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Courage for the Common Good: Obama's Second Term

By Jim Wallis
President Barack Obama gives his inauguration address. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Jan 21, 2013
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I attended the Inauguration Ceremony today. It was thankfully not as cold as last time. But it was one of President Barack Obama's best speeches — strong, clear, even tough, in a good way. My favorite line was: "… history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth." 

In other words, God has made those principles always presented at inaugurals "self-evident" or ordained; but human beings must implement them. The president is saying that it is up to us to do that in our time. He elaborated. He was specific. 

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President Barack Obama gives his inauguration address. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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