Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Inaugural Address

For before the Address:

Many people have high expectations for this speech, what do you hope to hear and what do you think the key points of the address will be?

For after the Address:
Please comment on what you thought the most significant part of the Inaugural Address was. Can any comparisons be drawn between this Inaugural Address and others that have gone before it?

84 comments:

  1. I think a key point will be that change is here, but it will be a (slow) process.

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  2. Here is a GREAT SITE by NY Times that analyzes inaugural speeches by keyword. What a great way to compare today's speech to others! Hope you are all having an AMAZING trip

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  3. Good Job Mark and Matt Harper

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  4. Hi, Olivia! It's Haley. I wish I was there have fun! We are in math class at E.T.R watching. My teacher said to say she is proud of all of you. Good luck, we will be watching.

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  5. Hi im Ashleigh from Biglerville Pa and we are blogging to you because we found it interesting....but i believe that this change that he speaks of will not occur as quickly and sufficiently as the democrats believe

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  6. I hope to hear something along the lines of what FDR had said. I hope to hear something about change. Also I'd like for him to acknowledge his commitment to this country.

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  7. Darren Nagle from Pine Grove PA, I am blogging to you moatyl cuase my Civics teacher is makeign are entire class but aslo cause i think the most important part of the adress will be how the change will come but vert slow and i think that he will spen most fo his tiem tring to get us out of the me generatioin that we are in and to try to get us in the you gen. not only to help us but to help the country

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  8. Well i think this inauguration proves how far our country has come and how weve grown and it shows that we are willing to give anything for a good country i would of voted for obama but im still only 16 but still his election even affects these small schools like mine nhs in albion pa

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  9. I think that Obama will talk about change. I also think that this shows that our country is changing and we are making history because we are going to have an africian american president.It is a moment that no one will forget.

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  10. barack obama is my hero [:

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  11. I get the chills when i think that people from MY school are at the Inauguration.

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  12. Obama will most likely talk about change, and what he wants different in this country.
    This inauguration shows how desperate we are for change.

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  13. I believe Obama will change the United States. He obviously have a lot of support from the people in the United States and we all look forward to Obama making the U.S. better.

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  14. I'm interested to see what Obama will say, and I hope he is ready to step into office with the state that the U.S and the world is in today.

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  15. i want to hear about this plan to spread the wealth??? but he will avoid that for as long as he can i think, but overall i think he will do pretty good today

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  16. I am so proud to be apart of this historical event were a black man is being sworn into office.It shows how far America has come.
    ......GO STEELERS!!!!

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  17. Go-Bama !!!!!! (>^.^)> <(^-^<)

    Im so proud about people from my school are going to be in the mall with Obama


    Jack bookcrate

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  18. This inauguration shows how are country has changed and how we have come together to accept differences.

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  19. I hope that he talks about social security, and health care.

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  20. Barack Obama truly is an inspiration for America. Just for the fact that he is black and is being sworn into office. I remember learning about slaves and such, america has come a long way. Barack is making history right here and right now, and our generation is here to witness this amazing event [:

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  21. OMG we are one hour away from having a new president.

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  22. I truly believe in the "Yes we can," quote at hand Barack Obama will lead the way to a new beginning for not only the United States, but also the entire nation. This is probably one of the largest and most important historic event in my lifetime, for the memories will forever be with me. Everyone has had a say in this election and change is possible, for it is coming with Barack Obama's inauguration today. We as a whole will be improved and united as one.

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  23. To Jaime Springfield High Student:
    What are you saying? This is not the event that we were waiting for. This nation will be the most divided nation that we have ever been since the start of the Clintons. We can't be united by Obama, because he does not have the power required to unite the country. And even if he did have the power, would he really unite the country, or divide it more? What do you mean by "a new beginning for not only the United States, but also for the entire nation"? You believe that Obama will change our nation for the better? A new beginning could turn out a disaster. Do you really want a new beginning?

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  24. What change are you all expecting? He's just one man and there are several hundred congressman and senators who have entrenched power and an investment in having things stay the same. Don't forget: the more things "change", the more they stay the same.
    He puts his pants on one leg at a time just like everybody else.

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  25. Let's hope that we don't just hear "change" but see the "change" come that people seem to need- follows the past of FDR very much here.

