I want to thank all the speakers and performers for reminding us, through song and through words, just what it is that we love about America. And I want to thank all of you for braving the cold and the crowds and traveling in some cases thousands of miles to join us here today. Welcome to Washington, and welcome to this celebration of American renewal.
In the course of our history, only a handful of generations have been asked to confront challenges as serious as the ones we face right now. Our nation is at war. Our economy is in crisis. Millions of Americans are losing their jobs and their homes; they’re worried about how they’ll afford college for their kids or pay the stack of bills on their kitchen table. And most of all, they are anxious and uncertain about the future – about whether this generation of Americans will be able to pass on what’s best about this country to our children and their children.
I won’t pretend that meeting any one of these challenges will be easy. It will take more than a month or a year, and it will likely take many. Along the way there will be setbacks and false starts and days that test our fundamental resolve as a nation. But despite all of this – despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead – I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure – that the dream of our founders will live on in our time.
What gives me that hope is what I see when I look out across this mall. For in these monuments are chiseled those unlikely stories that affirm our unyielding faith – a faith that anything is possible in America. Rising before us stands a memorial to a man who led a small band of farmers and shopkeepers in revolution against the army of an Empire, all for the sake of an idea. On the ground below is a tribute to a generation that withstood war and depression – men and women like my grandparents who toiled on bomber assembly lines and marched across Europe to free the world from tyranny’s grasp. Directly in front of us is a pool that still reflects the dream of a King, and the glory of a people who marched and bled so that their children might be judged by their character’s content. And behind me, watching over the union he saved, sits the man who in so many ways made this day possible.
And yet, as I stand here tonight, what gives me the greatest hope of all is not the stone and marble that surrounds us today, but what fills the spaces in between. It is you – Americans of every race and region and station who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there. It is the same thing that gave me hope from the day we began this campaign for the presidency nearly two years ago; a belief that if we could just recognize ourselves in one another and bring everyone together – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents; Latino, Asian, and Native American; black and white, gay and straight, disabled and not – then not only would we restore hope and opportunity in places that yearned for both, but maybe, just maybe, we might perfect our union in the process. This is what I believed, but you made this belief real. You proved once more that people who love this country can change it. And as I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day I walk into that Oval Office – the voices of men and women who have different stories but hold common hopes; who ask only for what was promised us as Americans – that we might make of our lives what we will and see our children climb higher than we did.
It is this thread that binds us together in common effort; that runs through every memorial on this mall; that connects us to all those who struggled and sacrificed and stood here before.
It is how this nation has overcome the greatest differences and the longest odds – because there is no obstacle that can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change.
That is the belief with which we began this campaign, and that is how we will overcome what ails us now. There is no doubt that our road will be long. That our climb will be steep. But never forget that the true character of our nation is revealed not during times of comfort and ease, but by the right we do when the moment is hard. I ask you to help me reveal that character once more, and together, we can carry forward as one nation, and one people, the legacy of our forefathers that we celebrate today.
Transcript
Obama’s Speech at the Lincoln Memorial
Washington, D.C.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
New Bolivia constitution in force.
more on BBC News
TV legend Brian Naylor found dead.
It’s like loosing a personal friend.
The Herald Sun
Pleased you are safe, Jen. We were all very worried.
My daughter just phoned from England and I had to explain that it is better to stay here (where the nearest fire is a good 80 k away) than just go! somewhere, anywhere!
jen, tomorrow’s forecast looks benign. Just make it through this night! All of your mob and the rest of you poor bloody Vics.
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm#1476748450416
http://weather.news.com.au/index.jsp?site=theaustralian&contexttype=state&contextcode=vic
apprently lightning on the way – great!!
(no rain though)
Hi again- 4:30 now – had few hours sleep and it has cooled down at last. Very smoky and still outside – the odd small flash from lightning but nothing too serious. Fire must be still burning in other direction at the moment.
