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How Would Your 2008 Inaugural Speech Begin?

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ThomWV Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 07:22 PM
Original message
How Would Your 2008 Inaugural Speech Begin?
Imagine for a moment you have won the election in November of 2007. On an unseasonably warm and sunny January day you find yourself just moments before having been sworn in as the President of the United States. You begin your address to the nation, and indeed the world. What is your first sentence? No more than that, just one sentence, no exceptions.

Mine would be, after the greetings and thanks to the American people prelude to the substance of the speech . "The United States' war on Islam has just come to an end."

I think that one line uttered by a President of the United States would change the world. What's yours?
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Diane R Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 07:24 PM
Response to Original message
1. "Our long national nightmare is over".


*with thanks to Gerald Ford*
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benny05 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 08:20 PM
Response to Reply #1
9. Our overlong nightmare needs to be over: thanks to the Blogoshere
And you know the truth is...was brought out by our bloggers at home, at war, and internationally.

Today, Iraq is still not where it needs to be, but it will move along and embrace capitalism. They give more of their oil exports to the US, China, and India, whose oil imports exceed capacity.

Now Iraq has resumed having decent infrastructure, such as digital lighting by dishes (similar to cable), they have more dishes as they are being made by the Chinese and Indians at a very reasonable cost, and we have our people to present sides that are more balanced about the Western world. We are looking to Iraq's solution for satellite electricity since our energy supplies will dwindle farther in the next 7 years. But it will be developed by engineer here, with imput with focus groups paid by the Energy Department, of citizens selected by energy scope or by random selection.

Saddam Hussein, Iraq's former leader, is now in prision, terms set by the International Court in Brussels. He is in securitized quarters. We will never know if former Vp Cheney was part of his network or not.

Today, we will do by executive order:

Ask John Bolton to retire
Hire justices who do not have right-wing beliefs
Provide funds to family planning in Mexico
Undo the draft
Enlist a taskforce to look at energy supplies and come up with better answers that will benefit the American public.

And we will start getting the rest of our troops home, while undoing the following laws that favor the corporate sector and harm the American people at large, such as bankruptcy, social security privitization, and spying on computer users at public libraries. We will also work towards getting the deficit down while rewarding our service men and women for being in harms way in other places. We will also secure our borders and chemical plants, unlike the previous administration.

Thank you for coming to the Blogger's ball...it was a pleasure to meeting you.











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benny05 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 08:28 PM
Response to Reply #9
10. Speech, con't
Saddam Hussein, Iraq's former leader, is now in prison (sorry for my misspelling), just as my predecessor will be in the months to come. His impeachment is the tip of an iceberg of many harms to our country.

And along those lines, we shall continue to fight poverty, and lead us into a real future of workers and comfortable living standards for all, not just for millionaires. Our tax codes will remind them that they must give more to charity and to our national bank for the privilege of making more money than their job commands. They will be able to have their children attend colleges, trade schools, most especially the latter where we hope to have more handy men and women every where to repair our homes, schools, and cars.
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Greybnk48 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #1
23. You beat me to it Diane R n/t
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PlanetBev Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 05:20 PM
Response to Reply #1
30. Ah, Diane, you beat me to it...
However, I would add this little nugget, "For all those who voted to re-intall this cretin for the second time, it is now safe to take your head out of your ass".
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calimary Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 11:01 PM
Response to Reply #1
35. Beat me to it, also. Great minds...
I would follow it up with one additional statement:

Let it be known throughout our nation and throughout the world... that the United States of America is UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!

I would then announce the dates - within a week of the inauguration - in which I would be going to the UN and NATO headquarters with the same message, just to make it REALLY official.

I had this fantasy of Joint Chiefs Chair Richard Myers arriving at my office later that day to do the traditional dance - where all the previous people formally hand in their resignations to the incoming (oppositional) leadership. In my fantasy I would tell him that it was probably the finest public service he'd done in the last many miserable years. I would tell him to clean out his desk and be gone by noon (or I'd have him thrown out). Further, as the new commander-in-chief, I would announce to him that my most important formal title is AN AMERICAN MOM. And under that dual authority, I would issue an order directing him to write a personal note to EACH AND EVERY MOTHER who lost a son or daughter in Iraq. EACH AND EVERY ONE. PERSONALLY. I would tell him that I want to see a whole bunch of them to review before they're sent, so I can be sure he isn't simply running off a couple of sentences and then having it Xeroxed about 17-hundred times. No. This MUST be personal.

