Inauguration Post
Jan. 20th, 2009 07:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wook77I am quite unashamed to admit that not only did I cry today during the Inauguration, I cried yesterday as a children's choir sang America, The Beautiful. I've never once cried at that song but omg. For the first time in over 8 years, I'm so very very proud of my country. I'm so very proud to be here.
The music. Oh man. Aretha and Yo-Yo Ma. Simple Gifts is one of my favorite folk songs ever and to hear it spun out so beautifully. That clarinet? *dies* That is when I choked up. Because, god, what a simple gift to be given today. Hope. It's a simple simple thing and alskfja;sdlfj seeing the world watching and celebrating. Today is one of the best days ever.
The only complaint I have with the entire thing is the use of the term "non-believers". Would it have been so awful to use the term that the group uses for itself? "Non-believers" are atheists. There. See how simple that was?
Ok, two complaints. Cutting the Episcopalian bishop out of the TV broadcast yesterday when he was the bone tossed to the LGBT community but broadcasting Rick Warren? Srsly? Fail on the part of the Inaugural committee. Major Major Fail.
To make up for it and to keep the seething annoyance down, my coworkers and I added "except the gays" after every line and that made us feel better.
But oh man. Diane Feinstein. a;lkfjafj How much more wonderful could she have been? Not much. What an awesome woman and with Milk out there reminding people of her place in LGBT history, I think that almost makes up for the douchebag.
My co-workers and I cried while we watched. I'm feeling so very very inspired right now.
I really really want that music. Anyone talented enough to rip the John Williams arrangement from somewhere for me?
I'm so glad that I don't have to apologize for my president anymore.
The music. Oh man. Aretha and Yo-Yo Ma. Simple Gifts is one of my favorite folk songs ever and to hear it spun out so beautifully. That clarinet? *dies* That is when I choked up. Because, god, what a simple gift to be given today. Hope. It's a simple simple thing and alskfja;sdlfj seeing the world watching and celebrating. Today is one of the best days ever.
The only complaint I have with the entire thing is the use of the term "non-believers". Would it have been so awful to use the term that the group uses for itself? "Non-believers" are atheists. There. See how simple that was?
Ok, two complaints. Cutting the Episcopalian bishop out of the TV broadcast yesterday when he was the bone tossed to the LGBT community but broadcasting Rick Warren? Srsly? Fail on the part of the Inaugural committee. Major Major Fail.
To make up for it and to keep the seething annoyance down, my coworkers and I added "except the gays" after every line and that made us feel better.
But oh man. Diane Feinstein. a;lkfjafj How much more wonderful could she have been? Not much. What an awesome woman and with Milk out there reminding people of her place in LGBT history, I think that almost makes up for the douchebag.
My co-workers and I cried while we watched. I'm feeling so very very inspired right now.
I really really want that music. Anyone talented enough to rip the John Williams arrangement from somewhere for me?
I'm so glad that I don't have to apologize for my president anymore.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 03:17 am (UTC)LOL! Actually, that bit startled me, in a good way. Being an atheist myself I'm used to not being referred to at all.
I was telling my husband about it tonight and I said, "Yeah, and he even said 'non-believers'!" Which personally I've never heard any politician say."
He says, "Yeah, all the other Presidents have called them 'heathens.'"
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 03:23 am (UTC)Edited b/c there is a difference between posting and commenting
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 03:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 03:18 am (UTC)I was actually just happy that atheists were even referenced at all. Usually we are left out. I said "THANK YOU" out loud when he said "non-believers". And the word atheist itself kinda means "against theism" so I don't really like the term for myself because it defines my beliefs in religious terms. So there isn't really a good word he could have used to please everyone. But I hear ya. :)
Also, was thinking the same thing when Rick Warren was speaking. I was like, DUDE are you even listening to yourself? I mean, WTF? Can you please take your own advice?
But overall, yes I am also an utter sap today.
♥
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 03:42 am (UTC)My favorite coworker and I were discussing his use of "non-believers" and she's an atheist and where we're coming from is that atheists believe in no god, if that makes sense. So there is a belief system there and to say "non-believers" sort of leaves it up there for "we have all these believers and... these non-believers and hey! We can convert them soon!" sort of feeling.
Oh man. When he was going on about treating everyone equally? I really wanted to punch him in the nuts. I really really did.
Total and complete sap and I'm so NOT a sappy person. But oh man. Today is brilliant, isn't it?
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 03:24 am (UTC)Simple Gifts is one of my favourite pieces too and I loved this composition. So stunningly beautiful. I'm working on ripping it. Shall pass it on if I succeed.
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Date: 2009-01-21 03:43 am (UTC)Oh dude. If you do, you will be my HERO. What an amazing composition.
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Date: 2009-01-21 03:55 am (UTC)the software i have is super slow tonight but i think i can do it. have to go now though so it will likely be tomorrow. god, i loved that composition.
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Date: 2009-01-21 04:03 am (UTC)And I was right - it was in Peru! YAYES! My brain, she still functions!
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Date: 2009-01-21 04:04 am (UTC)Please, please let me know if you find this - that was incredibly beautiful and I would love a copy.
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Date: 2009-01-21 04:06 am (UTC)Also - I love when you use that icon because I'm always guarunteed to remember your "familiar" name :D because I <3 that icon so much.
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Date: 2009-01-21 04:16 am (UTC):) Thank you! I love this one, too - it was a present to me from
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Date: 2009-01-21 05:47 am (UTC)<3
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Date: 2009-01-21 04:29 am (UTC)http://www.mediafire.com/?n2dzdinolmm
Have fun!
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Date: 2009-01-21 05:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 05:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 06:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 05:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 05:50 am (UTC)I think, after thinking about this some more, part of my dislike of his usage of "non-believers" was that little pause right before he said it. It just made me o.O over it. Also - the atheists in the room with me? Totes disliked it.
It's interesting that even in a, err, how to put this... in an "absence of belief religion", if I can call it that and I know that's not what I mean but I cannot think of the words so plz to be correcting, that there can be such difference in terminology. I love the way the world goes round with it. I can honestly say that i learn something new every day :D
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 07:23 am (UTC)I didn't even notice that he paused before saying it. Or maybe I thought he was searching for the correct term. He used to be nonreligious himself and so I'm inclined to give him a pass on that... especially since I don't understand how any nonreligious person could then become religious and thus not-so-secretly hope he is really still nonreligious. lol.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-21 08:46 pm (UTC)I agree on the non-believer front. I'm kind of chuffed that he mentioned atheists, but would it be so hard to call us by our name? The term non-believer always seems judgmental to me :|
Still, it was a tiny blip on an incredible day!
no subject
Date: 2009-01-22 05:36 am (UTC)I was very, very happy to see it happen and even in the midst of a fair bit of very heavy stuff, it's perked me up! :D
no subject
Date: 2009-01-23 01:42 am (UTC)When listening to the speeches, I had a hard time getting past all the god references and focusing instead on the message itself. I don't think god is referenced as much in Canadian speeches.