Barack Obama

Inaugural speech (2009)

Excerpts (1):

“I stand here humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.”

“The words (of the presidential oath) have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace, ... amidst gathering clouds and raging storms, ...”

Excerpts (2):

“... a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable ...”

“The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift...”

“What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them – that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply.”

Excerpts (3): Recall that earlier generations faced down

fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through the prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

Excerpts (4): To those who cling to power through

corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent: Know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unquench your first.

Those ideals (rule of law and rights of man), we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.

Themes covered

keeping the system crisis (overview) patriotism economy power and defence messages across national borders citizenship

HomeworkSource: YouTube (Barack Obama’s Inaugural Speech, 2009)

Reading and listening: Mark the specific words particularly

stressed by president Obama in his speech Mark the parts of the speech the audience

applauds to

Reading: Make a list of additional elements of the

topics covered which you missed while listening to the speech in class