BARACK"S MOMENT

I just finished listening to Obama's inaugural speech (text). I didn't think that the speech was particularly more inspiring than some of his other speeches, but given the fact that the average Obama speech is already very inspiring and eloquent, it does not really matter. It was excellent and was definitely one of his best. And I have to say I have heard very few speeches which encompassed so many issues comprehensively and succinctly in 15 minutes. He talked about everything; science, reaching out to poor and hostile countries, shoring up the economy, sustaining both freedom and security without having to sacrifice one for another, fighting climate change and nuclear proliferation, becoming independent in energy, getting the minimal necessary aid provided by government, and welcoming outsiders wanting to live the American dream.

And even though Obama has been inspired by Abraham Lincoln and has alluded to him several times, he deemed it fit to quote the firebrand of the American Revolution Thomas Paine in the end:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it"