Well, we now have President Barack Obama. I ended up skipping class and watching the entire thing, because I just love pageantry and wanted to hear the speech — how cool were those initial shots towards the Washington and Lincoln monuments, moments after the John’n'Barack Smothers Brothers swearing in, with all the flags waving? A small “Woo America” to that one.
Overall, I thought the speech was very, very strong. Admittedly, I was a little suprised at the ideals vs. the security section if only because the early indications have Obama leaning towards a little more hawkish centrism and pragmatism on that very question — so, in that regard, the remarks seem a little dismissive of President Bush. And aw, old George W. Bush. Like Obama said, a good guy, a good man, and a good person. But Obama was in a tough position — not wanting to sound like Jimmy Carter, but not oblivious either — and I think the turn towards endurance and strength by way of struggle really resonates as an American tradition and was therefore kind of brilliant.
So, let’s talk about a few things far, far more important. Like how our new First Lady finally, finally unequivocally and absolutely rocked an outfit for an important occasion. How she looked classy and tasteful but still fashionable and attractive. Perfect. And how, without fail, Mrs. Biden stepped all over it.
This is literally the absolute reverse of what they wore on election night! The exact reverse! Clashing all to hell with the colors, but at least this time, each is wearing the better color for their respective complexions. And yes, this is trivial, but there are like a very limited amount of important occasions when the President, First Lady, and the Vice President and his wife are ever photographed together, and this is one of them, so match if at all possible because these photos go in the history books. GOD JILL EXCHANGE NOTES WITH MICHELLE FOR ONCE.
Alright. I’ve calmed down. Mostly because we saw the two finest hats ever made today:
Aretha must be a Gossip Girl fan, because I can say with absolute certainty that Blair Waldorf would wear that hat. That thing is FIERCE. But can it be matched by Davy Crockett’s Russian Revenge?
I submit that Aretha has captured the brass ring here. Nevertheless, the Bush family seemed hilariously well-equipped to combat the cold, with the Bush girls carrying blankets and President G.H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush wearing matching purple scarves. And let’s be honest the only two things redeeming that terrible, terrible poem were the squinting reaction shot from our friend H.W. that so boldly and profoundly said, a beacon for all of us watching there at home, “What the hell are we listening to?” The second redeeming feature was the glorious response on Twitter:
- @mkhammer Dear Elizabeth Alexander: My ancestors have never been on my tongue. Modern poetry has no place in real life. Ha.
- @michellemalkin That. Poem. Sucked.
- @RightMichigan @michellemalkin You didn’t use enough periods, Michelle. Try it this way… “Tha. T. Po. Em. Suck. Ed.”
- @barneystephens the poem sounds like its coming from a GPS
And in terms of responses, whither the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, everyone on stage? I was putting mascara on, in my room, by myself, and even I repeated back aloud the Lord’s Prayer with Rick Warren. Maybe they were all still giggling somewhat at his over articulation of Malia and Sasha’s names? Though I’m not the biggest Warren fan, the invocation was up to par, and the musical arrangement that preceded the swearing in ceremony was lovely. And, finally, I thought the old man who gave the benediction was kind of cute and funny, and the end tag (pray that “whites will embrace what’s right“) means little in context with the others. He also kind of reminded me of the minister in the Princess Bride. So, take that as you will.
As everyone and their mother says, God bless America, God bless the new president, and let the good times of conservative humor begin, no?
