Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States as he is sworn in by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts with his wife Michelle by his side during an inauguration ceremony in Washington, Tuesday. Obama became the first African-American president in U.S. history. / Reuters-Yonhap |
By Choi Yearn-hong
Korea Times Columnist
Washington ― Early Tuesday morning, about 2 million spectators had gathered at the National Mall to be part of the first presidential inauguration of an African-American.
However, the crowd expected more history from Obama, the 44th president of the United States, in overcoming the crises in Iraq, Afghanistan, Wall Street and all over the United States.
His presidential oath, in front of the chief Supreme Court justice, took place just after noon and was followed by the chief justice's congratulations.
The ceremony reached it's peak, to the crowd's enjoyment and excitement, with Obama's inaugural address, the jewel of the inauguration and an inspiration to American's of all walks of life. All great speeches contain poetic rhetoric, and Obama's was no exception. He pointed out the nation is crisis and persuaded listeners to participate in the remaking of America, convincing his fellow citizens to meet the challenges ahead. He enlightened the American people to stick together in unity of purpose and responsible citizenship ― teachers, parents, firefighters, workers, managers and leaders.
He constantly reminded them that the prosperity and freedom of their nation was earned by the doers and sacrifices at Concord, Gettysburg, Normandy and Khe Sahn.
His vision of the world was touching. He showed sympathy and compassion to developing nations and condemned authoritarian governments that silence dissent and sought international cooperation based on common humanity. He was firm when saying "we will defeat" forces looking for terror and the slaughter of innocents.
His inaugural message is: we can do, that a new age would be created. Immediately upon entering his new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House, he is going to face challenging tasks. The Dow Jones fell 300 points on inauguration day; apparently the financial market did not respond to his eloquent speech.
About 80 percents of American are optimistic that the Obama administration will rescue their nation from its crises in a couple of years. He should not betray the high expectations of the American people and the world.
He said at the inauguration ceremony that, "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."
What sort of message would pertinent to the Korean people? The answer is the price of citizenship. Why? Many Korean people are not recognizing it.
They equate democracy with freedom and liberty without accountability. Freedom without accountability or responsible citizenship is going to bring the wanton destruction of an orderly and civil society.
Irresponsible citizenship is cancerous to Korean society. Months- long street demonstrations against importing U.S. beef with the excuse of mad cow disease at the beginning of the Lee Myung-bak government were wasteful and destructive.
More recently, the Minerva fiasco was destructive to the Korean financial market. Repeated violence in the National Assembly on the part of opposition parties against majority rule, essential in any civilized institution, was shameful.
Maximizing one's interests or his or her group's may clash with public interest. All interest groups should be concerned about the public while pursuing their goals. Otherwise, society will collapse. That's my take on Korean democracy.
Part of Obama's speech is relevant to Korean politics: ``On this day, we come to reclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble ideas, 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.''
Look at the Obama presidency. The white majority has embraced a black president. The transition of power from the Bush administration to the Obama administration took place smoothly and professionally.
Their personal animosity was set aside. The outgoing president and the incoming president and their wives got together for their morning coffee in the White House before they headed to Congress for the inauguration ceremony. In a historic moment, white men and women and the old and young celebrated together in hope that President Obama will overcome the difficulties the nation is confronting.
Do we see a crowd cheering for President Lee Myung-back to overcome the Korean economic crisis? Let him make history for Korea. Could Lee become as persuasive as Obama? If Lee lacks his skill and power, let us help him acquire and wield such persuasive power.
Presidential power is based on persuasive power. Constitutional law offers the president certain legal power but real power is based on and originates from his or her power of persuasion. Obama has it. Not many presidents do.
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