Happy New President!

Are you still riding the high from yesterday's festivities? It felt like a holiday! Everywhere I went yesterday people were glowing from the surge of hope in their hearts - standing taller from the weight lifted from their shoulders as Bush departed on Executive One.

Sadly, Ben's school chose not to have the children watch the Inauguration. I almost kept him home so he could see it live. Many of our friends did. Ultimately, however, I opted to view it alone, without hundreds of questions being rapid-fired at me. TiVo is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Ha!

So last night we sat with Ben to re-watch the important parts of that historical day: the procession (so as to identify the players), Obama's swearing in and speech and the farewell to George W. Interestingly, he already knew much about what was going on from lessons in school. I'm grateful for that, at least. I don't know enough of the technicalities of our government's transition to trust a young mind to my version of events. What surprised me was that he had no real knowledge of the civil rights movement beyond MLKs "I Have A Dream" speech.

One of Ben's most frequent playmates is an half African-American half Seminole Indian (I think) boy that lives across the street. He was adopted by our neighbors at birth. Lucky for us. B's presence in Ben's life made civil rights much easirr to explain.

We explained how at one time B would not have been able to go to the same school as Ben, or drink from the same fountain or even be his friend.

"But why?", Ben asked.

"Because B's a different color. And a long time ago white people thought that meant that he wasn't as good as they were."

"But I'm brown, too." he says pointing to his arm.

I won't bore you with our little home-school lesson. Suffice it to say that he now has a better understanding of the magnitude of yesterday's events.

While I didn't get to explain the finer points of President Obama's Address to Ben, or point out the poetry of his words, he learned a much more valuable lesson. I am so profoundly happy that my sons will grow up in a world where the son of a black immigrant can campaign against a woman for the highest position in our land and become President.

Building Character

Is there any word that can describe today that hasn't already been bandied about the internet ad infinitum? Hopeful? Overcome? Overjoyed? Awed? I am all these things and so much more.

Today is the next step on the road to rebuilding our National character. At some point in time America has become a hated country. Despised by the bad guys and good guys alike. Even friendly Nations have looked at us with a semblance of disdain.

As a people we have become spoiled and lazy. I am reminded of Ben's assertions that whatever his infraction it is "not his fault." We have become finger-pointers.

President Barack Obama has ushered in, today, an era of accountability... Both for Washington and each and every American.

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. "

He has laid the foundation of his foreign policy.

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

...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."

And one of my favorite images from his address:

"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."

I can't wait to sit with Ben tonight and rewatch all the TiVoed footage of this momentous day. I am so excited to watch him soak up the significance. I am greatful that he will grow up in this new direction - growing as one with all Americans and our Nation.

Does anyone have any whiteout?

Have you seen this? My man, Obama is setting a high bar for his staff. He wants every applicant to detail every blog post, web comment, web alias, social networking page, etc. on their 9 page applications. Please provide URLs and printed copies if readily available.

Holy Blogosphere, Batman!

Call it Big Brother (and I'm sure many will), call it micro-managing or, better yet, none of his business... but the man is crazy smart! Other Presidents have been caught in politically embarrassing situations regarding staff or nominees when their online opinions have come to light. Why should someone working for the President of the United States not be subjected to the same scrutiny any other job applicant? Prospective employers routinely Google their applicants.

Although, to be fair, I do not think it's appropriate for him to ask if an applicant owns a gun and please provide legal registration. That falls under the "none of your damn business" category.

Right now, I'm just grateful I had no aspirations to work in the Obama Administration. The mere thought of trying disappear my Internet presence, or worse, actually having to willingly hand over hard copy of my blogosphere bantering... Gah! My insides turn to curdled milk at the very thought.

Wow! This must be a record number of postings for me! I am just all full of things to say to the blogosphere when Daddy-O isn't home to listen to me. Heh!