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Politics | 01/20/2009 1:30 pm

Dianne Feinstein's Inaugural Remarks Astound (Video)

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Like so many others, we wOwers gathered together today to watch Barack Obama be sworn in as our 44th president. And, yes, we were inspired, brought to tears and generally elated over the changing of the guard. We can’t, however, ignore California Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s words.

Opening the ceremonies, Feinstein, a woman we’ve always admired, described today’s events, quite appropriately, as a "turning point for our nation." We are busy etching "another line in the solid stone of history" and Obama’s election proves the power of the "ballot over the bullet."

The freedom of a people to choose its leaders is the root of liberty. In a world where political strife is too often settled with violence, we come here every four years to bestow the power of the presidency upon our democratically elected leader. Those who doubt the supremacy of the ballot over the bullet can never diminish the power engendered by nonviolent struggles for justice and equality, like the one that made this day possible. No triumph tainted by brutality could ever match the sweet victory of this hour and what it means to those who marched and died to make it a reality. Our work is not yet finished, but future generations will mark this morning as the turning point for real and necessary change in our nation. They will look back and remember that this was the moment wehn the dream that once echoed across history, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial finally reached the walls of the White House.

Absolutely incredible!

Here’s the video of Feinstein’s remarks.

51 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Andromeda Jakes
I was on the Mall in Washington today and was quite moved by her words. Everyone around me (toe to toe, back to back) got very quiet. I am totally a new fan.
By Andromeda Jakes on 01/20/2009 5:19 pm
Kitty Webb
Thanks so much for posting her remarks, so that we all have the text. What an awesome day!
By Kitty Webb on 01/20/2009 8:03 pm
Dora M
Yeah, you know, I’m torn, these words were brilliant and I only hope reflects her true convictions, but as a California resident I have supported her over the years based on her work in SF during the Milk/Moscone years but could no longer continue to do so after she voted for the Patriot Act twice. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt once again but cautiously so…
By Dora M on 01/20/2009 8:26 pm
Mugsy Peabody
The problem with DiFi is also one of the Obama strengths — attempting to include all Americans. Of course Sen. Feinstein has always included gays and excluded bigots, so I actually appreciate her style more…
By Mugsy Peabody on 01/20/2009 10:41 pm
Dora M
Yes, Mugsy, I agree that she’s been good with gay issues and that’s great, one of the reasons I supported her for so long, but it’s just that I remember seeing her defend the Patriot Act so unequivocally that it sort sent a chill down my spine. I’m no political sophisticate but I just could not see the rational behind the support. And perhaps being an immigrant and nationalized citizen made me even more fearful of that particular law.
By Dora M on 01/20/2009 11:15 pm
Mugsy Peabody
I always wondered what lies they were telling her that convinced her to vote for that crap. I agree that she should have known better. Truth is, more than just DiFi voted for it or it wouldn’t have passed. Repealing everything from the Bush years wouldn’t bother me at all.
By Mugsy Peabody on 01/20/2009 11:35 pm
Dora M
Yeah, no kidding, wouldn’t it be great if we could just erase it all? hopefully that’s what this administration will set out to do… and how did they manage to bamboozle so many Dems into voting in their twisted laws?… ugh, I’m just relieved that hopefully this level of nightmare is completely behind us now.
By Dora M on 01/20/2009 11:49 pm
Mugsy Peabody
Ah, but “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance….”
By Mugsy Peabody on 01/21/2009 12:03 am
f p
Mugsy, let’s hope that Obama will gut that Act if not throw it out altogether. Be a nice way to start a new presidency along with closing gitmo.
By f p on 01/21/2009 7:15 am
Mugsy Peabody
The new president has already frozen both the cases at Gitmo and any regulations the Bushies promulgated in their rush out the door.
By Mugsy Peabody on 01/21/2009 3:31 pm
f p
Yup thank the powers that be.
By f p on 01/22/2009 9:02 am
Chrome Toe
The “power of the ballot over the bullet” that’s my favorite.
By Chrome Toe on 01/20/2009 9:09 pm
Catherine Kaiman
That was my favorite line from her speech, which was IMHO, as great as President Obama’s.
By Catherine Kaiman on 01/22/2009 4:44 pm
Frannie Em
She was marvelous and really delivered for the day. Loved her speech and her delivery. Can’t wait to see what she does next.
By Frannie Em on 01/20/2009 10:12 pm
%$#@* !@&*^!!
In a paragraph, Senator Feinstein linked Lincoln, MLK, Obama…past struggles and future aspirations, American ideals….and echoed JFK’s words about continuing the work of the centuries. Inspiring.
By %$#@* !@&*^!! on 01/20/2009 10:14 pm