[Magdalen] Symbol upon symbol

[Roger Stokes]

Yes Lynn, I was last in the USA in January 2017. On my previous trip a 
few months earlier in a conversation in the departure lounge as I waited 
to fly out I expressed my views on the then candidate and said I would 
not visit America if he was President. There's a few of the 48 I haven't 
been in yet. Let's just see how the next few months develop as at the 
moment I am not meant to travel abroad and the USA has a block on travel 
from the UK.

Roger

On 20/01/2021 22:47, Lynn Ronkainen wrote:
> Thank you for your thoughts on the inauguration Roger. It is always interesting to hear opinions on this side of the pond-and even more so from someone well traveled and and interested in US history and politics.
> I was also wowed by the Poet and her delivery and unique rhyme and rhythm scheme.
> The event was hope-bringing at the end of the past 4 years.
> Lynn
>
> On Jan 20, 2021, at 3:18 PM, Roger Stokes via Magdalen <magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:
>
> While I did not watch wall to wall coverage of the inauguration because of other commitments I did watch the central ceremony. These events are necessarily stage-managed with lots of ritual as well as the dual swearing in but from this side of the pond it was shot through with symbolism. In the morning the Bidens went to mass together with other prominent politicians including McConnell. Four of the five living former Presidents were acknowledged either by being there on the podium or Carter being referenced in Biden's speech. The body language showed that Bush was not ashamed to be there with his predecessor and successor. Throughout there seemed to be a good atmosphere although Pence seemed a bit awkward at being dumped with the responsibility of representing the outgoing administration, though he did share a joke with the VP and her husband as he left the capitol.
>
> Who could miss that dove with an olive branch that Lady Gaga wore with the olive branch being echoed in her ear rings? Surely a message of peace. I can't recall the significance of the woman who recited the Pledge of Allegiance but she signed as she recited it, inclusiveness. Jennifer Lopez included some Spanish in her offering, I gather it was about one nation, indivisible under God. Biden's speech citing Augustine and calling for unity and as for that poem - wow! Here in the UK we are used to having Poets Laureate who will church out something anodyne on important state occasions. That was something altogether different and contemporary. I gather part of it was written in the past two weeks but it was emphatic that democracy will not be defeated and read with such feeling.
>
> May all those hopes of peace and inclusiveness be realised in the coming months and years.
>
> Roger
>