And when rumsfeld and rice came in - they'd get the same directives, as would all their fabulous henchmen - who would all be advised they would be facing imminent prosecution. Same for Myers, too, except for one thing. I would tell him that even in retirement, he remains on the public's payroll (that pension doesn't just pop into his bank account out of thin air, after all). Therefore, as such, he is still on duty, AND accountable to the people of this nation. And that failure to obey - in full - this directive by his country's commander-in-chief WILL be a court-martial offense.

Then, I'd be tempted to ask for air time on the networks to announce the resignations, impending prosecutions, and the many acts of penance these vermin will be ordered to perform.

I can dream, can't I?
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Willinois Donating Member (205 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 07:26 PM
Response to Original message
2. My fellow Americans, and to those state who have seceded...
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kitkat65 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 07:33 PM
Response to Original message
3. "Whew! Thank God that's over!" Okay, that's two - so sue me n/t
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BrainRants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 07:41 PM
Response to Original message
4. "I'd like to thank my brother...Jim Diebold"
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xkenx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 07:55 PM
Response to Original message
5. I, WESLEY CLARK
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snowbear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 08:00 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. heh heh... good one!
:bounce: :toast: :patriot:
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Totally Committed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:53 PM
Response to Reply #7
25. Amen! (n/t)
TC
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Mythsaje Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 07:59 PM
Response to Original message
6.  We, as Americans, have some tough times ahead, but we can stand up to any
challenge thrown our way.
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zulchzulu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 08:02 PM
Response to Original message
8. It would go like this...
President Hastert, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens, this day marks the first year anniversary of the imprisonment of George W. Bush, Richard Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld for treason, crimes against the United states, war crimes against the World and the blood on their hands from their lies shall never be forgotten.

America has spoken. The World has spoken. We can now rest with the security that these evil men are serving time and justice has been done.

We can now officially say that we have taken our country back. And under my administration, we will continue the indictments of those that have been participants in this past Administration. They have left the country and seek asylum. But we know where they are and we will hammer down the full level of justice upon them and have them serve for their crimes.

(You get the idea)
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Javaman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 09:07 PM
Response to Original message
11. "Whew! What was that all about??? huh??? Wow, I mean, wow!"
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rpannier Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 09:27 PM
Response to Original message
12. To use Pat Buchanan's words in 96 (tweaking them a bit)
Edited on Sun Jun-26-05 09:28 PM by rpannier
I'd turn to scrubbo and as Chief Law Enforcement official say, "You have the right to remain silent..."

edited for spelling
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calimary Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 11:07 PM
Response to Reply #12
36. GOOD one!
Well, I can dream, can't I?
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FrenchieCat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 09:28 PM
Response to Original message
13. My fellow Americans.....
we have won the war for our Democracy! Peace will reign over the United States, now that we have defeated the Neocons and their Christian Wrong minions!
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Stinky The Clown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 09:35 PM
Response to Original message
14. You like me. You really like me!
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Lone_Wolf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 09:43 PM
Response to Original message
15. My fellow Americans.... as promised we have handed over the Bush Family
and their fellow co-conspirators to the International Criminal Court for War Crimes. We have also seized the assets of Halliburton and the Carlyle Group, along with all their subsidaries. These war profiteers will be sold off to pay for needed infrastructure improvements here at home.
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Independent_Liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 09:49 PM
Response to Original message
16. I'll have to type one up later...
I'm too tired right now. Time for bed.
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Corey_Baker08 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-26-05 10:12 PM
Response to Original message
17. *******************ACTUALLY THE ELECTION IS IN NOVEMBER OF 2008***********
The inaguration is in January of 2009

