TGIF: Trump Grand Inaugural Fest

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Today at 12pm noon, eastern time, we will have our 45th president of the United States of America.

The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our country’s achievements.

Class:

In the handwritten note, Bush wished Bill Clinton “great happiness” as he assumed power and even offered some words of wisdom based on his own experience in the White House.

“There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair,” he wrote. “I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.”

Underlining the fact that Clinton will be “our president,” he wrote, “your success is now our country’s success.”

“I am rooting hard for you,” said Bush as a final note.

Class (his WH staffers, not so much):

“Dear George,” Clinton begins. “Today you embark on the greatest venture, with the greatest honor, that can come to an American citizen. Like me, you are especially fortunate to lead our country in a time of profound and largely positive change, when old questions, not just about the role of government, but about the very nature of our nation, must be answered anew.”

“You lead a proud, decent, good people,” he continues. “And from this day you are President of all of us. I salute you and wish you success and much happiness.”

Clinton adds: “The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible. My prayers are with you and your family. Godspeed.”

Class:

“Dear Barack,

Congratulations on becoming our President. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your life.

Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face.

There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your ‘friends’ will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me. No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead.

God bless you.”

President Bush went above and beyond in insuring that his staffers made the transition of power a smooth one, for his successor.

President Obama, himself, is demonstrating some of this same kind of class in welcoming his successor into the Oval Office.

“It is not secret that the president-elect and I have some pretty significant differences,” Obama said in remarks at the White House on Wednesday. “But remember, eight years ago, President Bush and I had some pretty significant differences.”

The president said he would instruct his team to follow the example set by President George W. Bush’s team as they transitioned out of power, starting with meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

“We are now all rooting for success in uniting and leading the country. The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy,” he added.

Class:

