Obama, Biden May Do Community Service Inauguration Weekend

The New York Times reports on efforts to make inauguration special without seeming insensitive to the current economic crisis. Buried in the article is one interesting idea:

Among the options to have this year's events reflect the mood of the nation, Democratic officials said, are having Mr. Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. take part in some form of community service in Washington. If they did so, they would most likely call upon people around the country to do the same in their own towns, which could help mitigate any criticism of inaugural celebrations.

Comments

[grata2ude]

And this is not newsworthy? Where are the media who are consumed into trying to tie anyone with Obama to Blogo??

[mbjesq]

Within my circle of friends, it is common to celebrate major milestones with acts of service. Here's an example of how it worked in celebration of a friend's wedding: http://memestreamblog.wordpress.com/2005/11/14/a-gift-of-service/. So I would say that this gesture is both appropriate and emblematic of the community-mindedness we hope to see blossom in the coming years.

But not everyone agrees that small, ad hoc gifts of service are a good thing. The parameters of the debate are sketched out here: http://memestreamblog.wordpress.com/2005/12/17/a-gift-of-service-the-debate/.

How do you come down on this? It is a question we should each be wrestling with -- and acting accordingly.

[SparkyDash]

Always very proud and impressed with Barack Obama and Joe Biden and their families.

[MJruns]

This is a great idea and so are the local service efforts. But what about all the people coming in to the DC are for the long weekend and the inauguration (millions??)? Can that number of people and their positive energy be leveraged? Is Habitat or some cleanup organization running any special projects that weekend? What if there was a way for every person, before they got onto the Mall, to drop off one can of food or one dollar or one book per person? Any DC service orgs out there, can you work on that? (I know there are obvious logistical and security issues, my idea is the concept rather than fleshed out implementation. Even if only a small fraction were involved, the impact could be huge.) And for those folks who have plenty and are coming in for balls, staying in hotels, etc., could they go to the local grocery stores and buy pre-boxed food for the food pantries, Target or Walmart for clothes for the poor and homeless, etc?

It seems to me that this type of effort is a much better way of celebrating and honoring our new President, what he stands for, the honorable campaign he ran, and the hopeful future of our country than taking advantage of the longer hours at the local bars.

Counting the days till Jan 20!

[lwilkerson50]

I think that he should challenge all governors, senators, etc to get out there that weekend to help out THEIR communitites. I think that would be the most awesome thing of all for that weekend (or if they are in DC area go out to the community they live in.
And maybe even challenge offiicals overseas to do something. That would be even more awesome for these people to pay respect to THEIR communities.
Again, it would be just a challenge, no one would be held to do it, but hopefully they would feel shameful.

[katielady]

I remember JFK's inauguration speech; "...Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do...". Seem Pres elect Obama is taking the best or our best presidents' examples and employing them. This is an awesome idea.. #43 was such a self-centered delusional jerk, we will look at any reaching out to 'common folk' as the second coming.

[candyperfumegirl]

Great idea. Hope they do limit the "pomp and circumstance" of the inaugural events.

[samiam4285]

How amazing is this?! I think it's a fabulous idea. But I agree with those who also say that he deserves to let loose on Inauguration Day as well--the whole world will be, after all :-)

[kellygrrrl]

Fabulous Idea! In fact, let's make the whole month of January the Community Service month.

The Obama Team should contact all schools and ask them to have students submit ideas for what they would like to do in the way of Community Service in honor of the Inauguration.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Great idea! I think they should ask all Americans to do something on Jan. 20th!

[kellygrrrl]

I'm going to call a women's shelter and set up some time to offer some Pilates and physical therapy in honor of the Inauguration.

[notthistime]

great idea kellygrrrl

[Dodge]

President-elect Obama (Democrat) and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Democrat) take part in some form of community service in Washington to make the inauguration special ...

What about the Republicans? There is Sen. Fred Thompson (Republican) who will be doing his part by renting out his Washington DC apartment for $30K during the inauguration!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/08/fred-thompson-renting-out_n_149186.html

[atlantajoe]

Where has all this community service been for Biden so far. He has no history of donating to charity, Just another do as I say Lib.

[SparkyDash]

Best not to rely on blogs/media offering whole bios. As the least or second least wealthy Sen: "Like most regular churchgoers, they [Bidens] contribute to their church, and they also contribute to their favorite causes with their time as well as their checkbooks, whether it"s [Jill] Biden"s volunteer work with military families or the Biden breast-health initiative, or the way in which the family pitched in driving supplies to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, or the ways Sen. Biden has supported charities that help women, police, and veterans." It goes on...I personally don't go by just photo ops. My favorite contribution by Joe is his years fighting to get "Violence against Women" act passed. Part of his job, yes, but he fought hard and I am grateful.

[notthistime]

"Just another do as I say Lib."

Judgmental are we?

[lwilkerson50]

Thanks for making me laugh. I almost lost my coffee. Smile!

[Kiabell04]

I think that's a great idea. Too bad most politicians couls care less about how their constituents feel. I applaud Obama and Biden! Two awesome guys.

[SparkyDash]

Wow...It actually gives me chills that this would be considered....say, before the evening events. And good for you Nancy in DE, Joe's stompin' grounds. DE rocks.

So, can we get a photo of Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.? I hear he's done a lot of good things for others. Just saying...

[method]

This man deserves more of a dedication/inauguration then handing out food and serving the community. He will have plenty of time to serve this country. Give him his honor. It would be insensitive to the Americans who have longed for this day.

[notthistime]

He can do both. Besides, I thing service is embedded in Obama's DNA and he is looking at this as an opportunity to get other people involved who may not have participated otherwise.

WE can do both.

[LogicNow]

I think it's a fabulous idea; but I also don't begrudge our POTUS-E inauguration celebrations! It is history, he deserves a proper celebration!! If Bush/Cheney celebrated their 2nd term under the conditions back in '04, certainly Obama/Biden can celebrate their first.