Among the five "Scenes From an Inauguration" letters the Washington Post published from readers in its January 21 edition, one took the cake for over-the-top left-wing derangement.
The letter, by one Ed Burke of Warrenton, Virginia, launched a screed at Chief Justice John Roberts, calling his mistake reciting the presidential oath for Barack Obama "a disgrace" whether it was "through design" or "an amazing lack of preparation."
Of course, most observers -- apart from Joe Klein -- regardless of political leaning would say it was likely an innocent rookie mistake, this being the chief justice's first of hopefully many inaugurations to come. Yet the Post saw fit to publish Burke's melodramatic screed.:
Nearly every aspect of yesterday's historic inauguration of our 44th president was conducted with the honor and dignity appropriate for such a momentous occasion. The glaring exception was the administration of the oath of office by Chief Justice John Roberts.
Justice Roberts, whose 2005 nomination was opposed by then-Sen. Obama, recited the oath incorrectly. An obviously surprised Mr. Obama looked at Justice Roberts for direction. Justice Roberts then spoke over Mr. Obama, creating a very awkward moment.
What could have been a moment for the ages was marred by Mr. Roberts's thoughtlessness. News outlets will report that the first words of our new president were "confused." Whether through design or an amazing lack of preparation, Justice Roberts's behavior was a disgrace.




















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I expect nothing less than
January 21, 2009 - 17:53 ET by bigtimerI expect nothing less than reactions like this.
Swearing in by Judge Roberts
January 21, 2009 - 18:00 ET by merlin61Of course it was on purpose. He's a conservative
judge, so it had to be on purpose. Next they'll be
calling for his immediate resignation. What a
bunch of hate mongering goofballs.
Don't you think your
January 21, 2009 - 18:28 ET by MrModerateDon't you think your response is just as hateful?
Tax and spend is bad but borrow and spend is worse.
They're children, navel-gazing children . . .
January 21, 2009 - 18:30 ET by CKA in Red State USA. . . who have nothing better to do than develop conspiratorial and/or critical statements like this.
We can thank the Clintons for truly building this type of fire. Both of them stoked it during and following their tenure.
They unleashed the intellectual dishonesty and emotional tantrums that seem to describe the behavior of the liberals.
As I've read before and fully believe: Liberalism as it exists in America today, maybe the world, is mental disease.
Merlin61
January 21, 2009 - 23:25 ET by thebutlerdiditMer, you are waaaay behind. They started calling for him to resign on the lefty blogs within the first hour. There were several confused people, i.e. idiots, who wanted Obama to fire his racist a$$ first thing this morning. There were some who were hoping he would die, choke to death, have a heart attack, why wasn't it Roberts who had the seizures, instead of Kennedy. How anyone could admit they are a Democrat, and want to be associated with this vile folks, is beyond me. BTW, they also hoped Bush's plane would crash, and that someone would push Cheney down the steps, and break his neck. Pure insanity.
Bringing the government in to run Wall Street is like saying, "Dad burned the dinner, let's get the dog to cook." PJ O'Rourke
Yeah, because there weren't
January 21, 2009 - 19:11 ET by balboaYeah, because there weren't any reactions to the belief that Obama had screwed up...
Well, once again, it was
January 21, 2009 - 18:00 ET by Gary HallWell, once again, it was Almost-installed Obama who first spoke over Justice Roberts. The conversation starts there, not here:
Obama's interruption of Justice Roberts' opening words, is what upset the balance. I'd be content with the fact that they both messed up, however, if one is going to jump on what transpired, then one should really start with the first mistake, not the second.
Yes it was Obama who jumped the gun.
January 21, 2009 - 18:23 ET by CKA in Red State USABut, we both know, that the perfect one, the secular messiah, cannot make a mistake, can he?
Typical liberal/leftist hooey: Blame someone else for your mistake.
