Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Bright, New Day

As our country's newest president was just beginning his speech, two men who had walked into the restaurant where a co-worker and I had sat at the bar to watch, had this conversation.

"What's going on today?, one asked..
"It's the inauguration," said the other.
"Oh yeah, I forgot," said the first.

There's only one word for that questioner. Forgive me. Idiot.

On the most historic day of our generation, how could you forget that the 44th president of the United States was being sworn in to office? How could you not have been anticipating this moment since November? And like half the patrons in the restaurant, how could you be in the same room with a television and not watch?

I've been back at my desk just under 30 minutes, and already I've re-read the speech and its key phrases.

"...hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord..."

"Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed..."

"...we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.''

"...the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics..."

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility..."

"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works..."

Today is indeed a new day, and it's bright and clear and welcome.

President Obama's inaugural address

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