The Inauguration (2009)

To be honest, I've avoided the television and radio today because of the overwhelming canonization of Barack Obama. The media darling of the moment, the inauguration is the topic of all conversation as it should be. Be forewarned. The following are my opinions alone. No, I didn't vote for Barack Obama. I didn't vote for McCain either.

A few things strike me:

• The overwhelmingly negative comments from Baby Boomers about Barack Obama. I'm surprised. Are you concerned a new generation is stepping into power? Concerned that we will push you out or worse, forget you? Why the disparaging remarks? There seems to be a consensus that this President, much like JFK, won't survive his term. Rubbish. Unlike those who grew up during the tide of Civil Rights, we, the young people of this fine nation don't think/speak/act in terms of color. Racial jokes and stereotypes aside, we don't care. We see a man with fresh ideas, willing to go against the popular vote, willing to engage in discourse, willing to try for change.
• Reading the transcript of Barack Obama's speech, I am filled with hope and excitement. His words evoke a patriotism, a love for this great nation, that I didn't really know was there. Sure, we all are in the honeymoon stage, but if we would call take this feeling we have today, bottle it, remember it two years from now when American really struggles to right the gluttony, pride, deception, and consequences of our actions, we would all be better off. Barack Obama is well spoken.
• Barack Obama's call for volunteerism and being involved is close to my heart. If only we all would pause to consider. As cliche as it may be, let's get back to family--let's celebrate it and stop allowing outside influences to corrupt our children. Imagine if we did that they might even be less influence after all.
• Regardless of how you vote, you must respect Barack Obama. I didn't see like him, I said respect him. I, for one, have tremendous respect for a man who refuses to play along as the media continues to throw the 'race card'.
• Joseph Lowry, EXCUSE me?! How do you go from, "We thank you for the empowering of thy servant, our 44th president, to inspire our nation to believe that, yes, we can work together to achieve a more perfect union. And while we have sown the seeds of greed, the wind of greed and corruption, and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness and we come in a spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our president by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other..." to "Lord, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — when yellow will be mellow — when the red man can get ahead, man — and when white will embrace what is right." Your comments are perverse and hardly appropriate, dumba** How ignorant and careless of you.
• It's pretty incredible to see the hordes of people waving, crying, chanting, and smiling all for our President. I'd like to think that for this moment, perhaps all of America really was united.

The citizens of this nation owe it to our children and the generations to come to clean up this mess. Yes, we are facing the greatest deficit ever seen, unemployment in ever increasing numbers, outsourcing is rampant, health care costs are soaring... it's daunting and overwhelming, but we've got to begin somewhere. I hope we can begin with Barack Obama's leadership. Pitch it. Start holding yourself accountable.

America loves an understory. Well, she's in one. I hope that in a few years, all of this potential isn't laying by the wayside. But aside the tide of emotion and allow logic to take hold. Here are your inevitables:

• The media will need an enemy at some point. Fickle as it is, I'm guessing less than a year.
• Barack Obama is just one man. You must remember that thanks to our blessed Forefathers, power is held by the rich few. Capitol Hill is where the money is; it talks. You and I don't have a special interest group, so we are screwed.
• Rising health care, Social Security, the massive nation debt--it's not going away and until true reform is enacted no amount of 'hope' from an idealistic President can change sh*t.
• America will always be at odds with the world as long as we are aligned with Israel. It's Biblical fact. No amount of peacemaking will change the hearts and minds of that are filled with hate for centuries.

As Ghandi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Until citizens of this nation take that to heart, true change will never come. Considering being that change in your world. You don't have to be elected to the White House to make a difference at some level.