I Believe anyway
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Clarkie1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 12:03 AM
Response to Original message
18. A higher standard of leadership
Edited on Mon Jun-27-05 12:07 AM by Clarkie1
My fellow Americans, today I ask you to join me in committing ourselves to a higher standard of American leadership in the world community. Not leadership by force, manipulation, or the exercise of raw power; not the bullying kind of leadership, that's not what we believe in. My fellow Americans, I ask you to join me today in committing ourselves to a new American leadership that works to bring the world together, to focus on the common tasks, not to divide the world. American leadership that works to build international structures, to promote development, to resolve disputes between nations, to respond to disasters, and to help advance American ideals of respect, dignity, security, and health for every human being in the world...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got a lot of this from this text of a speech Clark gave recently:

Leadership: General Eisenhower defined it this way – it was definition we all had to memorize in military leadership at West Point, leadership he said is the art of persuading the other fellow to want to do what you want them to do. He didn't say it was force, manipulation, or the exercise of raw power. He said it was an art. We need that kind of leadership today, not the bullying kind of leadership, not the kind of leadership... …we don't need the kind of leadership that's so hackneyed that even George Lucas quotes it in Star Wars. "If you're not with us, you're against us." That's not what we're looking for. We need the kind of leadership that moves nations and peoples with our ideals. Steady, patient, balanced, determined. Leadership that works to bring the world together, to focus on the common tasks, not to divide it. And that works to build international structures, to promote development, to resolve disputes between nations, to respond to disasters, and to help advance our ideals of respect, dignity, security, and health for every human being in the world. And we need that leadership at home too. You see, your generation is going to compete for jobs and wages, contributions, with graduates from Massachusetts and California and Arkansas, and also with graduates from countries like India and China, who are now getting the same world class education you have. The walls have come down around the world and that means that new ideas can come from almost anywhere and that new businesses, prosperity, security, and ultimately power can go wherever the brainpower is. And that's why we need a new kind of American leadership, to insure that we're still the land of innovation, of exploration, of possibility. That means looking at skyrocketing tuition costs and saying look every child in America should have the same shot at college that you've had here so they can learn, so they can give, so they can compete, so they can win in this new economy. And it means making it happen, not just talking about it. It means it's time to do something about the high healthcare costs that are burdening American families, dragging down American businesses, and forcing the outsourcing of jobs. And it means realizing in this country that we have to pull together, not divide each other, but pull together to focus on the great projects and the great values that can set forth this new generation on a new voyage of discovery in energy independence and taking care of our environment and realizing our hopes and ideals. Now we can meet these challenges, if we come together as a nation. But to do so we've got to overcome the vicious partisanship which has repelled so many voters and we've got to get past the pervasive politicization of social and ethical issues that's turned away so many Americans. We got to lift up this public dialogue to address the big issues that are important to America's future. And by we, I'm not talking about the C-SPAN crowd, I'm talking about the need for American leadership and the need for American leaders. I'm talking about you all, 2005, Cornell University, that's you. We need you. We need your energy, and your insight, and your imagination. We need your integrity.

http://www.securingamerica.com/?q=speeches/2004-05-29
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jmcon007 Donating Member (782 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 12:35 AM
Response to Original message
19. My fellow DUers......
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calimary Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 11:08 PM
Response to Reply #19
37. 'NOTHER good one!
Man, that would be tempting, wouldn't it?

On a day like that, we would ALL be DUers!
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baron j Donating Member (434 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 02:38 AM
Response to Original message
20. My fellow citizens of the United States of Azuria
Edited on Mon Jun-27-05 02:39 AM by baron j
and allies and closest neighbor Cascadia, today we declare sanctions on the Theocracy of Jesusland, and the Plutocracy of Dumbf!ckistan...

Kidding to red state Progressives! ;^)

I grew up near Atlanta, so consider myself a southerner, despite living in the Northwest, now.
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AntiCoup2K4 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 04:02 PM
Response to Reply #20
29. Where is "Azuria"??
Cascadia is the Northwest, but I'm not familiar with the term "Azuria".
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baron j Donating Member (434 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-29-05 02:26 AM
Response to Reply #29
43. I made up "Azuria" to represent the blue states, as in "azure".
I would've included the Pacific Northwest, but after seeing that amusing web page regarding Cascadia, I had to mention it, especially since I live there now:

