President Donald Trump Speaks Bigly at Inauguration

President Donald Trump - photo Whitehouse.gov

A networking day out, followed by President Trump's Inauguration

Sunrise on a crisp Friday morning. Frosted grass and cars, breath plumes making all at the bus stop all look like smokers. Waiting for the guided bus; a small child plays hide and seek with her mother around the shelter wall.

A day of conversations, starting at the A14 Network. Jonathan brought some Birthday slices which needed dunking to avoid breaking teeth or fillings. Discovered that John Battison started out as a vet, went to on to do a PhD, then joined a Pharma company. On retiring, he familiarised himself with computers and the net. Now he is provides social media marketing assistance with his company MobiNet Marketing.

On to volunteer at the Norris where Richard regaled me with the grim fate of St Ledegar, after whom the chapel on the St Ives bridge is named. Showed the team how to create and use QR Codes. Then on to Huntingdon for the HBN meeting and conversazione over a prawn and chilli sauce small platter.

I got back home shortly after 4 pm, in time for the beginning of President Trump's inauguration. The striking thing about the whole ceremony was the embedded religious elements and God, unusual for the initially secular separation of state and religion by the founding fathers.

President Trumps inaugural speech was an attempt at a more statesmanlike presentation of some of the main themes during his campaign. Three main elements struck me:

1. America First. Yes, any government should concentrate on it's own nation first but this extended more into an inward looking, protectionist and very nationalist view of the world.
2. The presentation of the past as a tragedy, despite the US recovery, lowest unemployment for years, major spending on the military and international respect despite some failings. He spoke again to his key audience of those who felt disenfranchised. 
3. His hinted aim of 'cleaning out the swamp' of Politicians and giving control back to The People. Well, his people, because many of the others stayed away or were at demonstrations against him.

There was a call to unity and to rally round to make America great again, provinding a positive note in what was a subtly dark speech overall.

The world holds it's breath for what might be coming next.

President Donald Trump Speech transcript here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-inauguration-speech-transcript-text-full-read-a7538131.html