« President Asks Bush and Clinton to Help Raise Funds for Tsunami Relief | Main | The Presidential Inauguration: Preparations for the Presidential Inauguration of 2005. »
January 04, 2005
Inaugural Ball
Like it or not George W. Bush is President again, as predicted with remarkable accuracy through Softvote's Online Poll.
The beginning of the 2nd term of George W. Bush will be marked by a series of activities and celebrations. The final celebrations of his campaign will come with the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Balls.
The Inaugural Ball will be held January 19th and 20th
To flash back to 2001, last time around this was George's Inaugural (Speech) Address:
George W. Bush
Inaugural Address
Saturday, January 20, 2001
President Clinton, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens, the peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country. With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.
As I begin, I thank President Clinton for his service to our nation.
And I thank Vice President Gore for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace.
I am honored and humbled to stand here, where so many of America's leaders have come before me, and so many will follow.
We have a place, all of us, in a long story - a story we continue, but whose end we will not see. It is the story of a new world that became a friend and liberator of the old, a story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom, the story of a power that went into the world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer.
It is the American story - a story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals. 6
The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born.
Americans are called to enact this promise in our lives and in our laws. And though our nation has sometimes halted, and sometimes delayed, we must follow no other course.
Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations.
Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity, an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along. And even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel.
While many of our citizens prosper, others doubt the promise, even the justice, of our own country. The ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools and hidden prejudice and the circumstances of their birth. And sometimes our differences run so deep, it seems we share a continent, but not a country.
We do not accept this, and we will not allow it. Our unity, our union, is the serious work of leaders and citizens in every generation. And this is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.
I know this is in our reach because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves who creates us equal in His image.
And we are confident in principles that unite and lead us onward.
America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.
Today, we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.
America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness.
Some seem to believe that our politics can afford to be petty because, in a time of peace, the stakes of our debates appear small.
But the stakes for America are never small. If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most.
We must live up to the calling we share. Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. And this commitment, if we keep it, is a way to shared accomplishment.
America, at its best, is also courageous.
Our national courage has been clear in times of depression and war, when defending common dangers defined our common good. Now we must choose if the example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us. We must show courage in a time of blessing by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations.
Together, we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives.
We will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent. And we will reduce taxes, to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of working Americans.
We will build our defenses beyond challenge, lest weakness invite challenge.
We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors.
The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth.
America, at its best, is compassionate. In the quiet of American conscience, we know that deep, persistent poverty is unworthy of our nation's promise.
And whatever our views of its cause, we can agree that children at risk are not at fault. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God, they are failures of love.
And the proliferation of prisons, however necessary, is no substitute for hope and order in our souls.
Where there is suffering, there is duty. Americans in need are not strangers, they are citizens, not problems, but priorities. And all of us are diminished when any are hopeless.
Government has great responsibilities for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools. Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government.
And some needs and hurts are so deep they will only respond to a mentor's touch or a pastor's prayer. Church and charity, synagogue and mosque lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and in our laws.
Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do.
And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.
America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected.
Encouraging responsibility is not a search for scapegoats, it is a call to conscience. And though it requires sacrifice, it brings a deeper fulfillment. We find the fullness of life not only in options, but in commitments. And we find that children and community are the commitments that set us free.
Our public interest depends on private character, on civic duty and family bonds and basic fairness, on uncounted, unhonored acts of decency which give direction to our freedom.
Sometimes in life we are called to do great things. But as a saint of our times has said, every day we are called to do small things with great love. The most important tasks of a democracy are done by everyone.
I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it as well.
In all these ways, I will bring the values of our history to the care of our times.
What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.
Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: "We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?"
Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.
We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.
Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.
This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.
God bless you all, and God bless America.
Posted by Tuck at January 4, 2005 05:44 PM
Comments
And the country is sentenced to doom...
Posted by: FlamingLiberal at January 30, 2005 02:48 PM
FL,
Is this the progressive way? The tolerant way? The I respect your point of view way that the liberals push on everyone? Or is it only when it is in your sides favor that we have to be tolerant and respect everyones views?
Sorry, I have just had enough of the Bush bashing.
Posted by: Wayne at January 31, 2005 08:30 PM
I meant to put in a piece about how great the inaugural speech was, but I've been pretty busy lately.
But what a great speech that was! I'm so proud to have him as our President. From my studies in history I've come to the conclusion that Reagan was our best in the last 100 or so years, and it's obvious he was the most popular winning two landslide victories with 49 states voting for him both times. But I was a baby when he was in office.
Since this was the first time I voted, I'm happy to say I'm glad Bush won. He's by far the best president since Reagan. And he puts up with stuff I know I couldn't put up with. Like being called 'stupid' and 'dyslexic'. I know it would upset me somewhat, but he has a great sense of purpose and self-confidence that we lacked in other leaders. And speaking of leaders, he's definitely the best we've had in a while. Clinton was fun and immature, which a lot of people liked, but he did so much damage to our military and our economy that it took several years to recover. I guess in a way we're still recovering, but again, we've got the best guy at the helm now to guide us through these rocky waters. (sorry...I'm practicing my metaphors for English class. ha ha.)
