The flub heard 'round the world
Posted by Courtney E. Howard
President Obama had to be sworn in twice this week, due to what is being called "the flub heard 'round the world" by Chief Justice John Roberts. What happened? Perhaps he was nervous about the more than 500,000 people in attendance – reportedly more than during any other inauguration ceremony. Polls reveal that a majority of the American public thought it was "no big deal," but I found it embarrassing. He was reading it, yes? Jeez.
I could be a bit jaded, I admit, however. Ever since the election of 2000, and the finding last year that George W. Bush was not the winner of that election, I am dismayed, disheartened, and a bit disgusted.
President Obama took it all in stride, even cracking a joke to reporters attending the second oath; after all, he has bigger things to worry about, including what is deemed "the in-box from hell." I could have done without the flawed start but after hearing the President’s speech, I am nonetheless optimistic.
Okay, so it wasn’t the most powerful inauguration speech ever heard (a la John F. Kennedy), but I did find it inspiring, thought-provoking, and motivating.
What do you think, about the bungle and the speech?
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
