Happy – umm – Obama Day!

Well, unless you have no TV, radio or Internet (which is obviously not the case if you are reading this) access, today was a busy day for the nation’s media, bloggers and anyone who has (or thinks they have – self included) something to say.  Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.  As of this post, the media continues to shell us with an array of inaugural events and such (in my case, at the expense of one of my favorite shows).  I must admit that, unlike many at my office, I did not have the ceremonies streaming at my desk this morning.  (although, I did see a lot of commentary via tweets throughout the day)  I did, however, get the text of his speech, and I hope, after a couple of days to be able to post commentary and/or rebuttal to it.  For now, I wish to put my political views (and disappointment in the interruption of my Tuesday DVR routine) aside and acknowledge today for what is was.

This will be my first blog post of a political nature.  Given the myriad of issues facing the country right now, and my own self discovery of ideology and views this last election round, I will have more, but today, I offer heartfelt congratulations to President Obama.  The rest can come in time.

There is something special about a country that used to have the institution of slavery igauguarting it’s first President with African American heritage.  I will never be able to overlook that.  Perhaps it’s even more significant that it came the day after we celebrated a great American, a model of non-violent protest and a champion for social justice.  I applaud all those whos work has made this country a place where today’s events could take place.  I thank God for their contributions and sacrafices.

I think it’s fair to mention that I did not vote for President Obama (nor did I support Senator McCain).  In time, I’m sure I’ll put some thoughts out about this and how it ties into my own growing beliefs on how America can rebuild some of its greatness.  In fact, I’ve got a piece partially completed that is a personal reflection on why I’m actually thankful for the election of 2008. (I hope to post it in the next day or so), but today I celebrate the peaceful transfer of power that has marked the evolution of our country across the years from leader to leader.  I stand humbled by the Constitution and the system of government that it gives to American citizens.

Without getting into the politics today, I do stand reluctantly hopeful.  I sincerely pray that our new President can be guided by his conscience and his expressed beliefs in a higher power to use the office he now has as a means for positive and meanigful impact on his fellow man.  I don’t agree with most of his approaches, and I don’t see any significant change to where we’ve been in what’s proposed, but since I consider myself a man of faith, I’ll pray that the God I believe in can influence President Obama in ways that might surprise me.  I’ll always work and advocate for that which I see as right and good for all Americans, but I will continue to honor the office for which this man has been elected to occupy.  I will not always agree, but he is my President.  He will get my respect for that, but as one of my elected officials, he will also bear the weight of my expectations and new commitment to be a part of changing the system that I see as flawed.

So, let me be another who congratulates you, Mr. President.  May God continue to bless you, give you strength and keep you and your family safe, happy and healthy these next four years.  Today, I applaud your accomplishments and wish you joy as you celebrate them this evening.  Tomorrow, I suspect we will meet again on the field of political discourse and debate.  I fully expect to be your adversary in many endeavors, and perhaps even an ally in some.  Tomorrow starts the first full day for you in one of the most demanding positions on Earth.  Good luck as you start down that path.  I, along with America and the world, hope your choices help us all to a better place.

And so, in closing, as I would regardless of the person in office, I wish you all a wonderful evening and sincerly pray “God bless America”

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Tags: inaguration, Obama, politics, President