Althouse: "It is this thread that binds us together with a common effort."

January 18, 2009

"It is this thread that binds us together with a common effort."

Obama speaks.

71 comments:

rhhardin said...: It's a triple cliche.

So far, ``all the people all the time'' hasn't been brought up.; 1/18/09, 3:31 PM
Palladian said...: Obama speaks.

Has Obama ever stopped speaking since he was elected to the Office of President Elect?; 1/18/09, 3:36 PM
Palladian said...: "It is this thread that binds us together with a common effort."

It would have been funnier if, before he said this, he had plucked a thread from the cuff of his coat.; 1/18/09, 3:38 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Yeah, but he was speaking in front of the Lincoln Memorial, being all Lincoln-y and MLK-y. It was unique and cataclysmic and perfectly bland.; 1/18/09, 3:38 PM
Ann Althouse said...: I though he was refering to this thread!; 1/18/09, 3:39 PM
Palladian said...: "It is this thread that binds us together with a common effort..."

One thread to rule them all, one thread to find them, one thread to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.; 1/18/09, 3:40 PM
Palladian said...: "Yeah, but he was speaking in front of the Lincoln Memorial, being all Lincoln-y and MLK-y."

Sigh. How long are we going to be spoon-fed this tiresomely egotistical "Lincoln=MLK=Obama" pablum? Enough with the lame symbolism, we get it, we get it. They're also going to eat Lincoln food off of replica Lincoln china. What, is Michelle going to start taking chloral hydrate and having seances in the White House? Can they please not go to the theater together?; 1/18/09, 3:45 PM
Palladian said...: It's about a piece of string being used by government workers to tie us together, you idiot.; 1/18/09, 3:52 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "How long are we going to be spoon-fed this tiresomely egotistical "Lincoln=MLK=Obama" pablum?"

Isn't it healthy to have some corny Americana — some folk myth — especially about equality? I loathe worshipping political leaders, but still — he's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions. Look at the alternative for a lefty — shaming us about all the wrong we've done, etc. etc.; 1/18/09, 3:54 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "It's about a piece of string being ..."

It's about a piece of string bean....; 1/18/09, 3:55 PM
Ron said...: The One has to stop trying to have Hallmark Card Moments in front of Significant Places, and just govern, baby, govern!; 1/18/09, 3:57 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Well, I rung the fallout shelter bell
And I leaned my head and I gave a yell,
"Give me a string bean, I'm a hungry man."
A shotgun fired and away I ran.; 1/18/09, 3:57 PM
Chennaul said...: That is the belief with which we began this campaign, and that is how we will overcome what ails us now. There is no doubt that our road will be long. That our climb will be steep. But never forget that the true character of our nation is revealed not during times of comfort and ease, but by the right we do when the moment is hard. I ask you to help me reveal that character once more, and together, we can carry forward as one nation, and one people, the legacy of our forefathers that we celebrate today.

This sentiment expressed right here by Obama-wow...this guy really doesn't get it.; 1/18/09, 4:09 PM
Methadras said...: His pending inauguration is/was just as bad as his election campaign. Full of fluff and cotton candy being orated by an empty-suit with empty ideas that are filled with nonsensical platitudes and high vision, which will go nowhere. A fraud and his fraudulence are never parted.; 1/18/09, 4:09 PM
Chennaul said...: See the moment after 9/11 that wasn't hard.

The sacrifice made by the first responders and then the US military-that didn't reveal the character of the United States or he disapproves of it-who knows.

Reading this speech it sounds like he's selling religion but only he knows what supposedly everyone in America believes.

Really, really weird-one of the pissiest speeches from him.

Although there's been a method lately by them the Obama team to dampen expectations-because they've got to set the bar low for them to rise above-at least they know that about themselves.; 1/18/09, 4:17 PM
Skyler said...: Ann wrote in comments: " I loathe worshipping political leaders, but still — he's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions."

Wholesome notions about communism?

Lord, what have we become? First, Bush nationalizes a huge proportion of the business in this nation, then we elect a communist who hangs out with communist terrorists, and then we are served meaningless and banal platitudes while women fawn and men imagine that they are deep.