http://zapatopi.net/cascadia.html
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elperromagico Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:36 AM
Response to Original message
21. "At this time, I would like to thank President Bush for his service,
but I promised the American people that I wouldn't lie to them."
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Independent_Liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:37 PM
Response to Original message
22. I, Barbara Boxer...
That's how I'd like it to start off.
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Uncle Joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:52 PM
Response to Original message
24. I used to be the next President of the United States, and now I am.
Edited on Mon Jun-27-05 03:52 PM by Uncle Joe
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Rambis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:55 PM
Response to Original message
26. There will be no pardons
Edited on Mon Jun-27-05 03:56 PM by Rambis
the criminals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Yes ,the rule of law in the United States has been reinstated!
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BurgherHoldtheLies Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:56 PM
Response to Reply #26
27. Damn. You beat me to it.
My sentiments exactly.
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calimary Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 11:09 PM
Response to Reply #26
38. Yet ANOTHER good one!
:D :toast:
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Debi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 03:58 PM
Response to Original message
28. What th hell am I doing here, all I did was buy a lottery ticket from 7-11
:crazy:
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ronnykmarshall Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 05:23 PM
Response to Original message
31. Free at last, free at last!
Thank god almighty we are free at last!
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calimary Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 11:09 PM
Response to Reply #31
39. And ANOTHER good one!
Man, wouldn't it be wonderful...
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ksilvas Donating Member (310 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 05:29 PM
Response to Original message
32. Registared Republicans must go directly to the nearest re-educaution camp
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ChipperbackDemocrat Donating Member (331 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 10:05 PM
Response to Reply #32
33. Chipperback-Kucinich '08: American Courage In Action
Edited on Mon Jun-27-05 10:07 PM by ChipperbackDemocrat
Election Night 2008
"Fox News is projecting that Bill Frist is the next President of the United States.."

--click--
"CNN has no projection at this time..."

--click--
"We at ABC News are not projecting at the moment..."

--click--
"BBC News has confirmed that widespread inconsistencies in the count have occured in Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado and California. Our independent exit polling in those states heavily favor the Democratic candidate Chipperback."

--click--
"NBC News has learned that 55 districts in the state of Ohio have not registered a count....our exit polling in those districts show a 4-to-1 margin for Chipperback

--click--
"CBS News election data confirms a larger that expected majority for Chipperback, as a number of voting inconsistencies come to light."


The next morning -- Chipperback Election Headquarters Omaha, NE

"Does it surprise any of you that the GOP is trying to cheat? Bill Frist is calling for a national recount. I'll do him one better. I demand a national revote. I demand international election monitors at the polling places. I demand the dismantling every single electronic voting machine. They've tried to diebold this election and I will not stand for it. They will try to silence us. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD AMERICANS TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY.

"The official position of the Frist-Santorum campaign is clear. We believe a recount is in the best interest of the nation, and we feel the sitting President of the United States agrees." -- Ken Blackwell, chairman Frist-Santorum 2008.

(courtesy "CBS Evening News." November 11, 2005)

Anchor: "America In Crisis: Day 6. Massive anti-Government protests continue push for a revote. In Omaha, Chipperback calls for a March On Washington. In Washington: President Bush shows support for Senator Frist, while Dick Cheney calls for action: "The Democrats are acting like Enemies of The State."

This is the CBS Evening with Amy Goodman, reporting from CBS News Election Headquarters in New York.."

November 14, 2008 -- Chipperback files with U.S. Supreme Court calling for a national revote
November 15, 2008 -- over 1 million March on Washington calling for a national revote.
November 15, 2008 -- U.N. Secretary General Bill Clinton: "U.N. Election Monitors will observe a national recount or revote in defiance of President Bush."

November 16, 2008 -- Former President Jimmy Carter on Air America Television "President Bush has covered the office of the Presidency with the foul stench of fascism and Soviet-style control."

November 18, 2008 -- Dick Cheney on Fox News Channel's Coulter and Colmes. "Don't you realize Mr. Moyers, that Chipperback Chavez and all of his followers are anti-American."
Bill Moyers (Chipperback-Kucinich '08 Media Coordinator) "Dick, Go F--- Yourself."

November 20, 2008 -- U.S. Supreme Court rules 5-4 in favor of a national revote.

