Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Hopeful



" We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.  But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope."
Barack Obama

When visiting Paris in November,  I was struck by the tremendous support that our new President enjoys from the people of France.  I am including a bookstore window in the Marais,  that featured a poster that I saw everywhere throughout Paris.  In that spirit, the tune today is a thank you to all of my friends around the world who have expressed their hopes and support for our new President.   The Tune du Jour is "The Star Spangled Banner" sung by the French! 
Click here

24 comments:

Olivier said...

en effet beaucoup d'espoir sur les épaules de votre futur président, mais il faudra lui le laisser du temps...Journée de fête aux USA ;o)
a lot of hope on the shoulders of your future president, but it will allow him the time ... Day festival in the U.S today ;o)

alice said...

Welcome Mister President!

Bergson said...

A good day for USA

I hope that the speech will know how to restore the morale in the Americans

Pat said...

Hi, Virgina. I've been a bit negligent with checking; busy at school. But today I will zip home and watch the inauguration on TV, 5:30 p.m. our time, I hope on CNN; better be. Here too there's positive stuff about Obama. For a pun, check my blog today.

(You're not going to believe this, but I have to type 'dustrap' to post a comment. That's pretty close to 'dust trap.' Has someone been looking under my bed??)

PeterParis said...

Yes, we have great hopes and wish him and your country (and indirectly ourselves) all the best!

Nice post! Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Count me in, Virginia.

I completely agree with you, the French sentiment is massively pro-Obama.

I'll definitely be listening to his inaugurating address this afternoon (it'll be 5:30 pm for us here). My only problem will be to find a TV channel that won't have a French voice over - I want the real thing. I'll probably have to listen to an American or English TV channel on my computer.

valeria said...

Everyone I know admires Obama and I believe he can really do something big, although it won't be an easy task, given catahastrofic economy situation. And he is soooo beautiful too! :-)

Laurie Allee said...

Don't let the screen door hit ya on the way out, George.

(Oops. That wasn't very gracious, was it?)

Here's to better days ahead!

Jilly said...

A great day, one for the history books. This wonderful man - intelligent, calm, charismatic with a wonderful family - change and hope come to the White House, America and so to all the world.

Thérèse said...

Such a good feeling Virginia today!

Unknown said...

At 4pm I'll be sitting in front of the tv, watching HISTORY! :-)

Jane Hards Photography said...

Yes let the monkey go back to the Bush. Really that is how Bush is seen over here now a chimp/chump. baffoon/monkey/clown. Obama on the otherhand, the bright star, the yes we can man,compassionate things will change man. He is also viewed as intelligent, something deeply lacking from the previous administration. Images really suit the tone of today both America and Europe for once of equal sound mind.

Oh dear, I see I was diatribing my opinions again. Apologisies for blog hijacking.

Anonymous said...

wHAT DID YOU EXPECT? tHE FRENCH ARE SOCIALIST TOO!!!!

angela said...

I think we all hope that he can change the world for the better...
A perfect photo for today!

My word verification is EXULT: a perfect word for today!

Anonymous said...

I am disappointed and offended by the remarks of my fellow Americans about our outgoing President.
He has goverened under unusal and difficult circumstances.
He made believers out of the terrorist and everyone of you and your families have been safe and have been able to live your lives without the fear of being attacked. Shame on your lack of respect.

Virginia said...

My intentions today were to reflect the feeling of renewed hope in this country and the tremendous support and positive feelings that have been expressed around the world about our new president. Since we all thankfully enjoy freedom of speech, I have chosen not to censor/ delete any of the comments.

Marie-Noyale said...

Good for you Virginia.
I have not read anything wrong or read any critics here.
There is nothing wrong with sharing hope,between Americans, and all over the world.

I don't know where you found that video but I love it.
Such a long way since those dreadful Freedom fries!!! I am so happy if our two countries can respect each others and be friends again.

Bob Crowe said...

I don't think of myself as someone pulled in emotionally by displays of patriotism and the like. But, when I saw all those flags around the Capitol while President Obama was speaking today, I was very glad to be an American. Thanks for carrying on the theme.

Laurie Allee said...

Arlene, with respect, I'd like to offer my opinion. A great many of us do not share your analysis of George Bush. The sublime beauty and grace of our country is our right as citizens to review the record, view the actions of our leaders and offer dissenting voices, especially when we find that our respect has not been earned by those in charge. Only dictatorships require all citizens blindly offer allegiance to their leaders. Our country, instead, requires adherence to the Constitution -- and exercising our right to free speech, guaranteed by that piece of lovely paper, is the hallmark of what it is to be an American.

If we can't joke about the leaders we dislike, make irreverent remarks and grumble and disagree and argue about points of governing, then the country loses an important set of checks and balances. After 8 years of the Bush administration, liberals and conservatives disgusted by lawlessness and corruption have earned the right to speak their minds on this day of all days.

Janet Kincaid said...

Today is indeed a day to be hopeful. It's a new day in America!

Anonymous said...

You're lovely Virg. Feeling good and positive is rare enough, why equivocate?

Sally said...

It was a huge day indeed. One Sydney-sider celebrates Barack Obama’s inauguration by tinkling the ivories

Jane Hards Photography said...

I admire you for leaving all comments, I said this on Louis La Vache's blog- democracy freedom of speech. Without this Gray would not have had a career and the people a voice to as Laurie said poke fun/ satorize/ make real in roads with our Politicians. Bravo as Olivier would say.

Victor said...

I think the whole world is hopeful and this image is a perfect fit. Well done. Love the quote too.