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"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." --Thomas Paine

Inauguration leftovers
UPRIGHT

"One of [Barack Obama's] themes [in his inaugural speech], delicately implied, was that Americans do not just have a problem, they are a problem. 'The time has come,' he said pointedly, 'to set aside childish things.' Things, presumably, such as the pandemic indiscipline that has produced a nation of households as overleveraged as is the government from which the householders insistently demand more goods and services than they are willing to pay for." --columnist George Will

"The first literary goal of an inaugural address is to express familiar American ideals without resorting to distracting clichés. And Obama generally failed this test. There were too many 'rising tides' and 'gathering clouds' and 'raging storms' and 'nagging fears' and 'dark chapters' and 'watchful eyes' and 'dying campfires' and 'icy currents.' Wages had to be 'decent,' and markets 'spin out of control.' It is simply mysterious how such tired language could sound appropriate to the ear of Obama the writer." --columnist Michael Gerson

"In monarchies, kings and queens use the first person plural. They are 'we.' Judging from his inaugural address, President Barack Obama may give this practice a modern American liberal twist. He calls big government 'we.'" --CNS News editor Terence Jeffrey

"Obama hinted at what he intends do about embryonic stem cell research and possibly 'global warming,' saying he wants to 'restore science to its rightful place.' What place would that be? Above morality and common sense? Above other scientists who disagree? There is no consensus about global warming. In fact, there are growing numbers of scientists and growing amounts of scientific evidence questioning whether this is indeed a dangerously warming planet. Will Obama rely only on those scientists who agree with his political positions?" --columnist Cal Thomas

"Obama's inaugural address deflated us because it perfectly crystallized the quandary America now finds itself in: we wanted our faith renewed through a 'transformational moment' -- but now we've got a faithless man for president. Obama has no faith in God's stake in the American destiny; instead, God merely 'calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.' Despite his protestations to the contrary, Obama has no faith in Americans; instead, he wishes to change our hearts of stone for hearts of flesh: 'we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.' Obama has only one deep and abiding faith: faith in himself." --columnist Ben Shapiro

"With the Beltway bread-and-circus show over, President Obama will now get to work on borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars from you, your children and your grandchildren for a doomed fiscal stimulus." --columnist Michelle Malkin

"Fifty-five million people voted against Obama, so I don't know where the notion got started that 80% of the country is excited about him and can't wait for him to be president." --radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh

EDITORIAL EXEGESIS

"We were especially taken with President Obama's call for 'a new era of responsibility.' This is the phrase his press folks had leaked the day before, and if they did so to drive the theme home, so much the better. This is a useful message for Americans of all walks of life to hear -- from Wall Street CEOs to unmarried fathers to AARP lobbyists in Washington. The prosperity of recent decades has produced a culture of entitlement and sometimes even of complacency. ... At the same time, the President was vague about how he intends to move from rhetoric to action. Inaugural speeches are no place for policy lists. But at their best they are a statement of the first principles that will guide the new administration. Ronald Reagan famously said in 1981, 'In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.' Mr. Obama's first principles were harder to discern. He acknowledged that the power of the market 'to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched,' while warning it can also 'spin out of control.' He added that 'the question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works,' and said that where it doesn't, 'programs will end.' This all sounds like traditional American pragmatism. But his use of the passive voice is revealing -- no government program ever ended of its own accord, and ending them takes political will. He is of course also proposing the largest expansion of entitlements in two generations." --The Wall Street Journal

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

On Thursday, the most tragic Supreme Court fiat in America's history will turn 36. The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision federalized a legal issue that historically had been individually decided by each state. Seven unelected justices struck down Texas' abortion law -- and by extension, those of the other states -- instead of having elected legislators properly decide the matter. The primary issue, of course, remains the right to life affirmed in our Declaration of Independence. Since Roe, nearly 50 million babies have been denied this foundational right, trumped by the so-called "right to choose" supported by our new president and Democrat-controlled Congress.

