Celebrity Gossip from Hollywood World News

Chances are high that this very amusing story is made up, but it’s funny as anything and we’re not above repeating it. Michelle Obama has supposedly told her husband off for the fact that he was caught with a roving eye at the G8 summit in Italy. The National Enquirer reports that she told him he better watch it, or people will remember him for the fact that he was busted ogling a teen’s butt instead of the work he’s doing:

First Lady Michelle Obama ripped into her husband Barack after he and French Prez Nicolas Sarkozy were caught gawking at the behind of a pretty 17-year-old at the G8 Summit in Italy, The ENQUIRER has learned. The “Tail-gate” episode made Obama and Sarkozy the “butt” of jokes across the world as the photo spread like wildfire over the Internet. But it was no laughing matter at home, according to friends of Michelle. “After she saw the picture, she exploded at Barack behind closed doors and snapped, ‘See, all the hard work you’ve done - and this is what they’re going to remember this trip by. Who do you think you are - Bill Clinton?’” revealed a source. “Michelle really let him have it. All Barack could do was try to get out of earshot. She verbally berated him for several minutes.” While TV commentators studied video of the event and debated Once again, The ENQUIRER is first to report the hottest news. over whether Obama was really catching a sneak peek, The ENQUIRER got down to the bottom of the international incident. Top body-language expert Patti Wood, author of Success Signals, told us: “President Obama was displaying a ‘full gesture cluster,’ which means that every major body part has some signal that shows his attraction to her rear end. “His head is moving toward her rear end, as well as his eye contact. His right arm is out away from his body toward her, and his pelvis - that’s the most significant - is fully twisted toward her as if he wants to encompass the rear end. “His outer knee is significant because it shows how he wants to go toward her as well. There’s absolutely no mistaking his attraction to her.” The teen, identified as Mayara Tavares, a student from Rio de Janeiro, was one of 54 youngsters who were allowed to speak on global issues. And while Obama and his French counterpart were painted as dirty old men across the world, the teen’s father Eduardo says he harbors no ill will toward the world leaders. “She’s not only pretty, she’s articulate, confident and very engaged in her work,” says the proud dad.

[From The National Enquirer] The news channels analyzed this video, and Obama supposedly wasn’t checking out the girls’ ass at all because if you watch him afterwards it looks like his eyes are down to watch his footing. (See video above.) Sarkozy, on the other hand, was doing an obvious booty check. I don’t know, though, and I think that Obama was probably looking at that girl’s butt for a second or two and just smoothly tried to cover it up by moving his eyes to the ground. It’s hard to tell. Either way, you can see how it would make his wife mad. I know I would chew my husband out for that, especially if was even a fraction as public as this. The nation and the media have long moved on, though, and now people are watching Obama to see what he’ll do next with the plan for healthcare reform. Obama’s interview with Meredith Viera aired this morning on The Today Show. He answered some tough questions about healthcare reform, and said that in order to move forward the nation will most likely have to increase taxes for those making $280,000 a year and up. Meredith did not seem happy about the fact that her taxes could be raised and asked Obama if he was punishing the rich. The interview lightened up a little later when she asked him about the dorky loose jeans he was wearing to throw out the first pitch at the MLB All-star baseball game . He explained “I am a little frumpy. Up until a few years ago, I only had four suits. She used to tease me because they would get really shiny. I hate to shop. Those jeans are comfortable, and for those of you who want your president to look great in his tight jeans, I’m sorry, I’m not the guy. It just doesn’t fit me. I’m not 20.” But he can still check out a hot girl with the best of them, I bet.

