Hey, DU...

[WilliamPitt]

...we are watching the inauguration of a Democratic president for the second time since the founding of this forum.

There were times between then and now that I feared something like this wouldn't happen once, much less twice.

Problems? Of course. Disappointments behind, and to come? Surely.

But the widow of Medgar Evers is reading the invocation for the second inauguration of an African American Democrat who did not serve in the military.

Consider how many once-assumed impossibilities are contained in that one sentence. Black president? Democrat? Two terms? No military service? Impossible, right? Once upon a time, it was widely believed that the only person who could conceivably do these things was Colin Powell, the Republican general. It was almost axiomatic.

Impossible? Wrong.

Enjoy this day. It is a wonder of progress and democratic action we witness here.

We are not what we were, and what we may yet become still awaits us.

[FSogol]

1. K & R. n/t

[CherokeeDem]

2. Beautifully said, Will...

"But the widow of Medgar Evers is reading the invocation for the second inauguration of an African American Democrat who did not serve in the military."

We have come a very long way....

[Graybeard]

3. And Justice Sotomayor makes us proud.

An Hispanic woman of Puerto Rican descent swears in VP Biden.

Our future is bright indeed.

[In_The_Wind]

4. ~ K ~

[Buzz Clik]

5. Nicely put, Will.

Thanks for the perspective.

[DinahMoeHum]

6. What a long strange trip it's been for DU and DUers. . .

. . .indeed.

[Plucketeer]

14. Indeed!

And while I'm still not ecstatic, maybe it's too much to ask that I ever reach that peak. After all - I have got a comfortable spot from which to read and post to DU - ever aware that I can't even take THAT for granted. So we keep on pushing - pushing towards the light.

[Glorfindel]

7. Hey, William Pitt! Thank you for saying it just right

We have much to celebrate and to be thankful for.

[mountain grammy]

8. I am enjoying this day, thank you so very much!

[George II]

9. Very nice words...

And looking to the future, in 2016 might we see our first woman President, Democrat Hillary Clinton, or even our second black President, Democrat Colin Powell?

[Historic NY]

10. "Forward".

[SidDithers]

11. I missed it...

turned the whole thing off when Battle Hymn of the Republic came on.



Sid

[WilliamPitt]

13. *snarf*

[ThatsMyBarack]

12. Four more years is just too short for me.

I can only hope for NO MORE RETHUG pRESIDENTS EVER!!!!!

[Lars39]

15. Isn't it great!

Still pinching myself.

[Evergreen Emerald]

16. It is moving isn't it?

[ReRe]

17. Yes, Will, and I cannot wait!

K&R

Happy Inauguration and MLK Day!

[union_maid]

18. It's a good day for the nation

And I wish our POTUS many victories in the next four years, to be followed by the next Democratic president.

[siligut]

19. I don't even like pomp and circumstance

But I have had tears in my eyes more than once today.

[retired rooster]

22. I had more than tears...

...I openly cried. I feel that was the best speech I've ever heard and I'm not ashamed to publicly say it.

[siligut]

23. Great speech combined with great everything

Watching MSNBC and even the commentators are being good.

[2naSalit]

20. While I was contemplating all

the particularly significant specifics of this day, and watching the festivities, I realize that this is a quadrupledy special day! Hooray for us and our country!! (and yes, I made that word up just for this occasion).

[Lone_Star_Dem]

21. After Citizens United I wasn't sure we'd see this today.

I adore being wrong sometimes.

[Scurrilous]

24. K & R

[Duval]

25. Thanks, WRP. I am so proud

of the USA in these moments.

[madrchsod]

26. i never thought about that

dam we have been here a long time!!

[emulatorloo]

27. Well said, thanks for posting this.

[Amonester]

28. The Good Always Win In The Never Ending End! :)

It always does, even when imperfect.

It's always in the works, somewhere.

[FailureToCommunicate]

29. When will Obama close the deal?

Agreed! Enjoy this day!

Yes! It has really happened!


Feeling so lucky today...that this guy -and all he represents- didn't win:

?1339189549

[calimary]

39. I'm wondering why they weren't on the platform, attending the Inauguration.

Others who were defeated have been there. Not that I missed them. But I did want to see the looks on their faces. I wanted to see if there was a spark of genuine humanity in them. All I got throughout last year were cardboard cut-outs. I would have liked to have seen how they comported themselves. Probably as elegantly as they could, while feeling still profoundly disappointed. I would have liked to have seen that. Whether there was real feeling in there. boner and yertle certainly looked glum enough. But okay. That's honest. I bet their faces said exactly how they felt. If they were trying to hide it, they weren't very successful.

Well, hey, it isn't their day. And I'm not trying to sound like a heartless bitch. If I come off that way here, I apologize. I'm just looking to see if there's emotion in there. You can relate to that. You can relate to genuineness, to authenticity. Why else do people just kinda helplessly love Joe Biden? What on earth is more real and genuine and approachable? He is GENUINELY that proverbial guy you wanna go have a beer with. That one is easy to envision. Just entirely congenial, not stuffy, not arrogant, easy-to-relate-to, not off-putting or artificial. Just a warm, genuine, inclusive, goofy, friendly, happy old white dude. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and his lapels, and across his forehead, and even with a crazy hat on - it's there smack-dab on the front of the hat. The opposition has so many walls up. Expensive, fancy, jewel-studded, designer walls, but walls nonetheless. No compassion, no openness, no authenticity, no warmth, just a front. A cold front. I want to see that crack open a little. There's GOTTA be something human in there.

