Originally posted by mbakuninI could care less if your opinion differs from mine. It's the triviality behind your criticisms that appall me.
those three stupid words are representative to me of all the things that are wrong with the us. it doesn't exactly instill hope, nor is it a sign of change. i suspect things will soon be back to business as usual, only a marginal improvement on the previous administration. i'm sorry my opinion differs from yours, but your lashing out is unnecessary. douchebag.
Originally posted by Ludoviciantriviality in what way? i'm saying that the one thing that never seems to change, no matter who's in power, is that underlying exceptionalist attitude. and i pointed out that judging from his speech, it doesn't seem to be changing now either.
I could care less if your opinion differs from mine. It's the triviality behind your criticisms that appall me.
Originally posted by mbakuninNo. You pointed out that judging from his innoccuous and traditional sign-off of "God Bless America" in his inauguration as the President of the United States, that it doesn't seem to be changing now. You haven't said anything about the actual speech itself or the message within.
...and i pointed out that judging from his speech, it doesn't seem to be changing now either.
And besides, this is an inauguration speech aimed at the citizens of the United States. I understand that people around the world were interested and watching but let's keep a bit of perspective here. The people of the US want to know about how President Obama is going to lead the US going into the future and that is the message the President owes us. The main domestic issue in this time of crisis is hardly how we are going to appease critics who think the Nation as a whole is too ethnocentric. Get a grip!
Originally posted by LudovicianEven a blind squirrel can find an acorn once in a while; such is Greenberg when he notes the obvious, instead of getting it wrong.
Food for thought from today's WSJ:
"...But cribbing, or even learning, from great speeches will not make Obama's speech great. For all their poetry and music, these few classics endure mainly for another reason: because of the greatness of the presidents who delivered them. Had Roosevelt not led America out of the Depression, had Kennedy not lessened t ...[text shortened]... then it is likely we wouldn't recall their words so fondly today..."
- David Greenberg
Originally posted by Ludoviciani was pointing to the sign-off as a symptom of what's wrong with the us, namely the exceptionalist attitude. as for the message of the speech, although it was filled with cliches, i still feel that if he's serious about half of it, there might be some improvement, though he's probably gonna have a really hard time fulfilling his promises.
No. You pointed out that judging from his innoccuous and traditional sign-off of "God Bless America" in his inauguration as the President of the United States, that it doesn't seem to be changing now. You haven't said anything about the actual speech itself or the message within.
Originally posted by Ludovicianif you want your president to truly be the "leader of the free world", then you should understand that the rest of the world is entitled to an opinion. the people of the us aren't the only ones who are wondering how obama is going to lead the us, and the world, into the future. the lives of everyone, in the us or europe or africa etc., are greatly affected by the direction he will lead your country in.
And besides, this is an inauguration speech aimed at the citizens of the United States. I understand that people around the world were interested and watching but let's keep a bit of perspective here. The people of the US want to know about how President Obama is going to lead the US going into the future and that is the message the President owe ...[text shortened]... are going to appease critics who think the Nation as a whole is too ethnocentric. Get a grip!
The best part about the speech was that he recognized non-believers.
"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."
Along with that is the rejection of the notion that America is a 'Christian nation.'
Originally posted by mbakuninListen: I understand we all have opinions, ok? I understand that there is a global audience watching this new President of ours with great interest. I understand that the direction of the US will greatly influence the direction of other nations. You are not bleating anything new or revolutionary here.
if you want your president to truly be the "leader of the free world", then you should understand that the rest of the world is entitled to an opinion. the people of the us aren't the only ones who are wondering how obama is going to lead the us, and the world, into the future. the lives of everyone, in the us or europe or africa etc., are greatly affected by the direction he will lead your country in.
All I am saying to you is this: your criticisms of the inaugural speech are weak. His sign-off is trivial and your claim that the speech was cliched is heretofore unsubstantiated. Give us some concrete examples to consider, if you so wish...