Inauguration

For the first time in my life, I watched the Inauguration of a President happen. I had listened to Inaugurations on the radio but since we don't have a TV I had never actually seen one take place. Yesterday, thanks to live coverage on the ABC News homepage, I was able to watch the Inauguration of our 44th President via the Internet. Here are some of my thoughts as I watched the activities.

This President is a first in more ways than one. He is the first President who is younger than me and from the next generation. All previous Presidents were baby boomer or older. Obama began using newer technology in his campaign (such as YouTube) and is more in touch with the younger generation.

I appreciated the frequent mention of God and the number of prayers that were offered at the events. Although actions count more than words, God is still at least getting lip service. Someone was trying to prevent him from saying "So help me God" at the end of the oath. If we erase God from the picture, we are sealing our own doom. The man who prayed before the luncheon hit it on the head when he addressed God as Sovereign of sovereigns. Obama may be the most powerful man on earth, but he is still subject and accountable to God like everyone else.
Obama is not a magic word that will set everything right overnight but his rise to the Presidency is a sign of progress in at least some areas. I don't agree with all his ideas on abortion and gay rights but think he is on the right track in getting out of Iraq and closing Guantanamo.

The world was watching this Inauguration as never before, due to the historic proportions and multinational background of the 44th President. The change of power occurred peacefully and courteously, in stark contrast to the rioting and bloodshed that accompanies elections in some parts of the world. As Obama's tribesmen and relatives watched in Kenya, they were shown there is a better way to do things. Although security was tight and some people in the throngs of at least 1.5 million people were disgruntled with the inability to navigate, there was not one arrest for misconduct all day. After the Inauguration was over, some who realized they would not be able to get out of town for quite awhile grabbed garbage bags and voluntarily started cleaning up the trash left on the mall. That is the spirit that makes America great.
And the last observation was more earthy. I was glad I was NOT in Washington. I know what being out in the cold does to me and they estimated there was one porta-john per 400 people. I would have spent hours standing in line at one of them and missed the swearing in because my turn had finally come. I could see better and was more comfortable here in my own office.

My God bless our new President and may he govern our great nation in accordance with the laws of God which supersede the laws of men.