December 7, 2008 -- America's second election day. Chipperback-Kucinich carries 41 states and wins over 62 million votes in the biggest turnout in American History.

"My fellow Americans. December seventh, Two-thousand and eight will be a day that will live in LIBERTY!


January 20, 2009 -- Washington D.C.

It was a warmer than expected day. An azure sky, 42 degree temperature.
It was a colder than expected day. Embittered by the election results. President George W. Bush flew back to Texas the day before. Dick Cheney left for an undisclosed location. Not a single member of the Bush administration would represent the outgoing President at the inauguration.
Conservative Washington was bitter. The GOP organized a boycott demonstration near the capitol. A number of GOP congressmen and senators said they would join the boycott demonstration. However a good number of those were voted out in the purge of December 7, 2008.

All the major news organizations did cover the Inauguration ceremony, even a bitter and critical Fox News Channel, who spent much of morning bashing the incoming President. A number of Democrats wanted President-Elect Chipperback to seize Fox News Channel siting violations of the Patriot Act once in office.

Even with the boycotts, it was the most attended Inaugural address ever by common Americans. Many people took off from work and school to come to breathe freely again.

As Neil Young whaled in his performance before the ceremony:
"We have new point of light from a real American.
"NO MORE KINDER, GENTLER MACHINE GUN HAND!


Chief Justice William Renquist smiled, even in a frail condition, he willed himself to stay alive long enough to see that his branch of Government did not block a return to American values. Beside him Anton Scalia and Clarence Thomas sneered.

Along the row of former Presidents, President George H.W. Bush sat embarassed. The only ranking Republican taking part in the transfer of power. Next to him Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter looks intensely at the team readying to take power. Midwestern populists, Chipperback of Nebraska and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio. Each had to steel their nerves and show their courage throughout the primaries and the campaign.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean was filled with glee as he gave interviews. Just as he has for the last 4 years, Dean gave no quarter to his opponents.

"I haven't seen George W. Bush this absent since he was in the Texas National Guard," Dean said. "It shows how much the dislike America to act the way they have in this campaign and in the last eight years. And they claim to love America? Their actions in this period since the election show how little they love America."

In the CBS broadcast booth, Amy Goodman smiled through her tears. In 2006 Air America-Pacifica took over Viacom-CBS and the network became what the right-wing corporate media feared. It became America's BBC with the tough-talking Goodman becoming a Cronkite for the 21st century.

The oath were taken solemnly by each. The applauses easily drowning out the boos of the Republican protestors, of which vice presidential candidate Rick Santorum was one of the most vocal.

At last, President Chipperback took to the podium. He would be a President of many first. First African-American. First head of a ticket composed of two citizens under 6-feet in height. First Midwestern populist President in more than a century. First Nebraska-born to be elected to the office.

