President of the United States

　先日、第44代アメリカ合衆国大統領として、バラク・オバマ*1氏が就任された。何より注目を集めたのは、あの就任演説であったのは言うまでもない。就任演説の内容は、各所で掲載されているので、そちらを見られるか、もしくは、ジャパンタイムスがFulltextを"http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/wn20090121a2.html"にて掲載しているので、英語の勉強ともなるので、是非熟読されることをおすすめする。
　特に私が注目したのは、次の部分。

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act ― not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

　このパラグラフでは、新規雇用の創出するだけではなく、公共部門（インフラ関連）、技術進歩、社会保障、新エネルギー政策、教育の環境の変革へと言及。こういう先を見た政策指針の明確化は、今後のオバマ政権の方向性を表しているように感じる。

　また、他のパラグラフにはイラク問題やアフガニスタン問題などにも言及している。

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort ― even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

　このパラグラフでは、イラクやアフガニスタンに言及し、なおかつ、核問題／温暖化問題にも対峙する姿勢を述べている。

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus ― and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West ― know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

　この部分も注目した点。アメリカらしいと言えるかもしれない。宗教・文化・言語・人種についての部分についても触れている。

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

　あと上記の発展途上国における開発援助の部分。

　そして、最後の方に述べられたことば。

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive . . . that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

　ざっと眺めているだけで、とても強いメッセージ性を感じるのは私だけではなかったのではないだろうか？Youtubeでも就任式の様子が公開されている。

　和訳は『404 Blog Not Found:惰訳 - Barack Obama Inauguration Speech in Full』でパラグラフ毎で訳されているので、そちらを参照されると分かりやすいと思う。

　というわけで、個人的に興味深い点を列挙してみた。

*1:Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.