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We can't all be packed in like sardines at the inauguration on Tuesday, but that doesn't mean we can't take part. Thanks to the fine folks at hulu.com we are providing a live feed of inauguration coverage with all the speeches and the swearing in right here in Blogcritics.
Whether you love or loathe Barack Obama, this is one of the biggest political events of the new millennium and this will be a chance to see it all and share your opinion as events happen. It's like being there, but you can have a beer and put your feet up and be part of history.
The live video feed starts on Tuesday the 20th at 9am and will continue until 1:30pm EST. Live blogging will be handled with a handy chat widget from coveritlive.com which will be active starting at 9am. We've invited various Blogcritics writers and editors as panelists. Expect the serious discussion to start around 11am EST, but feel free to stop in and discuss the parade in the morning. Obama takes the oath of office at 11:55 EST and the inaugural address will start shortly after noon.
If you scroll the page just right you ought to be able to view the video and chat in the same screen.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Charlie
Very cool Dave, but you might want to edit out "Tuesday the 19th at 9am" and change it to the 20th (LOL).
2 - Roger Nowosielski
Yeah, that's the reason why I didn't sign up because of the date.
3 - Dave Nalle
Sort of rushed to get it on here. Various things have had to be adjusted, so check the posting for updated info.
Dave
4 - Dave Nalle
If this works, you ought to be able to copy the code below and paste it into a post on your personal blog and have the chat app appear there, simulcast with BC.
NM. I think I figured it out. Check the bottom of the article itself momentarily.
Dave
5 - Dr Dreadful
I'm feeling very centered today.
6 - Ruvy
Nice job, Dave. Thanks.
7 - STM
Me too. Really cejntred. I've got eyes like p.ssholes in snow. I've had no sleep, finished work at 9pm ... it's now heading towards 5am (Wednesday)and back in the office after no sleep putting a special edition together on the inauguration.
Have watched the whole thing live here, and listened to a bit in the car on the way back to work.
But couldn't you blokes do these things at night, so they fall into our daytime proper rather than first thing in the bloody morning??
Loving it though. Gotta love democracy, gotta love America's version of it, love this country too for having a friend in America.
I wonder sometimes: Do we all realise how lucky we are to live in the places we do?
Great speech ... not as good as the acceptance speech, but that'd be hard to top.
Glad he didn't give us the Gettysburg address.
Now, must get more coffee and someone's cooking up bacon too as we speak.
Great day for Yanks, even if you don't agree with his politics.
Cheers ... enjoy
8 - Dave Nalle
The impressive thing here is not that we inaugurated an African America, but that we have had 43 transitions of power without violence or conflict over the last 200-some years.
Dave
9 - Ruvy
Frankly, what has made this day historic in your country is that a man identified as a black man has been inaugurated as president. That indeed is historic.
But beyond that, I fear for you.
I got what I want - a target that I can show fellow Israelis as an enemy, so that the bums who run this country can be held accountable for kow-towing to foreign interests and hopefully be overthrown.
But you have a heavy plate of problems of your own to deal with; and beyond the color of Obama's skin, you need to look at what he will attempt to do. In all truth, I do not see that there is a lot of good this man can do, even with the best of intentions, and the highest level of wisdom.
So, I fear for you all.
10 - Roger Nowosielski
Thanks for your comments, STM. Maybe there's a chance to turn parts of the world around, not by force but by example.
Roger
11 - Brunelleschi
This is a great day!
We have a new superstar president.
The million-plus crowd that showed up to celebrate was a great image.
All you Obama haters can shut up now.
12 - STM
Dave: "The impressive thing here is not that we inaugurated an African America, but that we have had 43 transitions of power without violence or conflict over the last 200-some years."
Well, apart from the civil war. Even so, the United States never ceased to be as an entity.
But bingo Dave. It's that old Rule of Law again ... and respect for that and the process. For all their failings, we can all thank our Pom friends for passing that little gift on to us.
13 - STM
Roger, hope you're right about that.
I suspect that Mr Obama will be tough but fair.
We've already got the tough bit. It's the fair we all need right now.
14 - Dr Dreadful
The impressive thing here is not that we inaugurated an African America [sic]...
Oh, please, Dave. That's impressive.
...but that we have had 43 transitions of power without violence or conflict over the last 200-some years.
Also impressive. Britain is the only other nation I can think of that can boast that sort of record.
You can, for whatever reason you prefer, all feel rather pleased with yourselves today.
15 - Jet
I wonder if this would work?
16 - Jet
17 - Jet
Dave centered, I wonder if I can get used to that?
18 - STM
DD: "Also impressive. Britain is the only other nation I can think of that can boast that sort of record".
Yes, Doc, Britain's is actually longer - 300-plus years - but sorry mate, even though I'm part of the club, it's nowhere near as impressive a spectatcle.
The Yanks love their pomp and ceremony even more than you guys, although they need more marching!
Here's what happens in the UK (and here), in a nutshell: The newly-elected PM goes to Buck House (or the G-G's place) and the Queen (or her representative) says yes, mate, you're the new PM, they shake hands, sit down and have a chat for half an hour, sign a couple of bits of paper and then everyone goes home and has a nice cup of tea and a lie down.
(Which is what I'm about to do because I'm completely rooted.)
Not nearly as much fun as what happened today and nowhere near as much hoo-ha!
(PS ... Doc, you're right on the other business. It is impressive that they elected a Black president. I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime, and here it was today, all unfolding live on the TV. Amazing stuff)
19 - Cindy D
Bad day for the stock market.
20 - Dr Dreadful
The Yanks love their pomp and ceremony even more than you guys, although they need more marching!
There's no-one left to march - they're all in the desert trying to get the sand out of their MREs!
21 - Jet
I'm especially proud that the the Ohio State Marching band (they're known far and wide as "The best damned band in the land") marched in his inaugural parade
22 - STM
Well, then, they need to learn to keep a core of marchers back home. You can't have all that wonderful pomp and ceremony without heaps of shiny shoes, marching up and down, saluting and foot stomping to go with all the flag waving.
If Barack has his way, they'll be home soon enough anyway from Iraq.
That won't be a bad thing.
Good night and good luck folks. Glad I could share your excellent big day.
23 - STM
See, Jet knows his marching bands. There WAS marching.
24 - El Bicho
"The impressive thing here is not that we inaugurated an African America,"
Must be tough to view history when the blinders are on so tight. Not that long ago, Obama's father couldn't eat at some lunch counters in this country. Many people thought they would never live to see the events of 11/4/2008, so this inauguration was s a little more impressive this time.
"but that we have had 43 transitions of power without violence or conflict over the last 200-some years."
Without conflict? I know it's been a while, but Google "2008 Presidential campaign" or "Bush v. Gore" for a refresher.
25 - El Bicho
make that "2000 Presidential campaign"