DEZINFORMATSIA

From the Obamamania Files: "Washington is suddenly hip again, infused with the heady double-barreled combination of a new crowd of idealistic young political worker bees, who actually believe they can change the world, and the arrival of America's first black president. It's even cool to wave the Stars and Stripes." --New York Times reporter Helene Cooper

"This is one of the great opportunities in journalism to cover history.... It's going to be the honor of our lifetimes to be here on the Washington Mall." --MSNBC's Chris "Cheap Thrills" Matthews

"President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural address is one of the most anticipated speeches in decades, with many expecting his words to be chiseled into marble some day." --CNN's Scott Anderson

"Barack Obama spoke of perfecting the Union, he spoke of common hopes and common dreams, he spoke of recognizing ourselves in one another... This was no mere victory tour, this was something more." --CBS's Harry Smith on Obama's train ride to DC

"This 47-year-old man of mixed race, whose very name -- O-Ba-Ma -- has the three-syllable universality of a child's lullaby, has always had something of the providential about him, a global figure who looks more like the guy at the local bodega than the guys on dollar bills. That's the magic."--New York Times columnist Roger Cohen

Obama inaugurated, market falls: "The dawn of the Obama presidency could not shake Wall Street Tuesday from its dejection over the banking industry's growing problems. After hearing the new president's inaugural address, investors continued selling, sending the major indexes down more than 2 percent." --The Associated Press blaming everything but Obama's inauguration for the stock market's woes Tuesday

Blame Bush: "Well, Barack Obama's going to have his hands full with a lot of the carnage that was left by the previous administration." --CBS News' Nancy Giles

No bias here: "I'm not going to be silly about it - a lot of people think we're left of center. I think it depends on the week and the issue.... I'm not ideologically driven by any means." --Newsweek editor John Meacham

Newspulper Headlines:

We Blame Global Warming: "Bitter Cold Hits Hard Because of Economic Meltdown" --Associated Press

Help Is on the Way: "Bone-Chilling Temperatures Settle Over East" --Associated Press ++ "Hammond Boy Licks Light Pole, Gets Stuck" --Associated Press ++ "Waxman Promises Quick Action on Climate" --Associated Press

Breaking News From Genesis 4:10-16: "COURTS: Cain Sentenced to 55 Years" --Lockport (NY) Union-Sun & Journal

Everything Seemingly Is Spinning Out of Control: "Man Accidentally Shoots Toilet After Gun in His Pants Goes Off" --FoxNews.com

News You Can Use: "How to Understand a Trillion-Dollar Deficit" --Time.com

Bottom Stories of the Day: "Bin Laden Urges Jihad Against Israel" --Associated Press ++ "Michael Moore Misuses Photo Taken by War Correspondent" --FoxNews.com

(Thanks to The Wall Street Journal's James Taranto)

THE DEMO-GOGUES

We the government: "For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of our 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. All this we will do." --Barack Obama in his inaugural address

It's all about me: "Well, look, if you think about the journey that this country has made, then it can't help but stir your heart. Obviously, it's an extraordinary personal moment, but you know, you don't have to go back to slavery. You can think about what Washington, D.C. was like 50 years ago or 60 years ago, and the notion that I now will be standing there and sworn in as the 44th president I think is something that hopefully our children take for granted, but our grandparents I think are still stunned by, and it's a remarkable moment." --Barack Obama on his ascension

For the children: "When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me -- about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world. I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation." --Barack Obama in an open letter to his daughters

Hope 'n' change: "We will not go forward anymore, I don't think, with the politics of division and destruction that for too long have dragged us down." --Bill Clinton

Say what?: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating.... The Bush-Cheney relationship hasn't tasted very good. Not a single person you can name for me. Look at me, now, a single one can't tell you that the pudding has tasted good." --Joe Biden

Class warfare: "Nothing contributed more to the budget deficit than the tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America." --House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

VILLAGE IDIOTS

Left-theology: "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen." --Irreverend Joseph Lowery giving what was supposed to be the benediction at the inauguration

Give us a break: "I think it's going to be the most important day in the history of the United States of America." --filmmaker Spike Lee on Obama's inauguration

Getting it wrong: "The philosophy that was at the base of the last administration has ruined many, many people's lives. The deregulation, the idea of the unfettered, free market, the blind foreign policy. This was a very radical group of people who pushed things in a very radical direction, had great success at moving things in that direction, and we are suffering the consequences." --singer Bruce Springsteen

