What an interesting inauguration yesterday.
Let me get this out of the way: I was extremely surprised and elated to hear four virtuosos performing and commissioning a piece of concert music for Obama's inauguration. I thought Williams' composition, although basically a theme and variations on "Simple Gifts" (which, after Copland, why try?), the piece had some absolutely wonderful moments that I didn't expect out of Williams, and the piece on the whole was quite enjoyable. Hopefully, Obama's support of art (and even poetry!) will continue through his presidency.
But it seems to go along with his plans to make more 'public works' jobs. That was the most stern I have heard him in speech. I am curious as to how drastic his initial changes will be. The fact that he sees our country in a state of crisis indicates some form of emergency. Although I think I trust Obama now, I hope he doesn't do anything too unreasonable (for our benefit or not).
One word stuck out in his speech: responsibility. That's a word I haven't heard much of recently. I think we have lost our sense of responsibility to ourselves, our nation, and each other, and I think Obama's right. If we don't regain our sense of responsibility, we just won't go anywhere.
However, there were moments when I felt Obama leaned away from Patriotism into a sort of Nationalistic stance. He's not just looking to return the US to a state of power, but to the state of power. As of now, I trust, him and I can't wait to seem his ideas begin to manifest, but I'm keeping my eyes open just in case.
And, yes, there was a little mishap with the swearing in (of which I've heard every possible angle of online. Google it...), and his speech was only 20 minutes long (I seriously expected quite a bit more). But I think it's what America needed to hear.
Let me get this out of the way: I was extremely surprised and elated to hear four virtuosos performing and commissioning a piece of concert music for Obama's inauguration. I thought Williams' composition, although basically a theme and variations on "Simple Gifts" (which, after Copland, why try?), the piece had some absolutely wonderful moments that I didn't expect out of Williams, and the piece on the whole was quite enjoyable. Hopefully, Obama's support of art (and even poetry!) will continue through his presidency.
But it seems to go along with his plans to make more 'public works' jobs. That was the most stern I have heard him in speech. I am curious as to how drastic his initial changes will be. The fact that he sees our country in a state of crisis indicates some form of emergency. Although I think I trust Obama now, I hope he doesn't do anything too unreasonable (for our benefit or not).
One word stuck out in his speech: responsibility. That's a word I haven't heard much of recently. I think we have lost our sense of responsibility to ourselves, our nation, and each other, and I think Obama's right. If we don't regain our sense of responsibility, we just won't go anywhere.
However, there were moments when I felt Obama leaned away from Patriotism into a sort of Nationalistic stance. He's not just looking to return the US to a state of power, but to the state of power. As of now, I trust, him and I can't wait to seem his ideas begin to manifest, but I'm keeping my eyes open just in case.
And, yes, there was a little mishap with the swearing in (of which I've heard every possible angle of online. Google it...), and his speech was only 20 minutes long (I seriously expected quite a bit more). But I think it's what America needed to hear.
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