"To all those Americans who believed in a better day. To all those Americans who still sing of the land of free and the home of the brave. To all those who still believe in Patriot dream that see beyond the years. This is your day.
Throughout this journey, Vice President Kucinich always spoke of the link between democracy and courage. Thanks to your courage, we have perseved, protected and defended our democracy.
It is with this courage that we will return to the world. We will reengage ourselves into the brotherhood of man and the nations of the world. People of earth, THE REAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS STOOD UP. WE ARE BACK IN THE BUSINESS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMAN FREEDOM. We are sorry for being away for so long.
With this courage we will lead the fight against terrorism, not with our armies, but with our knowledge. We will not engage the terrorist on their terms. We will engage them on ours. An our terms are on ending economic violence worldwide. Our terms are on putting aside our Western arrogance and recommitting ourselves to learning, teaching and knowledge. We cannot continue the policy of 'America Knows Best' when America doesn't know what we are getting into. That arrogance just gets are brave men and women who serve in our military killed. The last administration had no problem with that. This adminstration will ALWAYS have a problem with that.
And that last adminstration will pay for its ignorance. George W. Bush, my predecessor is not here. Dick Cheney is not here. In fact the entire Bush administration is not here. The only member here is now Senator Condoleeza Rice and she here in protest.
Mr. Bush, I hope you skipped the Inauguration to prepare your defense, sir. The United States will rejoin the International Criminal Court. And you sir will be sent to The Hague. You will face charges of crimes against humanity. Mr. Cheney., Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Perle, Mr. Wolfowicz and Ms. Rice will be joining you.
How can we teach our children right from wrong when adult don't know it. Its time for that change.
We will also work to bring peace. With that in mind, we will institute a cabinet level Department of Peace. Its an idea Vice President Kucinich has championed it even since he came to Washington. Dennis my friend, YOUR IDEA'S TIME HAS COME AND WE WILL DO IT. Peace will be THE organizing force of our foreign policy. Not peace through superior firepower, but peace through the superior power of the human heart and the human soul.
I'd also like to send a message to Americans. From the longshoreman in Maine, to the assembly line worker in Ohio, to the corn farmer in Nebraska, the rancher in Montana. From New York to L.A. From Main Street to Castro Street. My White House will ALWAYS have an open door to the workingman and woman.
The era of selling your job to the lower wage paid by the highest bidder is OVER. The era of Enronizing America IS OVER. The era of this Capital being owned completely by Organized Capital IS OVER. Mr. Norquist, if you are watching possibly with the former President, verily I say onto you, you will have to find a real job.
My fellow Americans, in 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave America a new deal. That led to the greatest deal America ever got its history. The greatest expansion of opportunity and prosperity ever.
Now its time to move forward by going back. From this day forward, we will embark on a Square Deal for America.
That Square Deal will involve a systematic reworking of our trade structure, our economic policy, our tax policy and our energy policy.
The United States will not engage with WTO-style trade that leave the whole world poor. The United States will no longer engage in or support the anti-development policy of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, unless they change focus to real development in the developing world.

The United States will prosecute all American companies who run to the Caymans to avoid taxes. Real Americans pay their dues in this country.

Now many of wealthiest Americans will groan at taxation. But just as the New Deal generation saw the returns. Saw the interstate highways and the growth of commerce, and saw The Eagle land on Traquility Base, they saw the bargain of American prosperity.

You will see greater returns. A New Project Apollo dedicated to Total American Energy Independence by 2025, we have the tools, we have talent, we have technology. All we need in the courage, and we have the courage. The courage to invest in a green energy future that will also bring commerce and job to America and spread throughout the world. It will also bring greater security to our country, and it will take away the phony spiritual message of Al Queda and Osama bin Laden and expose them for the common thugs and street hoods that they really are. Our old policies gave power to poverty pimps. It is time to take that power away.

You will see a return with a rebuilt infrastructure. Better roads, bridges, public transportation and high speed rail links in this country. This nation will return to the rails, driving a Maglev golden spike down from sea to shining sea.

You will see a return in science. American will return to the stars, and we'll do it not opposed to business, but with American industry. We will reengage in research in environment and in health.
A healthy America is a prosperous one, and how can we be a healthy America will 60 million of our citizens don't have insurance or access or both to the best care in the world? For this government, National Health Care is JOB ONE. We will study what the world is doing, get idea and make it work for Americans. We will build a system based on prevention and wellness. And we will empower researchers nationwide and worldwide towards better health, not better disease management.

You will see a return in your children. They spoke of leaving children behind. We want every American child leaping forward. The tax-revenue driven ideal of funding schools must end. It is time to build every school to the highest standard, and that must start with investment. But with that investment, we then cede to the nation and the people to do for their children as they see fit. We can bring funding and the guidelines, but you the American people have to bring the passion and the love our children and understand the importance of their role in moving a nation ahead in the 21st century. We can fund the afterschool programs and we will, but we need an American committment to man them, and I'm calling on you do so. We will also implement new ideas and programs to help in matter of adoption, and I encourage all Americans be a part of the debate and a part of issue, and a part of the solution. There are too many children in our country for whatever reason who are in the foster-care system. The system will get investment from us, but also needs energy and love from you.
I want us as a nation to make nuturing our future a prime priority. Someday one of those young ones, perhaps you child or the child next door will be standing at this podium. That is how valuble the American child is. That is how valuble ALL American children are. The next President, the next Sally Ride, the next Barbara Jordan, the next Michael Dell, the next Stephen Jobs, the next Derek Jeter, the next Jonas Salk, the next Martin Luther King could be sitting in a classroom right now. I pledge to those children, that they will always have someone looking our for them in this White House.