Saw a map of where this complex is and no doubt we are pretty close – about 3 k’s away. if the wind changes we would be in serious trouble so fingers crossed. There is no rain predicted at all so i can’t see how or when this is going to stop…
gives you some idea…
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/F2306E21C3E643CBCA25755700347AF2/$File/Beechworth_PotentialImpactZones_20090208_a3.pdf
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/F2306E21C3E643CBCA25755700347AF2/$File/Beechworth_PotentialImpactZones_20090208_a3.pdf
dunno- can’t do it… anyway it’s bloody big!
Hi Jen. Any news?
ben some thunder and lightning but so far no new fires. Pretty quiet at the moment. My sister is starting to feel the trauma – dozens she knows hve died. She is utterly distraught, but also knowing how lucky they were to survive – it will be a long road for those communities.
Some cheerful news.
more on The Huffington Post
I can imagine your sister will have a lot of trauma to work through. Guilt being one of them. It apparently helps if she talks directly about things that happen, not ignore them. For instance, soldiers that went through war trauma are replaying the nightmares and things that happen to them, to speed up recovery.
During the last couple of days as a result of putting emails on their site the BBC spoke to me 3 times. The first time was at 3 am Sunday morning.
Jen, thank goodness you and your family are safe thus far. I can’t imagine how your sister must been feeling, knowing so many who have died.
I always knew the Vatican was run by a bunch of sick perverts. This confirms it.
more on The Guardian
Glad to hear you are OK Jen and your sister as well.
Time and talking are the greatest healers in my experience.
Our sympaties from North Qld go out to all those who have suffered in this tragedy.
Also watched the news this morning and Beechworth got a mention.
Please check in here now and then if you get the chance to let us know you are OK, but until all the danger has passed for the moment don’t get bogged down on here and miss what’s happening in your immediate vicinity.
Keep safe.
Very happy to hear your ok jen, had us worried I can tell ya. Great news that your sister is safe, I don’t know what to say about her loss though except that myself and my family will have a good thought for her today
Thanks Gaffers and KatieLou – it’s actually good to be able to get here: all we can do is wait and listen to ABC (doing a good job during this), so it’s good to have some distaction. Sorry Chris- but politics just isn’t doing it for me today.
I see that the Victorian disaster is on the front page of the New York Times online. It’s a shame it takes this kind of event for Australia to be newsworthy.
http://www.nytimes.com/
In my boredom I popped over the fence – I am truly astounded that some people can make fodder out of this unbelievable tragedy. Fuck i’m glad we left.
1621
Ditto
1619 jen I can understand that, fortunately its not compulsory.
Just binned it -
Thanks Spammy: I still think of your community about the horrible tragedy they have endured…I really don’t know how people will get through this unimaginable loss – not only thier homes, livelihoods, towns but dozens of loved ones. Truly incomprehensible. And it really does help knowing so many people care. Thanks again.
1620 Katielou Its a matter of what we’re are not on. I have been posting to The BBC News and The Huffington post. All the major services are covering us.
1621 jen Probably got it here, I attacked Bush, Howard and Andrew Bolt as part of the cause.
Thanks jen and for god’s sake don’t go over to PB right now, there’s some stuff in there that you really don’t want to read right now, if ever. promise me
I posted this there earlier, I think the PM sums it up pretty well for me
http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2009/02/09/Mass_murder_Rudd_hits_out_at_bushfire_arsonists
1626 Climate change skeptics.
Jen,
Good to hear that you and your family are okay.
I read is Spammy – disgusting.
1630
Then, consider yourself banned from PB for one week (minimum) by me …ok
happily. Forever.
Thanks David.
Just waiting and watching the smoke getting thicker – parent’ home is under threat at Cottlesbridge. They had left to safety but my father decided to go back and try and save it. thankfully he returned safely – house still under threat, but doesn’t matter.
Lovely to hear your virtual voice Jen.
So glad to know you are OK.
Sorry to hear of your sister’s troubles and loss.
I agree with you about the grand job the ABC is doing getting out the various news bulletins.
Just got back to Sth Gippsland this am and was saddened to see there’s now a fire burning on Wilson’s prom. (looks to be in the 5 mile beach area.)
Just hope the CFA can bring the statewide blazes under some sort of control before the weather gets hot again at the weekend.
Stay safe .
Cheers and hugs Paddy
This is an incredible personal account of how one man and his family escaped the fire. Just amazing.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026912-2702,00.html
The irony I just noticed is that the name of this thread is “The Longest odds”.