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  26. Hopefully Obama will be able to slowly change America for the better, instead of just talking about it.

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  27. this will change the way the US works now maybe we can actually get the troop out of iraq

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  28. i just watched the inauguration, and it was pretty cool. it was moving to see that people where crying.

    like we moved so far in the past 100 years && i hope that america will just keep geting stronger and better.

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  29. Hello, Nichole from Northwestern High School in Albion, PA here.

    I only heard part of the inauguration, but it seemed alright to me - I'll definitely check the rest of it out later. From what I heard, though, it sounded alright - Obama certainly is a very good speaker; he's very good with words. Some of what he said, though, bothers me. I'm not going to give any specific examples, but if you listen closely a lot of the things he says are contradictory to . . . well, themselves, which seems rather pointless. Other than a few other things as well, Obama appears to know what he wants to do and basically how he wants it.

    But we'll see how that all goes, bwahaha. <3

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  30. Hope Wheeler, Northwestern High school PA,

    Good Job President Obama. Good luck in the white house. Nice speech.

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  31. I am glad that i got to watch the inauguration it was really exciting to see the first black president get sworn into office. I cant wait to see all the changes that Obama will make while president.

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  32. I am glad I was able to witness the inauguration of Obama becomeing our new and historical president.I wish him the best of luck!

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  33. I am very happy to have experienced the fact that we have a black president. This is the first Presidential election I have followed and understood. This is a event I will never forget. I am proud of him and how far he has come. I look forward to the change he has talked about. Good luck PRESIDENT OBAMA!!

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  34. Katelynn Hodges I would have 2 say this is the one of the most amazing things that has ever happened 2 our country and I'm so proud 2 have been apart of it. He did a very good job and I just pray he does well. Northwestern high school.

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  35. I watched the inauguration and i thought it was really cool :]
    i think Obama will be able to do a lot for this country...
    ;]

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  36. i heard the speech and from i heard it was good

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  37. well, in my eyes i think obama is nothing but a tree hugger. hes offer to much to ppl

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  38. he gives a good speech but i hope he can back it up. a lot of his ideas and references are what the country needed to hear but he also needs to put them into action over his presidency.

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  39. this was an important part of history and was very cool to watch. Also I think he will do the country good.

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  40. It was a good speech. I like the we need to dust ourselves off comment and start over.

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  41. I think that Obama will take America out of the crisis that we are in now. And the fact that he is a the first black president and must be sworn into office at such a difficult time makes it a very important aspect of America's history.

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  42. obama said some pretty promising things for what he would do for our country, so i hope he will do his best for the United States.

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  43. Obama has a lot of expectations to fill. Regardless, it will be a historical journey.
    =]

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  44. I think Obama has the potential to do what needs done. Hopefully he can get it done.

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  45. I think Obama is going to make an amazing President. His inauguration was very interesting. I think that Obama is going to help our country bounce back from the economical depression we are currently going through.

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  46. I think the inauguration was to costly for us in that we as a nation are in a recession but are spending $150 million on a celebration. I think they should have invited less people or only let a certain number enter the area.

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  47. In my opinion, President Obama has a way with words. I felt that his speech was very well spoken. I think that Obama will do a lot of good for our country, he is an inspiring man and I'm proud to have him as our country's leader.

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  48. The most important parts of the 2009 Inauguration were the prayers for the country. These prayers were so important for me because I honestly hope that President Obama does well, because I am no fan of his. I pray that he will lead our country to prosperity
    Nathan Van Til, Scott County High School

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  49. I believe the main idea that Obama will adress is the fact that change has come and it is for the better. He has given us promises that he swore to fulfill and will succeed in doing so. For those who didn't agree with Obama, you have to start. He is our new president and nothing will be accomplished without everyones help.

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  50. I'm glad that this is actually happening. We have the first black president in the history of the U.S. He has a lot of fans and a lot of people will follow him and back him up. He will help the nation get out of it's crisis. It just won't happen right now.

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  51. I believe that President Obama will address both the problems within our country as well as the ways in which he plans to fix them. I am sure that he will be very enthusiastic and patriotic in his first speech as the president and will probably mention President Bush and his efforts. I am sure he will recall past presidencies and events from throughout our nations history and will give the American people an optimistic look at his future years running our country.