The president has been applauded for his super-human fly swatting abilities during an interview with CNBC. But PETA isn’t impressed and is downright angry. Read more and see the video of Obama and PETA’s problem with his fly execution. Obama had a pesky fly annoying him during his interview and stopped the taping to kill the little sucker. “He stopped the interview to track and kill the fly,” said talk show host Conan O’Brien. “That’s some pretty impressive hand-eye coordination right there,” Jimmy Fallon gushed. “Makes Obama look like a bad ass.” But the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals “PETA”, is calling it an “execution,” wants the President to show more compassion to even “the least sympathetic animals.” “Believe it or not, we’ve actually been contacted by multiple media outlets wanting to know PETA’s official response to the executive insect execution,” a blog on the group’s website explained. “In a nutshell, our position is this: He isn’t the Buddha, he’s a human being, and human beings have a long way to go before they think before they act.” The group has allegedly mailed Obama a device that traps a fly so it can then be released outside. “We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals,” PETA spokesman Bruce Freidrich explained. During his CNBC interview Obama attempted to shoo the little fly away but it persisted. “Get out of here,” Obama said as the fly buzzed him during his interview. The pest persisted, and when it landed on his left forearm, Obama smacked it. “Now, where were we?” the president said without missing a beat. Pleased with himself, he added, “That was pretty impressive, wasn’t it? I got the sucker.” Several observers in the room during the interview congratuated Obama on the kill.  Obama pointed to the floor and instructed an obliging cameraman to get a close-up of the corpse. “It’s like he’s got one of those fly Terminator targeting systems in his eyes,” said Jon Stewart. Click Thumbnails for Larger Pictures

Natalie Portman. What a tease. Padma Lakshmi had the good sense to wear a see-through dress to the White House Correspondents Dinner. Portman, on the other hand, just had to wear a fancy black dress and slip an ever so slight hint of areola. Asked about this, Obama said, “Obama no likey. Obama want tittay!” It’s true. The hotter and more naked a woman gets, the more the male brain devolves. I don’t even know why I censored that thing.

Bo Obama has officially moved into the White House.

"He’s got star quality," President Barack Obama said Tuesday after walking the Portuguese water dog around the White House lawn. "That’s a good looking dog, let’s face it."

"I love him," Malia, 10, told reporters. "He’s perfect."

Obama says the entire family will "take turns walking the dog." Including him? "Of course!"

One place the president won’t hang with Bo: his bed.

"We set that rule down a long time ago," he said.

The puppy has already learned tricks, his trainer Dawn Sylvia says in the newest issue of Us Weekly, on stands tomorrow.

"He sits very well, he does down very well. He shakes, he rolls over," says the trainer, who has been working with him since March. "He knows his off command, which means don’t touch. He understands wait."

Bo is a "typical puppy," Sylvia continues. "He wants to play and he has his crazy moments like puppies do. But incredibly enough, I have owned and worked with a lot of dogs, and he is incredibly bright and sensitive and he thinks about things and he has an excellent memory."

Amigo Portuguese Water Dogs owner Art Stern, who bred the Obama dog, tells Us: "He’s active, he’s smart, he’s laid-back and adaptable and should be a very good dog in the environment we envision goes on at the White House: very active, very busy, lots of people coming and going, lots of things happening."

Barack Obama was interviewed by Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes. Check out the video of Obama being asked if he’s “punch drunk” and his statements on Dick Cheney below. Here’s a transcript of the back-and-forth between 60 Minutes’ Steve Kroft and President Obama: Kroft: “You’re sitting here. And you’re — you are laughing. You are laughing about some of these problems. Are people going to look at this and say, ‘I mean, he’s sitting there just making jokes about money –’ How do you deal with — I mean, wh — explain.” Obama: “Well – Kroft: ” — the mood and your laughter.” Obama: “Yeah, I mean, there’s got to be –” Kroft: “Are you punch drunk?” Obama: “No, no. There’s gotta be a little gallows humor to get you through the day. You know, sometimes my team — talks about the fact that if — if you had said to us a year ago that — the least of my problems would be Iraq, which is still a pretty serious problem — I don’t think anybody would have believed it. But — but we’ve got a lot on our plate. And — a lot of difficult decisions that we’re going to have to make.” Here are the videos of Barack Obama on 60 Minutes below:

President Obama just keeps on breaking new ground. Thursday night, Obama became the first sitting president to appear on a late-night talk show. He appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and it was a pretty good interview. Before he even sat down with Jay, there was a lot of consternation from Congressional Republicans and conservative pundits that Obama was sullying the dignity of the office by appearing on a late-nihgt talk show. Once Pres. Obama came out on Jay’s set, I kind of saw the Republicans’ point. He didn’t look bad or anything, but coming across as “just a normal guy” can always backfire. He’s not a normal guy - he’s the President of the United States. But on to the interview. Jay and Obama did three segments, roughly seven minutes each. There was some joking around and Obama had several good and funny lines throughout, but most of the conversation revolved around actual policy and political talking points. Just so I wear my affiliation on my sleeve, I voted for Obama, and I still adore my President. In interviews, I have always found him charming and relatable, with an ease and a grace that only comes along once in a political generation. Tonight was no different. If anything, Obama seemed more wonkishly intelligent, as well as charismatic and pleasantly exhausted. On “life in the bubble” The interview started out with Obama talking about “life in the bubble” of the presidency. He told a funny story about how the Secret Service wouldn’t let him walk 75 yards to a location, that they made him take the motorcade. He also joked about the circus vibe the motorcade gives off, saying “the doctor is walking behind me with the defibulator.” On the AIG bonus scandal Obama talked about AIG and the criticisms that he and his administration have received this week (and this month, and last month, etc). He said, “It’s a little bit like American Idol, only everyone is Simon Cowell.” Obama reiterated that it will take “a while” to get out of the financial mess we’re in, and that AIG and the financial system failed because they were built on “a house of cards”. He criticized AIG’s (and other corporate barons) for their “sense of entitlement”, and said he hoped America would be able to “get back to the values that built America.” On fairer tax rates Obama said that he hopes America can get back to the tax rates we had in the 1990s, even if it would mean he and Jay would have to pay more. When Leno asked him if some of these corporate crooks should go to jail, Obama responded “Most of the stuff that got us into trouble was perfectly legal… [which is why] we need to get back to some financial regulation.” I disagree, Mr. President. I’m not even a lawyer, but I know fraud when I see it. This, out of everything, is what I have always felt is Obama’s Achilles heel - he is much too generous with his enemies. And there’s no question in my mind that AIG and so many other corporate wankers are the enemy. Takes responsibility for problems Obama also defended his Treasury Secretary Tim Geitner. I find Geitner rather hapless, but Obama’s got his back, so I guess he’s sticking around for a while. Obama also takes some of the weight off Geitner, saying “I’m the president, ultimately this is my responsibility.” This comes literally hours after Vice President Dick Cheney’s denial-filled interview on CNN, where Cheney would not admit to any mistakes, or admit any wrong-doings, ever. The fact that Obama owns many of the mistakes that weren’t even made on his watch is what makes him extraordinary, in my opinion. A new dog, basketball court are coming to the White House Leno didn’t let Obama talk about the fun stuff until the end. Obama confirmed the dog is coming, most likely after the NATO summit next month. He also said that Sasha and Malia are totally ambivalent with all of the trappings of the White House, saying that in their first ride on Marine One, the girls were more focused on who had the Starbursts. He also confirmed that he will most likely transform one of the White House tennis courts into a basketball court. Throughout the interview, Leno gave Obama plenty of time to explain his points, and Leno never got in his face. It was a very nice way to interview Obama, a politician who seems to shun the easy 10-second talking points that most journalists thrive on. All in all, it was a good interview, and I totally understand why Obama did it. No matter what has happened in the past 60 days (and seriously, this administration is only 60 days old), most people still really like and trust President Obama. He is his own best messenger.

