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Originally Posted by PeriscopeDepth
I have to admit I am younger and don't remember Bush II's initial inauguration at all, or if I even paid attention to it. Do these things always get so much media attention and celebration, or would you say this year's inauguration stands out more?
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It does, really. Bush' limousine was left standing undecided in the middle of the road for ten minutes because of protests and small riots. The whole event was much more "intimate", not plagued by too much consensus, to put mildly. That it was also raining just gave the right theatralic scene to the overall telling of the story.
Check videos at youtube on Bush inauguration 2001, I don't link you directly since I think it is time to leave Bush behind in the darkness of history and forget about that guy, but I saw some real nasty ones there. There was plenty of protest from day one on, and the inauguration day saw plenty of partly violent riots. No comparison at all to the optimism and enthusiasm you have seen today. Today it was a people's celebration, with people feeling relived and feeling almost liberated from a heavy burden. Americans even celebrated in German cities, and probably still do so.
The speeches 2001 and 2009 also do not compare in inspiration and message. Today it was a highlight (I have just read it in full), 8 years ago it was lame and boring (I've read it yesterday).