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  52. I am extremely impressed by how many people braved the cold weather in order to see the Inaugural Address. Obama is an excellent speaker, he truly has the ability to capture and hold the audiences' full, rapt attention. I am very hopeful for Obama's presidency, as he has set his goals and is standing by them. His goals are going to be beneficial to our country and I can't wait to see what he can do as our nation's leader.

    Erin, Scott County High School

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  53. I have always been a fan of Obama. And I hope that he will live up to his promises and pull us out of this economic crisis.

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  54. The speech was somewhat critical of the prior administration. It laid out lofty goals, and was done in a tone that stressed the importance of all of us getting to work and being part of the solution. To me, it didn't seem to have the rousing emotional feel that some of his campaign speeches did, but this is a different day, so it's probably appropriate to be like that.

    TJH, Biglerville HS

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  55. This is such a great moment in American history. Obama will help bring the change that we need to make our nation better and out of this crisis.

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  56. Barack Obama seems to have the potential to be a great president. He is a fantastic public speaker and can deliver his message clearly.

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  57. Obama can really get a crowd going can't he? That is precisly why he should be president he can raise morale in anybody for any reason.

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  58. This inauguration is a milestone in American history, and it is amazing to think that it happened during my lifetime. I think that Obama has clear goals for our country, and the determination to achieve them. Obama's acceptance speech was a bit contradictory, but overall, it was a rousing address to the American people. His great public speaking skills really got his point across.

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  59. I believe people are expecting way to much out of Obama. He's not going to be able to turn the country around and fix all the problems we have in just one term. The United States has more than 4 years worth of problems to deal with. However, I do believe that he will lay the foundation to turning America around.

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  60. Obama becomig president is a big step up for this country. It is also a big change but is this country ready for such a big change? The truth is that while some people may be ready there will always be some that are fearful of Obama's presidency. Also as with any change there is always the chance of it being the wrong kind of change. I am happy that Obama is president but I know of others that will not be happy with this presidency. I think that in his inauguration speech Obama will talk about the change that is coming with his presidency. Something that I want to hear about is health care.

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  61. I believe that Obama will be a huge benefit to our country. He might not solve all of our problems, but he will definitally help. There is no way he can pull us out of our economic problems, but he has great potential to create a solid base for starting it.

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  62. Springfield High School,

    Obama's key point to his speech will be about how he is going to change and reshape America for the better with the years he is going to be president

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  63. Many people are very hopeful for Obama to make a change. Everyone knows Obama is going to step up and that he is ready to make a change. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do to help our country become a better place. Watching the inauguration was an educational experience an I know Obama will take us far!

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  64. Obama has a big task in front of him and I believe that he can do it. Change is the key word. Change is what we need Change is why we elected him

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  65. By watching this speech I realized how strongly America supports Obama. It was strange when the crowd was chanting his name, however it showed that people look at him as more of a person than a politician. I can understand why he messed up in the beginning, it would be very stressful to be in his position. Obama is a much better public speaker than Bush was, and I think he will have a much better chance motivating people for whatever causes he promotes.

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  66. I think that Obama's presidency is a step up and a big change. But is all of the country ready for such a big change? While many people may be ready for a change some may never be. I personally like to see Obama as president, I feel that he could pull us out of the economic crisis that we are in. I think that in his inauguration speech Obama will talk about the change that is coming along with his presidency. I would like to hear about what he is going to do about health care.

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  67. I think Obamas words are bigger than his actions. He has promised America many things of which not all are possible of completing. However, I do have hope in him. I belive good things will come from his term, but only with the help of everyone.

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  68. I think Barack Obama's inaugural speech had the perfect tone to it. There was a somber message to his speech, but the way Obama read it made the speech have a hint of hope. We all know the country isn't in the greatest of shapes currently and I think he rightfully acknowledged the issues of our world today in his speech. On the other hand he reviewed his solutions to the issues which gave me hope that in the near future change will occur for the better. Barack Obama seems like a very genuine man who would do anything to uphold his promises to the country. His presidency will only better our country.

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  69. He deserves a clean slate from Bush. Who didn't exactly fail us but just was president at the wrong time.

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  70. I'm still surprised how Obama became president. A little over a year ago, he wasn't even one of the top candidates. Now he's the president! I'm impressed with him.

