Best line from Obama's Inaugural Address

[ColbertWatcher]

I picked six that I thought were most memorable in another thread, choose from these (or pick other and specify in reply which is yours)

A

"... all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

B

"... there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage."

C

"We will not apologize for our way of life nor will we waver in its defense."

D

"... people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."

E

"... we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

F

"... we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

G Other (please specify which in reply)

Full speech in http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7840646.stm">text and video from the BBC.

(And just for fun two satellite images comparing the National Mall in December and yesterday during Obama's inaugural http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7841681.stm )

H

"... we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"

I

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers."

[Taverner]

1. Neither - the line that we are a nation of christians, muslims, hindus jews and NON BELIEVERS!!!!!

[B o d i]

9. Can you edit this one into the poll? That's my vote too.

“No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots." GHWB

[ColbertWatcher]

12. Damn, I have to learn to read from the top down and not bottom up ...

... sorry, I will add it.

[merh]

D - most definitely D

This is the DU member always known as merh.

[anonymous171]

2. D and E, although I voted for D.

[JuniperLea]

3. D works on so many levels... eom

[hobbit709]

4. Other

we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals

[wryter2000]

6. I vote for yours

Fantastic.

[ColbertWatcher]

11. I added yours and voted for it for you. n/t

[drmeow]

13. Agreed!

[EFerrari]

16. I just heard that again! Yes!

[wryter2000]

5. Maybe this one is too long for a quote

But the reference to George Washington.

[kimmerspixelated]

7. I really like B

but E and D are up there. Obama's speeches just rock, so it's always hard to choose.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

8. Definitely the Non-Believers line

[ColbertWatcher]

14. I added that in. n/t

[G_j]

10. I like D, here is another,

Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.

[vanlassie]

15. Long, but memorable...

Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

[Reader Rabbit]

17. G

It was directed at the Muslim world, but I think it applies to all countries and all aspects of life.

"...know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not on what you can destroy."

[ColbertWatcher]

18. I think that's "D". n/t

[leftofthedial]

19. Sort of "I"

I like the statement that our "patchwork" heritage is a strength.

I like that he mentioned nonbelievers, but he and the others involved sure threw around the jesuses and god almightys a bunch.

[ColbertWatcher]

20. "threw around the jesuses and god almightys a bunch"

I think that's because there are still people out there expecting him to say "Allah."

[leftofthedial]

21. buddha laughs.