Chronicling trends in entertainment, pop culture, politics, the arts, and the uncategorized et cetera.

Shallow Nation

January 20th, 2009 at 10:02 am

Obama Inauguration Video, Photos

President Barack Obama delivers his inaugural address, January 20, 2009

The Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the U.S. takes place on January 20, 2009. Watch live video and photos and liveblogging of the historic event which will be updated throughout the day.

Watching the Inauguration online? Live coverage continues throughout the day, including the reviewing of the troops by the new President and the Inaugural Parade.

Here is the live stream video from MSNBC Click here for Video Link

Hulu also has live Inauguration video: Click here for Video Link

Here is the Inauguration Schedule.

Here is the full text and transcript of the Barack Obama Inaugural Address

Here is the Inauguration speech video.

The speech echoes themes of commitment and responsibility. An excerpt:

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions – that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For more on the Inauguration speech, see: Barack Obama Inauguration Video, Photos

Barack Obama takes the oath of office, Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009

12:30 p.m. The White House Web site has been relaunched for President Barack Obama: Change has come to WhiteHouse.gov The new Web site bears strong similarities to Change.gov and is poised to further the high degree of interactivity the Obama-Biden transition had encouraged.

President Barack Hussein Obama is sworn in at 12:05pm. Hail to the Chief” plays and there is a 21-gun salute to the 44th President.

Vice President Joe Biden is sworn in at 11:55am. Preceding the swearing in, music legend Aretha Franklin sang “My Country Tis of Thee.”

Barack Obama arrives at the Inauguration ceremony January 20, 2009

Barack Obama greets civil rights legend Congressman John Lewis before the start of the Inaugural ceremony, January 20, 2009

Barack Obama greets civil rights legend Congressman John Lewis before the start of the Inaugural ceremony

From the New York Times Caucus Live blog: (11:20am ET)

And Now the Clintons | 11:15 a.m. Now Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, she in so many roles over the last year — Senator from New York, almost-Democratic presidential nominee, and now secretary of state designee. He’s wearing a purple scarf and looks a little reserved. Mrs. Clinton is wearing a royal blue coat. The Clintons and the first Bushes are greeting each other warmly, hugging each other and chatting.

The Former Presidents | 11:11 a.m. George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, are out in matching purple scarves, and both are hobbling a bit. And here’s Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn. This is Washington’s red carpet.

Seconds-in-Command | 11:10 a.m. It’s the march of the former Veeps, out onto the podium: Walter Mondale and his wife, Joan; Dan Quayle and his wife, Marilyn; and Al Gore and his wife, Tipper.

Stars Take Their Seats | 11:04 a.m. Shortly after members of the House and Senate were introduced, a few non-Washington celebrities began arriving on the steps of the Capitol.

Our colleague Jeff Zeleny reports: “As the Marine Band played, Beyonce and Jay-Z took their seats directly in front of the place where Mr. Obama will deliver his address. As a reporter for Inside Edition rushed their way, Beyonce turned her head. Jay-Z paused for a moment, saying: ‘It’s a great day for America.’”

Here is the photo op from the inaugural tradition, of the outgoing President welcoming the incoming president to the White House.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, George W Bush and Laura Bush, Inauguration Day January 20, 2009

According to Cathy Horyn, Michelle Obama is wearing an ensemble designed by Isabel Toledo.

Michelle Obama chose a ~~embroidered~~ laced yellow coat and matching dress by the designer Isabel Toledo for the inauguration. The outfit is an unconventional choice in one sense—in its sparkle, it seems very dressy for the hour.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, George W Bush and Laura Bush, Inauguration Day January 20, 2009

On the other hand, Mrs. Obama favors clothes with a bit of drama and individuality. For the Inaugural, she has also chosen an outfit from a respected American designer with Cuban roots. Ms. Toledo, who designed for the Anne Klein label for two seasons, has a following among fashion insiders for her well-crafted clothes.

For more photos of Michelle Obama’s fashions throughout the Inauguration: See the slideshow on HuffingtonPost which is being continually updated.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, George W Bush and Laura Bush, Inauguration Day January 20, 2009

As seen in this photograph, Michelle Obama had a large gift-wrapped package in her hand which she presented to outgoing First Lady Laura Bush, according to a report from New York Times journalist, Rachel L. Swarns “Mrs. Obama’s aides say the gift was a leather-bound journal and pen engraved with today’s date, the perfect gift for an outgoing first lady who is getting ready to write her memoirs.”

Earlier in the day again following Inauguration Day tradition, President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama attended church at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, near the White House.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama at St. John's Episcopal Church on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009

Photo credit: Getty Images North America

Here are some photos of the enormous crowds in Washington, DC. The Washington Post reports on the enormity of the crowd.

And as the morning progressed they had virtually filled the Mall — some 2 million or more, according to the initial estimate from a senior security official — from the VIPs assembled in orderly array around President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural platform, to the rambunctious crowd spilling out across the grounds of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

Crowds at the Obama Inauguration

Even as the official ceremonies kicked off with a musical prelude at 10 a.m., crowds continued to wedge themselves into place and jam a rail and bus system that strained through the morning to provide access to the tightly secured area around the U.S. Capitol.

Crowds at the Obama Inauguration