Hope

They said it couldn't be done...and yet, it was. Barack Obama was sworn in as the nations 44th President today. It was a moment I honestly never thought would happen.....and yet it did. For the first time in a long time...I was proud to be an American today, and before you dear reader take that statement out of context and decry that I'm unAmerican, know this, that is simply far FAR from the truth.

Obama is an enigma...he's not a messiah as some have criticized, but there is something unique about him, and moreover he gets the message! Now, I'm not going to claim I have all the answers, but I would like to puff my chest out for a second and have a machimismo moment. I know my lowly bachelors degree isn't all that in the grand scheme of things...but I did study government, I'd like to think I get the subject at times...and with Obama I honestly think he took the sum of our best parts, put them in a message that was delightfully thorough and simplistic in nature, combined it with proven community organization and bam, not only did we get a candidate who got it right...but we got a campaign that was a machine, a campaign that was able to bulldoze over the right wing evangelical conservative branch of the GOP that has been driving that tank for awhile, and for that reason (and so many more) I'm proud today.

I stayed home this morning and watched the Inauguration. The intensity of the moment was paramount. His message wasn't all bells and whistles. Listen to the substance people...get off your asses, stop pointing fingers and get involved. Personal responsibility will not be overshadowed by senses of entitlement or handouts. Cultural elitism will hopefully take a backseat in this administration. We are all Americans, we all deserve respect and dignity.

I'm babbling...I know. Its the end of a long day, I have a lot on my mind...but I felt it was important to somehow get my ideas down....

As I watched Obama's speech today...I held my daughter. She clapped with delight when the crowd cheered and got excited with the musical piece was performed. I thought about her future and the legacy I will leave for her....I thought about today and what it means, and the word of the day really is hope.

Night ya'll!