A weird inaugural
Monday’s inauguration of Gov. Gary Herbert, Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, Utah Attorney General John Swallow and Utah Treasurer Richard Ellis at the state Capitol was a classic example of people taking themselves way too seriously — right down to the somber face of Utah Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant as he swore each of them in, one by one. I’d love to know what he was really thinking, because all this pomp and circumstance stuck me as more than a little over the top, especially considering that all these guys were already in public service, and Herbert was oathing for the third time. It was hardly a historical moment. None of their elections were ever in doubt and nothing really changes.
I shouldn’t complain, I guess. The inaugural event, which was broadcast on public television, at least provided momentary respite from the winter inversion. The national anthem sung by Herbert’s sons provided a nice family moment, even though former Gov. Jon Huntsman was looking a bit wan as he listened During the anthem, he missed his heart and held his hand over his stomach, probably thinking about the hors d’oeuvres coming up at the reception afterward.
It was a miracle that nobody passed out in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which had to stand for the entire hour-long event.
But the strangest moment came when the four great men were to be saluted by 21 guns and a flyover by helicopters of the Utah National Guard. Everyone in the audience was ordered to stay seated as the honorees and their spouses exited the building. There, at the top of the Capitol steps, they looked over the city as cannons belched smoke into the already polluted air. The helicopters were running late, but after a lengthy pause came at last, thumping over the Capitol dome. As the four honorees turned to reenter the building, Gov. Herbert was heard to say: “Impressive.”
I would agree that the spectacle made an impression all right.