lillielil
But why is all the rum gone?
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2006
It can't be just me, right? In September I finally experienced the Hall of Presidents for the first time. I was excited about it (because I get excited about things like that - I could happily watch "1776" every day of the week), and we thought it would be funny to sneak a kiss or two during Bush's speech.
Instead, I just got angry. We actually laughed out loud at one part because it was so ridiculous...
Bush's speech:
"My Fellow Americans,
[Kissing commences]
when we look back on the history of this country, we see a record of almost unbelievable energy, sacrifice, hard work - of impossible dreams that our ancestors dreamed and made real. We see injustice, too, ...
[Kissing stopps]
...that weighs on our hearts even today. But for every injustice there has always been a voice crying out to right it. And America has always listened to those voices.
[Puzzled looks]
"We're listening today. And perhaps it falls to us, to this first generation of 21st century Americans to say, once and for all, that no child, no race, no creed, no ethnic community will ever again be left out of the American dream. Through education, through the opportunity to work and to enjoy the fruits of that work, we can open every closed door. We expand the horizons of every American.
"Again and again we return to the same simple principles - freedom, equality; the freedom to create, to prosper, to dream; Equality before the law,...
[involuntary snorts of laughter]
... in the workplace, and the chance for a better life. And each time in the process America grows stronger. The beacon of democracy grows brighter. The world looks with new astonishment at what free people can do. We the people are just getting started."
And Lincoln's didn't do much to help:
"My fellow countrymen, I have often inquired of myself, what great principle or idea it was that kept this confederacy so long together. It was that all should have an equal chance, that all are created equal. This is the sentiment embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Most governments have been based on the denial of rights.
[groans]
Ours began by affirming our rights. Let us turn this government into the channel in which the framers of the Constitution originally placed it. If we cannot give freedom to every creature, let us do nothing that will impose upon another creature. True democracy makes no inquiry about the color of the skin, or place of birth, or any other circumstance or condition. We propose to give all a chance. We expect the weak to grow stronger, the ignorant wiser, and all better and happier together. Let it be as nearly reached as we can. For the struggle of today is not altogether for today. It is for the vast future also. So may our children, and our children's children for a thousand generations rejoice under those glorious institutions bequeathed us by Washington and continue to enjoy the benefits conferred upon us by a united country."
I think I'll skip it next time. I wish they'd scrap it and just have a random theater with Ben Franklin quoting himself...
Instead, I just got angry. We actually laughed out loud at one part because it was so ridiculous...
Bush's speech:
"My Fellow Americans,
[Kissing commences]
when we look back on the history of this country, we see a record of almost unbelievable energy, sacrifice, hard work - of impossible dreams that our ancestors dreamed and made real. We see injustice, too, ...
[Kissing stopps]
...that weighs on our hearts even today. But for every injustice there has always been a voice crying out to right it. And America has always listened to those voices.
[Puzzled looks]
"We're listening today. And perhaps it falls to us, to this first generation of 21st century Americans to say, once and for all, that no child, no race, no creed, no ethnic community will ever again be left out of the American dream. Through education, through the opportunity to work and to enjoy the fruits of that work, we can open every closed door. We expand the horizons of every American.
"Again and again we return to the same simple principles - freedom, equality; the freedom to create, to prosper, to dream; Equality before the law,...
[involuntary snorts of laughter]
... in the workplace, and the chance for a better life. And each time in the process America grows stronger. The beacon of democracy grows brighter. The world looks with new astonishment at what free people can do. We the people are just getting started."
And Lincoln's didn't do much to help:
"My fellow countrymen, I have often inquired of myself, what great principle or idea it was that kept this confederacy so long together. It was that all should have an equal chance, that all are created equal. This is the sentiment embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Most governments have been based on the denial of rights.
[groans]
Ours began by affirming our rights. Let us turn this government into the channel in which the framers of the Constitution originally placed it. If we cannot give freedom to every creature, let us do nothing that will impose upon another creature. True democracy makes no inquiry about the color of the skin, or place of birth, or any other circumstance or condition. We propose to give all a chance. We expect the weak to grow stronger, the ignorant wiser, and all better and happier together. Let it be as nearly reached as we can. For the struggle of today is not altogether for today. It is for the vast future also. So may our children, and our children's children for a thousand generations rejoice under those glorious institutions bequeathed us by Washington and continue to enjoy the benefits conferred upon us by a united country."
I think I'll skip it next time. I wish they'd scrap it and just have a random theater with Ben Franklin quoting himself...
The OP's point about the Hall of President's speech is spot on in my opinion.
