I just finished watching the US Presidential Inauguration, like probably a good portion of the world's awake population and probably 99% of the US population. I had to get up at 3am Sydney time. But it was easier than getting up for work at 7:30! What are my thoughts on the Inauguration?  Personal Perspective
I have a great interest in US politics which stems mostly from the West Wing, 9/11 and some study of political science when I was at uni, long before the recent primaries, general election and transition, so I have a natural interest in this. I was also in Washington DC in July of last year and so it all takes on more perspective. I have walked the length of the Mall from the Capitol to the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. I have walked through the Capitol including through Statuary Hall and the beneath the Rotunda just as Obama and Bush just did. I have taken the requisite photo in front of the White House. I have taken a segway tour of DC. Love the place and can't wait to go back. Historical Perspective I love pomp and ceremony of every kind and always make a point of watching anything historical. Be it coverage of an international emergency, an Olympic opening ceremony, a Royal event, a Papal change over, a famous figures funeral etc, a US election, I'll be standing by a TV. I think a president named Barack Husein Obama says it all. Great moment for the civil rights movement in the US and multiculturalism everywhere in the world. I didn't think I would see a black president. What a challenge he has and I cannot think of anyone better suited to tackle it. We have such high hopes for Obama. Looking forward to the parade. Oath of office bungling I thought it was great. I thought the miss steps in the oath of office were a metaphor for the reality that Obama steps into. For all the perfection of his campaign and (nearly) the transition, its a reminder that all is certainly not perfect. Granted the problems were caused by the Chief Justice's nerves in front of millions. Presidential Address Obama's Inaugural address and first speech as president. Obama continues to walk the line of history and I am sure would have loved to dedicate this speech to ranking it among the best in history and along side JFK's if not Lincolns, but the current crises consipired to make it more factual, sober and serious. The challenges ahead are not simply democratic capitalism vs communism or the West vs radical extremism, but complex international and transnational economic near collapse with the backdrop of world political turmoil. So his speech reflected that. Overall I think it was great. It requires re-listening and additional study and I will definitely be doing that. Diane Feinstein She walked a thin line of partisanship in her opening. She nearly miss stepped. I'd be interested to hear what Obama's communication team thought. The Invocation and Benediction I thought the pastor giving the Invocation thought he was doing his attempt at a historical speech. So so. The Benediction was great. Well written and the humour of the end was fantastic: "brown will stick around" etc.  Bush's presidency over
Thank god. So needed that we put the past 8 years behind us. Not just because of Bush's miss-handling of the post 9/11 world and US foreign policy, but also to put behind us the Bush spectre hanging over the financial crisis. Tough days ahead now of course but I feel we have at least moved from ineffectual damage control to considered recovery.  The Mall
Wow. Wow. Wow. Enough said. John William's composition Not what I was expecting. It would seem John Williams tapped the emotion of the current times and not his usual bombast for historical moments. Poignent. I'd be interested to know if it was written with Perlman and Ma in mind almost more than the occassion. I'd like to re-listen. Security Mamoth task and very impressively done. I would love to have been in the Secret Service / Homeland Security control centres. To be a fly on those walls! | 