I blame the Bush dynasty for destroying America and making our on coming communism possible.; 1/18/09, 4:20 PM
rhhardin said...: one nation, and one people

He must have gotten that from Biden.; 1/18/09, 4:25 PM
Bart DePalma said...: Mr. Obama, your speeches are like cotton candy - good tasting, but empty calories about "unity" and "change" without telling us anything about what change you propose and why we should follow you there.

Here are the gold standards for charting a real change in governing philosophy:

Reagan 1981

Kennedy 1961

Roosevelt 1932

Your supporters like to compare you to these great Presidents. Let's see if you are up to the challenge.; 1/18/09, 4:29 PM
XWL said...: To bring it back to the "Cloaca" post, it's rhetoric like this that leaves me feeling a bit "bound up", and hopefully a fine product like this will relieve that "bound up" feeling without too much other distress. And given all the products trying to jump on the Obama bandwagon (one refreshing example, here), I see a rebranding of Berry Burst to "Barry O Metamucil", slogan, "The intestinal change you've been hoping for" (also, seems like "bursting" and laxatives are two thoughts that should remain independent of each other).

I wonder what the origin of the phrase, "bound up" for constipation is, doesn't seem like the most obvious phrase for that condition.

Hopefully, Pres. Obama's policies to cure the credit constipation won't lead to explosive 'unbinding' out of our collective assets, cause that road leads to runniness (on banks), and hyperinflation.; 1/18/09, 4:33 PM
Buford Gooch said...: Palladian is my hero. I wish he would comment more often. He has better insight than most.; 1/18/09, 4:33 PM
Steve M. Galbraith said...: It is threat that binds us together with a common effort

Ugh. Enuf' already.

Lincoln talked about an "electric cord" that binded us (or his generation) with the founders.

Electric Cord Speech.

That fit the times since we were headed for a massively bloody civil war.

But now?

Gee, how about stealing from Fillmore? Nobody steals Millard.; 1/18/09, 4:38 PM
garage mahal said...: His pending inauguration is/was just as bad as his election campaign. Full of fluff and cotton candy being orated by an empty-suit with empty ideas that are filled with nonsensical platitudes and high vision, which will go nowhere. A fraud and his fraudulence are never parted.

Labels: green with envy, 8 long years, wilderness, America hates Republicans, I hope it's only 8 years, Palin? Who the hell am I kidding, does carbon monoxide poisoning hurt, oh fuck; 1/18/09, 4:38 PM
Simon said...: Palladian said...
"Sigh. How long are we going to be spoon-fed this tiresomely egotistical 'Lincoln=MLK=Obama' pablum?"

1462 Days, 17 Hours, and 14 Minutes at time of writing. It'll end sooner if he does enough to make the press fall out of love with him.; 1/18/09, 4:45 PM
Palladian said...: Everything Obama does is said to be 'symbolic'. Is he going to be our first Symbolic President?; 1/18/09, 4:47 PM
Chennaul said...: He could just be the shadow of a puppet...; 1/18/09, 4:51 PM
Anonymous said...: Ann, surely that's not a dumbbell on the desk!
That's a terribly wimpish size--and what with the blogging you do, you probably have twice as much of a workout typing!
(Or do you have speech-to-text?); 1/18/09, 4:52 PM
LonewackoDotCom said...: Ann Althouse says he's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions. Look at the alternative for a lefty — shaming us about all the wrong we've done, etc. etc.

Yes, by implying that the reason he won was because we overcame our racism. While that might have been some small part of it, the subtext of what he's offering is hardly wholesome, especially considering just how much his campaign used white guilt and considering how much in debt he is to the MSM for lying, misleading, smearing, and covering up for him.; 1/18/09, 4:52 PM
Darcy said...: Buford Gooch said...
Palladian is my hero. I wish he would comment more often. He has better insight than most.

