Watching the US Inauguration

Sickofweddingcake

Brilliant and inspirational speech from Joe Biden. Amanda Gorman's poem was, too. I think it had a feel of Maya Angelou's 'I Rise'.

Yes! I remember Angelou at Clinton’s inauguration - it was outstanding.

I'm an American and yes varian, I'm feeling optimistic for the first time in 4 years. It feels like a huge burden has been lifted and though I know what a monumental task is before our new administration, today I feel real hope. It's a wonderful feeling that I'm going to saver. Thank you tidyskatemum for this thread and thank you all for sharing your thoughts on this historic day.

savor

I did notice that despite the masks (most of which seemed to be slipping) and occasional fist and elbow bumps, there were a lot of people shaking hands and hugging, and despite the spaces between seats, gathering together in huddles. I do hope the memory of this ceremony will not be marred by covid cases.

I also watched Trump's event at Andrews base. There were his family and a small number of fanatical Trump supporters complete with regalia, none wearing masks. They were some young children amongst the crowd - completely unprotected.

The only masks were worn by military commanders who welcomed him to the base. It seems that mask wearing is now a political symbol in the US, so it would be interesting to see how many Trump supporters have caught covid.

I hope that none of these poor children get it. Putting a child unprotected in a crowd of unmasked people all ranting and chanting is tantamount to child abuse.

I was reminded of the hopes when JFK was inaugurated

I am a Yankee from across the pond. This is the happiest day I have had in four years. I feel hopeful and no longer hateful.

Rhinestone

I am a Yankee from across the pond. This is the happiest day I have had in four years. I feel hopeful and no longer hateful.

I think that is echoed by the world tbh

Your country now gives us hope for the future Rhinestone. 4 years ago DH said to me ‘I don’t want to wish my life away but I want the next 4 years to be over’. And now, they are.

Varian, I echo your worries for the children: my young grandchild, 18 months, received her positive result for Covid yesterday. She was ill on Sunday and Monday. We have been oh, so worried... she seems to have turned a corner... now we are waiting to see if her daddy gets this awful virus. He is recovering from brain cancer surgery so...fingers crossed! My daughter, a teacher, had it in June.

I thought Biden came across very well, let's hope for better times in America..
I didn't recognize Garth Brooks at all, more like himself when he put his hat on.

Lucca

I just caught up on lady Gaga, thought she sang it soooo well

Great (until the last note)
I'm being picky.

I felt so much lighter at 4.55pm when Biden was finally President! I hadn’t recognised the weight that Trump’s presidency had lain me, with my son and family being in the US.

I didn’t see all of it as our electricity decided to have a tantrum and indulged in several power cuts. Never had cuts like it before, it was almost like lightening, coming and going rapidly and the street lights were affected too.

I watched it and somehow felt safe again.

I am hoping to forget what a bad loser Trump is. He wouldn’t even send an airplane for Biden to arrive at the ceremony. A tradition. What an ignorant low life! ?

Mean spirited to the end, let’s hope Karma catches up with this family really soon.

Even cynical me had tears in my eyes...so relieved Trump did not get a second term. I noted that both he and Melania departed wearing black....
On a trivial note, I suffered bad earring envy watching Lady GaGa!

My thoughts to very odd

Neither Lady Gaga, who looked like a Pantomime Dame, nor Jennifer Lopez added to the dignity of the ceremony.

Living in hope that this is a new dawn for America. I haven't seen my daughter/husband/granddaughter/their new baby now for 13 months so hoping that the new president will get virus under some control and life there can get back to normal and we can visit or they can visit us. A very moving occasion.

I'm another who found myself tearful, that the day had eventually arrived and nothing had prevented it.

American ceremonial is wonderful! I loved that when Mr. Biden came on, the band played something stirring, sorry, don't remember it, then then as soon as he had taken the oath they were played "Hail to the Chief".

I thought social distancing was pretty good, apart from the man who sang "Amazing Grace".

I wouldn't normally have watched, not my country, not my politics, but I'm glad I did: it was an occasion for optimism, and we need as much of that as possible.

Welcome back America!

My family live in US and I spent the time messaging back and forth not my daughter as the ceremony progressed. She (we) are all so much happier and relieved that a ‘sane’ person is now in charge.
I found it very moving and found myself clapping in between wiping tears...!
And... Amanda Gorman.... how utterly amazing !!

‘With’ my daughter ...!!!

Did it have to be on Sky News yesterday lunch time for at least a continuous half hour (when I switched off)? The commentary was like a royal wedding. If Americans want to make a big do, after all it is important to them, fine. I would have expected however, on a news programme in the UK to have seen other news items. Maybe there was no other news!!!

... and Newatthis.... I can’t wait to be able to fly over the pond to see my darlings again...!!