Barry O.

Barack Obama was inaugurated at noon (ET) on 20th Jan as the 44th American President.

It's a huge watershed for an African-American to take on the highest office in the land, where so much so long ago was built in the shoulders of his forefathers who toiled in abject slavery.

He's got a lot on his plate...the transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration has to go smoothly and he has to hit the ground running hard...what with so many critical issues facing him in the form of the economic crisis, the tentative Israel-Hamas truce in the Middle East, the unfinished war in Iraq, the conflict still raging on in Afghanistan...so on and so forth.

In his inaugural address, what struck me most was his capability for plain speaking and restraint. Without much verbal flourishes and rhetoric, it was an refined and speech that showcased his gravitas and determination without revealing too much of his passion. He spoke clearly, concisely and (I felt) from the heart.

Watch for yourself below.



The full text is HERE.