I love to read the stories of escape, but I cannot bear to read the personal accounts of loss.
Just having a look at the budget. Obama provides $50 million to track down cyber predators.more on The Huffington Post
I can’t read any of it yet KatieLou- all too close to home . My sister lived near Kinglake – too, too close to believe they escaped when so many didn’t.
Toll is rising by the hour – now warning it could go to 200 plus.
I think this guy makes some good points about rethinking our approach to fire safety.
http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20090209-A-re-evaluation-of-Victorias-fire-safety-needed.html
1641 Katielou Good article. Plenty of food for thought there. I know Brumby will do the right thing he was extremely emotional and nearly lost has parents.
Ohio Likes Obama, Economic Efforts: Many Who Voted Against Him Back Him, Pollster Says.
Ohio voters gave Barack Obama just a 4 percentage-point margin of victory in November, but he’s wildly popular in the state now — and so is his economic-stimulus plan.
The Buckeye State approves of the new president’s job performance 67 percent to 16 percent, according to a new Quinnipiac Poll.
“The honeymoon between President Obama and Ohioans is still going,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Connecticut university’s polling institute.
“President Obama’s numbers are stratospheric. … What this number means is that an awful lot of Ohioans who didn’t vote for him are giving him a thumbs up.”
Obama is winning positive marks from 90 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of independents and even 31 percent of Republicans. Perhaps most astonishing, his performance is given approval by 52 percent of white, born-again evangelicals — a group that has strongly supported Republican presidential candidates in recent years.
The istockanalyst
Brumby’s announced a royal commission into the disaster.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/brumby-announces-royal-commission-into-bushfires-20090209-81zx.html
1644 Katielou Not surprising, and I don’t think [Interrupted here by the BBC wanting to do a radio interview. Will call back in half an hour to an hour] there will be any cover ups etc.
I have been sending emails to them about the fires.
more on the Rothenberg Report
It appears from #1647 that the Democrats now have control of the senate. Bonnie Newman is a Republican in name only, she calls herself a moderate Republican. It also leaves the seat wide open.
Eliminate Filibuster and With it the Need to Debate Republicans.
continued on Oped News
The problem is, once you eliminate it, when you lose power, you are stuffed. It was put in place to reduce the chances of any single party gaining total control.
For lots more news click here.
#1651 Note: It does change regularly.
1650 David Gould You are right. But it is highly un democratic as it is. So a little more democracy won’t go astray.
Its a good excuse for giving the Republicans unfair control. Maybe introduce proportional representation and one vote one value would be a lot better.
The system as it has been is stuffed, while the Democrats have got control, they should reform it. Otherwise the Repugs will return after a Millenium or two and take control. Do like the Victorian Labor Party did reform the upper house while they had control.
Hi again- just dropping in to get some respite. Spoke to Angie (survivor sister)… “I have so many funerals to go to, I dont know how to do this”… and she is one of the few lucky people given her location (Kinglake) , the intensity of the house exploding into flames and the sheer arse-luck that a truck drove past and saw them in all the blackness and smoke – honestly within an inch of their lives. And yet so many not surviving.
Sorry – don’t know what to say… the loss our communities and people are facing is utterly beyond words. Feel so fortunate when I see the footage and then so bad for the agony that so many are going through now – and on and on…
some bastards started this- for fun.
Poll: Limbaugh Could Galvanize Dems, Alienate Independents.
continued on TPM
Just got proof that there Is No God. Turned around from my profound outpouring and there was… Fucking John Howard and Fucking Peter Costello in an ad on the ABC in my face . you would think they would try and be more sensitive
No sensitivity what so ever.
My son wants to change his birthday from the 7th of Feb. Not happy.
1656
Our thoughts are with you Jen.
There’s so much pain and sadness wafting though the state right now.
Hang in there girl and hold your loved ones tight.
The grieving will proceed at it’s own pace and can’t be rushed.
Stay safe and keep your guard up for the next few days.
The right words are so hard to find, but the feelings are real.
Take care, Paddy.
more on the Guardian
Jen, keep venting on here, its good for you.