And now that Iraq is voting. Wow !! It's amazing !! It feels so good to know we've brought so much happiness to such an oppressed people. Did you see the joy on their faces ??
I hope that freedom will spread all over that area and maybe we'll really have world peace in my lifetime.
Anyway, hope everyone else is having as great a
year as I am.
tlk2ul8r
Amber
Posted by: Amber at February 2, 2005 11:41 AM
Thanks Amber. It's so good to see such wisdom and optimism in someone so young. If all you listened to was 'Flamer Liberal' you'd think all young people were that ignorant and pessimistic. (remember, she's the one who thinks she'd rather live under Saddam's iron rule than in a free country. Poor misguided little girl. Probably has parents forcing these beliefs in her head.)
Last night we were all laughing at the response to Bush's speech. The speech was awesome, but the rebuttal by Pelosi and Reid was just laughable. Those two just don't get it, do they? Sad, but we are witnessing the fall of the Democratic Party. Once great, but now declining at a very fast pace. Even Kennedy (who calls Maraca Aboma (sp?) Osama bin Laden. I can't spell it but at least I don't pronounce it wrong.) is embarrassing to watch on TV or even to hear. Is he just drunk all the time now?
When will they realize that Kennedy (a murderer) and Pelosi and Reid and Byrd (a former KKK high commander) and that nutty old bag Boxer are just bringing down the Democratic Party. Get some new people with new ideas in there. I was Democrat for years and now I'm embarrassed by those cranky old pessimists who have no solutions, just complaints. Too bad really. The earlier Democrats used to have some good ideas. Now they're just tired and old and can't even understand how to solve any problems anymore.
No wonder the country has turned a deaf ear to the liberals and the liberal controlled media.
Posted by: Joe at February 3, 2005 03:09 PM
So this where you guys and gals are, glad you're back and that you'll stick around for a while. Wayne, with all due respect, people can bash the president if they want to and if you're tired of it then just ignore them. Please don't take any offense to what I just said.
Posted by: Henry at February 8, 2005 05:35 PM
Did anyone hear the hidden tapes of Bush? He was recorded by someone years back without his knowledge and now we're hearing it for the first time. This just proves what a great man he is. His compassion and tolerance of differences well surpasses those of others in politics and he didn't even know he was being recorded.
Also, did anyone note how Hillary now agrees with Bush on his diplomatic foreign policies. She says he's right on not pulling out the troops too soon. I know she's smart, but I didn't think she'd go against the rest of her party. Just proves you never know what a good leader can bring out even in partisan politicians. Now we're seeing peace start to take form in the middle east for the first time in centuries.
I just love how peace becomes so contagious. Now we have possible peace in Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria etc etc. Great stuff. I think this will be Bush's legacy, as the only leader to have brought peace when all about him said it couldn't be done. I like that sort of determination.
Wish we could all vote for him again for a third term !!
Posted by: Amber at February 21, 2005 02:22 PM
I agree, what a great leader Bush is. We could use more like him.
Posted by: Tom at February 24, 2005 03:05 PM
Remember Amber, it's way too early to talk about GW JR's legacy. It's only the first few months of his second term, so you could regret saying "I wish we could vote for him again for a third term" in the future. In 2001, did any of us anticipate a terrorist attack, two wars, a recession, and record deficits? I don't think so. History will judge him later when he's out of office by 2009.
Posted by: d. jones at February 24, 2005 06:54 PM
I know we couldn't anticipate another terrorist attack even though we should have, considering how many attacks we had during the 90's and we could see it was building up. No one can really anticipate war, although it was necessary in this case to hit the nestegg of the terrorism. As for the recession, I've read a lot on the economy and the recession started in 1999. So we knew about it before Bush won his first of two elections. We didn't really feel it until 2000 or later, but the good thing is that we've recovered very well. I also learned that the economy is cyclic, so it tends to go up and down. The good stock market of the 90's was artificial due to the dotcoms etc, and thus we paid for it with corrections later on. A lot of people lost money on that bubble and that was even before the recession had taken hold.
As for the deficit; compared to the GNP, it's actually the same percentile as during the 90's, so it just sounds worse than it is. Technically we have a better economy now than we've had in 20 years.
It's still a great legacy even though it's not over yet. Be cautiously optimistic. You'll live longer.
Posted by: Amber at February 25, 2005 02:05 PM
Speaking of recessions, have you heard how both Germany and Japan are in recessions and France is going into one now? They have 3 times the unemployment percentage we do and their productivity is decreasing at a rapid rate. Even Italy and the Netherlands have had dips in their economies. Ours is souring and the recession seems to be definitely over according to Greenspan. Most economists attribute the great advances in our economy to the tax cuts, but it also shows how capitalism works so well.
I guess this further proves that socialist societies don't last. At least not economically.
Posted by: Tom at February 26, 2005 10:21 PM