President Barack Obama has described himself as a “mutt” before, usually when describing the kind of dog he wants. When asked, Obama replied “A mutt like me.” Part of Obama’s appeal is the idea that he is multi-racial, thus he transcended the traditional ideas of what is black and white and in-between. So is it such a surprise that Obama has a wee bit o’ Irish in him? The folks at Ancestry.com did the research, and found that Obama’s ancestral links to The Kearneys, a family of cobblers in Moneygall, Ireland. Many of The Kearneys immigrated to America in the 1840s, and one of them, Fulmouth Kearney, ended up being Obama’s great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. And the president still has relatives in town too! There’s some guy claiming to be his eighth cousin in Moneygall, Ireland. The man’s friends even tell him there’s a family resemblance. The Los Angeles Times has more:

Until recently, Moneygall’s most famous son wasn’t even human. It was a horse, Papillon, who streaked to the title as a long shot in a nail-biter at Britain’s prestigious Grand National race in 2000. But for months now, the modest sign marking Papillon’s achievement has been muscled aside by pictures celebrating the new hero in this tiny pit stop on the Dublin-to-Limerick road: President Obama — or, as they like to call him here, Barack O’Bama. An out-of-the-blue call from the United States, some yellowing church records and an iPhone-toting priest have earned bragging rights for Moneygall as the “ancestral home” — one of them, anyway — of the leader of the free world. How the family connection came about is the quintessential story of America as a nation of immigrants and Ireland as a land that supplied them, including Obama’s great-great-great-granddaddy on his mother’s side, a cobbler from Moneygall. How the tie was unearthed more than 100 years later and how news of it spread across the globe is a testament to 21st century instant communication, Obama’s star power in Europe and the natural gregariousness of the Irish. Since the discovery of its link to Obama a little less than two years ago, Moneygall (population 298) has been catapulted out of its sleepy backwater and into the international spotlight. Camera crews from distant countries flocked to the village during the U.S. presidential race, eager to capture reaction at the neighborhood pub, between pints of Guinness, to Obama’s primary and election victories. “There’s No One as Irish as Barack Obama,” an infectious song by a Limerick-based band, became a YouTube sensation and landed the group a recording contract. Moneygall’s merchants, including the glazier and a plumbing company, have happily seized the opportunity for some self-promotion, plastering Obama’s face on their ads. Tourists from France and Germany have stopped by to pay their respects. A politician, meanwhile, wants to erect an Obama heritage center. It’s the most attention ever lavished on the village, where you can find two pubs, a small general store, an ice cream vendor, a car dealership and a single traffic signal, if you don’t blink. Many of the visitors knock on the door of Henry Healy Jr., 24, the genial spokesman of Obama’s current-day Irish kin. According to local records, Healy’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great-aunt was Obama’s great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. “So there’s a definitive blood link between our family and Barack Obama. It makes me an eighth cousin,” declared Healy, a full-blooded Irishman with brown hair and blue eyes. “The resemblance is uncanny,” his friend Stephen Neill added. “Uncanny,” agreed Healy.

[From The Los Angeles Times] The LAT story is really long, but it’s a pretty good read if you like funny stories about how the Irish are “claiming” Barack O’Bama. Moneygall’s Protestant rector was the one to sort through the genealogical records and come up with definitive “proof” that the President has the luck of the Irish. The rector also calls Obama “a great man of God.” President Obama has even remarked that he would like to visit Moneygall one day, something that would please them to no end. Moneygall focused on the American elections more than they paid attention to their own. For a really sweet St. Patrick’s Day treat, check out the music video Moneygallians Gerard, Brian and Donncha Corrigan made called “There’s No One as Irish as Barack Obama”. Sample lyric: “He’s as Irish as bacon and cabbage and stew / He’s Hawaiian, he’s Kenyan, American too.” Here’s the president speaking in Washington DC yesterday. Images thanks to Newscom.

