While most people have focused on the torture part (how could you not with CNN's cutaway to Bush), I responded the most to this section:
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
Finally, a political leader who expects us to act like adults. Of all the things that struck about the previous administration (BESTEST PHRASE EVAH!) was how juvenile and lazy they were. Whether it was the reaction to Katrina or the hyperventilating about terrorism, they and their supporters acted like frightened little children, not adult men and women.
They also tried for the easy solution: why solve a problem when you can just hold a press conference and try to spin it away?
To use the phrase leveled at the Clinton administration, the adults are in charge now....
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Ah, the childish things - the outgoing nasties were Bushes, not Trees!
The nuts still grew on them though.
Good riddance, oh frabjous day!
I couldnât agree more. Petty, whining, bullies who never grew up. However, you missed quoting the lines immediately before this. He explicitly named some of the childish things we should set aside: "...the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics." In that sense, heâs pointing at both sides of the isle, though obviously the right side has been far worse at this than the left.
One of the people in my office at our viewing party commented, "I never really wanted to listen to a politician speak before." What a refreshing change it will be to listen to a grown up in the White House! :-)
I remember the Villagers talking about the Dems being the Mommy Party & the Reps being the Daddy Party. I always thought that was bullshit -- the Reps have obviously been the peevish pubescent boy party. Lazy, ignorant, arrogant & intolerant.
I've always thought of the Republicans as abusive parents, and the Democrats as co-enablers. If I were to have a dysfunctional parent, of course I'd prefer the co-enabler. Compromises between these two styles never work very well, do they? Obama seems to be a different kettle of fish altogether. "Post-Boomer pragmatism" = I *like it!
Craig,
"the peevish pubescent boy party"
Heh.
Not only was the previous administration childish, but they (especially the prev. prez) seemed to condescend to talk to us "little people". I always got the sense that they wanted to communicte "we know whats best for you, just trust us". No thanks!
I much prefer to be spoken to as a fellow adult that can bear some bad news and hard facts thanks.