Congratulations to the US on your new President. But...?

Question

It's good to see the US has a new President, and I'm sure most of the world is relieved they finally got rid of Bush.
Now, I watched some of the Obama coverage on TV and what struck me most was that it was more like a gala celebrity event than a sombre political inauguration. In particular, I thought the speaker who annouced Obama spoke like he was announcing a competitor in a wrestling match (which he may well have been doing). Then there were lots of other vulgar PR events as well.
I thought it was embarrassing and cheapened a very important (international) occasion. Just felt it could have been done with more solemnity and less trivial Hello-magazine kitsch. Wondered how US viewers felt about it.

Answer 1

I agree to an extent. However, in this instance, considering the incompetent moron who was being replaced, one can scarcely blame us Americans for putting on such a celebration. If you listened to Obama's inaugural speech, you will not have failed to notice that he took the occasion very seriously. In fact, some news analysts after the fact did describe the tone of his speech as somewhat sombre. To me it is particularly refreshing that we now have a man sitting in the Oval Office who can actually articulate the English language - a man who can form and express words and ideas clearly, and who doesn't sound like an automaton when he delivers a speech. Another great thing in Obama's favor is that he is from the common people, unlike George W. Bush, who, to quote the late governor of my home state of Texas, Ann Richards, "was born with a silver foot in his mouth," just like his father, George Sr. For that reason, Obama can and will sympathize and empathize with most citizens of the country, and will be disposed to champion their cause, rather than the cause of the powerful and well-heeled here in the U.S. Those things alone are sufficient cause for most Americans to celebrate.

Answer 2

Ha Ha...that's funny about the wrestling match commentator...



Yes, some of the events were a bit more "vulgar" to use your term. Hollywood tends to come out a bit more when a liberal is voted into office, so that could have something to do with the tone of the events. Republican Inaugurations tend to be a little bit more 'red, white, and blue pomp and circumstance', if you know what I mean.



But Inaugural Balls always happen. And there's always a concert at the Lincoln Memorial.



But don't get the wrong impression that all Americans were thrilled with this day. Tens of millions of voters didn't vote for this guy. Only the media will have you think that they did.

Answer 3

The Obamas are about 20 years younger than the Bushes, and they had a huge base of support among young people. It's not really surprising that the Neighborhood Ball appealed to a younger crowd and had a more modern feel than a Bush celebration.



The inauguration itself, which was announced by Senator Dianne Feinstein, was very classy and traditional.

Answer 4

Yes, "kitsch" is a good way to describe American culture. It's because our day-to-day life is little more than an ongoing commercial. We only look for "what sells." We are obsessed with image, not reality. And we have decided that image sells, not reality. The rich people who sell stuff don't care because they make money off it, and the rest of us don't care because we get to consume consume consume.



Ironically, image is reality in the US now. Welcome to the postmodern condition. We don't do or make anything here anymore . . . that has all been outsourced to the 3rd World. Now we just fetishize celebrities while pretending that our crap isn't made in American-owned sweatshops overseas.



America has, in an anti-marxist posture, always prided itself as being a "classless" society, which is not true of course. The irony is that now we truly are a classless society . . . we are without class, we are kitsch.



This has nothing to do with presidents or political parties. It is a deep cultural phenomenon. Because capitalism turns everything into merchandise. We relentlessly and mindlessly pursue crap -- crappy products, crappy food, etc -- and we send our military all over the world in order to pave the way for new markets to buy the crap we no longer make.

Answer 5

Kennedy-1961

Answer 6

The U.S. has a general lack of interest, trust, and understanding of politics. So, most people take every word with a grain of salt. Suspicious - that's a good word for it.



We go through administration extremes so often, a lot of us purely dread the inevitable challenges, struggles between parties, b.s. laws passed while good ones fail, etc. The whole process is very frustrating!



That said, I did watch President Obama speak at the capital this afternoon. It was amazing to see *so many* people there! An unbelieveable amount of people went to see history in the making. President Obama is a good speaker and gave a good speech, imo. I stopped watching when his speech was over & Dianne Feinstein came to the podium to introduce a poet (I think?) though. My family is strongly republican and just seeing Dianne Feinstein made all 3 of them growl, leave, and/or change the channel.



I'm an independent voter, but definitely lean towards the left-wing.

Answer 7

Hi there

It is reported that two million people went to see the event in person. They came from all over the world - so - a spectacular show was put on for them. Where is the harm in that.

The alternative could have been a simple swearing in ceremony lasting minutes. This would have been unfair on the crowd who had stood in freezing cold weather for many hours. The show was for the crowd. I only watched it on TV and could feel th emotion of the occasion.

Best wishes from Sue

Answer 8

I concur, and great points all around. I worry about the smugness factor moving forward as well. Also, no one is mentioning that this guy came out of NOWHERE...3 years ago if you would've asked Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, or even Ted Kennedy who they would like to see as President, or even a Presidential nominee, I seriously doubt anyone would've said Barack Obama. Not for lack of qualification, but general ignorance. I mean tell me there isn't some back alley vested interest in that. I think we are going to see a huge spin coming from the White House the next 6 months. A lot of smoke and mirrors to possibly cast the illusion of a less volatile state of the nation. I have no doubt that electing a black president is a step forward in our national psyche, and a statement to the international community. I just hope that there is substance behind the posturing we are about to experience. I think there is nervousness in both parties.

Answer 9

It was disgusting. Thanks for noticing.



But it's what America has become.



What really bothered me was the blatant misuse of Abraham Lincoln. While he was a great man I'm sure, his legacy was not abolishing slavery, which was just a means to an end, it was his attempt to abolish the central bank and print government interest-free money. This is why he and JFK were assassinated. He could care less about slavery! Greenbacks. No mention of this though, since all of the banks receiving all this bailout money contributed heavily towards Obama's campaign.

Answer 10

Oh trust me, I'm deeply disgusted by the whole thing. You are right, it was not a presidential inauguration, it was a celebrity gala. It's sad that we can take something that is by far this type of spectacle and turn it into an over priced back yard bbq.

Answer 11

Please save your congrats to someone who cares. Thanx anyway. Half of America didn't vote for Obama. So you're only congratulating the loony, brainless, heartless half.



You're congratulating the side who voted for black and not wisdom. You are congratulating those who voted in abortion on demand, taxation of the upper middle class and quite possibly the lower middle class soon if Obama goes through with all his programs. And those dumb wits who think we should hand out welfare to anyone and everyone who doesn't want to work. Oh and everyone who wants to "make nice" to the terrorists who killed our fellow Americans and our brave soldiers.



But you're right about the gala. More money was spent that night than any other inauguration I'm sure of that. So long to Obama being fiscally responsible. Another one of his lies.

Answer 12

Those who voted for him, probably didn't mind but most of knew he was a flashy guy.



I liked Bush and I'm just curious, are you from one of the countries that won't let Gitmo detainees enter your country?

Answer 13

I am an american and I can say, I don't care about world opinion, as long as Obama does a good job then i will be happy.

Answer 14

I'm an Australian. But I say good on them for having a good time. It's a celebration - all that hard work paid off.

Answer 15

It's a country built on capitalism - they had to sell it! :)

Answer 16

Hello to Welfare. Democrats want Welfare Checks.

Answer 17

You are not even a member of this country, so I really doubt that anyone who is cares about your opinion.

Answer 18

now that i look back..i think ima miss bush...he made me laugh..why well..for being so stupid. His stupid jokes..man..good days..lol