My Inaugural Reflections
Tuesday, as I watched Barack Obama be sworn into office as our 44th President of the United States, I was overwhelmed with pride and emotion, and reminded of what is best about this country.
As someone who lived through the civil rights movement and saw African-Americans shunted to the back of the bus, I cannot help but think of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who forty-seven years ago stood on steps of the Lincoln Memorial and spoke of his dream -- that his four children would one day live in a nation where they would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Tuesday, that long-awaited, long-fought-for dream of equality was realized.
And while we must celebrate this extraordinary, historic moment in our nation's history, we also must heed the call of President Obama who told us that, "starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."
The challenges we face today are as difficult as any I can remember in my adult lifetime -- but I am confident that we have elected a President who has the fortitude and wisdom to lead us to a better future.
In foreign policy, it's a new day, as our president said America is willing to extend its hand to the world if people will unclench their fists.
I stand ready to help our new president every step of the way as we work to turn our economy around, bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq, and confront the many challenges facing us -- from healthcare to education to protecting our environment.
I am ready to work for the change we all believe in.
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Do people really think there was no equality until Obama's inauguration?
I dont really buy this at all, Boxer is one of the last people I'd think of as a champion for equality. I guess she believes in equality when it suits her purpose. She obviously didn't care about equality at the foreign relations committee hearing on January 13, 2007 when she implied that Sec. Rice couldn't relate to the war in Iraq because she wasn't married and didn't have any kids.
There's great degree of political equality in USA. However, true equality is impossible without economic equality.
I urge Sen. Boxer to work harder to benefit the working classes by:
reforming the shameful bankruptcy bill, restoring progressive taxation, passing stronger pro-union legislation and more cosumer friendly legislation (credit card policies reform).
Yes, it is difficult to oppose the financial oligarchy that runs United States and sponsors most of the political campaigns.
Double so, when current President also voted to support many of Bush policies ( tort reform, credit card no interest limit bill, Cheney's energy bill etc ).
Still it is incumbent ( no pun intended) upon those in secure political positions to try harder.
Good luck.
Astonishing how many negative comments here are solely based on Sen. Boxer's religion. Shameful.
What?
Looked over the thread. Those comments thankfully have been removed.
Changes in foreign policy? How have the Democrats in Congress been any different than the Republicans? I am waiting for Congress to revoke its "unwavering support" for the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians of Gaza. Shameful! The irresponsible use of our aircraft, armaments & some of the most fierce weapons imaginable to kill so many in their own homes & in their own country was beyond comprehension. What have we become? Why have so few in Congress spoken out?
Senator, you're out of touch. Those of you who are spouting on about how "equality has been achieved" have no idea what you're talking about. Actually you sound more like, "Are you little people happy now?"
The rich keep getting richer, at the expense of the poor, by policies and programs implemented by you- our representatives. Minorities are held down and shot dead in the full light of day. Women are still railing about differences in opportunities and pay in the work place.
The list goes on.
Where, Senator, do you get off suggesting to anyone that equality has been achieved? You're another example of why we need to set term limits on representatives. The longer you stay sequestered away from reality in D.C. the more you're living in some fantasy world.
Exactamondo!! co-sign 5000%
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While a historic day, MLK would have been disappointed at the number of racist comments made by his own race during speeches and parties throughout the day. Not to mention the fact that MLK's entire platform was based on content of character and the way we treated an outgoing President would have sadded him. Especially based on the fact that he was a Republican.
This election has created a wider race rift than I have seen in my lifetime. Hope and change, I think not.
I picked up my older daughter at school early yesterday. Walking into her Social Studies room, I saw the pictures on the wall of our Presidents. From Washington through Bush II, the portraits of each had been placed in order, circling the 4 walls a few inches below the ceiling, a brief article about each just underneath. Added to these now was President Obama... it so happened that there was just enough space left for our new President, placed on the wall following Bush so that just a few more inches to the right was the beginning of the series. The effect, unintentional though it was, was profoundly moving, and I found myself becoming a bit choked up... it was as though the exact placement of the first and last portraits, Washington and Obama side by side, was a divinely inspired symbol, and without words spoke to the beauty of our nation and the promise it has for every single child... the pictures circling the top of the room began with the Father of our Country and ended with the living, breathing proof that ours is the greatest country in the history of man, a nation where anything is possible. Side by side, it was an illustration first of the promise we made to ourself and ended with the promise we ultimately kept honorably.
Never have I been so proud to be an American. God bless President Obama and the United States of America.
Having just reseen The Times of Harvey Milk , the 1984 documentary http://www
What are your reflections regarding Rahm thumbing his nose at people in the crowd?
Ummm.... are you just looking for something to use to stir the pot? He was goofing around with Sasha and Malia. He wasn't even LOOKING into the crowd when he was doing that, it's pretty clear (to anyone with a brain) he's just horsing around with a couple little kids, not doing anything insulting to anyone. Get a grip, Spinzone.
Sad that some people out there are DESPERATE to find something, anything, to level as criticism against the new administration and against the fact that the majority of the country is actually coming together in hope and optimism in order to better our nation and our world.
thank you senator boxer, you represented the Golden State well tuesday
Monday, as I watched openly-gay Episcopal Bishop Eugene Robinson silenced, censored and disrespected by Barack Obama and his Presidential Inauguration Committee, followed on Tuesday by the rantings of Rick Warren, I was overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment, and reminded of what is wrong with this country.
We need your help.
Florida, with some of the harshest Cannabis rules on the books, sports a growing private prison system coupled by new mandatory minimums, pushed by representatives financed fully by the prison industry.
4% of Floridians are black. 47% of Florida's prison population is black. Something does not add up here.
You may want to start by recommending Cannabis be re-scheduled so it may be regulated, and taxed in the state of California. This will help initiate the greatest change our criminal justice system has seen since FDR ended alcohol prohibition and created a million jobs in one month.
This will go a long way to change the lopsided arrests based on race. It would also add BILLIONS to California's budget and cut enforcement costs by 25%.
We have a long way to go, and we need you to stand up for what is smart, and right.
Senator Boxer,
Please go back and vote to support Israel again, but I don't see you supporting them enough! (yeah right)
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