Barack Obama's Inauguration Unscripted: One Wheelchair and the Oath of Office

Besides mentioning the moving rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" by the first lady of soul, Aretha Franklin, I'll leave analysis of the ceremony and President Obama's speech to others. Except to say that "My Country 'Tis of Thee" finally holds FULL meaning for ALL Americans as the words of that great song ever did before. The call to "let freedom ring" has been resoundly answered. The freedom has rung crisp and clear.

With that said, allow me to briefly highlight some of the impromptu moments at the inaugural. It seems like for any planned program, some of the really informative moments come in the form of the unplanned. At Obama's inauguration, there were a few out-of-the-blue moments that dramatize the historic occasion. By commenting on these figurative images, I seek to point out the meaning of the unscripted.

First, the weather in Washington, though still cold, warms up to a temperature reading better than expected. Hopefully, the brighter weather over the capitol signifies Americans' yearning and expectation of a sun shining day over the nation. May that warmer than expected temperature forecast the dawn of a new era that hovers over America, as we look forward to the rebound of the nation's and the world's intertwined economies.

Second, Chief Justice John Roberts botched the wording of the presidential oath of office as he swears in Mr. Obama. The president pauses for Mr. Roberts to correct the wording of the oath, which is supposed to be highest point of the moment. What might the Chief Justice's innocent mistake symbolize but a reminder of the pattern of the many bungled efforts of the Bush Administration? The invasion of Iraq, the pathetic response to Hurricane Katrina, or the botched handling of the economy, all reminiscent of Justice Roberts' scrambling of the presidential oath.

The third and most striking symbolism at the inauguration is Vice President Dick Cheney, who enters the hall riding in a wheelchair. It is reported that the Vice President hurt his back while working at his new home. Wheelchair Cheney symbolizes the crippled economy coupled with America's global reputation and world economy, which, like Cheney, is currently in a wheelchair. Cheney's wheelchair also signifies the fatigued outgoing administration that obviously looks weary from eight grueling years of little fruits for America, except that "we have not been attacked since 911". This is in stark contrast to the energetic Obama team that's riding strong into office, ready for action.

Symbolism over substance? May be. May be not.