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  71. I enjoyed Obama"s Inaugural speech. He truly has the ability to grasp the crowds attention and seems to gain more and more followers each and every time he publically speaks. He is a man who is very likeable and knows just how to please every person in the crowd. He speaks as if he is only a face in the crowd and not their superior. I am sure that his ability to speak well in public accounts for most of his support. I believe that he has great things in store for our country and will try to clean up much of the mess that our nation has created.

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  72. With about two million people on the mall lawn, an unbelieveable turnout at this inauguration, Barack Obama is truly represented as the voice of the people. I believe that with his leadership, America can be reformed. Obama has a lot to do to fulfill the hopes of many Americans, and this is a tough time to make improvements happen. Even though it most not likely happen immediently with the challenges today, he seems confident that these hard times will transition into a new age.

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  73. There were many significant and key points in this speech. But to me the most important part was getting there people to understand that they will have to work to make this country better and that getting To a common goal Takes time After the motion is in place. Why Do I think so? Because a lot of people are expecting immediate change without giving or putting in the work to get to the goal we all want but few wish to strive for. But nothing will ever happen that way. You have to be willing to give to get anything in return. Sacrifice. He refers back to this concept many times in his speech.

    “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.” Barack Obama

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  74. Sean, SHS

    Obama's speech was a very interesting and hopeful way of showing his goals for the country during his time as president. He may know how to create goals, but can he fulfill them? How does he expect to accomplish his goals? All I hear is what he says he is going to do; what about how is is going to do it? If he truly lives up to his expectations, then he will unite the country more than ever before. But if he allows the people of America to get their hopes up just to be let down, then it could put the country in an even worse state than it is now.

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  75. Barack Obama is an inspiration to our country and he is a wonderful speaker. He is filled with determination and hope and I can't wait to see the change he brings our country.

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  76. I think the most significant part of the speech was when he addressed terrorists by saying "We will defeat you." I think this is a bold statement by Barack Obama and that this shows the confidence and optomism that Barack has in our country. I was surprised to hear the reactions from around the world that I read in an article from bbcnews. The link to the article is http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7839486.stm. Reporters from Kenya, Iraq, Germany, Iran, and others. These countries all were in support of Barack Obama but I was surprised to hear that Russia was going to be the "trickiest relationship for him to handle".

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  77. I think that Obama's address was very moving. To me, the most significant segment of his speech was when Obama was talking about even though we are in a bad place, we still have all the good qualities that we had during our times of prosperity. That all we need to do is "pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." I also think that the statement saying that the world has changed and we need to change with it is completely accurate. We can't expect to solve every problem the same way as before when so much of this world has changed.

    I think that the key thing that is going to help Obama met his goals is the fact that the world is so encouraging of him. Most places around the world are very positive of Obama and I think that this will allow them to be more willing to work with the U.S. I also think that this election gives so much hope to other countries and shows them how accepting America truly is. The only country that isn't extremely positive is Russia. Overall though, I think that everyone is looking on with an extremely positive view. I personally hope that this view on Obama's election will help us fix many of the problems we face.

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  78. Hey, great job on this. The wonders of technology.

    The speech was well written, and well presented. He is certainly one of the greatest political speakers America has seen - certainly the best speaker since JFK, although time will tell if he is in fact even superior.

    Obama has inherited quite a bit. He has a lot on his plate and his goals are ambitious, to say the least. I think the hype surrounding this is both promising and somewhat absurd - the expectations are unbelievably high and the American public is not always very forgiving.

    Only time will tell, but my best wishes are with President Obama and our country.

    Once again, great job and thank you for the opportunity to connect students with other students around the nation.

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  79. Dear, Obama family.

    To the daughters of Barack Obama you have a whole life ahead of you so dont screw it up go to school and finish and go to college and get a great job.

    Michael, Scott County high school

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  80. I that Obama will bring much needed change, Hopefully. This country needs someone to fix our problems, and i think it could happen.

    andrew from shs

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  81. I think it will be a slow progress.

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  82. I think Obama will do a good job for our country. So far the whole world likes him. I think his main point will be the economy because that is the only thing that people care about. I think he will do a good job as a president because he sounds smart.

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  83. I think the process of changing both the economy and the need for better relationships throughout the world

    Springfield High School

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