I did watch the swearing in. I did because of a comment made by Chris Core on WTOP regarding the transition. I wanted to see the Secret Service make the snap from Bush to Obama. Didn't see it unfortunately.
However, I did note that they just managed to squeak by the 20th Amendment. Not that many in the crowd would have known this but that amendment requires the President be sworn in by 12 noon on January 20th. Obama wasn't sworn in until 12:05pm.
I say squeaked by because I think the planners of the ceremony were cognizant of that fact and that the 20th Amendment states that the Vice-President is the President until a President can be qualified. If anyone noticed, Joe Biden was sworn in at 11:58am before inaugural music was played prior to Obama's swearing in after noon. So the 20th Amendment was satisfied. Barely.
For five minutes, Joe Biden was President of the United States until Obama took the Oath. Not that anyone would notice and I doubt there would be any serious challenge to Obama's legitimacy since the 20th Amendment was satisified. It was close but it was satisfied. I believe few people in that crowd realized what had really happened in that 7 minute span of time. But it was legal. Hopefully that will silence any critics who claim Obama "isn't their President" much as the Left did with Bush in 2000 and ever since.
I don't like the fact Obama is President of the United States. I wouldn't have voted for him and I certainly take issue with his policy positions. But his Presidency is legitimate and I do respect him for the office. As a man, it will take longer for him to earn my respect. Hopefully he will.
What I want to remind gun owners in this time of trial and tribulation is even though President Obama would likely not turn away any anti-gun legislation placed on his desk (it would be the greatest sign of his character to do so in accordance with his Oath but I digress), the ultimate power to make law does not lie with him. It lies with Congress and the Senate.
It is our duty as citizens and future citizens-to-be to make it known to our representatives our desires. I am so sick and tired of hearing them referred to as "leaders" and too many Americans have fallen into that trap and accepted our representatives describing themselves as such when they are not. They represent us and are supposed to act in accordance with our desires as constituents, not theirs. Remind them of it.
The best way for us to not despise Obama for his gun control positions is to never allow those preferences to reach his desk for signature. We must be vigilant, constant and express our voices forcefully and repeatedly to those we elected to represent, not lead, us.
Every time an anti-gun bill comes up for a hearing or a vote, we must be there. Pholne calls, e-mails and preferably letters. Make our feelings known. And for those representatives who will not listen, they are no longer worthy of our support and we should try to oust them from office in future elections.
So let's dig in and let the future bring what it will. Regardless of how you feel about President Obama, I hope he has a good, uneventful term in office. History will eventually judge him. I'm going to give him a clean slate.
It has begun.
However, I did note that they just managed to squeak by the 20th Amendment. Not that many in the crowd would have known this but that amendment requires the President be sworn in by 12 noon on January 20th. Obama wasn't sworn in until 12:05pm.
I say squeaked by because I think the planners of the ceremony were cognizant of that fact and that the 20th Amendment states that the Vice-President is the President until a President can be qualified. If anyone noticed, Joe Biden was sworn in at 11:58am before inaugural music was played prior to Obama's swearing in after noon. So the 20th Amendment was satisfied. Barely.
For five minutes, Joe Biden was President of the United States until Obama took the Oath. Not that anyone would notice and I doubt there would be any serious challenge to Obama's legitimacy since the 20th Amendment was satisified. It was close but it was satisfied. I believe few people in that crowd realized what had really happened in that 7 minute span of time. But it was legal. Hopefully that will silence any critics who claim Obama "isn't their President" much as the Left did with Bush in 2000 and ever since.
I don't like the fact Obama is President of the United States. I wouldn't have voted for him and I certainly take issue with his policy positions. But his Presidency is legitimate and I do respect him for the office. As a man, it will take longer for him to earn my respect. Hopefully he will.
What I want to remind gun owners in this time of trial and tribulation is even though President Obama would likely not turn away any anti-gun legislation placed on his desk (it would be the greatest sign of his character to do so in accordance with his Oath but I digress), the ultimate power to make law does not lie with him. It lies with Congress and the Senate.
It is our duty as citizens and future citizens-to-be to make it known to our representatives our desires. I am so sick and tired of hearing them referred to as "leaders" and too many Americans have fallen into that trap and accepted our representatives describing themselves as such when they are not. They represent us and are supposed to act in accordance with our desires as constituents, not theirs. Remind them of it.
The best way for us to not despise Obama for his gun control positions is to never allow those preferences to reach his desk for signature. We must be vigilant, constant and express our voices forcefully and repeatedly to those we elected to represent, not lead, us.
Every time an anti-gun bill comes up for a hearing or a vote, we must be there. Pholne calls, e-mails and preferably letters. Make our feelings known. And for those representatives who will not listen, they are no longer worthy of our support and we should try to oust them from office in future elections.
So let's dig in and let the future bring what it will. Regardless of how you feel about President Obama, I hope he has a good, uneventful term in office. History will eventually judge him. I'm going to give him a clean slate.
It has begun.
2 comments:
From what I heard, he automatically becomes president at noon. Regardless of the oath, so long as he is qualified.
Wrote my Congressman this month, emailed my Senators, and yesterday my letter, one page, was sent to the White House. All pro-2nd Amendment, and reminding them that the government hasn't provided enough public ranges, firearms, ammunition and training to live up to their responsibilities for the well-regulated militia - which is all of their voters. And to repeal those infringements.
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