In their open letter to Sasha and Malia Obama, Jenna and Barbara Bush remind us what graciousness looks like in practice. Their sweet remembrances of times past as children in the White House give us a glimpse into a world that few know. They encourage Sasha and Malia to use their experiences in the White House to shape their future plans as they begin to step out of their parents’ shadows and forge their own paths, while reminding the rest of us that we have watched the Obama sisters “grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease.”

~~~

Most importantly, Jenna and Barbara acknowledge how hard the spotlight can be for children of the president. They acknowledged that the transition is an emotional one as the Obama family moves out of the White House to begin what is next. Their words are recognition for a job well done:

You have lived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them. You stood by as your precious parents were reduced to headlines. Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter. And so will we.

 

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White House photo by Pete Souza:

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Jimmy Carter will attend Trump’s inauguration. So will Bush 43 and Laura.

Bush 41 and Barbara are given a pass:

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Crass:

Looks like we’re in for more crass behavior for this presidential inauguration from not only the liberal and progressive masses; but also from some less than gracious behavior from Democratic leaders, as well.

With all the divisiveness going on, the peaceful transition of power should remain a cause for celebration and unity.

Like Marc Thiessen, I was not a conservative who jumped on the Trump train. However,

This morning, as I watch Donald Trump standing on the steps of the Capitol taking the oath of office as the next president of the United States, one thought will be going through my mind:

There, but for the grace of God, goes Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Yes, there are many reasons to be wary of President Trump. But there are also many reasons for conservatives to be hopeful.

First and foremost is that Trump will restore the conservative majority on the Supreme Court. Had Clinton been the one to fill the seat left by Justice Antonin Scalia, she would have shifted the court leftward for a generation — with disastrous consequences for human life, religious liberty, the Second Amendment and limited government. Instead, Trump will replace Scalia, and Democrats are powerless to stop him. Should Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) follow through on his threat to stonewall Trump’s pick, Republicans can simply follow the precedent that Democrats set in 2013, when they changed Senate rules to eliminate the filibuster for lifetime judicial appointments to the federal circuit courts.

Second, Trump has picked perhaps the most conservative Cabinet of any president in modern history — from Tom Price at Health and Human Services to Scott Pruitt at the Environmental Protection Agency, Jeff Sessions at Justice and Betsy DeVos at Education. Because Democrats eliminated the filibuster for most presidential nominations, Republicans don’t need Democratic votes to confirm Trump’s appointments. If the axiom that “staff is policy” is true, this will be a deeply conservative administration.

Third, Trump is an outsider who intends to break the mold of governance in Washington. He is not here to make incremental changes. He plans to go big. That holds both promise and peril. If he goes big in the wrong direction (isolationism, protectionism), the results could be disastrous. But Trump has promised to go big on a lot of important conservative priorities. Liberals had better hold on tight.

Thiessen is more optimistic than I currently am. I am in the wait and see; more like cautiously hopeful. Nothing has pushed me further back to the right, though, than all the unhinged hyperbolic hysteria and distortions coming from the left. Especially before 45 has even been sworn into office. Here’s a handy guide for liberals.

As a people, let’s hope for the best in this change of power and direction for the country.

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And as for those jerks who say trumps not their president the solutions easy they can all just leave america and go live in a place far far away then they can all go live in Snowflake Land

@Wordsmith: In a time when CPS gets called on parents that allow their children to play outside or walk to and from school, how about a check on the parenting abilities of people that TEACH their children this kind of anti-government crap. The very ones who should be turning his butt a bright red are who, undoubtedly, TAUGHT him this liberal drivel.

Just watched the swearing in.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence both looked as if they were fighting tears while taking the oath.
Wonderful moment.

During his speech, he said “we” many more times than he said “I”. What a refreshing change.
Speech was short and concise.
Another refreshing change.

And Obama is no longer President.
I’m getting giddy with too much refreshing hope and change.

It looks like CNN didn’t get to have their fantasy played out whereby from Trump on down they all get killed so Obama could appoint his successor. It should be an interesting four years. I still believe the best he’ll be able to do is slow down the downward spiral we are in but he won’t be able to stop or reverse it. The left and the establishment will do their damndest to see to that. Afterall, they have millions of sheep to back them up.

Theres spoiled little snowflakes in need of a good aplication in their rears with a willow switch

Word I know you’ve always been a big fan of “W”–He has shown himself to be a man of grace—a man of class.
The same can be said for Barack Obama. This is the reason they are close friends.
I believe Donald Trump, feeling the gravity of the position he now holds, had a very impressive first day. He showed strength with humility. I wish him the very best.

He’s got Kelly and Mattis ready to go—-Semper Fi.

@Rich Wheeler: I believe that Inaug speech will rank up there with JFK’s speech(I’m sure you won’t agree) Think of how many young men will be inspired to join the USMC, USN, USArmy, USAF etc.

I guess a lot of protestors are disappointed they didn’t get on tv. I see where Word commented on Protestors above, but if any made it on tv, I missed them.

Trump’s message, Let’s put America first. He said the word’s Islamic Jihadi Terrorism within 15 minutes of taking the oath. Something Obozo has never done.

I feel better about the country since noon than I’ve felt since RR’s term was up.
One other point. For all the bands, entertainers, etc that were intimidated, there sure were a helluva lot that showed up.

PUT AMERICA FIRST

@RedTeam: I noticed where you said Word was not a Conservative–was that because he’s not a Trumpist? He certainly sees himself a Conservative and I would agree.
Trump is a Populist—not a Conservative. Like Clinton Bush and Obama—a salesman.
I’ve watched every Inaug since 57
JFK’ s address stands alone.

@Rich Wheeler:

I noticed where you said Word was not a Conservative

I doubt that’s what I said. I can’t know if he is, or is not a conservative. I have personally not seen any evidence, from his comments, etc that he is conservative. I pass no judgment either way on his politics.

was that because he’s not a Trumpist?

No, I don’t think Trump is a conservative.

I’ve watched every Inaug since 57

i’ve watched all of them since ’52 and while I agree that JFK’s has always stood alone, until RR made his, and now Trump has, at least, matched JFK’s. I guess I should pull up copies of both and compare them because I don’t recall all of JFK’s, though I do remember feeling good after he gave it, similar to the way I felt after Trump’s today. For the first time since RR, I feel as if a president really cares about the state of the country. My recollection of Obozo’s first speech was that he was going to sell the country to the highest bidder with his bank account for the depository. He left with many, many millions of dollars in his accounts. All on a $400K salary. Plus him and Mooche consumed $100 million in vacations in 8 years. We couldn’t have gone thru 4 more years with his or Hill’s agenda’s. 56% unemployment is pretty darn high.