Jen
Keep your eyes and ears open and your wits about you.
I hope you are getting good updates about the fires in the Beechworth area that you talked about yesterday.
There are constant updates here in the Herald Sun but the last update for your area was 6 pm
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm
Thanks .
have to say that right now I really like Kevin Rudd – clearly distressed and human reaction. Very moving.
And Julia’s parliamentary address.
but also have to say Malcolm seemed a bit forced (but I could be biased)
Obama grassroots network meets over stimulus.
more on Reuters
They were just discussing the psychological issues on the news. Beyond Blue said, look to routine. Sleeplessness is a sign. Talk about the issues. Watch your friends. It all won’t come out straight away.
***Feel so fortunate when I see the footage and then so bad for the agony that so many are going through now – and on and on…
some bastards started this- for fun.***
Tempting to say you need to let that go jen but, well, one thing that I have learn’t is that there is no answer or method. Deal with this anyway you can, know that we are here for you and well…
(ffs, fucking crying now, how are you suposed to make a “smiley” that also means your crying)
well fuck I don’t know, just try and deal with it as best as you can ok
grrrrrrmmnnbrrrreeeeewrrrrrraaaaaaahhh!! (somebody should create a fucking smiley for that!!!!)
/ rant over
Long road ahead jen, long road. your amongst friends
Morning. We are safe . Beechworth fire has been downgraded to Alert rather than Urgent Threat in our area. Some flanks still threatening towns – 2 people died in samll town nearby.
Sister’s township just gtes more and more distressing – total toll at 173 but it will definitely keep growing. She lived right between St Andrews and Kinglake so has many friends in both towns . Parents near Strathewen. Total of about 70 dead so far – many children amongst them.
I may try and get down to see them in the next day or so depending on fire situation.
I’m feeling good today – we are such a fortunate family. Do have moments though when I see what they escaped from and what might have been.
jen, take it slowly, it’s an enormous thing to get your mind around and that much human horror is going to be very traumatic to absorb. Your family is very lucky, but don’t let anyone feel guilty as so easily happens amidst so much tragedy.
my sister!!!
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,25031538-5013122,00.html
Apparently, it’s all the Greenies fault.
WARNING the following article indulges in pointless and unsubstantiated fingerpointing undeterred by an absence of facts:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25031389-7583,00.html
“I’m feeling good today – we are such a fortunate family. Do have moments though when I see what they escaped from and what might have been.”
jen, thank Tchopitoulas you made it through the worst of it with kinder, life and limb intact.
xx, Ecky.
So many neighbours without partners and kin and doors and walls and fences. So many who now reach out who we’ll need to be there for.
Being an “excitable lass” (we know you, jen, or at least we’ve got a pretty fucken good idea after our time in blogdom) please take special care that you refrain from becoming emotionally overdrawn during the coming weeks. Maybe keep your “batteries” charged for the poor buggers who’ll need jump-starting the most, but don’t flatten yourself.
Jen, what a great photo of your sister – a moment of joy.
John McCain looks like he has turned nasty. No more maverick.
more on Politico
Number one thing to do to help yourself. Keep things normal.
(With this bunch)?
STIMULUS BILL PASSES SENATE TEST VOTE, 61-36.
continued on the Huffington Post
Leahy: Investigate Bush Now.
more on the Huffington Post
1671
Wow jen, that’s one lovely picture.
Such a glorious moment.
Thanks for sharing.
Love that photo of your sister jen
Coleman Says ‘God Wants Me to Serve’.
continued on Smart Politics.
Jen It’s pretty obvious. Your mum and dad had a couple of very cute daughters.
Ferny, now is probably not the time to start a heated debate about causes, but essentially Packham’s argument is correct; we’ve failed to reduce fuel loads, among other things. For a list of those, see:
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/bushfires-$pd20090210-P4U79?OpenDocument&src=sph
No doubt all of this will get argued about during the Royal Commission, but the facts are inescapable: increase fuel loads to high levels, wait for extreme conditions, and colossal tragedy will ensue.
As the ferocity of the fires has shown, it’s way too late to stop once they get started. The only solution to having people live in and around heavily timbered areas is to reduce the fuel load with well managed reduction burning, and then, if there is a fire, lives and homes need not be lost on such a catastrophic scale.
