A note to any FRiends who might be lurking today...

[brooklynite]

The Marxist, Fascist, Muslim, Not Born in the United States, Illegitimate President was sworn in for a second term by the Republican Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.



Just thought you'd like to know.

[mr_hat]

1. But, but... Gun Appreciation Day! n/t

[derby378]

23. Wasn't that yesterday?

And no, I didn't participate. I observed the day by paying bills and visiting my wife's grave.

[ananda]

2. What a beautiful picture!

Thanks

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Civics 101 challenged over here

But why did they do this today?

[Journeyman]

4. Today is the day required by the Constitution. . .

January 20. Twentieth Amendment.

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. I knew it had to be something simple.

Wonder why they didn't hold the actual ceremony today?

[surrealAmerican]

9. Traditionally, they don't on a Sunday ...

... and tomorrow is a national holiday.

[DavidDvorkin]

13. Not really

The Twentieth Amendment says that president's term begins today. It doesn't say anything about the oath having to be administered today.

For that matter, the ceremonial swearing in isn't required at all.

[freshwest]

14. There is a history behind this because of serious problems in the past:

...Before the enactment of the 20th Amendment in 1933, the new president was not sworn until the March following the election. This long delay caused problems. In the "secession winter" after the election of Abraham Lincoln, President James Buchanan watched as secessionists seized federal forts and arsenals. By March 1861, when Lincoln finally took office, the Civil War was nearly lost before it even began. Seven decades later, in the middle of the Great Depression, the lame duck period of president Herbert Hoover seemed far too long. Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt barely communicated and the country waited for decisive action from its newly chosen leader. In response, the 20th Amendment was proposed and adopted.

The 20th Amendment moves the date of inauguration from March to "noon on the 20th day of January." Under the Constitution, the old president continues to hold full power through 11:59:59, and then power shifts at noon. Article II, Section 1 requires that the new president, before executing any duties, take a prescribed oath or affirmation. To avoid a constitutional power vacuum, the Inauguration Day program is certain to schedule the swearing in for as close as possible to noon. The Chief Justice of the United States typically administers the oath, although the Constitution does not require that the oath be performed by the Chief Justice...

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/inaugurationconstit.html

[DavidDvorkin]

16. Thanks for that clarification

The time betwee the election and the inauguration still seems too long to me, but I guess a delay can't be avoided because we don't have shadow cabinets as in parliamentary systems.

[freshwest]

18. YW. I shudder to think what the GOP Tea Party Congress would do if given a chance.

[southernyankeebelle]

19. kinda think the republicans have a shadow government. Remember the Fronting

piece they did last week? Where the day the president was sworn in the leaders in the house and senate along with Gingrich and others were plotting against the president already. They proceeded to vote no on everything. They should have been brought up on treason charges.

[DavidDvorkin]

20. Government in exile!

Plotting a return to power all the time.

But a shadow cabinet is a different matter. Ideally, there are people ready to take over the leadership and top positions in all government ministries as soon as the election results are known and a new parliamentary majority comes into being.

[starroute]

28. As I recall, when Harding died, Coolidge was sworn in by his father

Coolidge wasn't in Washington, and his father was a justice of the peace -- so that was the quickest way to get it done.

But it makes the point that the Chief Justice is not a required part of the ceremony.

[freshwest]

29. Question being asked was the date. Continuity and not the person swearing is key.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Because the law requires the oath to be taken

by noon on January 20. But the public ceremony will be tomorrow (because today is Sunday, though I'm not sure why that's a problem).

[AAO]

11. The holier than though fascists would have a field day if he did it on Sunday.

That's the only reason I can think of.

[freshwest]

6. It's required by Constiutional Amendment to be done by Noon, January 20th:

AMENDMENT XX
Section 1.

The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/inaugurationconstit.html

[freshwest]

7. Tomorrow is the observed federal holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

That is when the many people will gather to celebrate this moment with the world. And I believe it's for healing.

[sheshe2]

32. A time for healing. I like the sound of that!

[AAO]

10. Truth trumps bullshit every time!

[freshwest]

30. Proven by this election! I am more relieved than in 2008.

[triplepoint]

12. I Had This Image of Donald Trump Trying to Stop It

but thankfully, failing of course....Guess I was thinking of this scene from, "The Graduate"
.
.
.

[truebluegreen]

15. "...by the Republican Chief Justice of the Supreme Court...."

who is using his Cliff's Notes this time...

[UnrepentantLiberal]

17. Looking at that picture reminds me of how extraordinary

it is to have an African American family in the White House when you consider that not long ago there were no African American governors or senators.

[williamc1967txlib]

21. What a great picture.

It makes me so relieved and happy that Obama got reelected, and is the one being inaugurated. If it had been Romney who was elected, me and millions of Americans would be miserable for the next 4 years.

[GoCubsGo]

22. Yes, just thinking about the alternative makes me sick to my stomach.

We certainly dodged a bullet. There will still be millions of Americans who will be miserable for the next four years, but not in the way we'd be had Slick Willard won. I refer to all the teabaggers and their hateful ilk, and I hope their next for years are as miserable as they can be.

[lpbk2713]

24. Have a nice day ... assholes.

      "WAAAH!! No fair!!"

[whoisthatis]

25. What a wonderful first family!

[ReRe]

26. A beautiful historical photo...

K&R forever

... Michelle and Malia's eyes on PO, Sasha's eyes concentrating on the oath and not liking being the one standing next to Roberts. Robert's eyes never leaving the script. Is that James Madison's portrait behind PO? And can't see it very well, but that looks like Thomas Jefferson behind Roberts?
Thanks, brooklynite, for posting this...

[aikoaiko]

27. "I did it." Yes, you did President Obama!

[AAO]

31. YOU FORGOT THE ANTI-CHRIST AND THE DEVIL HIMSELF!!!!!!