paige.yelvington.com

I watched President Barack Hussein Obama be sworn in as 44th president of the United States today, on January 20, 2009. He is the first African American President of the United States. He was automatically made the 44th president of the United States at 12 noon, even though he was not sworn in until a few minutes after. He took the 35 word oath, with Chief Justice Roberts messed up at he was administering the oath.

Obama stated: "Every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms". But we must stay "faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding document."
In his speech, President Obama talked about a new era of responsibility, and that America should seize responsibilities gladly as the price and promise of citizenship. He also addressed the war in Iraq, and said that the economy calls for "bold, swift action" as well as addressing fuel and other important issues. He quoted Abraham Lincoln as well as George Washington. Obama's address lasted about 18 minutes. A poet followed Obama and I didn't like her poem very much, and she had a very controlled pronunciation and tempo that got on my nerves. He is the 44th president, and because of reelections I believe that today was the 56th inauguration. Obama's first official act of office was to sign nominations for his cabinet.

Obama is briefly mentioned in my AP government book, but only as the only African American Senator. There is still one African American in the Senate, Senator Burris from Illinois who replaced Barack Obama's Senate Seat recently. My sister and dad are leaving the country today. An awful day to leave the country, it would have been more appropriate if Mccain was elected. They are simply leaving to Germany because my dad is going to a conference, but they were able to watch the inauguration ceremony.

One more thing- BOO YAH OBAMA DAY!