# What an outstanding inaugural speech! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 20, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639 "2017-01-20T17:20:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/41 "2017-01-20T18:18:00Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > All of Trump’s speeches sound like he is still running for President. This one was no different. But now that he’s actual president, watch for the pivot from “everything is awful!” to “everything is great!” He can only keep up his theme of American decay so long before even his supporters start to ask why he hasn’t made America great again yet. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/42 "2017-01-20T18:18:48Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Agree, it was as poor a piece of oration from a world leader that I’ve heard in some time. It had more than a whiff of the fascist about it as well, if you really are giving the government back to the people you don’t have to make such a song and dance about it and if you bitch about insiders and vested interests whilst filling your cabinet with exactly that…well it doesn’t bode well. > > Still I’m foreign, so according to Trump my opinion doesn’t matter anymore and I’m probably just waiting to steal your jobs or something. Ha! Well I lost my job last month, so you can’t steal _THAT!_ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/43 "2017-01-20T18:20:07Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > [Compare and contrast with Dan Rather’s opinion of the speech.](https://www.facebook.com/theDanRather/posts/10158076123200716) > > (It’s a Facebook post, so I don’t know if that works if you’re not a FBer) I was struck by this passage > [@](#): > > Mr. Trump’s delivery was staccato and there was very little eye contact as he seemed to be reading carefully from a teleprompter. His words and tone were angry and defiant. He is still in campaign mode and nary a whiff of a unifying spirit. There was little or nothing of uplift - the rhetoric of Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy, or Reagan. We heard a cavalcade of slogans and one liners, of huge promises to “bring back” an America - whatever that really means to many who look at our history and see progress in our current society. and even more by this one, which is a great answer for those who have been asking why some protest > [@](#): > > These are the swirling currents about our ship of state. We now have a new and untested captain. His power is immense, but it is not bestowed from a divinity on high. It is derived, as the saying goes, from the consent of the governed. That means President Trump now works for us - all of us. **And if he forgets that, it will be our duty to remind him**. (bolding mine) ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/44 "2017-01-20T18:24:48Z")
I’ve been waiting to post [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1FFVWEQnSM), but it appears he couldn’t even bring thunderous applause. Sad! ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/45 "2017-01-20T18:25:56Z")
It seemed like a con man defendant’s allocution speech, where all the con’s con artery is regurgitated on more time. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/46 "2017-01-20T18:27:01Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I’ve been waiting to post [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1FFVWEQnSM), but it appears he couldn’t even bring thunderous applause. Sad! I’m betting he will tweet about record crowds and great applause. Any takers? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/47 "2017-01-20T18:30:06Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Phenomenal. I especially liked the parts where Trump shook his mane of naturally curly brown hair; bared his arms to display his ripped anatomy and gigantic, bulging biceps; belted out the National Anthem in a perfect, heartbreaking baritone; recited “Song of Myself” from memory, and departed by hopping into a flying saucer (which, by the way, he built and pilots himself). > > Man, it is _liberating_, being untethered from reality! Now I see why some of you guys like it so much. For some reason, I’m picturing Trump as Zaphod Beeblebrox, President of the galaxy (a role that involves no power whatsoever, and merely requires the incumbent to attract attention so no one wonders who’s really in charge, a role for which Trump is perfectly suited). Minus the extra head, of course. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/48 "2017-01-20T18:31:21Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > That right there, that one phrase, marked the return of the Presidency to the real world where things are called by their actual names. The torture-supporting ignorant right-wing lowlifes whose deaths would make the world a better place must be very pleased about that. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/49 "2017-01-20T18:31:55Z")
Not torture. Enhanced interrogation. Remember, the era where we don’t call things by their actual names is over. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/50 "2017-01-20T18:35:14Z")
While part of Trump’s speech sounded depressing, since his message is one of rebuilding America, that by necessity has to involve a depressing part. It’s an A+B speech. A = we are in the doldrums right now B = we’ll rise out of the doldrums You can’t have that rise out of ashes speech, without a depressing ashes part first. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/51 "2017-01-20T18:36:57Z")
I thought the introductory speech by Jar-Jar Binks was pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/52 "2017-01-20T18:39:01Z")
A minor quibble, but describing the “sad depletion of our military” is like lamenting the “sad under-nourishment of Chris Christie.” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/53 "2017-01-20T18:39:34Z")
The transcript is pretty crappy. I don’t know what speech Clothahump watched, but he’s a Trumpist, IIRC, so Trump could have just read a list of NBA players in alphabetical order and the Trumpists would eat it up. Trump begins by commenting on the peaceful transition of power and tanking the Obamas, which is customary and all incoming Presidents do it. His first real initial remarks are basically exactly what Ronald Reagan said in 1980, but vastly inferior in tone and language, and from what people are writing, delivery (Reagan was a wonderful speaker.) He then moves into what is, as already pointed out, a repetition of his election talking points. There’s nothing offensive or clearly dishonest, but there’s nothing special about it. No fascinating turns of phrase or anything quotable. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/54 "2017-01-20T18:42:13Z")
I tried to watch. Turned to the right channel, but it was just some weird Russian puppet show. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/55 "2017-01-20T18:42:41Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > A minor quibble, but describing the “sad depletion of our military” is like lamenting the “sad under-nourishment of Chris Christie.” Actually, there is a great deal of wear and tear on U.S. military aircraft, ground vehicles (especially those in a desert environment like Iraq, harmful to vehicles), etc. and platforms such as the F-15C and F-16C/D are already very high in “mileage.” That part is at least partially true. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/56 "2017-01-20T18:42:45Z")
It’s actually a pretty good strategy to lie about how shitty America is. Now all he has to do is stop lying about it and the people that believe him over facts will think Trump fixed the country. Or, if the country actually goes to shit, keep lying, although that might be harder. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/57 "2017-01-20T18:45:58Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > By the way, the phrase, “The jig is up” is seen by many as racially offensive. Yes, it’s quite the nigger in the woodpile. ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/58 "2017-01-20T18:51:03Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > I liked the part where he said the magic phrase “Radical Islamic Terrorism,” and half a world away jihadists laid down their arms and vowed to live a better life. :rolleyes: We need Trump to use the phrase “Radical White Supremacist Terrorism” as well. Dylann Roof and the KKK are terrorists too. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/59 "2017-01-20T18:52:35Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > It’s actually a pretty good strategy to lie about how shitty America is. Now all he has to do is stop lying about it and the people that believe him over facts will think Trump fixed the country. Or, if the country actually goes to shit, keep lying, although that might be harder. One big problem for Trump is that the Obama economic recovery is about due to bust and go into a recession again, if the 7-year-boom-and-bust cycle is a real thing. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639/60 "2017-01-20T18:54:14Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > One big problem for Trump is that the Obama economic recovery is about due to bust and go into a recession again, if the 7-year-boom-and-bust cycle is a real thing. What Obama economic recovery? According to Trump and the Trumpettes there wasn’t one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-an-outstanding-inaugural-speech/777639.md?page=4)