A Fine Point

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The editors who craft the Post-Gazette’s daily stands on the issues affecting the region, the state and the nation hold an on-line conversation with readers about key topics in the news. The PG editorial writers are: Tom Waseleski, Reg Henry, Susan Mannella, Tony Norman and Dan Simpson.  

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A matter of speech

Tom Waseleski

Barack Obama's inauguration is in the history books, and it's safe to say that the grand sweep of the historic occasion involved more people  -- and more average Americans -- than any inauguration before it. That, more than anything, is what should be remembered about the arrival of this president.

About that speech. I think Obama had set us up for such high expectations that we were counting on two or three phrases that would be immediately rendered in granite. Instead, the consensus seemed to be good but not great, a double but not a home run. Nonetheless, Obama was clear and evocative about the departure he wants his administration to signify and the return to certain bedrock values (like responsibility) he wants to see. 

In the end, for the president and the people, it's more important what we do than what we say. 

 


Posted Jan 21 2009, 11:32 AM by Tom Waseleski
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