The Inauguration in pictures
Carla Axtman
I made the journey to Washington, D.C. this week because I wanted to witness history. I believed that being there, seeing the nation's first black President sworn in to office, is something I can tell my grandchildren. My own little piece of immortality. And it is.
But the real take away for me this week wasn't the pomp and circumstance or the grand displays of patriotism. I left our nation's capital on Thursday with a sense of renewal not just because there is a new President and we're finally rid of the inept, incompetent idealogues who've eroded us. In the streets and among the great monuments and buildings of the city I saw one person after another expressing joy and pride in their country again. The verbalizations of hope by Obama aren't just words. I saw thousands of people who have a new or renewed belief in America. To me, that's a whole big pile of hope.
Below is a record of what I saw this Inauguration week. Enjoy.
Inauguration 2009 from Carla Axtman on Vimeo.
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Jan 24, '09
Carla, these are terrific photographs. I believe I got to feel a little of what you felt-- joy, a sense of community, maybe a little frustration, even the cold. The renewed belief in America reflected from the faces of the people. In fact, the only real clunker in the whole group of pictures was Sen. Wynden's necktie. Thank you so much for posting. Dave G
3:02 p.m.
Jan 24, '09
Very cool. Thanks!
Jan 24, '09
Carla, thanks so much for posting these photos. What a lovely gift to us. I grew up in DC in the 50s and early 60s, so it was fun to see what I recognized and what's new. Such joy!!!
Jan 24, '09
Without a doubt, historic. Too bad American is now one very large Jonestown.
Koolaid anyone?
52% of voters elected Obama. So be it. When the tears begin to fall, please remember 48% of us were not the least bit fooled by him or his empty words.
Jan 25, '09
A wonderfully stitched together presentation of a historic weekend. And great weather to boot! I don't recognize the tunnel from which people are emerging in one of the photos. In which part of the city is it located?
Jan 25, '09
When the tears begin to fall, please remember 48% of us were not the least bit fooled by him or his empty words.Gee, you sound just like a Democrat, circa late November 2000.
7:42 a.m.
Jan 25, '09
Darrell:
I wish I could tell you the exact location. By the time we walked the three hours to find that line, I was totally turned around (which for me is not that tough--I get lost in new places rather easily).
The best I can tell you is somewhere near the Capitol, not far from the street that runs behind the Supreme Court building.
Jan 25, '09
janek51 - it is frightening to think of the very real possibility of a total global financial meltdown, and questionable whether the present political system can survive the coming crisis. The Obama hysteria is embarrasing to witness. We are about to confront the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes under the leadership of a liberal politician with little experience in federal politics. Obama's American Recover and Reinvestment Plan smells like the toxic packages traded by Wall Street. Contains many unaffordable gifts - including the addition of 1 million govt. jobs, 1/2 of those in the green sector. Fed deficit already over USD $1 trillion. Its about to be doubled that's and recipe for a disaster.
5:45 p.m.
Jan 25, '09
The Obama hysteria is embarrasing to witness. We are about to confront the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes under the leadership of a liberal politician with little experience in federal politics.
We got into this mess under the leadership of a whole bunch of folks who have lifetime of experience in federal politics. You'll forgive me if I don't get my knickers in a twist because we've hired a new guy with DIFFERENT experience to try and get us out.
Jan 25, '09
Fair point Carla and I do agree to some extent.
But DIFFERENT doesn't have to mean assuming insane amounts of debt that's going to be financed by Russia, mid-easter oil sheikdoms and China.
DIFFERENT looks like its going to involve future generations of US citizens having to export goods, services, and technology to redeem government paper - and perhaps having to sacrifice domestic monetary stability in the process.
Charles Krauthammer yesterday: “Look, this is one of the worst bills in galactic history. … FDR left behind the Hoover dam and Eisenhower left behind the interstate highway system. We will leave behind, after spending $1 trillion, a dog run in East Potomac Park.”
Jan 27, '09
Great pictures, Carla! As I mentioned elsewhere, having survived mobs on the mall in the past, I'm not much interested in doing it again. But looking at the pictures made me a bit nostalgic. Nah--it was too darned cold! Interesting how everyone looks so happy. I saw the same thing watching it on TV, plus seeing reports of there being no problems with people behaving badly. Must have been a nice atmosphere. If a cold one....
Jan 28, '09
Posted by: not fooled | Jan 25, 2009 3:44:57 PM
janek51 - it is frightening to think of the very real possibility of a total global financial meltdown, and questionable whether the present political system can survive the coming crisis. The Obama hysteria is embarrasing to witness.
You thought that, maybe, people that mortgaged everything, and more than once, based on late night commercials featuring retired jocks might take the bull by the horns and require a sound fiscal plan from our leaders?
<h2>I have to admit I don't like hearing crowds at a non-campaign event chant any political leader's name. The "rescue us" mentality does leave a lot up to character.</h2>