The inauguration of Joseph Biden as the 46th U.S. President?
Personally speaking, I did watch.
That in itself was unusual as watching any type of broadcast news isn't "my thing." Catching up on world events is done online while enjoying a cup of coffee first thing in the a.m. Anything that happened the day and night before is truly news to me.
That's what I had planned yesterday. My catch-up would be on Thursday morning.
What changed?
Blame it on my car which had a service and inspection appointment yesterday morning.
Bringing along my tablet and audio book as company distractions (waiting was possible with distancing) I settled into a reasonably comfortable chair. Very soon, my attention was diverted to the events playing out on the big screen TV in the room.
Admittedly, I concentrated on my own distractions and ignored the day's events, for a while. But after seeing the flags on the National Mall, I began actively listening to the commentary and my attention became fully focused on Washington, D.C.
What a difference 2 weeks had made.
Images of protestors climbing the walls of the Nation's Capitol and running rampant through it were so disturbing that watching news replays was painful. Yesterday, those images were replaced by the symbol of our nation, the Capitol, bedecked in red, white and blue colors.
Aside from the events on the Capitol steps and, not to take away from the significance and importance, of those processes, the sight that made such an impression on me was the Field of Flags on the National Mall.
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| Photo by Susan Walsh/AFP via Getty Images |
These flags of different sizes and shapes represented every U.S. state and territory. The nearly 200,000 flags (191,500 to be exact, but who's counting) replaced the crowds of spectators that would normally fill the Mall on Inauguration Day. This year they could not attend not only due to the coronavirus pandemic but also tightened security measures in the wake of the Jan 6 rioting. (The above photo represents the scene well. The live TV views were even more incredible.)
Generally, my blog posts steer clear of topics that deal with heavier, and often, controversial topics such as religion, politics, national and world events. That said, I found myself so riveted, moved, and impressed that after the car service was done, I hurried home to continue watching until the event had ended.
Glad to have done that.
This important and impressive ceremony was accompanied by nearly perfect weather. Hopefully these are harbingers for much better times ahead for everyone — here in the U.S. and abroad.
30 comments:
I eventually turned it on for the key parts.
I did not watch, because like you, it’s not my thing. But my husband had the news on last night and I saw bits and pieces and I was very impressed and happy by the positive attitudes expressed by all the participants. It’s time to move on!
I watched a little of it live, but mostly in the form of highlights later. I thought that the Poet Laureate and her words were exceptional. I have very high hopes for Kamala Harris and I have no doubt she will impress the world. And after all she did spend several years in Canada when her mother was a professor at McGill University in Montréal, and she still has family here! That's gotta help!
I watched almost all the broadcasts from maybe 11 am till they were commenting between the newscasters around 1:30. I seldom watch anything on daytime TV...but wanted to see some of my favorite people. I do feel very positive about yesterday's event! Now may the government be able to patch back up the agonies of 4 years of abuse, and go forward with the purposes they have outlined!
I am one hundred percent with you about reading while I have my coffee and hating to sit and look at the news. I don't do that but I do hear it because Bob watches that all the time! I sat in the rocking chair from 11 until the end of it with my laptop researching for a new computer and watching and listening at the same time. With the wind blowing the flags it was very moving and it's the only inauguration and my 76 years of life that I have watched
We don't typically watch the news in the morning, but we live-streamed the inauguration for about an hour. It was such a grand and loving moment in our country. I felt the same way about those flags. They really made such an impression, quite touching and beautiful.
Like you, I'm catching up with news online, over a cup of coffee.
Ceremonies like this one are meant to be impressive, arouse pride, and hope. Not at my advanced age. I wouldn't waste my time to watch that.
Kamala Harris is very cute, Joe Biden seems to be a decent person, yet the two won't stop the deterioration that has started in 2016 with one half of the nation not accepting the choice of the other half.
I believe there won't be a recurrence of the Capitol incident, but there won't be any 'healing' either.
We watched too most of the day and even tuned in to the evening program which was wonderful too. Everything went off with so much flair. It was marvelous.
I saw portions. It is refreshing to see adults in the White House again.
