Election Connection
Scenes For History
As the parade marches down Pennsylvania Avenue and the Washington elite primp for the inaugural balls, it's a good chance to take a few minutes in the quiet afternoon to reflect on year - in politics, online and in the country as a whole.
Tavis Smiley's Young Voices blog has a running list of observations and hopes for the Obama inauguration and administration, including expanding Change.gov and rethinking who is eligible to be a VIP at the presidential events.
Some of the thoughts of people watching and attending the swearing-in and parade are being shared on KQED's site, like this critical look at Obama's speech:
"Expectations are a dangerous thing. I kept waiting for the JFK/FDR moment when he'd say something that truly resonated, that would give us a line or a concept that would take on a life of its own. Perhaps he purposefully kept the soaring oratory to a minimum, to squelch the naysayers who think he's all speechmaking and no substance?"
At exactly 12:01pm ET, WhiteHouse.gov shifted to a new design, mimicking the Obama campaign website and featuring a blog with news from inside the new White House.
In the first post, blogger and Director of New Media Macon Phillips wrote: "Just like your new government, WhiteHouse.gov and the rest of the Administration's online programs will put citizens first."
With the feeling of unity in Washington today, it's easy to forget that the 2008 election was a close one and there are still deep divisions in U.S. politics. You can share your thoughts on former President Bush's legacy on NOW's website.
How did you watch the Inaugural events? If you were there, tell us about it.
Tavis Smiley's Young Voices blog has a running list of observations and hopes for the Obama inauguration and administration, including expanding Change.gov and rethinking who is eligible to be a VIP at the presidential events.
Some of the thoughts of people watching and attending the swearing-in and parade are being shared on KQED's site, like this critical look at Obama's speech:
"Expectations are a dangerous thing. I kept waiting for the JFK/FDR moment when he'd say something that truly resonated, that would give us a line or a concept that would take on a life of its own. Perhaps he purposefully kept the soaring oratory to a minimum, to squelch the naysayers who think he's all speechmaking and no substance?"
At exactly 12:01pm ET, WhiteHouse.gov shifted to a new design, mimicking the Obama campaign website and featuring a blog with news from inside the new White House.
In the first post, blogger and Director of New Media Macon Phillips wrote: "Just like your new government, WhiteHouse.gov and the rest of the Administration's online programs will put citizens first."
With the feeling of unity in Washington today, it's easy to forget that the 2008 election was a close one and there are still deep divisions in U.S. politics. You can share your thoughts on former President Bush's legacy on NOW's website.
How did you watch the Inaugural events? If you were there, tell us about it.
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