[FailureToCommunicate]

43. I guess Mitt and Ann weren't there because they weren't in any way real leaders of

their party. Just fancy, jewel studded designer cut-outs. And Georgie Boy was AWOL as well. In fact I heard that numerous Republicans left town...So much for unity from their part, even to the traditions of peaceful transfer of leaders of America.

Four years ago, as we stood in the bitter cold of that day, our spirits were warmed by the commonality of everyone around us booing the Republican evil doers as they came out on the steps of the Capitol. And we all seemed to feel that great wave of relief as Bush left in his helicopter...as we all sang
"Na na na na, na na na na,hey hey hey, GOODBYE"

[lillypaddle]

30. I love our President

I was so moved for him and for us.

[SunSeeker]

31. +1

[OldEurope]

32. How many women?

Congratulations for the second term and for your wonderful president. And to judge Soto Mayor. How many women are in his administration?

[ChiciB1]

33. More Amazing Too That The Block Of Resistance Has Been

so extremely fierce from those who call themselves patriots, but are in essence those who strive to take us backward, and fight tooth and nail to rob us of hard fought rights. They, "those others" who seem oblivious or perhaps intentionally trying to ruin what this country was founded upon. FREEDOM & FAIRNESS, for "we the people!"

I liked Obama's speech, he sounded very inclusive, but more progressive than I feel he really is. But he put it out there and I applaud him for that. As a liberal willing to compromise because I fear what "those others" might do to ruin this country, I will finally utter a word I haven't in many years. I HOPE we will actually see progress in the years ahead to form a more perfect union.

I may not like it, but I've had to realize that my kind of liberalism is almost dead, and that I will have to live with issues that trouble me from the past and will again in the future. Regardless, in my heart I will voice my opinions and speak out as always, because I am in fact a liberal.

Still, we must not go backward... we must stand tall a let our voices be heard. We still have much work to do and a long way to go. And I also HOPE that the generation of my kids & theirs will pick up the mantle to do the work needed from them. This is something that has worried me greatly... only time will tell.

[spanone]

34. k&r...

[MerryBlooms]

35. I heard you on with Mike Papantonio this morning-- excellent segment.

[calimary]

36. Just so happy today!

A BEEE-YOOO-TEEE-FULL sunny Southern California day! GREAT stuff on TV, watching the Inaugural parade, watching Joe Biden have himself a party with the crowd, all the way down the street, people yelling and cheering, got a FANTASTIC phone call from the boys - their drummer told me all kinds of great news from their tour, everybody's happy, dog just made a good poo, kitties all peacefully snoozing, my best friend's in town, my boy's band is kickin' ass, my President and First Lady are being celebrated all day, tons of happy people here and posting on Facebook, and I'm a happy gal!

[Cha]

37. There's a tremendous amount to

appreciate in what we have going on here today!

Thank you for shining a Light on it, Will

[KittyWampus]

38. With a name that sounds like "Osama".

[allGoodThings]

40. It is amazing how many changes have happened since the start of this forum.

I know how much it has changed me.

[uppityperson]

41. Who were you? nt

[allGoodThings]

44. Funny you should ask that...

This should help explain:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022234504

That post is the reason I created this account today. Ironically this particular post was one of the first I found while trying to build up enough posts to start a topic. I took that as a good sign.

[uppityperson]

46. I saw that and ask again, who were you?

[allGoodThings]

48. I thought I made it clear in the other post that I wasn't going to reveal that.

I am sorry, but it is just not something I am willing to do at this time.

[uppityperson]

49. It'd be better to not have 2 active accounts. Welcome back but contact admin to have your old one

shut down if you are going to use this one.

[allGoodThings]

52. I am not going to use this one - I created it just to make an anonymous post today.

I will continue to use my other account. I just had to get this off my chest, even if anonymously.

[shanti]

65. so how many posts/threads

do you need to "get this off of your chest"?

[WilliamPitt]

47. Welcome back.

[JI7]

42. and his name is Barack Hussien OBama

[RainDog]

45. k&r

[underpants]

50. Great day

[YvonneCa]

51. Thanks, Will. An amazing...

...day. Progress is being made...

[hrmjustin]

55. Why are you being such a pig?

[ailsagirl]

61. Fractious trolls

They didn't last long

They never do

And with such SOPHISTICATED posts!!

[hrmjustin]

62. I don't like the fact that they target certain people.

Creeps you out.

[ailsagirl]

63. Oh yeah-- agreed

The thing is, if they see they've gotten the reaction they want, they'll really double down.
That's why I try to defuse their ignominious presence with humor.

Wish they'd just go away.

[WilliamPitt]

56. One last kick

before calling it a day.

[annabanana]

67. boy howdy that last kick sure kicked up a mess 'o troll!

lol

[littlemissmartypants]

59. And she was exceptional. eom

[xxqqqzme]

60. I noticed Mrs. Boner

is as orange as her husband. They share the tanning bed??

[Blue_In_AK]

68. A mea culpa to the jury I just served on...

I obviously meant to say leave the post alone and Hide the Alerter, who was way over the top. In fact, the Alerter should probably be banned to the dust bin.

[WilliamPitt]

69. FYI

All the hidden posts in this thread are from one troll deploying a busload of sock puppets.

Ben a fun night. Check Meta; you'll get the whole story.

[Blue_In_AK]

70. Thanks.

I'll check it out. I would assume then that it was the sock that alerted on your OP using most inappropriate language.