A nation gathers, watches, listens, hopes

Like millions upon millions of Americans, I just took a break along with my co-workers to witness Barack Obama taking the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States and then delivering a speech that was simultaneously serious and stirring. And as I looked around the conference...

By Michael Roberts

January 20, 2009

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Like millions upon millions of Americans, I just took a break along with my co-workers to witness Barack Obama taking the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States and then delivering a speech that was simultaneously serious and stirring. And as I looked around the conference room in Westword's offices, where the largest television set can be found, I realized that the last time staffers at the paper gathered on that spot to follow a breaking-news event was 9/11.

I enjoyed this moment of coming together more. Infinitely more.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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