Beatrice, We always watch the morning news as well as the evening news broadcast. We did watch all of the inauguration yesterday and my better half watched most of the follow-on activities while I watched bits and pieces of it. Hope springs eternal but with many millions of citizens in complete opposition, the new administration faces a rough road ahead. Hopefully both sides will at least talk to each other and seek solutions to our problems. God Bless America... Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Could not help it, BBC covered it
We did watch the highlights and are praying that after the inauguration your beautiful Country will once again be united.
I always watch inaugurations. I even watched the one in 2017. The differences are profound. Watching the official transfer of power is an important event in our history. This inauguration was uplifting and full of looking toward a better future. Now is the time for all of us to work together with respect for our people and the Constitution and heal our majestic country.
I saw Donald leave with his 21-gun salute and YMCA blasting as they boarded the plane. The inauguration I saw most of (usually don't watch, but did and it was wonderful.) In the evening I decided to peek at the Celebrate America not expecting much and it was touching and uplifting! I loved it! Hope is in the air!! :) :)
I accidently saw some of the afternoon events as I was waiting to get my hair cut.
I didn't watch it. Having flags as an audience says a lot about the results of the election. I doubt many people would have showed up for Biden. Thousands of troops helped to prevent us from finding out.
As I live where I live the broadcast was in the middle of our sleep so I watched parts of it on my phone via Twitter - found it interesting and sure did like seeing the President in his mittens keeping warm.
Hopefully 'things' in general we be much improved as time goes on.
I too was so impressed by the young Poet Laureate. Hopefully, science will be respected (and its limitations explained rather than derided), opponents will not be given disrespectful nicknames and governance will be given greater priority than TV ratings and Twitter followers. I do hope that more people come to realize that masks really do more to protect other people than provide a haven from the maskless.
I watched quite a lot of the inauguration ceremony as the replacement of Trump by Joe Biden was such a significant occasion. But apart from the inauguration, I loved Lady Gaga - she has a fantastic voice.
We watched online. A great for the US and the world!
It was a different but amazing ceremony.
good to hear that your car service was done eventually dear Dorothy
how interesting that you while you took along your distractions event was powerful and delightful enough to appeal your attention :)
as a citizen of united states i bet you felt serene and happy to see that all settled down nicely after all ill stuff ,which is great :)
i wish you and your country joy ,peace and prosperity ahead ,amen!
Of course I watched. Every single second. And I took a big, deep, full breath, exhale, and another. And felt restored. I know the ugly isn't over. But for now, peace.
I had the TV on while I was working. It was relief to know that the dirtbag had been finally driven from the White House.
But we know his vile supporters are still here, still ready and willing to destroy democracy. Eternal vigilance is the only option.
Have watched every one since JFK except one
It was magnificent
God is in control and peace now we pray
P s
If not for Jan 6 and COVID DC would have had millions
Obama had record setting crowds I believe
I did watch the inauguration on my laptop and I'm glad I did. My favorite part of it was Amanda Gorman - what an amazing young woman! I have watched her performance several times since then, it gives me goose bumps of the good kind.
I spent most of my working career in government and politics and took part in arranging two local inaugurations. A friend said to me on the Sunday before the inauguration, "We know where you will be," and there I was glued to whatever device was closest at hand. I, too, was moved (to tears), riveted and impressed, and I, too, pray that there are better times ahead for everyone.
We never watch daytime TV but made an exception for Inaguration Day. So glad because the ceremonies were so beautiful on the larger screen (and seeing the whole thing). I never would have sat glued to the iPad screen for hours. It was perfectly done and I cried tears of joy more than once. I know it didn’t change everything overnight (duh) but I feel like there is hope.
Glad you got to watch it. We did too. I thought it was marvelous! The occasion would have been well attended I am sure of it but I felt this was the only way to go and very well done considering the Pandemic, and needing all those security personnel because of that dreadful day on January 6th. The field of flags was amazing. The swearing-in ceremony I felt was cathartic and like Sallie I had tears of joy more than once, and yes it must have been cold but didn't they have a glorious day with the sun shining on them all? I enjoyed it all and what capped it off for me was listening to 22 year old Amanda Gorman reciting her very inspiring poem. Fabulous! Great post Dorothy!
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