The Biden Inauguration Thread

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:43 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:28 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:27 pm She's only 23 years old!!!
Yeah, that's not helping my ego a bit. How does someone so young get that type of eloquence?

Wow - even more impressive.

Spoiler:

Archinerd · Post by **Archinerd** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:43 pm

Daehawk wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:16 pm Wow Garth is performing..nice.

Hopefully this doesn't turn into the Garth Super Spreader Incident.

raydude · Post by **raydude** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:45 pm

The kids reminded me to watch the Inauguration with them. So glad I tuned in; teared up at several moments. I think the realization that 45's run is finally over and the normalcy and decency in today's Inauguration are giving me hope for the future. It'll be hard, sure, but I'm feeling better knowing adults are at the helm.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:46 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:05 pm This is the first inauguration I've ever listened to. I still think they should have had Aaron Sorkin write the speech, but it's not bad.

Yeah, it's usually pro forma pageantry, but this year it was important.

The ceremony and speeches were all heartfelt and on-message. To echo Paingod, I hope Biden doesn't force the unity dream too hard; the ringleaders of the insurrection must be held to account. That includes trump and many members of Congress. But that can start tomorrow. Today, we turned a corner and felt the first stirrings of optimism in four years.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:51 pm

Biden is gonna crow for the next four years about how no president before him had as many flags as he did at his ceremony.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:51 pm

Archinerd wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:43 pm
Daehawk wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:16 pm Wow Garth is performing..nice.
Hopefully this doesn't turn into the Garth Super Spreader Incident.

hahaha I was thinking that too.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:53 pm

Still worries me there are 60+ million brain dead unAmericans out there.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:53 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:28 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:27 pm She's only 23 years old!!!
Yeah, that's not helping my ego a bit. How does someone so young get that type of eloquence?

If makes you feel any better, she's actually 22.

This is the bit I heard the other day.

stimpy · Post by **stimpy** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:02 pm

Congrats to Biden.
I'm looking forward to the Dems finally delivering on all the promises they've made that never came to fruition because them pesky Repubs got in the way.
Now that they have control of pretty much everything, let peace and harmony and equality and prosperity wash over the land.

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:03 pm

stimpy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:02 pm let peace and harmony and equality and prosperity wash over the land.

What a wonderful sentiment. I'm 100% on board.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:06 pm

Do kids these days still say "Plonk!"?

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:12 pm

Watching the inauguration brought to mind watching inaugurations with my granddad as a kid, and I noticed he would tear up and cry during every one. Didn't matter which party was being sworn in. At the time I didn't understand - I thought it was just a bunch of boring adults doing adult stuff, and I found it puzzling that he cried over it.

I finally asked him one time (may have been Clinton's) why he got emotional, and he said, "Because it might be the last one I ever see." Even then the answer didn't make much sense to me.

Granddaddy had served in WWII as an ambulance driver, but he rarely talked about his time during the war except to crack a joke about the food. He mentioned it so rarely, in fact, that even at his funeral I was surprised when he was buried with full military honors and the playing of Taps. I had pretty much forgotten that he was a veteran.

That's when it all clicked, and I understood why he cried at every inauguration. That transition of power represented what he had fought for. It was the one time, every four years, that he let his guard down and felt the pride of what he had done and the loss of those he had lost.

I never looked at inaugurations the same way after that, and haven't missed one since either. I tried to get my kids to watch this one, but they were just joking around and couldn't understand the history they were watching. Which is fine, I didn't either when I was their age. But someday they will.

Freyland · Post by **Freyland** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:13 pm

The Meal wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:03 pm
stimpy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:02 pm let peace and harmony and equality and prosperity wash over the land.
What a wonderful sentiment. I'm 100% on board.

+1, Stimpy.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:27 pm

stimpy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:02 pmI'm looking forward to the Dems finally delivering on all the promises they've made that never came to fruition because them pesky Repubs got in the way.

/sniff sniff

Smells like sarcasm. I could be wrong.

