Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration A New Day

The White House where Barack Obama will live and work was built in large part by African-American slaves.






At least a dozen American Presidents owned slaves.







"Let us then turn this government back into the channel in which the framers of the Constitution originally placed it."


President A. Lincoln --July 10, 1858 Speech at Chicago



"I see America, not in the setting sun of a black night of despair ahead of us, I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun fresh from the burning, creative hand of God. I see great days ahead, great days possible to men and women of will and vision."
Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967)

It seemed that the dream had been lost.

The high ideals had flown, the sweetness of liberty was gone.

But now a new day is dawning for us and for the world.

The change has come. Our flag is beautiful again.

Today the people of the United States vibrate in harmony,

like the strings of a harp stirred by Spirit.

The man who grew up in Hawaii is reaching

a sincere hand of Aloha to all. . .

Things will never be the same. Cloudia






21 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

Amen. A beautiful post, Cloudia.

Reader Wil said...

Amen! I wish the new president all the wise people he needs to make the right decisions and to solve the conflicts in the Middle East. He himself said in one of his speeches that it's not possible to change everything in four years. Of course not. The past seven years were a complete disaster, it takes at least the same number of years to change and to right the wrongs,... but let's hope and pray for a better time.

bobbie said...

A wonderful post, Cloudia.

Yes, hoagies. Lived in Drexel Hill, suburb of Phila.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Send your poem to the Obama office or through his website. Obama's example of Aloha will be taught to the Mainlanders and spread throughout the world...a wonderful day. DrumMajor

Dina said...

The Obama White House, built largely by slaves! I never realized that. Thanks for this inspiring post. Congratulations to America and Hawaii on the dawn of a new era.

nonizamboni said...

Cloudia-- see great days ahead too and join with you in hope and rejoicing today!
Mary Ann

Roan said...

Nice post for this monumental day.

RiverPoet said...

It's a great day for our nation and for the world. May there be peace...D

Carver said...

Great post Cloudia!

Akelamalu said...

Beautiful post my dear. Your words are inspiring on this momentus day! xx

laughingwolf said...

so mote it be :)

Glennis said...

It is a great day for America.

Charles Gramlich said...

I hope the promise is realized.

Anonymous said...

Lovely post! It's like a bad dream is over, and a new better day has begun.

Gemma Wiseman said...

A stunning post! I especially loved your final poem and linked to it in my tribute to this special day!

It is here: New waves New Horizons New Light

I hope you don't mind!

Feisty Crone said...

Amen, indeed. Great post, Cloudia!

magiceye said...

well posted!

Junosmom said...

Great post, Cloudia, and I agree it is wonderful to see. I do hope that Obama is given time and patience. So many people expect miracles. But, it is like my dad, now fighting for his (first, life) now health in the hospital: he abused his body with food and no exercise and cigarettes for many years - he cannot quickly recover. It took a long time getting that sick, and it will take a little while to get better. I hope that the American people recognize that our economic problems were years in the making, and it might take years to recover. But I am happy for America right now, and the hope we have.

The Grandpa said...

It was a great day for our country, Cloudia. Your post captures its importance wonderfully. Aloha.

Cloudia said...

Sandy: aloha!

Wil: Amen

Yo! Bobbie ;->

Drum Major: Thanks, I will.

Dina: Mahalo, cousin!

Mary Ann: Yay! Let's dance!


Betty: Thank you, Dear.

RiverPoet: and we say: Amen!

Carver; Mahalo!

Ake: Lovely having you here today to celebrate!!

LaughingWolf. Yes, Brother!

Aloha, Glennis: Indeed, Pacific Sistah!

Charles: Thank you for visiting today! We all do, sir.

Deborah G: Yes, a scary nightmare!

Gemma GreyScale: I'm really honored. Mahalo, Artist!

Gran: Glad to celebrate with you!
Mahalo.

MagicEye: Mahalo & Namaste!!

JunosMom: You are wise. Thanks for sharing with us.

Grandpa: Last but NEVER least!!
Coming from you that feels wonderful. Thank you SO much; and thanks as always for sharing yourself with us here.
BTW I've been asked to share my experiences outlined in that study I sent to you. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists meeting here in Waikiki this year! Woo Hoo ME!! Ahem . . .

Fida said...

I so hope you are right! I just hope people give him time and help to do the right thing. And thank you for the inof. I didn't realized that mostly slaves built the White House and that so many Presidents owned slaves!