inaugural address obama

 

Album United States Presidential Inaugural Addresses. That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Nowhere was Barack Obama's inaugural address more outspoken or heartfelt than in the condemnation of the presidency that had come to an end moments earlier. As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. Home U.S. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. President Obama's inaugural address is weighted with expectation and promise. It does not mean we all define liberty in exactly the same way or follow the same precise path to happiness. So it must be with this generation of Americans. A decade of war is now ending. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. An economic recovery has begun. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction. But know this America: They will be met.” (Lines 24-25) - Presents Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. 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. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you've bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. (Applause. (Applause.) I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. And all this we will do. But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action. WATCH: Barack Obama Sworn In as President, PHOTOS: Witness History: Obama's Inauguration. But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it. Obama's inaugural address: key quotes on the key issues. (Applause.) Rhetoric in President Obama's 2nd Inaugural Address: Sign up for our Email Newsletter. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. As he begins his speech, Obama follows the practice of earlier presidents in acknowledging his thanks to the American people. In fact, Obama opened his inaugural address by using the word “us” to signify everyone. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. It was a big step for America, as they voted in the first African American president. So we must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, reach higher. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And I thought both his acceptance speech at last year’s Democratic National Convention and his election night acceptance speech were somewhat weak. Today I would like to an analysis of his 1 st Inaugural Address from January 2009. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. President Obama uses a wide variety of metaphors in his speech including those from nature, farming, personification, theater, machines and tools, buildings, food, … We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully –- not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear. Our celebration of initiative and enterprise, our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, these are constants in our character. That is what this moment requires. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. Obama was speaking to a country in need of repair, and this man offered to lead the country through a … They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. Brief Summary “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. But I was pleasantly surprised. We rounded up some essential quotes from the president's speech … What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life. The inaugural ceremony took place at the West Front of the United States Capitol on January 20, 2009. Politics World Business Tech Health TIME Health Entertainment Science Newsfeed Living Sports History The TIME Vault Magazine Ideas TIME Labs. ), For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. Time.com. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Obama! But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty or an immigrant realizes her dream. That is our generation’s task -- to make these words, these rights, these values of life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness real for every American. To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. We do not believe that in this country freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few. We recall that … (Applause.) (Applause.) Thank you. As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. It was the first inaugural address to be available via YouTube. In fact, much of his economic language throughout the first 100 days of his presidency followed this theme. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. (Applause.) Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia, to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for and cherished and always safe from harm. January 20, 2009, 4:16 PM • 13 min read. ), This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. Key words used by President Barack Obama in his inaugural address. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights. Read the full text of Barack Obama's second inaugural address. President Barack Obama addresses the nation on January 20, 2009. Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time, but it does require us to act in our time. 11:55 A.M. EST . So it has been. We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].". We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise. (Applause.) Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. First Inaugural Address Barack Obama. (Applause.) We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. ), Read the latest blog posts from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Check out the most popular infographics and videos, View the photo of the day and other galleries, Tune in to White House events and statements as they happen, See the lineup of artists and performers at the White House, Eisenhower Executive Office Building Tour. Their memories are short. We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. Although he used the same approach as Bush did, Obama did not necessarily appeal to the same emotion. Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play. They gave to us a republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. The nation's first African-American president promised 'hope and change' during his campaign and his address focused on a 'new era of responsibility.' Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms. And we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. Obama also acknowledges the contributions of outgoing president George W. Bush, who was in office from January 2001 until January 2009. This is historical material “frozen in time”. We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths –- that all of us are created equal –- is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. 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. These things are true. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law  –- (applause) -- for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. The commitments we make to each other through Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, these things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe. You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. America. Obama’s Inaugural speech was a historic moment that was witnessed not only by the three million people actually attending the event, but also, the world. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. (Applause.) (Applause.). The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. He also used religion to this effect. members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. Although it may seem like ancient history, this important speech reveals the energy and optimism of his record-setting campaign and election. Courtney Williams, Senior Chief Musician and concert moderator for the U.S. Navy Concert Band, served as the platform announcer. For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn. Simply place your email address in the box on the left and press 'GO'. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. President Barack Obama… We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. Inaugural Address by President Barack Obama . Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address Jan. 20, 2009 Following is the transcript of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions: (Applause.). It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. THE PRESIDENT:  Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. In Obama’s speech, he spoke to the nation about change, giving them a sense of hope. All this we can do. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address Speech Analysis. (Applause.) The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. They are the words of citizens and they represent our greatest hope. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. So I lowered my expectations for his second inaugural address. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands:  youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. The capital was abandoned. Obama, like most presidents giving an inaugural address, appealed to the emotion of his audience. The 100 Most Influential People Next Generation … The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. (Applause.) And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. MY ACCOUNT SIGN IN SIGN OUT--> SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE. The speech was not programmatic, nor was it filled with as much soaring language as F.D.R.’s first Inaugural Address or John Kennedy’s only one. Both emphasised that Americans' capacities were undiminished. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity -- (applause) -- until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. THE PRESIDENT: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride. Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Joint Congressi…