'Tis A Gift To Be Free...

[ekaterinn]

That's what I kept singing after hearing "Air and Simple Gifts" right before the swearing-in, after reading block. And then I got a bit choked up as Obama took his oath of office and even more at his speech:

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

and

"We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do."

and

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals."

and especially

"We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

Today, in what I sometimes called my red-haired stepchild of a country, I am proud and hopeful, full of joy.

'Tis a gift to be simple
'Tis a gift to be free
'Tis a gift to come 'round
where we ought to be.

Comments

[bejiin.livejournal.com]

yeah the whole room cheered when he said he was going to restore science... that man is a powerful orator.