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Hail to the chief
Local pair happy to view Obama inauguration live
Published Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Photo by Justin Schuver
AES third grader Carrington Ward bows her head while her class listens to the invocation of Tuesday’s inauguration.
It was her “March on Washington” — that was how Michele Robertson described Tuesday’s inauguration of President Barack Obama.
“For me, that was my march on Washington,” Michele said, “since I was not around when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did his speech at the national monument. I just can’t speak, it was my march on Washington to see history being made — to see parts of Dr. King’s dream come true. We were able to be there to witness what he and others fought for to give equality to all.
“It was an awesome experience,” she said. “We had a fantastic time.”
Obama took the oath of office in front of a crowd of more than 1 million people — including Robertson and her mother, Andalusia resident Ethel Robertson. The day’s event made him this nation’s 44th president.
For the two, the day began at 3 a.m. before hopping a train at 5 a.m. to make it to the historic event.
Robertson said she and her mother braved the cold and were able to obtain a spot in the National Mall where they watched the swearing in on the Jumbotron alongside people from every part of the world.
“There were people there from Birmingham, Atlanta, even Pensacola — we met people from all over the country,” she said. “There were people there from England, Asia. It was just amazing.”
Comments
Posted by hcgresident (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I watched the swearing in of Obama. Sadly, in my 40+ years of life, this was the only time in my life I watched ANY president being sworn in. I sure hope he does a good job. I have to say that it was the parade where he got out of his limousine that I started getting misty. I cannot keep from being a little nervous about his being in the White House but the faces of the youth are so full of hope and expectation. I hope they realize that Obama will only be able to do what CONGRESS allows him to do.
Oh! Let me put a "bee in your bonnet" this morning. Did you see on the news last night where some blacks were calling Obama "brother" and saying things such as he was going to "turn it around" for the black people???
Come on!!!!! First of all, Obama is NOT your brother and no kin to you. He owes you nothing. That's like me saying that all whites are my sisters and brothers. I know this is so in the eyes of God but in reality I wouldn't know you from Adam's house cat. I tried to know you citizens of Andalusia only to get cold and unwelcoming looks, especially from the women. And with that said.......I say, GOOD DAY!
Posted by JayL (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HCG? Where is that?
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hcgresident... you posted, " I hope they realize that Obama will only be able to do what CONGRESS allows him to do." Uh you do know which party is in control of Congress?
Posted by sunshine33 (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
they can still go against what he asks. Abortion, gay rights and countless other shameful things. Im sure not all democrats hold the same ideals.
Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I lost my log-in info and created a new profile. Hey, it is still me with my Southern attitude. And now, here is something every American needs to read about the kind of people we will have in the White House.
Oh what a wonderful 1st "lady" we will have.
“There was no doubt in my mind that as a member of the black community, I was somehow obligated to this community and would utilize all of my present and future resources to benefit this community first and foremost."
This is taken from her college thesis. Read the full thesis here...
http://www.hellnobama.com/michelleobamat...
Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First I would like to say I hope Mrs. Robertson and her daughter did truly enjoy the show in Washington. I remember her fom middle school. She was a very nice and kind lady.
Now to my point. Her husband, Coach Robertson, as us kids knew him, was my first encounter with one of the most prejudice, racist people I have ever encountered. He clearly showed preference to black kids and a "down his nose" demeanor to white kids. He is the sole reason my now husband did not pursue sports any further. My husband was very athletic as proved by his acceptance into the military Special Forces.
Posted by Nikki (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No matter what your politics are, you have to admit that the sea of hopeful, proud, patriotic, enthusiastic faces in Washington, D.C. yesterday was nothing short of electric!! And I'm talking about faces of every color, from every kind of background. I was so proud of America yesterday as I am everyday. But yesterday was, as is every inauguration, a beautiful peaceful transition of power that we should not take for granted. Many countries do not enjoy such a graceful transition, they have riots and bloodshed when someone seeks to take over the reins. God Bless America!
Posted by TD (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just hope that in 4 years everyone that voted for him is happy with him. I did not vote for him but I wish him the best. I do not worry to much about him because congress has the say. I just wish people would remember that before they put President Bush down. He did the best with what he had and he tried. Michelle Obama is the one that bothers me,it has been a long time since I have seen a woman with as much influence over her husband as she has. I just hope that she lets him do his job, and sticks to being First Lady.
Posted by yrusostupid (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
....so Congress is responsible for the innocent young men and women being killed in this never-ending senseless war? So what if people call him "brother," it's better than the "N" word which you probably call him.
LMAO @ all the racist comments. How the hell would anyone know if a woman has SO MUCH control of her husband? How do you come to that conclusion as she appears to be doing the same things as other first ladies? Except her skin is darker. You must be a fly on their bedroom wall....ignorance never seizes to amaze me. SMDH (stands for shaking my damned head for those who are not blogger inclined).
The problem is not Michelle allowing him to do his job. The problem is the out right racists who won't allow him to do his job. Kick rocks George Bush. The people have spoken.