From the gun grabbers: "I think you had asked me earlier about the regulations that I thought might still exist, post-Heller. And I had mentioned, I think, closing the gun show loophole, the banning of cop-killer bullets and I also think that making the assault weapons ban permanent would be something that would be permitted under Heller, and I also think would be good for my law enforcement perspective." --Attorney General nominee Eric Holder

Global warmism: "We cannot afford to put off change any longer. We have to get on a new path within this new administration. We have only four years left for Obama to set an example to the rest of the world. America must take the lead." --NASA "scientist" James Hansen

Him again: "Michelle Obama is the first African-American sleeping in the White House legally, and she is sleeping there not as a kept woman like Sally Hemings, she is sleeping there as a first lady of the United States of America. But hold on, sisters. Hold on, sisters. You can one day be sleeping there as the first female president of the United States of America. Stand up." --Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright

From the glitterati: "I feel like I am better because of his being elected. And I think that the country is going to be better. I feel like it is a beautiful thing, and we all start to see ourselves differently, the possibility." --Oprah Winfrey ++ "It's a once-in-a-lifetime situation. The last eight years have been such hell. We're all so excited about the hope of things to come. I really think that's part of it. People are so ready to rejoice and celebrate what is hopefully the return of the foundation of the United States." --actress Gloria Reuben ++ "[Obama's] presence is so larger-than-life. I'm so happy my children have a real hero to look up to...." --actress Kim Raver ++ "I'm calm for the first time in eight years, that somebody is in charge that has such intelligence and grace and is so thoughtful. I feel calm that the country is falling apart, but really that he's in charge now." --actress Maura Tierney

SHORT CUTS

"I am writing this at 6:18 on Sunday night and I want to report to you that I am officially sick and tired of this business about a 13-year-long Inaugural Ceremony. Ok. That's an exaggeration, but not by much. The actual event -- the oath of office -- is exactly 35 words long. ... the entire swearing-in part of the Inaugural will last about 45 seconds. The other 12 years, 11 months, 30 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 15 seconds of the Inauguration of Barack Obama are ... other stuff." --political analyst Rich Galen

"Bill Clinton got the biggest response from the [inauguration] crowd. Apparently, thousands of women yelled, 'That's him, officer!'" --Conan O'Brien

"In just about his last act as president, George W. Bush has declared Washington, D.C., a federal disaster area. No, seriously. ... What happened last week was that the Bush administration formally declared a federal emergency in the District of Columbia. So what was it? An ice storm? A hurricane? No, it's the Inauguration of his successor." --columnist Mark Steyn

"The Congressional Budget Office last week forecasted that the 2009 federal budget deficit will be about $1.2 trillion, roughly triple what it was in 2008. We should hope we are that lucky. The deficit will be that low only if Uncle Sam dies and goes to heaven." --American Enterprise Institute Economic Policy Studies Director Kevin Hassett

"President Bush came before the White House press corps for the last time on January 12 to thank them for doing their jobs. This exercise was akin to thanking the sharks who ate you." --columnist L. Brent Bozell

Jay Leno:

You know a lot of celebrities in Washington for the inauguration. Isn't that unbelievable? So many celebrities are out of town, over in Malibu, they had to close the Promises Rehab Center for a week.

Good luck trying to find a place to stay. Given how hard it is to get a room in Washington, even Bill and Hillary had to double up.

Barack Obama plans to issue an executive order on his first full day in office, directing the closing of Guantanamo Bay. He said he needs the money for new prisons to hold Democratic mayors and governors.

Incoming press secretary Robert Gibbs said President-elect Barack Obama will allow gays to serve openly in the military. So the days of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" are over. Actually, that's not quite true. Congress will continue to use the phrase when referring to the bailout money. "Don't Ask Us What We Did With It, We're Not Going To Tell You Where It Went."

At his confirmation hearing, Attorney General Nominee Eric Holder said as far as he is concerned, waterboarding is torture. And Treasury secretary nominee Tim Geithner said, "So is paying taxes."

President Bush said he is leaving Washington with his head held high, because it is the best way to spot shoes that are coming at you.

*****

Veritas vos Liberabit -- Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus, et Fidelis! Mark Alexander, Publisher, for The Patriot's editors and staff.

(Please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm's way around the world, and for their families -- especially families of those fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, who granted their lives in defense of American liberty.)