Speech in Review

After 7 and a half hours of enduring and battling the cold on Inauguration Day the moment that I had worked for, for almost exactly a year, was upon us. Yes, it was bumbled, first by President Obama and then by Chief Justice Roberts. It kind of sounds like something one would read in a historical account by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Then upon completion of the oath the 44th President of the United States delivered his Inaugural Speech. Expectations could not have been higher or more eyes and ears focused upon him. The Sun was bright, the crowd attentive, the cold breeze busy. The speech began and the world listened. The honest assessment would have to be that the speech hit many of the expected notes and ideas, however, didn't attempt to loft people with a rousing oratory. The temper was rather serious and steadfast.

I was by no means disappointed by this speech. It did take a different tact than I expected. I was a little surprised by the direct rejection of much of the Bush era policy and attitude. I was pleased by the call to lay down the political divide, to answer the problems that face America.

Through the night, as my toes thawed and my blood flowed freely, I distanced my analysis of the speech from the totality of the experience. An understanding started to crystallize. This speech delivered to the approx. 2 million people on the Mall was aimed at a much wider audience. Not only the hundreds of millions in front of their TVs, it was delivered to history. This speech was a marker, a call. This speech was a line in the sand of history regarding the progression of history and America's place in shaping it.

I have since gone back and read the text and am even more convinced of the importance of this speech and its call to America. A main theme that ran through this speech was one consistent in President Obama's speech on race during the primary. "A more perfect Union". This is a theme drawn directly from Lincoln. The concept that our struggle as America and Americans is to continue to push this nation to fulfill the potential that America offers. A nation that was established with human bondage codified into its laws as a compromise. A nation that discerned the value of one human to be that of 3/5's of another human. This nation with its flaws, also established a goal, a potential, a reality that this experiment could and would be the beacon of freedom for the world.

The theme of perfecting this union is one in which Lincoln called upon time and again. Lincoln was able to recognize the faults of this country while appreciating the awesome potential that this land could provide. He gave his "last full measure of devotion" to moving this country along the path of perfection. Their have been many great Americans along the line of history passing the torch. Their have been many crossroads along the way in which great decisions with great consequences had to be made. We have arrived here, at this place and at this time. America has a choice to continue along the path we have for the past 8 years and longer. American has a new choice to carve a new path.

President Obama in his speech stating in very unequivocal terms "Now" is the time to carve that path. A path that will not be easy, but one that is necessary if we are to continue handing down to future generations a nation that continues to perfect itself. This path will require hard work, will require cooperation, will require acknowledgment that our strengths are our people (all of them). This path may be long but it will be worth it. When we emerge we will be stronger, better, and yes more perfect. Most importantly this country will be positioned to hand off to the next generation, the generation of my child, a country able to continue the process of perfecting this great land of freedom and opportunity for all.