[« Philosophical Ideas II: Attributions of Ability] [Gem o'the Day: »]
01/19/2005: Thought for the Day:
Despite the changes over the years, however, the 54 inaugurations prior to this one share a lot in common, as outlined by former Clinton administration speechwriter and occasional Slate contributor Ted Widmer in "So Help Me God," a delightful article in the Winter 2005 issue of the American Scholar. Widmer distills the typical inaugural address to 10 bullet points:
1. I am not worthy of this great honor.
2. But I congratulate the people that they elected me.
3. Now we must all come together, even those of us who really hate each other.
4. I love the Constitution, the Union, and George Washington.
5. I will work against bad threats.
6. I will work for good things.
7. We must avoid entangling alliances.
8. America's strength=democracy.
9. Democracy's strength=America.
10. Thanks, God.
--Chris Suellentrop
Len on 01.19.05 @ 06:25 AM CST