I’ve lived in the bush, love it, but letting it get to the potential of a nuclear bomb by not keeping down the fuel load is just playing dice with death. And proper burning off is not a threat to the bush’s diversity or viability.
Sex is good for you: For fighting cancer to the common cold it’s just what the doctor ordered (and men benefit most!).
more on the Mail Online
Saudi princess speaks out in support of lifting the country’s ban on women drivers.
Anyone fancy being sinfully tempted?
more on the Mail Online
Leahy Wants `Truth Commission’ To Examine Bush Administration.
more on CQ Politics
Why Won’t Obama Play Hardball?
more on CQ Politics
Anyone for icecream?
http://www.bannedinhollywood.com/top-5-ben-jerrys-flavors-of-the-bush-era/#
Is that the sound of flushing Turnbull’s political career down the toilet?
From Crikey, seems the Coalition are indicating they’re now prepared to pass the stimlus package.
http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20090210-Opposition-back-flips-on-stimulus-package.html
1688
Paddy
Well Paddy if it looks like shit and it taste like shit……………..!!
And i have only met one bloke reckons he was that hungry he could eat a shit sandwich, except he hated bread.
1689
KL
I think he wedged himself in the corner and the only way out without it looking like a complete backflip is to get Rudd to even say good morning to him. That way he can say that we sat down with the government and now it has been explained properly we will agree with it. Until some one in govt gives them that “out” they are stuck with “we will not support this package”.
When it gets passed by the minor parties voting with the Govt he will be “stuck at the cliff edge”. The only thing that will then save him is if the package goes to hell in a hand basket in the next 18 months.
If X or F vote it down then there will be lots of irate people who have already spent their $950 wanting Malcolms blood.
So either way it is quite possibly the toilet flushing because if it is very successful he will be even worse off. LOL
He will be the shit in the 1690 sandwich.
1690
Gaffy
I largely agree Gaffhook. I think there’s no way Rudd will suffer significant future damage from this package being implemented. Even if the economy takes a further dive, I think the majority will think – at least he tried to do something, and the gliobal economic situation is so bad, the predicament can’t be blamed on Rudd. So, I think Aquaman took a losing strategy, no matter how you look at it.
( I forget where people first started calling him Aquaman – Turnbull’s a little bit blue, and little bit green, and a little bit wet.)
I have a great picture to upload onto the site. Anyone know how to do it?
Its a heartwarming photo from the bush fire area.
Ooops, here we go again:
Russia will request negotiations with European and other foreign banks to postpone repayment on up to $US400 billion ($600 billion) of its private sector debt, Japan’s Nikkei business daily said today.
…anyone remember 1998? Well it sunk the then boy wonders and their Long Term Capital Management fund to the tune of billions and the US government bailed them out.
Who said history only rhymes? LOL
Gloves off:
“It’s a little hard for me to take criticism from folks about this recovery package after they presided over a doubling of the national debt,” he said at the news conference. “I’m not sure they have a lot of credibility when it comes to fiscal responsibility.”
…no they haven’t, but putting up a ’stimulus plan’ so larded with pork and heavily weighted by a political agenda was always going to get opposition.
The inspiration is out, the perspiration is in.
If, as they should know, the big US banks are insolvent, then why aren’t the Obama crew doing the sensible thing and taking them over and writing off the shareholders? Could it be they’re too afraid to take on the powerful interests that would fight them to the death of this?
Probably.
Here’s the options, in a good video clip on:
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/172003/FT%27s-Wolf-U.S.-Too-%22Politically-Frightened%22-to-Admit-Truth-About-Banks-Part-I?tickers=XLF,C,RBS,LYG,BCS,FAZ,SKF
…and if Martin Wolf is right, then look out, we’re in a for a long and painful spiral into oblivion.
1698 Kirribilli Removals Maybe they just want to get a few other things out of the way first.
It’s still pretty hard to get your head around the enormity of the whole bushfire thing. Even with the news I suspect that is only a tiny bit of the whole thing. I also think that the mental scars will be appearing in various ways for a long time into the future.