Get over it, Ed
January 21, 2009 - 18:02 ET by R D HelmSave your typing skills for when the Most Excellent Dear Leader has run this nation's economy into the ground, spent the last dollar in the treasury, allowed this nation to lose at least one, maybe two cities to terrorist attacks, starts having dissenters arrested, and there is an armed, blue-helmeted foreigner manning the checkpoint at the entrance to your neighborhood.
I bet by that time you will have forgotten all about a flubbed Oath of Office.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -While there is still time.
Dave... That's OAF of
January 21, 2009 - 18:08 ET by bigtimerDave...
That's OAF of Office...according to DiFi!
bt,
January 22, 2009 - 01:23 ET by R D HelmLOL-I'll try and remember that.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -While there is still time.
I a m sure this outrage
January 21, 2009 - 18:06 ET by gopsteveI a m sure this outrage followed the writer's earlier outrage over the "white seeing the light" or whatever it was.
These guys are pathetic.
I a m sure this outrage
January 21, 2009 - 18:06 ET by gopsteveI a m sure this outrage followed the writer's earlier outrage over the "white seeing the light" or whatever it was.
These guys are pathetic.
Typical liberal/leftist conspiratorial bull puckies . . .
January 21, 2009 - 18:21 ET by CKA in Red State USAMarred? Disgrace? Design?
Oh, the shame of it all! Someone made a mistake and the Perfect Day for the secular messiah had a scratch on it?
Indeed, those liberals and leftists are deep-thinking, conscientitous people.
One wonders from what perfect universe the letter writer is from?
The same one as POTUSBO, obviously.
John Roberts KNOWS that BARRKY is an ILLEGAL ALIEN ...
January 21, 2009 - 18:22 ET by Jayke... and a FAUX-PREZ so I attribute the stumble over the word FAITHFULLY to be a Freudian slip. BARRKY "A JERK OF HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS" - Jayke
Jayke...That is exactly
January 21, 2009 - 18:28 ET by bigtimerJayke...
That is exactly where my thoughts went yesterday when this happened....exactly.
Like I said long ago somewhere here on NBs...I would refuse to Swear him in...I just could NOT do it.
The Constitution went out the window...it matters not now.
Based on what? How is he
January 22, 2009 - 10:30 ET by JasonCBased on what? How is he a "faux-prez"? Aside from you disliking him? How was the constitution "thrown out the window"?
The man won the election; by quite a bit. I mean if Bush's 04 victory signalled a 'mandate', what does Obama's signal? A mega-mandate?
So, your basic dislike aside, how do we justify accusations of unconstitutionality and fraud?
Also, I wonder what would happen if the chief justic refused to do the oath? Not that it matters; the oath is a formality. Obama became president at precisely noon on Wednesday no matter what. Technically, the oath does not have to be administered, it's just always timed to coincide with that exact moment.
Good Times
January 21, 2009 - 18:25 ET by MrModerateThe President and the Chief Justice both got a laugh out of it..it was a first for both of them.
Tax and spend is bad but borrow and spend is worse.
No big deaL
January 21, 2009 - 18:38 ET by slickwillie2001We have already overlooked the Constitutional requirements for the Presidency regarding citizenship. Why worry about a little think like the oath?
Exactly!
January 21, 2009 - 20:12 ET by Cape ConservativeIt is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
Maybe a mistake, but....
January 21, 2009 - 18:42 ET by ScrapironI'll thinks its simply a mistake when a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the WaPo is in front of Roberts and he doesn't award the asked for amount and then double the award.
Even Lanny Davis (a Clinton ass kisser) stated he was ashamed to be a liberal democrat after watching the liberal circus in D.C. That shows what a group of slime that was gathered there, including the dying Lame Stream Media.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
To tell you the truth...
