Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Congratulations, President Obama

Today, January 20, 2009 finally came and went. And at 9:01 am Pacific Time, Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th President of the United States. And, it is a great moment for this great nation.
No question, as one being for the other candidate, it is always hard to see the other candidate up there taking the oath of office.
But, that is the dichotomy of living in a democratic republic.
Those of us who are Republicans win elections and lose elections. Same for the Democrats.
This is a Democrat moment, but a unique one as the first man of color is now our president.
I do think of those that can remember a time in this nation that they were kept away from a certain part of restaurants. Or told not to use a "White" drinking fountain. Or, for many entertainers, they could perform for White audiences, but could not stay in the same hotels. They had to go to "Black" hotels. And there is the real crime of slavery that was done to those who came before my generation. A terrible stain on this nation's history.
But, there he was, up on a dais in front of the United States Capitol, Barack Obama, taking the oath of office and becoming president.
And, it was that.
And, many if not the majority of Americans were for a brief moment, happy at what took place. I know that I was.
Tomorrow, we who did not vote for President Obama begin the comeback. That too is the dichotomy of living in a democratic republic.
That we can relish the peaceful transfer of leadership from one to another. And, the next day go back to business as usual.
Yes, I know, a lot of people want this unity, hope and change.
But, it is not realistic and it should not be.
It is part of the checks and balances. As there are the three branches of government, there needs to be two political parties. Two different ways to give to the people of America a chance to choose what way they want in the executive branch for at least four years.
So, I write this congratulations to my president, Barack Hussein Obama, because he won a hard fight to be the President of the United States.

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