As I look out at the crowd. I see so many friends. So many supporters. I also see our opposition. I hear the cheers, and the boos. And I see the booth at the far end. I see the voicebox of our opposition. I'd like to ask Fox News Channel to be quiet right now. I am addressing you and you the protestors.
As you notice, there are no "free speech zones" The last administraion insisted on such things. I don't ask for "loyalty" oaths from you to hear my speak The last administration insisted on such things. My adminstration will not hide from it critics. My administration will not detain people nor infridge on consititutional rights. We're Americans, and we don't do those sorts of things.

I'm sure you notice, there have been no attempts to silence you. Technically, under the "Patriot" Act, I can. But as of end of this speech, by executive order the Patriot Act WILL NO LONGER EXIST.
I'd like to ask our opposition if they'd like feel like Americans again? If they'd like to trade in the Soviet America that the last administration try to build with a United States FOR AMERICANS?
In the words of Desmond Tutu, "You already have lost, so come and join the winning side."
To our detractors I say to you, come home to America. You are still welcome here.

The days ahead will call for courage. It will call for us to meet fear and see past it. For courage is what built our nation.

It took the courage of men to pledge "our lives, our fortures and our sacred honor."
It took the courage of Lewis and Clark to explore the unknown.
It took the courage of 185 volunteers at the Alamo.
It took the courage of a Frederick Douglass to demand and press to end human bondage in our country
It took the courage of a Lincoln to hold this nation together, and the courage of average Americans to heal the wounds during and after we split apart in Civil War.
It took the courage of homesteaders and settlers to move into an unknown land and make a new life and new nation.
It took the courage of the first Americans. Of a Standing Bear. Of a Sitting Bull. Of a Chief Joseph to remind us who this land really belong to. It was lessons we still strain to learn to this very day.
It took the courage of a Mary Ellen Lease, of an Upton Sinclair, of so many to fight for the American Worker.
It took the courage of an Ida B. Wells Barnett to stand against lynching. It took the courage of a Susan B. Anthony to extend our democracy to the other half our citizens. For they too pledge lives, fortunes and sacred honor and are due payoff.
It took the courage of Franklin Delano Roosevelt to raise us up from Depression, and move us forward against Fascism. It took the courage of so many, from all corners of our country. Many of them simple men from the farms and factories who stood in the gap for a free world, bolstered by the courage of the WACS, WAVES and Rosies who worked for victory and helped to win it.
It took the courage of Rosa Parks on a Montgomery Bus, and Martin Luther King on a Selma Bridge.
It took the courage of kids sent to Vietnam and kids on college campuses who cared that those kids sent to Vietnam were dying for the wrong reason.
It took the courage shown in Khe Sanh and Stonewall. It took the courage of Goodman, Cheney Schwerner and the courage of Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins.

And it took the courage of so many of you for so many of these tough years to organize, speak out and, a month or so ago, march out to ensure that that our democracy shall not perish from the face of the earth.

I ask for your courage now. For that courage is what this country and our world needs. In courage, peace and love lets move forward together. We have a lot of work to do."



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leyton Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 10:43 PM
Response to Original message
34. "A funny thing happened on the way to the Capitol today..." eom
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gulliver Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 11:13 PM
Response to Original message
40. The country, the flag, and the presidency itself belong to all ...
... Americans, and I commit myself with the greatest humility to working for all Americans. Let's work together, build the best country in history together, respect one another, and pledge to bring out the best in one another.
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mcctatas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-27-05 11:16 PM
Response to Original message
41. "I know we didn't expect to be here until 2008...
Edited on Mon Jun-27-05 11:19 PM by mcctatas
but after the impeachment of a president and indictments of his entire administration, the grown ups are back in charge"
January 2006
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KBlagburn Donating Member (409 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-28-05 12:21 AM
Response to Original message
42. The Terrorist are on the run and are still hiding...
but I say to you and to the world: George Bush, Dick Cheney, et al. you cannot run, you cannot hide, we will find you and we will bring you to justice. You will answer for your crimes against humanity.
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