January 21, 2009 - 18:48 ET by OddJobChief Justice Roberts should have spoken with this guy. He should have practiced in the bathroom of his house or an empty room at the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Roberts rushed through the oath out of nervousness instead of taking his time letting the people hear his voice. President Obama knew the words. You could tell by Pres. Obama's pause and the awkwardness from C.J. Roberts. There was no need to rush the oath. By all means, his behavior was not a disgrace. They both were doing the oath for the first time in their lives...I can't wait to see it repeated correctly by the same men in four years!
Odd Job
Odd... As to your last
January 21, 2009 - 18:54 ET by bigtimerOdd...
As to your last sentence...you are most likely going to be right from what I am seeing now...there is basically no real repub party left.
Depends on a number of things...
January 21, 2009 - 19:01 ET by OddJobBigtimer,
If politics becomes boring, uninteresting, and less partisan...there might be a chance a renewed GOP could emerge. I doubt it at this point in time, possibly in a decade or two. Unless there is a huge scandal that takes the left by surprise, I'd have the GOP figure out how to appeal to the masses or "Hello, dustbin of history!".
Odd Job
Odd...Oh
January 21, 2009 - 19:12 ET by bigtimerOdd...
Oh puhleeeeeeze...
A huge scandal...don't make me laugh.
There is one now...Blago, Chicago Machine and all involved...funny how that just disappeared...do you not think Rahm, O are not involved...at all?
If for one second you think I forgot how the msm as a whole treated ALL of the Clintoon scandals combined...I haven't...it was 24/7 defense.
Defend and protect the left...at all costs.
...all the while the repubs as a whole remain silent....as usual.
bt - your last line says it ALL!
January 21, 2009 - 20:15 ET by Cape ConservativeI wanted to throw up when I heard McCain re: HRC today - 'we all must get along' - we MUST find a conservative candidate with fire in his/her belly who WANTS TO WIN before 2010!!!
vomit - puke - toss my cookies - upchuck - add yours!
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
CC,
January 22, 2009 - 19:22 ET by R D HelmLOL-You forgot wretch, HUUUUUUUUUURL and RAAAAAAAAAAAAALPH.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -While there is still time.
Scandals
January 22, 2009 - 19:35 ET by cocodrieNo scandals will ever surprise democrats. Scandals are their stock-in-trade, and immorality is their bed-fellow. They protect their corrupt scandal riddled brethern and the old media provides the smoke screen.
Jesus Loves You
Scandals are their
January 22, 2009 - 20:09 ET by lotrScandals are their [Democrats'] stock-in-trade, and immorality is their bed-fellow.
LOL -- sad, but true.
And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall. -- Edgar Allan Poe
The funniest goofup for me
January 21, 2009 - 19:20 ET by celatorThe funniest goofup for me was when Dianne Feinstein seemed to say "oaf of office."
Oh, Dr. Freud? Are you still collection Freudian slips? I've got a great one for you.
For liberal Democrats and the Old Media, everything is crisis, chaos, calamity and catastrophe. That justifies stealing your property and liberties.
A disgrace? Of course, the libs
January 21, 2009 - 19:58 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltwho booed President Bush were not a disgrace, right?
These people have no sense of dignity or proportion.
and of course the booing was not mentioned by the msm!
January 21, 2009 - 20:16 ET by Cape ConservativeIt is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
Let's see Geithner fogets
January 21, 2009 - 20:16 ET by SpellCheckLet's see Geithner forgets to pay his taxes and its okay... just an oversight, could happen to anyone.
Roberts accidentally flubs his lines and he's a disgrace?
You win the blue ribbon for this round!!!
January 21, 2009 - 20:17 ET by Cape ConservativeIt is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
The left is insane.
January 21, 2009 - 22:00 ET by The Smokin Frog"Every aspect was conducted with grace and dignity." Did he mean all of the 'booing' of Obama's brats to President Bush? Did he mean the disrespect shown to both Presidents Bush? Did he mean the amazing racial slur by Rev. Lowery?
