Whoopie! President Obama

[ellen_datlow]

I was just about to go to lunch with Gahan Wilson (who was picking me up at my apt) when I realized that I was going to MISS THE SPEECH!!! I got downstairs and we talked about the disappointment. However, as we meandered down Hudson Street looking for a place to eat (now that our regular joint, Florent, is gone), we got to Dublin 6 which announced in small signs outside--come and have a drink/food and watch the inauguration. How could we resist? We didn't. I wanted their Irish breakfast but they only serve it on weekends (I forgot)but made do and arrived JUST in time to see Obama sworn in and start his speech. We and the other patrons applauded loudly and I was just about in tears. And worried the whole time that something bad would happen. However, the overview of the crowds of people attending the inauguration almost made me forget my fears.

He made me and Gahan especially happy by giving a shout out, not only to Christians, Muslims, and Jews but to non-believers. We think this is the first time a president ever did that and it was a breath of fresh air. Thank you, President Obama.

Comments

[vee-ecks.livejournal.com]

This atheist was grateful for that, too. And yeah, I'm pretty sure that is the first time ever.

[wolfsilveroak.livejournal.com]

This is the first Inaugeration I've ever watched. I missed the Speech, but I understand that it'll be rebroadcast. }:)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I think it's the first I ever watch too. I never had much interest before.

[n5red.livejournal.com]

You know Gahan Wilson? Wow, I am impressed!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

For a long time, since I was at OMNI. His story "The Sea was Wet as Wet Can Be" has always been a big favorite of mine and I reprint it as often as I can :-). I commissioned a short short by him for OMNI and Terri and I have published retold fairy tales by him for a few of our adult fairy tale anthos.

[n5red.livejournal.com]

I am a major fan of his. That is so cool!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I was trying to be cool myself and not come over all fanboy squee - of course Ellen knows him, Ellen knows everybody! - but you led the way and broke down my resistance. So thank you. [*squees*]

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Sorry to bust your bubble, but not everyone ;-)

[doortoriver.livejournal.com]

It was a FABULOUS inauguration. In fact - at the risk of sounding sincere but cliche - Obama really managed to represent the heart of this country.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I'll toast to that!

[satyrblade.livejournal.com]

Never before in my life have I witnessed so many Americans so proud to share our common heritage... certainly not within the last seven years.

It's gonna be a rough four years, but we're off to a great start.

[kylecassidy.livejournal.com]

What a name. I was a hug fan of Matthew Looney growing up in the 70's. It's nice to know he's still lunching. And now I see there's a movie about him. What a joyous thing.

I ran around this morning photographing people clustered in front of televisions.

[vee-ecks.livejournal.com]

I was a hug fan of Matthew Looney growing up in the 70's.

Me too! That's where I first saw Wilson's work.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

There's a movie about Gahan?????

He still draws cartoons for Playboy and The New Yorker, which is why he comes into town Tuesdays.

[kylecassidy.livejournal.com]

Indeedie do:

http://www.borndeadstillweird.com/

You'd think they'd let him email the cartoon instead of making him take the train in to town -- but then, of course, he'd miss the fancy lunches.

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

I was also a huge fan of Matthew Looney's. Never realized that Gahan did the art.

[mattkressel.livejournal.com]

I was writing and missed the damn speech cause I lost track of time. Thank goodness for the internet and streaming video!

[albogdan.livejournal.com]

I've never felt that good listening to a presidential speech. Couldn't stop smiling.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

If I was home I would have been crying, no holds barred.

[joeicarus.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

I agree on every point. I'm not atheist, exactly, but I noticed and appreciated that. I have good friends who are atheist who insist that prejudice/intolerance against atheists is more widely tolerated than just about any other sort, and it's hard to dispute the point. How many decades away are we from the possibility of a non-Christian president--let alone an atheist one?

On the other hand, the prayer by that guy from Saddleback was the most overtly Christian one I can recall. My impression is that usually the people brought in for that sort of thing give vaguely theistic prayers that pretty much any Christian, Jew, or Muslim could get behind. Not so much today.

I put the inauguration on in class. I had to concentrate on not crying myself. First of all, that would have freaked kids out. Beyond that, though, I don't know if my kids could have understood why this white guy thought Obama's election was such a big deal. (And, of course, I'm not allowed to make political statements.)

[jimvanpelt.livejournal.com]

Lunch with Gahan Wilson. That's cool!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

We try to do it every few months.

[kylecassidy.livejournal.com]

THAT's even cooler.

[mssrcrankypants.livejournal.com]

And worried the whole time that something bad would happen.

I felt this, too--a kind of clenching in the gut, even as I was being buoyed by the wonderful rhetoric and powerful delivery. And I'm afraid I'm going to experience some of that fear every time he makes a big public appearance. I hope it subsides.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yes. I really dislike feeling that way but there is so much hate out there.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

We did the S.O.B.'s Obama Lunch and Celebration with some friends, hosted by the owner, who is someone we have known for many years now. Somehow we didn't expect S.O.B.'s to be packed to the gills. Maybe because we always go there at night? Fortunately the owner gave us a table even though we didn't have reservations. We didn't think we'd need them. Who besides us would go to S.O.B.'s at 11 AM?

It. Was. Amazing.

Such diversity. So many people I didn't necessarily know but recognized as we've encountered each other for years in the street and in local stores. Some of our friends and neighbors from our building were there too.

I've never watched an Inauguration before. For one thing I was in class or working. For another, I have lived without television most of my life. And with Those Who Are Forever Gone (But. Not. Punished. Yet.), there is no way I could have stood to watch. We are in a different age for sure.

S.O.B.'s is hosting a party all day and night too -- free, no admission.

Love, C.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a great way to have been a witness to the occasion.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

It was perfect. Among those with whom we shared the table, besides Peter and some others we've known for decades, were a man whose father is Barbadian and his African American wife, born in Alabama. After the swearing in he said he was going call his father down in Barbados in a few minutes -- but not just yet because "I know my dad is in tears."

This Inauguation means something in such a personal way all over the world.

Love, C.

[0ccam.livejournal.com]

Gahan Wilson the cartoonist in Playboy (and elsewhere)? That Gahan Wilson?

Next time you see him tell him that someone on LJ really really really likes the one he did about the fortunes in fortune cookies that depressed everyone to the point of suicide.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Certainly. --Actually, I'll email that to him right now so I don't forget (I probably won't see him for a couple of months)!

I appreciate the inclusion...

[themadblonde]

but am no more thrilled @ being called a non-believer (I believe in many things) than I was @ being called a person-of-no-faith (recent attempt @ inclusion by a Rev. @ a Matthew Sheppard vigil). However, it's a step, & a step in a new direction for the faith-based majority, so I try to take it in the spirit in which it is meant, & keep up my efforts @ education & enlightenment.

Re: I appreciate the inclusion...

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

They would NEVER say atheists or agnostics...I think this is as good as we get !

For now

[themadblonde]

Language changes as people change. Who knows, maybe we can come up w/ a nice little pc term- "Differently Faithful" or something. ;-)

Re: For now

[joeicarus.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Speaking of "For now" . . . anybody seen Avenue Q in the last day? I wonder what they've replaced the "George Bush" line of the song with. When I first saw that show, that line hit me from out of the blue, and it so perfectly captured how I felt about the administration--that it was an evil to be lived through--that it just killed me. It may have been one of the most cathartic parts of the show for me.