .

A Happy One. . .the ocean of regular folks two miles deep and fifty states wide. . .sending forth hope and jubilation bringing forth an inauguration breaking the pattern of the all too often stuffy ruling class inaugurations of the past. . .

Class Act. . . .President Obama escorting President Bush personally to the air lift. . . .

Irony. . . Chief Justice Robinson's fumble on the swearing in of President Obama. . .

dr.e

Best Decision: to include a poet at such an event

Best Poem: Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander

Best forgivable offense: Roberts mishandling of swearing in.

2nd most forgivable offense: The booing of Bush and Cheney, who may still be investigated and who, in the court of public opinion, have already been convicted of being the worst president and vice president in our history. A few boos in a zeitgeist of lies, death, fear mongering seems so small by comparison.

The thing least reported: Only Fox tv was there to greet the president and his family when they finally reached their destination in Texas.

Most endearing the sight of Obama's kids in all their cuteness, and the love that emanates from and between the Pres and first lady.

Most interesting aspect of speech: The way Obama takes time out to congratulate and thank the former president for his service while repudiating the majority of his policies as moribund and hopeless.

Most personally surprising: the tears of hope, sadness, of a new day, of promises made, of our time finally come, and of the tears being shared all over the world: tears of joy.

Best reminder, from Obama, among others that this day was not about Barak Obama, but a tribute to the people who will need to monitor, support, and work equally hard, and have been invited to do so…..YEA!!