Here are some thoughts on my man Barack Obama’s first words as President of the United States:

"Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age."

‘Greed and irresponsibility on the part of some’ = the ‘just a few bad apples’ theory of capitalism and denies and avoids more structural economic issues that need to be addressed. What we have here is not just a few bad apples. We have a very sick tree. Hopefully those hard choices and preparations he’s referring to will address the structural instability and immorality of US political economy as we’ve known it.

"We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan."

Forging peace by escalating war and occupation? How’s that? Afghanistan is where empires go to die. Please Mr. President, let’s not make such an immoral and costly mistake.

"On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics."

Love the ‘worn out dogmas’ line, but what is he referring to? Free-market fundamentalism? I wish he were more specific. Time will hopefully tell.

"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things."

Totally agree, the USA needs to grow up. We need to think before giving into immediate gratification and start playing nice with others.

"Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame."

Really? ‘Never’ is a strong word. What America is this guy speaking of? There are too many examples to even begin. And by the way, what’s wrong with leisure (i.e., friends/family) over work as a principle? One does not have any more inherent value than the other.

"For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth."

If only this meant he would fight for the total eradication of sweatshops run by American corporations overseas, but I’m not holding my breath.

"Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year."

Which goods and services are needed? And which are not needed? Which are wasteful and superfluous?

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

Cue Frank.

"We will restore science to its rightful place…"

It’s still hard for me to believe this actually needs to be said, but this needs to be said. I’m so happy George W. Bush is comfy and safe in Texas, where he can’t do any more harm to science, or people.

"We will harness the sun and the winds…"

Seriously, is there anything this guy can’t do?

"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works…"

Word.

"And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government."

This is good stuff. I like how he highlights that the people and the state are not one in the same, and that trust in governors needs to be earned.

"A nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous."

Is he a Marxist or what!? Simply un-American. Seriously though, this line is very welcome, though I’m not sure I totally agree that a nation can’t prosper long, just that it’s manifestly unjust.

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

Whisper sweet nothings in my ear…

"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."

I don’t like the subtle implications of the state’s need for raw power over others, I would prefer the focus to be on cooperation and strength instead. Call me an idealist. Humility and restraint, those are good.

"We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

All kinds of problems here. First of all, our wasteful, hyper-consumptive way of life is causing a lot of the world’s problems, from environmental crisis to uber-militarized overreach to violations of basic labor rights and basic human rights. In contrast to popular myth, our way of life is actually part and parcel of these problems. Our ideals, well, those we should not apologize for. We just need to begin to live up to them better.

As for the War on Terror rhetoric, he’s perpetuating the myth that the US does not engage in terrorism or slaughter innocents (see below). There’s also the small point that America has supported Israel’s terrorism during the recent war in Gaza. I wish Obama were thinking and talking about state terrorism here as well– which is no less deadly– but, seeing as he’s putting it in us/them terms, I hardly think so.

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers."

Thank you for adding the non-believers! I actually belong to two of these categories, but without inclusion of the last one I’m usually offended. Where are you now Mitt Romney!

"..and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

If the lines of tribe soon dissolve, what does that mean for the nation of America in relation to the rest of the world? He’s contradicting himself here, unfortunately. Either nationalism is good or it’s bad, either we want to perpetuate it or dissolve it in the name of common humanity.

"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."

Please Mr. President, look in the mirror and say that last part every morning for the next four years.

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Just a great line.

"To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds."

Except in Afghanistan, where we will occupy you militarily and, according to the Pentagon, kill up to 30 civilians without the President needing to know about it if there’s a high-value target in the vicinity. If more than 30 need to be killed, Presidential authorization is needed. I’m doubtful but hopeful that Obama is going to change US policy on terrorism.

"And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect."

Great, so what you gonna do about it?

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship."

The price of citizenship. Civic responsibility. Common duties. Maybe it’s all a little lofty and vague, but extremely welcome after the last 8 years.

"…why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

The most memorable line of his inaugural address, because no other President has been able to say anything like it.

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