On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp - favourite words from the inauguration

Working with words, I enjoy reading my betters for inspiration and education, so I read the transcripts of the speeches held at Obama's inauguration yesterday. Here are some comments on my favorite turns-of-phrases (beware, this will be a long post!):

The most cynical men I can think of are Paul Wolfowitz and Donald Rumsfeld, so I'd like to think Obama had them in mind when he said:

"What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long, no longer apply."

...

And this whole section on foreign policy touched me the most: for how can the US promote freedom and democracy at the same time as they created a place like Guantánamo? Rule of law and habeas corpus must apply to EVERYONE! Read and rejoice - I put boldface on my particular favourites:

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

Our founding fathers faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.

Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's* sake.

And so, to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.

They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use. Our security emanates from the justness of our cause; the force of our example; the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy, guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We'll begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard- earned peace in Afghanistan.
---
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."
---

*I think "expediency" could also read as "fear". (Link to full transcript: - and use this link to vote on your favourite part at Times Online!)

As for Elizabeth Alexander's poem, I fall back on that old cliché, "I don't know much about poetry, but I know what I like": I loved the images, rythm and sounds the poem evoked! Here's a link to the full poem, even though most of it his here - I found it hard to chop it up too much. (My favourite lines marked :-)

"We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider."

...

"We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light."

We surely are on the brink, on the brim, of something new...

OK, but to end this long entry, don't you agree that Reverend Joseph Lowery almost stole the show? After his sincere, solemn blessing, which I frankly just listened to with just one ear, I suddenly thought I must have heard wrong, but no, it's in the transcripts! He ended:

"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen"

You've got to love him for that! As Times Online comments: "a great tonic after so many solemn comments about how history was made on that sunny, icy day in Washington." He sure is one cool dude!

/Kris C