politics: Inaugural address

Apparently, Bush gave a speech on Jan. 20 for some reason. To judge from this e-mail I got, it got nothing but rave reviews:

Dear Chris,

Inaugural Address Yesterday we celebrated President Bush's Inauguration as he was sworn in to office for a second term.

Below are some exerpts of what people are saying about his inaugural address:

The Wall Street Journal: "Not Since JFK In 1960 Has An American President Provided Such An Ambitious And Unabashed Case For The Promotion Of Liberty At Home And Abroad." (Editorial, "Liberty Bell Ringer," The Wall Street Journal, 1/21/05)

William Safire, The New York Times: "I Rate It Among The Top 5 Of The 20 Second-Inaugurals In Our History. Lincoln's Profound Sermon 'With Malice Toward None' Is Incomparable, But Bush's Second Was Better Than Jefferson's Mean-Spirited Pouting At 'The Artillery Of The Press.'" (William Safire, Op-Ed, "Bush's 'Freedom Speech,'" The New York Times, 1/21/05)

NBC's Tim Russert: "Well-Crafted, Well-Delivered. The Themes Of Freedom And Liberty " I Thought The Call To National Service Will Resonate With All Americans -- Democrats, Republicans, Independents." (NBC's, "Special Coverage Of The 55th Inaugural," 1/20/05)

For a full listing of what everyone is saying about the speech click here.

Also, we are sending you the complete text of President Bush's Inaugural Address. Keep a copy of it to reflect back on as we work to pass the President's agenda.

Hm. What else are they saying?

Gore Vidal: Gore Vidal on Bush's Inaugural Address: "The Most Un-American Speech I've Ever Heard"

Free Internet Press: Commentary: Bush Inaugural Address - America’s Day Of Shame

E. J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post Writers Group: Freedom as an advertising slogan

And even the Washington Times, courtesy of Arnaud de Borchgrave:Revolutionary idea . . . on bridge too far?

At some point I'll go through this speech he gave, but my first impression of it is that it could've been given by the head of some other state pointing the finger at America. And the word "repose" coming out of Bush's mouth just makes me feel icky, wondering who the evil puppetmaster was who had his arm up Bush's butt that day.