It could not possibly be that Roberts just erred? He has to be 'disgraceful'. Is he evil? The left is insane. That is all that can be said. Their poor little-boy-god had his moment messed with. Ahhh. Let me get my hanky, it's all so sad.
Washington Post? I
January 21, 2009 - 22:34 ET by jdhawkWashington Post? I thought that they were in bankruptcy and being run out town. No?
Well, it's obvious with crap like this, they are running themselves out of business. Will 2009 be the year? Keep it WaPo. Dreams do come true . . .
Roberts was having a human moment
January 21, 2009 - 23:03 ET by nkviking75It was simply a very human moment by the Chief Justice, who unlike Obama rarely has an audience of millions on live TV. And who knows, maybe someone bungled with the teleprompter?
These idiots had better get used to the idea that everyone makes mistakes, even their anointed President. Eventually Obama will say something stupid in public, as he already has many time.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Very human moment
January 22, 2009 - 00:34 ET by shawn228I completely agree with you nkviking75. Millions of people are watching and have their eyes on him.
The thing is did you see the reaction from NBers when they thought it was Obama that screwed up the oath? They sure did not say it was a human mistake.
He had my vote
That is because he did......
January 22, 2009 - 07:01 ET by old croDuh1 jumped the gun on the first line and threw the whole process out of rythm. Watch the video. Do you not believe your eyes and ears?
I posted a comment after the published letter at WaPo.com...
January 21, 2009 - 23:16 ET by vastateofmind...making sure to point Ed Burke to this NewsBusters.org post, hoping he will read everyone's comments here and realize how childish and foolish he was in writing his needlessly accusatory and shallow rant!
The Cheif Justice
January 22, 2009 - 00:28 ET by Delsamost likely misspoke when he noticed he was giving the oath of office to a Marxist.
Delsa... LOL... That's
January 22, 2009 - 00:31 ET by bigtimerDelsa...
LOL...
That's 'Oaf of Office' according to DiFi!
Ahh, Logical Fallacies
January 22, 2009 - 00:37 ET by baseballmavenBaseballmaven
I guess these guys never studied logical fallacies--just because two things occur one after another, doesn't mean the former caused the latter.... I was more concerned that Obama wasn't made to swear to uphold the Constitution--luckily Justice Roberts got to re-swear in Obama.
Bigtimer
January 22, 2009 - 00:45 ET by DelsaLOL I forgot "oaf" of office.
Obami took da oaf of office.
I liked the part of his speech where he said "we are a country of christians, muslims, and jews.
Muslims first and Jews third? Judao-Christian?
Can anyone splain that to me?
we are a country of christians, muslims, and jews.
January 22, 2009 - 00:47 ET by shawn228Hi Delsa
Wouldn't Christians be first?
He had my vote
Delsa.... I think he also
January 22, 2009 - 00:49 ET by bigtimerDelsa....
I think he also added on non-believers too...which more than aggravated me.
Why? Are they
January 22, 2009 - 10:19 ET by JasonCWhy? Are they second-class citizens?
I normally try to refrain
January 22, 2009 - 10:35 ET by JasonCI normally try to refrain from correcting spelling, but since you're so tremendously concerned about it, and since I find your post offensive, I thought you'd like to know it's either "Judeo-" or "Judaeo-".
Shawn
January 22, 2009 - 01:01 ET by DelsaMuslims and non-believers have NEVER been part of our Constitution, Bill of Rights, or Creedo.
We are and have always been a Judao-Christian Nation. I meant to say muslims before Jews. Not meaning before Christians. So yes, Christians would come first.
The man who is president has never seen our country for what is is.
Watching the National Cathederal event today for a moment it was clear to me the Obama's have NEVER set foot in a real church in their lives. They were as uncomfortable and unfamilure with their surrounding as all get out.
These people are not who they appear to be and we Americans have a great deal to be afraid of.
We shall see.