Mine, too. I love him! There. I said it. And if anyone tries to pressure me into thinking differently, I will fuck them up.; 1/18/09, 4:56 PM
Ralph L said...: We string beans are all well hung. The poor endomorphs--who can tell? They need more but don't often get it.; 1/18/09, 5:06 PM
traditionalguy said...: I want my 40 tax refunds and a winning Government lottery ticket. My Messiah promised that he would spread the Wealty people's money around an around and around until Daddy takes all our T-Bills away. Jubilee!; 1/18/09, 5:08 PM
traditionalguy said...: More seriously, the new President need our Prayers more than our ridicule. Break-a-leg Obama.; 1/18/09, 5:17 PM
MayBee said...: he's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions.

I don't think so.
He's co-opting our good will toward those two great men.; 1/18/09, 5:23 PM
Bill Kilgore said...: Miserable frigid weather, a politician squealing on the television. Was a fellow named Dante who wrote a book about that sort of thing.

You need to get back to Southern California Ms. Althouse. With our steady wind it didn't get much over 70 today, but it was crystal clear. Stunning view of the mountains throughout the basin. And no politalk.

Wish you were here.; 1/18/09, 5:52 PM
Anonymous said...: We all get it. The voters got it. Certainly Lincoln got it. Roosevelt certainly really got it. All the founders got it. I certainly get it. I’m sure that Roosevelt would say that I get it. I certainly get him.

But we’ve got to put down those people that don’t get it. You know – the ones that don’t agree that we all get it. The evil ones that don’t even know what it is?

Thankfully, you all know what it is. All of us that know what it is, certainly know that it is really it. Lincoln knew what it was – he certainly got it, and if he were here right now, he's say that I certainly get it.

Isn't it great that all the people that get it get it? Aren’t we all great because we get it and others don’t get it.

That's what makes America great - all the people that truly get it. And all of us that really get it can band together to make sure that we have it in America again.

Getting it is what makes Americans really great. But as I showed, that also what makes Berliners great. They get it too.

So it isn't uniquely American to get it, it is just that America has gotten it more than others have, but lost of others get it too.

And if all the others in the world that get it as we get it would just band together - well, just think of what we could do to bring it about.; 1/18/09, 5:54 PM
Host with the Most said...: Ann wrote:

he's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions.

Bullshit.

Pure Bullshit, untethered from additives.

Reagan inspired. With Reagan it was all about the continued promise and basic goodness of America: a goodness which sprung from it's values and the belief that America's values were better than - and aspired to by - the rest of the world's values and failed governing models.

Obama - and I do truly pray that he succeeds - is still at the end of the day a "We are the World"/ "Up with People"/ "Can't we all just get along"/ You and Me-Free to Be" Bullshitter.

And unless he acknowledges the superiority of the American Experiment and the American Constitution - as flawed as they may or may not be - as superior to every other world governing system, the United States will never -

NEVER -

truly lead this world toward any lasting benefit to civilization.

Otherwise, Obama will NEVER rise to a "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall", or a "shining city on a hill." (Notice how many of Clinton's speeches come to mind as great. Hint="0")

He'll just be remembered as the first black President if seeks to Oprahize this term.; 1/18/09, 6:13 PM
George M. Spencer said...: Folks, this here is Bible talk...

Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.

Barack is telling the tale of Rahab the harlot and Joshua's spies. If that don't beat all. It's the scarlet thread of courage that binds us Americans. Praise the Lord.; 1/18/09, 6:24 PM
Zachary Sire said...: I can't tell you how fun it is to see so many of you so completely unhinged and wallowing in your ODS. Enjoy January 20th!; 1/18/09, 6:53 PM
LonewackoDotCom said...: I and my fellow "ODS sufferers" will be popping these over the next few days. I might have to switch to an IV drip.; 1/18/09, 7:02 PM
Michael Haz said...: I didn't vote for the guy and I'm not going to go all batshit over each of his utterances.

I love America and want Americans to remain free, prosper and be strong.

I'm willing to give Obama my support and a clean slate, same as I expected my fellow citizens to do when GWB was elected. It's what we should all do.

When Obama's policies and ideas cause me concern I'll address them. But I am not going to denegrate the man. To do so would lower me to the level of the fools who had BDS. Sorry, not my game.; 1/18/09, 7:06 PM
The Crack Emcee said...: Cultism is a beautiful phenomena. People who talk about "it" - without telling us what it is - and others who think that kind of thought-stopping language is deep. But, most importantly, no one calling a spade a spade because he's black. Which is the same reason they let him in (without a proper journalistic vetting) in the first place. Barack Obama is a black with a political cult.