I don't have particularly high hopes for Democrats driving it home and running to the finish line while they've got control. The GOP members for the most part seem content to be in lockstep with each other under one drum. Democrats like to quibble over who pushes the gas and who pushes the brakes and by the time they're done, they've hit the tree and the people have flown out the windshield.

stimpy · Post by **stimpy** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:31 pm

Paingod wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:27 pm
stimpy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:02 pmI'm looking forward to the Dems finally delivering on all the promises they've made that never came to fruition because them pesky Repubs got in the way.
/sniff sniff

Smells like sarcasm. I could be wrong.

I don't have particularly high hopes for Democrats driving it home and running to the finish line while they've got control. The GOP members for the most part seem content to be in lockstep with each other under one drum. Democrats like to quibble over who pushes the gas and who pushes the brakes and by the time they're done, they've hit the tree and the people have flown out the windshield.

Maybe a hint in that sentence, but I truly hope the country moves beyond what has become an embarrassing display of politics on both sides.
If there was ever chance for the Dems to step up, this is probably it.

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:37 pm

I don't expect all that the Democrats promised to come into fruition by a long shot, but I imagine there will be far, far more progress than we've seen in at least 6 years and more likely 10 years.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:41 pm

I'm less concerned about it happening (which is easy) and more concerned about it simply being reversed the next time the parties flip.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:53 pm

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:41 pm I'm less concerned about it happening (which is easy) and more concerned about it simply being reversed the next time the parties flip.

Don't forget that a bunch of it is going to get overturned by a conservative SCOTUS!

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:04 pm

This is still a lot of putting the horse in front of the cart. We don't know if things have changed. If the Republicans filibuster everything then it'll be all be rule by EO like Obama and Trump. And today, we'll see whipsaw changes in national policy between two administrations. Much as we saw massive changes between Obama and Trump. Two very different and completely incompatible value sets changing in 4 year intervals. I've been saying it for years but that is simply no way to run an advanced nation. One year we're in the Paris Accords and next year we're not. It's loony and maybe...maybe...we get a bit of a mulligan on Trump but if we see continuing political instability or violence we're going to find ourselves in a world of hurt on many fronts.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:12 pm

Serious question - did any protestors show up? Have not seen any reporting on this.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:19 pm

Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:12 pm Serious question - did any protestors show up? Have not seen any reporting on this.

With D.C. on lockdown, they would have been far, far away.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:20 pm

Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:12 pmSerious question - did any protestors show up? Have not seen any reporting on this.

They probably placed symbolic flags just for them as well.

It was a very limited invitation event. If there were protesters, they would have been so far away you'd have to go looking for them.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:26 pm

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:19 pm
Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:12 pm Serious question - did any protestors show up? Have not seen any reporting on this.
With D.C. on lockdown, they would have been far, far away.

News last night suggested there were two free speech zones (though that wasn't the words they used) far away from the inauguration area. There were not permits to protest issued but the areas were available.

Edit

https://www.npr.org/sections/inaugurati ... auguration

One man who said he's a Trump supporter said he plans to check out a rally near Union Station in the early afternoon. But, he added, if it seems like a bust, "I'm going home."

The National Park Service has set aside two areas along Pennsylvania Avenue to accommodate a limited number of demonstrators. Up to 100 people are being allowed to gather in each of the zones.

The areas include John Marshall Park, where demonstrators Jack Curtis and Kyle Contrata headed on Wednesday, carrying a Black Lives Matter flag. They told NPR's Tom Bowman that their goal is to show support for the incoming administration, despite the recent violence from pro-Trump extremists.

According to Curtis, "the idea is not to antagonize these people [Trump supporters] but it's important to be seen."

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:40 pm

all the computer keyboards in the White House have been replaced. where do i pick up one of these ex-Trump-administration $8 bog-generic Dell keyboards?

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:42 pm

Eugene Goodman (the Capital Police officer who saved the day by leading the mob away from the Senators before they sealed the Senate chamber) was apparently named the Acting Sargeant at Arms, and as such got to escort Harris at the inauguration today.

Grifman · Post by **Grifman** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:05 pm

That young poet knocked it out the park. I'd listen to her speak all day long.

raydude · Post by **raydude** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:06 pm

stimpy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:02 pm Congrats to Biden.
I'm looking forward to the Dems finally delivering on all the promises they've made that never came to fruition because them pesky Repubs got in the way.
Now that they have control of pretty much everything, let peace and harmony and equality and prosperity wash over the land.

