January 21, 2009
Let's Face It, The Guy Is Bright
Much has been written about Obama's inauguration speech, and there were some harsh reviews on the plane back to Texas. David Sanger NY Times noted that Obama technically "blamed no one"
And yet what he did say must have come as a bit of a shock to Mr. Bush. No stranger to criticism, over the past eight years he had rarely been forced to sit in silence listening to a speech about how America had gone off the rails on his watch.
We got to thinking about the last time Bush squirmed in public (though he wasn't squirming this time). From Wikipedia:
In 2006, at Coretta Scott King's funeral, Dr. Lowery received a standing ovation when he remarked before four U.S. Presidents in attendance:."We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there. But Coretta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor!"
Conservative observers claimed his comments were inappropriate in a setting meant to honor the life of Mrs. King, especially considering Mr. Bush was present at the ceremony. None of Mrs. King's family has objected to Lowery's words.
That would be Dr. Joseph Lowery, the poetic civil rights leader, who became even more famous by delivering the rhyming inaugural benediction that made Obama giggle. Inviting Lowery was perhaps an even more subtle counter to Rev. Warren than Bishop Gene Robinson . Wonder if Bush recognized him.
Evidently, in the spirit of bipartisanship, Obama's not gong to nail any Bushies directly,he simply opened the presidential records. From Sheryl Gay Stolberg:
Experts said Mr. Obama’s moves would have the practical effect of allowing reporters and historians to obtain access to records from the Bush administration that might otherwise have been kept under wraps.“Historians are overjoyed by this,” said Lee White, executive director of the National Coalition for History.
As is the ACLU, and probably the World Court.
Investigations anyone?
Dick Cheney may be one step ahead.
Photo note: From the American flag series. Bright, get it? Lesson: never get caught without your tripod at Christmastime or on the Fourth of July if you don't find squiggles charming