Hi again Delsa
January 22, 2009 - 01:24 ET by shawn228I thought around the time the constitution was written, people were coming to the America to escape religious prosecution.
I would imagine that involves other religions as well.
I do not believe he put Muslims before Jews, that was the just the order he said them.
He had my vote
Precisely. Modern-day
January 22, 2009 - 10:21 ET by JasonCPrecisely. Modern-day Christians too often seem to think that just because our Founding Fathers were overwhelmingly Christian, that entitles Christians, 2.5 centuries later, to presume to have some sort of privileged status in our culture.
Unfortunately for these folks, if you are a citizen, you are considered equal regardless of which church you attend and to which God (if any) you pray.
It seems to me that the
January 22, 2009 - 09:21 ET by QueenMumIt seems to me that the reason the oath got botched was because the Chosen One started reciting it on his own before Justice Roberts began. Just another example of our Dear Leader's reliance on a script. Had he not spent so much time trying to memorize the oath, he may have actually listened to what Roberts was saying instead of going off on his own.
Hi QueenMum
January 22, 2009 - 09:30 ET by shawn228Long time no see. From what I understand the oath must be said word for word.
Obama is not to blame here.
He had my vote
Hi shawn. The point is that
January 22, 2009 - 12:27 ET by QueenMumHi shawn. The point is that no one really is to "blame". Obama threw Roberts off by beginning to recite the oath before Roberts began. Obama had memorized the oath and rather than listening and then "repeating" what Justice Roberts was saying, Obama began the oath on his own. But the bottom line in regard to an N.B. point of view is that the MsM wasted no time in attempting to embarass Justice Roberts. But what would you expect from the same sort of folks who would publicly mock a departing President on such a serious occasion? Free speech! Free speech! It seems that part of the "change" has to do with showing respect. Pres. Obama does a lot of talking about respect. However, it seems that respect is conditional based on whether or not you agree with the Dear Leader.
I don't think it's a
January 22, 2009 - 10:17 ET by JasonCI don't think it's a disgrace or that it was on purpose. Sometimes people trip over their words, no matter how well rehearsed. Especially when, you know, hundreds of thousands of people are watching you in person and another couple hundred million are watching a live broadcast. It's not a big deal, just as, when I first saw it and though Obama had screwed up, that wasn't a big deal.
It was, however, satisfying to realize that Obama was not the one who made the mistake in light of people posting on the inauguration thread - moments after the flub - that Obama "screwed up right out of the gate", and so forth. ODS begins....
Jason
January 22, 2009 - 10:22 ET by shawn228How many people would defend the flubbing of the line if the oath was administered by David Souter?
He had my vote
Probably the same number,
January 22, 2009 - 10:26 ET by JasonCProbably the same number, just none of the same people...
reality check
January 22, 2009 - 14:06 ET by lotrI saw the oath, and while both of them messed up, Roberts got the oath wrong, and Obama, to his credit, realized it and thus graciously tried to cue him in unsuccesfully. An unfortunate occurence, but one that happens. That said, however, let us turn our attention to the scathing condemnation from the enlightened Washington Compost:
"Whether through design or an amazing lack of preparation, Justice Roberts's behavior was a disgrace."
Unmitigated partisan excrement. Design? Preposterous. The Chief Justice intentionally flubs the oath in front of millions. For what purpose?
"Amazing lack of preparation"? Amazing? Come on. Even if the Chief Justice did decide to party rather than study the night before, "amazing" is hyperbole and sensationalism, pure and simple.
Disgrace? Take a chill-pill. Has this person ever heard of a simple screw-up? It happens to the best of us, under the most rehearsed and extraordinary of circumstances (e.g., off the top of my head, Neil Armstrong's "That's one small step for man [sic]" flub, or Princess Diana's "Phillip Charles [sic] Arthur George"). No, it is this "meanspirited" deriding partisan opinion that is the true disgrace here.
And one by one dropped the revellers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall. -- Edgar Allan Poe