Southern Attitude I think it's very rude and inappropriate for you to make these personal attacks against a man in a community newpaper. How would you feel if people wrote in and attacked you or your loved one? I guess it's very easy though being that you are making your comments under your code name. You would never sign your name to these comments as you have chosen the cowardly way out. If you are bold enough to personally attack Richard Robertson and say his full name in a newspaper you should also stop being a coward and post your REAL name so that he can defend himself. Otherwise, bury your head in the sand. You're not worthy.
Posted by yrusostupid (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
....btw (stands for by the way) LMAO had Hillary Clinton had more influence over her husband, Monica Lewinsky would have never become famous. But I guess she was the perfect first lady, staying in her place.
Posted by yrusostupid (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
....btw Richard Robertson has never held anybody back in athletics. If there is someone "so good" in sports they can still make it. Has anybody ever heard of "walking on?" To hold Richard Robertson responsible for someone not making it in athletics is unfair. I'm so thrilled that my children are not raised in this little town.
Posted by mdchem301 (anonymous) on January 21, 2009 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not suprised by the comments I've read on this blog. They range from very prudent to quite ignorant. I am beyond annoyed by some of the posted comments.
This is not the forum to express defamatory comments about another person. In addition, these feelings have absolutely nothing to do with the story.
It appears that someone forgot about the terms and conditions which clearly state that comments should not defame people. Your comments about Coach Robertson are not only defamatory but hateful.
Don't you remember agreeing to them when you created your new profile? If not, you may review them again before posting any further comments.
Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on January 22, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I did not call him by his first name. Luckily, If you know him well enough to call him by his first name then you know what I said is the truth. I was among the first students to attend middle school. I did not make him that way. He was that way when I encountered him. A very enlightening experience for a young girl who had never been exposed to that type of attitude. I did not defame him and I did not attack him. I simply pointed out the attitudes we, as young white children, were exposed to. He is responsible for his own attitudes toward the many students who were forced to go there. Fact is fact. Simply said.
Guess you didn't notice what a fine lady I said his wife was. Yes, a fine LADY! She was always kind and deserved all of the respect she got.
Posted by Movedbutnotgone (anonymous) on January 22, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SouthernAttitude, man you are wrong about Coach Robertson. He is alot of things, but Racist is not one of them. I played both JV football and Basketball for him in the mid 90's. I am not very athletic nor ever claimed to be, but I always got to play. And yes, I am as white as you. Richard Robertson is alot of things, but Racist is not one of them. To this day, if I see Richard in town he will come up to me, call me by name, and ask me how things are going for me and my family.
Southerattitude, you use the phrase fact is fact, the only phrase that comes to my mind when I have read many of your posts over the course of the last few days if "Pot meet Kettle"
Posted by schmeltit_deltit (anonymous) on January 22, 2009 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The true south has finally come out in the last week. From the debate of celebrating MLK's or REL's birthday to throwing all kinds of stones at OUR new president, even his wife, not to mention each other. Everyone denies being a racist, both black and white, but it is obvious that they have some racism in there blood. I admit that I am, sorry if that offends you. I took the time to read Michelle Obama's thesis, and it shows a lot of pride in her race, as well as some pain that she went through emotionally at one of the most prestigious “Yankee” colleges. How do you think a typical Southerner would react to being at that school? (Football season would just be a passing instead of a passion) When you read it objectively instead if subjectively it isn’t racist at all, just honest. How about we get rid of MLK day altogether, and as a show of good faith we fold up the Rebel Flags and put them away for good and fly the Stars and Bars as true Americans. I also believe that it is time for everyone to pull up their pants, straighten their hats, enunciate their words and show others the respect that they would want to receive.
Posted by hcgresident (anonymous) on January 23, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm!!!!! Didn't the South lose????!!!!
Posted by sunshine33 (anonymous) on January 23, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Hope yall are happy all you Obama followers. He is getting ready to sign saying that federal money can go to family planning clinics for abortions. But he's a great man but he doesn't mind saying it ok to kill innocent babies.........
Posted by pjcsoftball (anonymous) on January 23, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why does abortion always come up with politics? You know, I don't really like the idea of abortion, but it's better than girls having children and not taking care of them. There are tons of hungry kids in this nation due to the fact that adults are not responsible for their actions.
Maybe instead of more abortion clinics, maybe they should send money to parents so they can put their adolescents and young adults on birth control, that's what they really need. Better yet, why not build better and more efficient foster homes?
Regardless, the topic is a waste of breath because no matter what better ideas we come up with, Congress will not use. So, why not just give up on the topic?
Posted by hcgresident (anonymous) on January 23, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You gotta be kidding me. In case you are afraid to say it, ABORTION = MURDER!!!!!!! There is no way you can justify it. If the parents raised their children correctly instead of letting them run the streets, hang out in the parking lots, and made them accountable for their whereabouts. If the parents took the time to teach them to keep their pants up and their knees together, we wouldn't have all these EXCESS children running around without proper food, clothing, shelter, and parenting. Somewhere the parents failed in raising their kid. It's bad enough my tax dollar has to fund these so called parents to sit on their backsides and collect a check. They put a pretty name on it and call it "family assistance." I am for mass sterilzation and population control. Two children per family; one child out of wedlock is an accident......two children, that is pure irresponsibility and subject to automatic sterilization. Both man and woman. You wanted the kids, now take care of them and quit pawning them off society and the schools to raise while you sit around feeding your face and smoking cigarettes.
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