Obama is everywhere after becoming President of the United States, but did you expect to see an Obama Chia?  Read more on the Chia Obama below! Chi Chi Chi Chia! Yes, there is now a Chia Obama. You can put seeds on his head, add water, and produce green hair. You can grow Obama a nice cool ‘fro if you have a green thumb. Chia Obama will be available online at www.chiaobama.com. Amazon.com is also said to carry the Chia Obama. Other Chia products include Scooby Doo, Garfield, Shrek and the Simpsons. Screw the plate, the Obama Chia is more fun! Images: PR Source: news

After the blunder yesterday, Barack Obama has retaken the US presidential oath of office. Read more on Barack Obama retaking the oath of office below. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the oath for Barack Obama at the White House where no cameras or press were allowed.  Yesterday, Roberts made a mistake by transposing some of the words to the oath, which made Obama follow. To make certain, Roberts and Obama practiced again as a precaution. This time, the oath was done in the White House Map Room in front of a small group of reporters. “We decided that because it was so much fun …,” Mr Obama joked to reporters who followed press secretary Robert Gibbs into the room. Mr Roberts then put on his black robe. “Are you ready to take the oath?” he said. “Yes, I am,” Mr Obama said. “And we’re going to do it very slowly.” Roberts then led Mr Obama through the oath without any problems. The president said he did not have his bible with him, but that the oath was binding anyway. t happened when Obama interrupted Roberts midway through the opening line, in which the president repeats his name and solemnly swears. Next in the oath is the phrase “…that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States.” But Roberts rearranged the order of the words, not saying “faithfully” until after “president of the United States.” That appeared to throw Obama off. He stopped abruptly at the word “execute.” Recognizing something was off, Roberts then repeated the phrase, putting “faithfully” in the right place but without repeating “execute.” But Obama then repeated Roberts’ original, incorrect version: “…the office of president of the United States faithfully.” Craig, the White House lawyer, said in a statement Wednesday evening: “We believe the oath of office was administered effectively and that the president was sworn in appropriately yesterday. Yet the oath appears in the Constitution itself.” “And out of the abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath a second time.” The Constitution is clear about the exact wording of the oath and as a result, some constitutional experts have said a do-over probably wasn’t necessary but also couldn’t hurt. In the past only two other previous presidents have repeated the oath because of similar issues - Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur. Well, second times the charm for Obama! Click Thumbnails for Larger Pictures Photos: Wenn.com Source: news

Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States in front of a record breaking crowd of hundreds of thousands of supporters and well wishers on the mall in Washington, DC early this afternoon. Obama addressed the nation and the world in a heartfelt, moving, historic speech that lasted 18 minutes. He emphasized diplomacy, service, cooperation, perseverance, hard work, and personal responsibility. I sat rapt listening to Obama and feeling great pride to be an American and to be witnessing this moment in history. He made some clear references to how he would veer from Bush’s policy, saying that leaders will be judged for what they build and not for what they break, and that he wanted to embrace other nations and work with them, but he was very respectful and forward-thinking. Obama’s speech today will go down as one of the most significant moments in Presidential history:

“My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. “I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. “Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. “At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. “That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. “Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. “These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights. “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. “On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. “We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. “In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. “For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. “Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction. This is the journey we continue today. “We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. “We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do. “Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. “For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. “What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. “Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. “The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good. “As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. “And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. “Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint. “We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. “We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. “For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. “To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. “To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it. “As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. “And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all. “For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. “It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate. “Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. “This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. “So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. “At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: “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].” America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. “With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

[Transcript of Obama's inauguration speech, 1/20/09, via US Weekly] After Obama’s speech the inaugural poet, Elizabeth Alexander, read a piece that echoed Obama’s core values. The most amusing moment came during the ending benediction, from the Reverend Joseph Lowery of Alabama. He said that he would pray for the day when “when black will not be asked to get back, brown can stick around, yellow will be mellow, the red man can get ahead, man, and white will embrace what is right.” It looks like that day has come. Barack Obama’s team has already replaced the White House’s website with a new front page and all the content about his policies. Given what we’ve seen so far, we wouldn’t expect anything less from them. Photo Credit: Newscom