Celebrating the Dawn of the Obama Epoch

Yesterday was one of the greatest days in American history. I say this not as a Democrat, but as a person who loves history, redemption stories, spiritual renewal, and divine deliverance. On a day like yesterday, I couldn't help but think of that old Sam Cooke classic, "A Change is Gonna Come," for it's "been a long time coming." I was too excited yesterday that I couldn't fall asleep the night before, so I stayed up all night. Since I live in the Pacific Time Zone, the Inaugural coverage began at 4 a.m. and I didn't want to miss a single moment. Unfortunately, though, I fell asleep sometime during the luncheon and the parade, so I missed out on most of the parade. I was dozing in and out of sleep at that point. But I saw the most important part of the ceremony (the swearing in and Inaugural speech).

I watched the Neighbourhood Ball on ABC. Portland had a few Inaugural balls going on, but President and Mrs. Obama weren't going to appear at any of them. Besides, a political scandal broke in Portland on Monday that would guarantee people wouldn't only be talking about Obama. The other post of today highlights that growing local scandal.

I actually kept my emotions in check through most of the day and didn't feel emotions of this historic moment hit me until Beyonce sang the classic, "At Last." That was the most perfect song of this occasion and like everything, she does it so beautifully! I know that this phrase probably got used a lot yesterday. For African Americans, this election and Inauguration represents the fulfillment of America's promise of the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal." It's also the fulfillment of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, when slaves were freed from captivity. Of course, this moment also fulfills the Dream of Dr. King. After a campaign of right-wing smear tactics and fear mongering, the American voters proved once again that issues matter, and bestowed the honour, privilege and title of the presidency on the candidate who inspired our best hopes and dreams.

For me, "At Last" symbolizes the end of the eight year long nightmare of what I always viewed as an illegitimate presidency. I never forgave Bush and the Republicans for stealing the election from the legitimate winner of the 2000 election. Now, I can finally put that injustice in the closure bin and celebrate this moment of another Democrat as president. As much as I admire Gore and believe he would have been a great president, I also realize that had he been our president these past eight years, we might have never heard of Barack Obama.

The sweetness of last year's election season and victory wouldn't have been nearly as sweet if Americans had only grown more complacent and disinterested under a President Gore. In spiritual books I've read that explain why our earth is the way it is (and why we shouldn't obsess over it's lack of heavenly perfection), how can we know true joy if we've never tasted sorrow and defeat? Truly, would we be so filled with a rapturous joy if not for the disaster of Bush's presidency? Perhaps we might, considering the historic nature of this Inaugural, but as I watched events of the past weekend, it truly is hard to separate out the joy, because it's all mixed in: joy that an African American became president in my lifetime; joy that I survived the hardship of the Bush years; joy that the pretender is finally gone from the people's house on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Beyonce's version of "At Last" just brought out my tears of joy, a perfect cap to a brilliantly beautiful day.

The Obamas on their walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Parade Grandstand across the street from their new home.

Senator Ted Kennedy made it to the Inauguration, but had a seizure attack during the luncheon that followed. Will he make it, or are these his last days? My prayers are with him, for I know his dream is to see the passage of Universal Health Care.

Anyone else think that Cheney looks like one of those sleazy private investigators? Or a Mafia goon?

Bidding farewell to the mess they're leaving behind for the black man to clean up. In an incredible gesture, Michelle Obama gave the Bushes a nicely wrapped gift when they met for coffee before the Inauguration festivities. News commentators said that this was a first time they've ever seen it done and I think Diane Sawyer said something like, "what could the Obamas possibly give the departing First Couple?" I thought it was an incredible gesture, and further proof of how classy the Obamas are. We haven't seen class of this kind since the Kennedys occupied the White House. Michelle Obama might possibly be the most classy First Lady since Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.

I admit, I loved seeing the most evil man in the world in a wheel chair and looking unhappy through the whole ordeal. There's speculation on the DailyKos that the excuse (that he hurt his back lifting boxes) is a lie. Bloggers think the real reason is far more embarrassing. Whatever the reason, it's just a perfect way to end their administration. I had personally hoped that he would croak on the final day, but I'll gladly accept this image as a consolation prize. I truly did laugh out loud whenever I saw him on the television. Good riddance and I hope he burns in hell someday with his buddy Saddam Hussein.

What truly made my weekend was reading an article that an inflatable George W. Bush was set just outside the White House for people to throw shoes at him. Many people did. Even more amazing, the guards at the White House allowed people to toss shoes at the White House without arrest. Some guards even joked not to hit them. Wow...is this like that scene from The Wizard of Oz, when the guards cheered the demise of the Wicked Witch of the West or what? I know it's somewhat silly, but I was so happy to read that there were many people who felt the same sentiment as me, desiring to throw their shoes at Bush or a likeness of him to express their frustrations of the past eight years. It is my sincerest hope that someday soon, Bush will desire to look objectively at his own administration and ask himself the question, "why do so many people hate me?" I don't think he will progress spiritually until he does some soul searching.

I think its a perfect end to his presidency, which began with his limousine being pelted with eggs and protestors with signs like "Hail to the Thief!" during his Inaugural parade. From that first moment to the shoe toss outside the White House on the last full day of his Administration, I hope historians will remember that no other president deserves the distinctive title of Worst President Ever. Even more sweet was reading that people outside the White House sang "Na na na na, Na na na na, Hey hey hey, Goodbye!" My sentiments exactly.

The Bush pinocchio finally succumbed to being assaulted with too many shoes. A fitting end to a disasterous presidency! What a way to go out in American memory. This is why I love our country. As Bush said it himself: "Fool me once, shame on...shame on...fool me twice...you can't get fooled again!" Amen!