And that's the kind of Stuff White People Like.; 1/18/09, 7:08 PM
Stephanie said...: I'm planning on taking a Fukitol Tuesday morning and waking up on Wednesday for the arrival of my unicorn and skittles... then I shall drive to the beach to watch the waters recede..; 1/18/09, 7:54 PM
Palladian said...: "I can't tell you how fun it is to see so many of you so completely unhinged and wallowing in your ODS. Enjoy January 20th!"

Is your mom gonna let you throw a little party at the house for your drag queen friends?; 1/18/09, 7:56 PM
Fred4Pres said...: I forgot a great movie however, that shows a strange difference between men and women: Jack Lemmon's Puppies for Sale.

This is an incredible short film that has an unusual property--men generally cry when they watch it. Women do not. It is almost impossible to find now on the web (it used to be widely available), but it involves key male emotional stimuli that make men a bit weepy.

Dan Clark, the inspirational speaker, is the author of the short that insprired the film. If you ever get a chance to watch it, check my observation out.; 1/18/09, 8:20 PM
Zachary Sire said...: Is your mom gonna let you throw a little party at the house for your drag queen friends?

I wish! Actually, I'll be at work. But everyone on my floor will be gathering to watch the inauguration on the big screen tv in the conference room! We're all looking forward to it.; 1/18/09, 8:21 PM
Palladian said...: "But everyone on my floor will be gathering to watch the inauguration on the big screen tv in the conference room! We're all looking forward to it."

That's the kind of productivity I'd expect from a bunch of Obama voters. Congratulations on finally getting a job, though.; 1/18/09, 8:23 PM
Zachary Sire said...: Thanks. I work in the "liberal media"...so of course we are all excited for Obama!; 1/18/09, 8:29 PM
Simon said...: Zachary Paul Sire said...
"Thanks. I work in the 'liberal media'"

Tea boy, right? ;); 1/18/09, 8:35 PM
Synova said...: I can't imagine having a party for the inauguration, or even watching on television. I don't think I've ever watched one, so it's not that it's Obama.

I know it's going to happen. My watching makes no difference at all. If something unexpected occurs, my watching makes no difference at all, but most likely nothing at all will happen that isn't supposed to.

I suppose that "I wonder what dresses Michelle and the girls will wear" is sort of unknown... but Althouse will probably link a picture later anyhow.; 1/18/09, 9:03 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: * mechanized breathing *

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

* mechanized breathing *; 1/18/09, 9:07 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: Oh! Simon, I'm glad you're here. A long time ago you asked for the name of the process of red/blue posters of Obama which I believe is vectorization.

You can Obamacon yourself here. It looks like fun.; 1/18/09, 9:12 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/18/09, 9:12 PM
Joan said...: More seriously, the new President need our Prayers more than our ridicule.

Amen, and God bless the President-elect and continue to bless him all his days in office.

Remember, once Obama is sworn in, Biden's on deck, with Pelosi next in succession. That's a scary lineup if ever there was one.; 1/18/09, 9:14 PM
Palladian said...: "Thanks. I work in the "liberal media"...so of course we are all excited for Obama!"

*looks at yearly averages for media stocks* Yow. Enjoy that job while it lasts.; 1/18/09, 9:34 PM
Simon said...: Chip, thanks, that's very cool! Let me see if I can make it work here.; 1/18/09, 9:48 PM
Palladian said...: "Chip, thanks, that's very cool! Let me see if I can make it work here."

The "most popular ones" are kind of predictable. WMD! See?! There are none! Hahah!

I like the Rick Astley one.; 1/18/09, 9:54 PM
Ralph L said...: I'll watch the parade at least to see which reporters are still orgasming. Probably end up on CSPAN to avoid mindless blather.; 1/18/09, 10:23 PM
blake said...: I loathe worshipping political leaders, but still — he's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions.

This is only true if you believe the media is accurately reflecting the temperament of the country.

