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The United States Marine Band will play, followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Elizabeth Alexander, a poet from Yale University, will read and Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, considered the dean of the civil rights movement, will perform the benediction.
But the high point (aside from Obama’s taking the oath of office administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts) is going to be ARETHA!!! In 1993 she sang “Someday We’ll All Be Free” and “Respect” for Clinton at his inaugural gala concert, but now Queen of Soul be delivering her glorious voice from the podium.
In 1987 Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her songs gave voice to the Civil Rights movement, and as a close family friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., Aretha sang at his funeral.
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In light of the Pastor Hate news, I’d like to dedicate a song to my new President – Aint No Way
ah yeah, sing it my Queen
i worship aretha, but as posted earlier, am not looking forward to seeing her as big as a house (ie, unhealthy) and according to friends, unable to sing.
Can we get Richard Simmons to sneak on stage and plant a big, wet one on Rick Warren ?
I’ll even throw in a few Canadian Pesos !
Aretha! Now I really wish I could be there.
Ahem, They’re Loonies not pesos… More apropo…?
An earlier commenter posteeted that she is fat as shit and her voice is gone.
I have no clue.
I thought they weer called “dullers.”
it would be great if they all refused to perform in protest over pastor hate. or even better made a strong statement of protest explaining why they will not perform.
yeah. i know. in my dreams.
Yep. We can only ‘hope’ that Aretha stands up and says “I ain’t singing with that hate-monger by my side.” Or even if she belatedly ‘respectfully declines’ to participate…
But it will never happen.
Re Re Retha!!! *G*
Saw her once, Palo Alto, CA.
Stanford University.
1972 or so?
Her take on Spanish Harlem still sends shivers . . .
I forget the name of her backup band at that gig, but they were incredible, full horns, and all that.
This was just after her legendary gig at Fillmore West in ‘71, which found its way to vinyl.
‘Retha is an institution, I don’t care WHAT she looks like or sings like no mo . . .
The woman deserves the spotlight. She’s the right one for this.
In regards to fundie pastor . . .
1) Obama announced recently he’s rolling back Bush abortion/women’s rights decisions (providers thang).
2) Obama announced recently he’s rolling back Bush stem cell decisions.
3) Ya look at the list of who’s gonna be there, on stage, to present or honor, it’s a calvacade of rights warriors and progressive liberals.
Pastor Rick gets national limelight to appease the fundies, and he gets to USE that appearance to sell it in his money grubbing ministry . . . and profit greatly. VERY greatly.
But the fundies and the GOP get nothing legislative wise, as Obama turns back the clock of encroaching elimination of civil rights.
Pastor Rick is a pure PR Smoke And Mirror’s Play. As Obama dials back the erosion of civil rights on so many fronts, all the while giving Pastor Rick a national viewing, he can say to the FUNDIES and GOP, when they begin and continue to STALL change and progress, I GAVE you Pastor Rick . . .
Pure PR, pure brilliant. Obama will shame the fundies and the GOP all the while praising them and giving them national recognition . . . and that let’s them dig their own graves . . . I love it. *G*
Perhaps. But galling. Utterly and blindingly galling.
Here’s who to thank about Aretha or, conversely, complain to about Pastor Rick™
Emmett Belivau, the ED/CEO of the Inaugural Committee
emmett@pic2009.org
True! I’d rather Rev. Wright give the invocation…!
Aretha appeared on the finale of this seasons Dancing with the Stars. She sang R-E-S-P-E-C-T and another of her original chart toppers.
She is huge – probably weighs over 300 or more pounds.
And her voice is not what it once was. People forget that she is not a spring chicken anymore.
It doesn’t matter. Obama is paying his respect to her and to all the people she represents, including Dr. King in asking her to sing.
I’m looking forward to every bit of it. But the TV goes off when that slimeball from Brokeback church gets up to speak.
No, I was wrong about that. Yes galling, and I disagree with your PR angle. This is a slap. Obama has issued far to many to this and other “Progressive” constituencies.
Don’t miss Perlman and YoYo Ma, though. The best.
Totally!
the good reverend jeramiah wright can preach! think i’m going to listen again to the two sermons that got him in so much hot water.
But Rick Warren turns it all to ashes.
If he does that to you, then he has won.
Yep.
Sweet.
Aretha is the Queen.
That is going to be good, as in watch this and remember that.
Have I mentioned before you’re a gal after my own heart…? *g*
If you want an interesting contrast, read Dr. King’s speech on the Vietnam war that he gave about three weeks before his death. It’s only available in transcript, there doesn’t appear to be a recording that anyone can find. But just close your eyes and imagine his speech patterns and the way his voice sounded – and then read that speech.
Here’s a nice chunk of it:
And then imagine what all the wing-nuts said about him…
http://www.aft.org/topics/civi…..speech.htm
ummmm let’s see.
pastor warren. hypocrite calling himself a man of god.
aretha-i will be thinking she’s singing r-e-s-p-e-c-t to warren, no matter what she sings.
reverend joseph lowery. slam dance.
i just wrote a diary about it. people don’t realize who this guy is. i couldn’t believe it when it hit me. i believe warren was scheduled in order for this man to speak.
http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/2512
this is going to be fun.
ok, you’ve inspired me. better yet – i’m going to post both sermons as flash streams so everyone can listen to them. damn, now i’m going to have to remember where i got them so i can give proper link credit.
the one i’ve been listening to has the line “how come nothing tastes good”
arcade fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oljrHaEroa4
Heh, You Go, Girl!
Digg!
Turd Blossom’s ‘message to Obama’…
*whew* I’m left speechless…
Was he in a trance and channeling someone else?
Apparently he’s reciting everything that didn’t occur during Shrub’s Maladministration…!
He’s reading from the advise-to-the-incoming-President letter Bubba left on the Oval Office desk for Chimpy.
Things are really heating up over at Dkos, regarding Obama’s choices and the criticism they’ve provoked.
Well, I guess that makes it good advice then. Look at what Shrub did – and then do the exact opposite and you’ll never go wrong!!!
Has he made one single appointment yet that somebody doesn’t have a problem with? I can’t think of one…
Especially this one:
hilarious
Shit! I don’t think he’s made one that I don’t have a problem with.
Okay, I take it back. Chu seems has not been involved in driving the car into the ditch.
Turdblossom can spend the rest of his natural days performing unnatural and impossible physical acts upon himself, right after he goes to jail.
es has lln up over at the mothership
My wish, too, Busted.
wasn’t turdblossom’s whole thing about smashing any deviation from the party line as dictated by himself????? Mr disciplinarian????
my contention would be that there is nothing natural about that creature to begin with. His days are unnatural…. and is the product of synthetic toxic bile.
It’s politics.
It’s how it’s done.
Trade something for someone to benefit, and so you can use it to govern and use the trade in a broader vein.
I shouldn’t have to mention this to you or anyone else in here.
Yer all well accustomed to the practice, and more knowledgable about it than I.
I know, I’ve been reading in here for a few years now . .
*SMILES SWEETLY*
I’m not insensitive to the political challenges Obama has in forming coalitions. This guy, however, is an avowed and loud hater of some folks we are very close to.
The country is trending away from Warren’s theocracy – polls show it clearly – so this would appear to be a feint to a very narrow bunch of turkeys. Seems a waste.
the good reverend jeremiah wright
At least he’s remembering one of his constituencies. Best delete me before I post again.