Patrick Says

I was going to post the entire Inauguration Address here that President Obama delivered today, but really, you can find that everywhere. I’d thought instead that I’d just post my favorite sections and what they mean to me.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met.

The first big line of the speech. This was met by thunderous applause in the Mall. The American spirit was alive and well this day.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.

I love the humility of this line. We aren’t great just because. We’re great because we’ve worked hard to get there.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions – who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

I think what he’s saying, is that we have beaten ourselves down to the point where we expect that we can accomplish nothing and be happy with that result. But we are better than that.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

Here, he’s talking about our role as the world leader. The world hates us and not necessarily without warrant. To quote a famous comic book hero, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. We aren’t going to be the world bully anymore. We will be its leader with a just and thoughtful hand.

We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers.

Religious acceptance is critical to our cohesion as a nation. We have to work together, regardless of what you believe…altogether.

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

That last sentence is one of my favorites. It’s almost the forgiveness Christians talk about. But it’s more than that. It’s forgiveness with conditions.

The whole speech was really good and I encourage you to go seek it out and read it or listen for yourself. Feel free to email me (my email is on my about page) or leave a comment here about your feelings on it.

It’s 1:11 am in the morning on January 20, 2009. We’re just hours away from finally getting W. out of the office he has disgraced for the past eight years. But, that’s not what this post is about. I’m not going to badmouth you today, George.

Just get out.
Go. Disappear.
Get out and take your crap with you.

Today is about change. The change we voted for America. It’s about turning this country around. For everyone: Republicans, Democrats, independents, Americans.

It’s not going to be easy. President-Elect Obama has told us that. We all know it. If you think all the damage done by the last eight years (and beyond, yes, there were mistakes in the Clinton administration too) is going to be erased in the next six months, you need to get a grip.

We’re going to have to brace for the worst and ride it out.

But that’s why America is great. Because we’re tough. Our forefathers rode it out. So can we. So, everybody grab hands and don’t let go. This is going to be a rough ride. I’ll see you at the end. And hopefully, we’ll all be smiling…

Last week-ish, Jason of Gorilla Sushi posted a link on Twitter daring anyone to watch this video to its completion. Wow. Just wow. I’m sure she’s making it up, but she nails it. Took me three times to get through it.

Funny though.

Did you get through it in one try? Or did you want to break apart discount furniture and beat yourself or others about the head and shoulders with it?

Just awesome, Boxxy. Call me. Kidding.

Regular readers will know that I have a weakness for youthful female singers. Seriously. I can’t help it. Let me list a few and you’ll see I’m not kidding: Miley Cyrus, Michelle Branch, Skye Sweetnam, Katy Perry, The Veronicas, Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears.

Some of them are amazingly talented and well, some aren’t.

Still, I dig them all. Driving home the other night, I heard a song about Romeo and Juliet and I’m digging it and wondering who it is. I got home and looked it up and it’s Taylor Swift. I’ve now heard three songs from Ms. Swift and loved them all. How do I not have this in my library? So throw up some digital signage; I need this album.

She’s amazingly talented. Here are some of her videos. Enjoy.

So, for awhile now, I’ve been wanting to get my boys a book that I remember from my childhood. Kind of like passing something on from me to them and maybe they’ll pass it to their kids. You get the idea.

Problem: My parents are both dead. And I can’t remember six years ago, much less to my childhood.

All I can pull from my cobwebbed head is one book with a little boy who, for some reason, has a pet dinosaur (red, I think) and he takes it around his town and mayhem ensues.

Anyone know what book this is? Or am I imagining it?

(UPDATE: Holy crap. It may be Danny and the Dinosaur, but I’m not 100% on this. I keep feeling like the dinosaur was red. Anyone?)