@RedTeam: You questioned Word’s Conservative bona fides when he called Trump trash.

It’s a little early to compare DT to RR or JFK. He talks a big game–like most salesman–lets see how he does.

RW, here is a start. JFK wanted to get started on greatness, but wasn’t sure it could be accomplished “even in our lifetime” I think Trump is a little more optimistic. This is both of their points of view upon their inaug.
If you read JFK’s entire address it was almost all dedicated to the competition between the Soviet Union and the US.
On the other hand, Trump is pretty sure we can get our objectives accomplished certainly in his term of office, not a ‘lifetime’. Comments?

Comparing Inaugurals:
JFK:

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

Now the trumpet summons us again–not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need–not as a call to battle, though embattled we are– but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation”–a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.

To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support–to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective

Trump:

We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones. And unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth.

We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth, and we will bring back our dreams. We will build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways all across our wonderful nation. We will get our people off of welfare and back to work rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor.

But we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first. We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather to let it shine as an example.

Finally, we must think big and dream even bigger. In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving. We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action, constantly complaining but never doing anything about it.

The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.

Do not allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America. We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again. We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow. A new national pride will stir ourselves, lift our sights and heal our divisions. It’s time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget — that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.

We all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American flag.

And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams and they are infused with the breath of life by the same Almighty Creator.

So to all Americans in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, from ocean to ocean, hear these words — you will never be ignored again.

@Rich Wheeler:

You questioned Word’s Conservative bona fides when he called Trump trash.

questioned? If you’ll tell me where you’re pulling this from, I’ll go and look and give you an interpretation. but questioning is hardly the same as saying someone is or is not something. If I ask you if you are conservative, that’s hardly the same as stating that you ‘are not conservative’ is it?

It’s a little early to compare DT to RR or JFK. He talks a big game–like most salesman–lets see how he does.

It’s no earlier in Trump’s admin than it was in JFK’s or RR’s when they gave their inaug.

Actually it seems as if JFK was a little pessimistic about his chances of accomplishing his objectives. Trump seem to be positive. In my personal experience, if a leader is pessimistic about his chances,, it usually doesn’t work out too well.
When you were leading your ‘company’ (or whatever) in Viet Nam, did you exhibit pessimism toward your chances of accomplishing your objectives? Somehow, I doubt not or you wouldn’t have remained in charge very long.

@RedTeam: #12

Trump’s message, Let’s put America first. He said the word’s Islamic Jihadi Terrorism within 15 minutes of taking the oath. Something Obozo has never done.

Notice the scowl from the “former first(bitch)lady”

http://moonbattery.com/graphics/Gravy-Train.jpg

@Rich Wheeler:

JFK’ s address stands alone.

Imagine a Democrat telling their constituency today, “Ask not what your country can do for you… ask what YOU can do for your country.” How do you imagine that would go over? I damn sure wouldn’t have gotten him elected.

Do you think Trump’s speech was “Hitleresque”, as Chris Matthews put it? I guess that thrill up his leg of having a liberal in the office for the sake of having a liberal in the office flew off in the helicopter. What is it with you liberals? Does NO ONE study history and actually KNOW who and what Hitler was? Or, like “racist”, is that just something you liberals like to throw out there, hoping is sticks?

I don’t think Trump was giving a speech “for the ages”; he was getting down to business. This was a call to arms. I only supported Trump because he was the last one standing, facing off against the liberal, whichever one that might have been. My primary concern was two or three more liberal, activist, revisionist Justices on the Supreme Court. I was certainly concerned about all the problems Trump could cause, but the SCOTUS needed to remain the firewall against the ongoing degradation of the Constitution we have been seeing.

I agree the entire culture of DC needs to be drastically changed. Obama promised this, too, but he seemed to entrench it further rather than chip away at it. I hope Trump does not become too mired down in that endeavor and lose support for the agenda he needs to pursue. However, the two are going to be interrelated.

While I didn’t want to see Obama fail, my fear was that if the Democrats moved to take actions that improved a faltering economy, they could be in power for the duration. They didn’t; they moved to weaken the economy instead, with Obamacare. If Trump can unleash the restrained potential of this economy, which, frankly, should be REALLY easy, Trump will have even MORE public support and loads of political capital.

I just got off the Facebook page of one of my sisters-in-law who expressed the sentiment that we should all now just post stories about our meals and family and stop with the political rancor. Well, that lasted until my wife’s liberal twin sister (who un-friended her, by the way) and her liberal husband (who un-friended her, by the way) weighed in with references to racism, megalomania and indoctrination of students. I sincerely doubt I am kin to the two most vehement and unrelenting liberals in the country; they are simply representative.

I would say I hope everyone can take a step back and give Trump the chance he deserves, but I have already seen, close up, that THAT is a forlorn hope.

@Bill… Deplorable Me:At the inauguration luncheon I like the way Trump called for a standing ovation for the Clintons and said “:I have great respect for those two.”
Good for you Donald.

@Rich Wheeler: He is trying, very hard, to eliminate all the imaginary reasons the left has to continue their assault on his existence. Frankly, I don’t think it will have any positive effect; it certainly hasn’t yet (Chris Matthews, “Hitleresque”… really?)

Perhaps it was a clever ploy of Trump’s to indicate he had no intention of prosecuting Hillary; Obama, if he cared, would not risk giving her a pardon unnecessarily, confirming that he thought she broke laws, if Trump has said he would give her a pass. All he needs, though, is some new revelation of wrong-doing and the realization that being gracious and magnanimous to liberals is pointless for him to recommend further investigation and charges.

I simply hope we will all be pleasantly surprised by Trump’s performance and those disappointed by his success rendered powerless.

@Bill… Deplorable Me: Not surprisingly you are putting you’re reactionary spin on Trump’s gracious gesture. Kinda sad. I prefer to take him at his word.
My hope is Trump will have the wisdom , courage ,grace and humility to be a President for all the people.

one thought will be going through my mind:

There, but for the grace of God, goes Hillary Rodham Clinton.
And my bottle of sparkling wine got popped and consumed with relish, good bye pant suits and hospital shoes, hello couture.