The media is a funhouse mirror.; 1/18/09, 10:31 PM
blake said...: Mine, too. I love him! There. I said it. And if anyone tries to pressure me into thinking differently, I will fuck them up.

Really? OK, here goes: I think Pallaidan is good but you should consider--wait, up?

Never mind.; 1/18/09, 10:32 PM
Anonymous said...: I wish all America had one neck so I could tie a thread around it.; 1/18/09, 10:46 PM
Anonymous said...: I guess he appeals to people who need a boost to our national pride. I don't. I respect and like the American people, the (old) Declaration of Independence, and our imperfect union.

I hope he comes to like his country and its countrymen one day too.; 1/18/09, 10:59 PM
Palladian said...: "He's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions."

Pride goeth before destruction: and an hautie spirit before a fall.; 1/18/09, 11:08 PM
Beth said...: Wow, what a bunch of sour grapes! Quelle derangement!

I can't bring myself to swoon for Obama, or for any politician, but I am enjoying the spirit of the crowds in Washington. We watched a little bit of the musical thing today, and it was fun seeing Malia, just feet away from the stage, watching the whole thing through the lens of her camera. I hadn't realized that I miss Garth Brooks until I saw him onstage again.

We loaned a good camera to some friends who drove up yesterday. They and their two teenagers have tickets to the inauguration and I'm really happy for them. Can't wait to see the pictures.

The King of Zulu headed north with a specially painted coconut (the painted Zulu coconut is the most prized of all Mardi Gras throws) for Obama. The Obama's social secretary is Desiree Glapion Rogers, a former New Orleanian and two-time Zulu queen, so I'm thinking there's a good chance Obama will receive this gift. That's exciting.

I can't possibly know what it feels like to be black, American and watching this moment in our history. I do know I'm not going to sit back and throw snide barbs at their joy. I'm going to appreciate the moment, and once more celebrate our nation's long history of the peaceful transfer of power.; 1/19/09, 12:10 AM
Ritmo Re-Animated said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/19/09, 12:19 AM
Ritmo Re-Animated said...: Awww.... look at the Little Nixons. They can't stop preaching the soft bigotry of low expectations. What would your outgoing caretaker president say about that?

I know, don't tell me. You're just a bunch of cynics with shrunken hearts the size of small, stone-like turds. You didn't have much to say about Bush either but in all likelihood still appreciated the way his incompetence reinforced your nihilistic view of how things should be. And now there's a voice for your very special demographic!; 1/19/09, 12:22 AM
bagoh20 said...: It's about time we start blaming the correct party for our troubles - that would be us, the voters, borrowers, whiners, greedy, lazy, uninformed government cheese chasing us. As a group we voted for this style devoid of substance crap. We could get lucky and Obama could do a decent job, and I could bet my life savings on the lottery and win, but it would not change the fact that the idea was stupid anyway.

Apparently some of us are incapable of feeling embarrassed about their politics, no matter how silly they get. Pathetic.; 1/19/09, 12:29 AM
Eric Hammerbacher said...: Have you checked this out yet? http://tweetree.com/annalthouse; 1/19/09, 5:28 AM
bearbee said...: Bread and circuses….or perhaps Thread and circuses.

The **snort** thread that binds us with a common effort.

Performance art at its most expensive.

When will Hollywood began production?; 1/19/09, 7:54 AM
Anonymous said...: Quelle lecture from some of you, eh? I suppose the naturally skeptical among us will have to check it for at least one day, lest our betters be troubled by our sour grapey demeanor.; 1/19/09, 9:09 AM
Anonymous said...: I still remember how, during the campaign, not getting excited about things was supposed to be a virtue.; 1/19/09, 10:34 AM
Anthony said...: he's boosting up our national pride with wholesome notions

No, the Left is (finally) proud of the country and the media (but I repeat myself. . .) is just repeatedly telling us that.

Kind of like they told us for 48 straight hours that we were all keenly interested in every friggin' detail of JFK Jr.'s plane crash.; 1/19/09, 10:57 AM
The Crack Emcee said...: "I can't possibly know what it feels like to be black, American and watching this moment in our history."

Sure you can: ever been sick enough to vomit for a week?; 1/20/09, 12:23 AM