Agreed. I remember the last time Biden was in the White House the Administration gave us the Affordable Care Act!

I'm not looking for anything so life-changing so soon, so I'm hoping for:

A well-organized Pandemic tracking team to coordinate hospital reports and PPE needs to get the right gear to the right places on time. And putting CDC back in the role of central information repository.

A well-organized vaccination tracking team to track stockpiles and balance supply vs. demand and distribution

A Federal Government that asks "How can we help you - the States - get the Pandemic under control?" and acknowledgment of Responsibility at the Federal level

Properly vetted and confirmed Agency heads (no more Long-term Acting Heads)

A return to regularly scheduled Press Briefings with a Press Secretary I can (mostly) believe in.

That's it off the top of my head.

raydude · Post by **raydude** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:07 pm

LordMortis wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:26 pm
One man who said he's a Trump supporter said he plans to check out a rally near Union Station in the early afternoon. But, he added, if it seems like a bust, "I'm going home."

What a loser. At least attempt to grift first.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:08 pm

I didn't read Biden's speech but did he say "stick it to the Republicans" any where in there?

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:20 pm

Im glad this day finally arrived and is almost over. Feels like a heaviness has been lifted.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:59 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:28 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:27 pm She's only 23 years old!!!
Yeah, that's not helping my ego a bit. How does someone so young get that type of eloquence?

She became our first youth national poet laureate at 16.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:12 pm

Alefroth wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:59 pm
stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:28 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:27 pm She's only 23 years old!!!
Yeah, that's not helping my ego a bit. How does someone so young get that type of eloquence?
She became our first national poet laureate at 16.

Youth Poet Laureate.

The current U.S. Poet Laureate is Joy Harjo.

(Gorman's first book of poetry will be published in September.)

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:40 pm

Achievement Unlocked - Survived the Trump Presidency

Biden has an uphill battle because Democrats don’t really have control. He needs to talk about healing and unity to push back against the Trump Republicans.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:08 pm

Holman wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:12 pm
Alefroth wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:59 pm
stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:28 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:27 pm She's only 23 years old!!!
Yeah, that's not helping my ego a bit. How does someone so young get that type of eloquence?
She became our first national poet laureate at 16.
Youth Poet Laureate.

The current U.S. Poet Laureate is Joy Harjo.

(Gorman's first book of poetry will be published in September.)

Fixed. Thanks.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:12 pm

stimpy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:31 pm
Paingod wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:27 pm
stimpy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:02 pmI'm looking forward to the Dems finally delivering on all the promises they've made that never came to fruition because them pesky Repubs got in the way.
/sniff sniff

Smells like sarcasm. I could be wrong.

I don't have particularly high hopes for Democrats driving it home and running to the finish line while they've got control. The GOP members for the most part seem content to be in lockstep with each other under one drum. Democrats like to quibble over who pushes the gas and who pushes the brakes and by the time they're done, they've hit the tree and the people have flown out the windshield.
Maybe a hint in that sentence, but I truly hope the country moves beyond what has become an embarrassing display of politics on both sides.
If there was ever chance for the Dems to step up, this is probably it.

And if there was ever a time for Republicans to step up and demand better of their leaders and elected officials, this is it.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm

And if there was ever a time for Republicans to step up and demand better of their leaders and elected officials, this is it.

Oh they will. Biden and the Dems wont do anything right for them they'll complain and cry all the time.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm

My neighbor across the street has his own HVAC business and he once helped me out when my furnace starter failed on Football and Turkey Day. I last talked to him in the spring, when I had him do a PM service on my air conditioner. We talked about how Covid was affecting his business, but we danced around political specifics.

Today he's flying a Trump-Pence flag in front of his house. Fuck, I need a new HVAC guy.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:49 pm

i'm going to have that damned New Radicals track stuck in my head forever now

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:53 pm

Zarathud wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 6:40 pm Achievement Unlocked - Survived the Trump Presidency

That doesn't actually unlock until COVID-19 is under control. Trump is still killing people, and will continue to kill people for a long time to come.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 8:31 pm

Hopefully Biden will pick up the save, even though the runners on base aren't against his ERA.