Obama and the Departure Seen ‘Round the World

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  01.20.09 | 1:00 PM ET

REUTERS/Mike Segar

I wouldn’t have anticipated it, but for me, the most powerful moment of today’s inaugural events didn’t come during the swearing-in ceremony or President Obama’s speech. It came at the end: the moment former President Bush boarded the helicopter near the Capitol and departed, his chopper moving away from the seat of power, becoming ever smaller as it receded into the distance. We experience departures all the time, but few so symbolic for so many people around the world. What a sight. Travel as history.

Tags: Barack Obama, Politics, North America, United States, Washington, D.C., News and Briefs


4 Comments for Obama and the Departure Seen ‘Round the World

Julia Ross 01.20.09 | 2:29 PM ET

I saw the copter edge across Washington out of my 4th floor window in Woodley Park. I’m with you—it’s an image that will stay with me for a long time.

TambourineMan 01.20.09 | 3:15 PM ET

Most powerful moment? C’mon Jim, no need to be shy. That’s ok, I’ll say it for you. Seeing that chump board the chopper and fly away was the most JOYOUS moment of the day.

Jim Benning 01.20.09 | 3:29 PM ET

Joy, yes, TambourineMan. And relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted. And it was confirmation that the last couple of months weren’t a dream. Because to me, after the real-life nightmare that was the last eight years, Obama’s election often felt like just a good dream.

And here’s further confirmation that it’s all real, the refreshed official White House website:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

LP 01.21.09 | 12:56 PM ET

Here is a surprisingly fair-minded article from the CBC:
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/01/19/f-bush-reality-check.html

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