LIVE from D.C. - The end of an error
Earlier today, the door on one of the most corrupt and destructive administrations was slammed shut with the inauguration of Barack Obama.
His ascension to the presidency marks the end of the Bush error - and the lifting of a unwelcome, dark shadow that has been hanging over our nation.
The light is free; our democracy endures. The Bush/Cheney regime is gone.
We've known this day was coming ever since that magical evening on November 4th, when Barack Obama routed John McCain and (unofficially) became the President-elect. But now it has actually happened. Barack Obama is no longer our nation's chief executive-in-waiting - he is the President. Our President.
It's truly a joyous thought.
Above: The Sikorsky helicopter carrying Dubya flies over the National Mall
Dubya was in power for so long that it's amazing to realize he's no longer in control. For me, it's an especially remarkable feeling, because I've only been actively involved in politics for about seven years. And today was the first day since I became an activist that Bush wasn't in charge of our government.
Watching the inauguration at the Capitol today was immensely satisfying. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. It was cold, crowded, and chaotic, but it was wonderful. Simply wonderful. The best part, by far, was observing the happiness of the millions of people around me.
Above: Looking back towards the Washington Monument during the inauguration
Sitting on the edge of the Reflecting Pool after the program was over, I watched as people around me hugged, danced, celebrated, got their pictures taken, and laughed in merriment, excited that new leadership has come to our nation's Capitol.
Above: Vice President Joe Biden's limousine rolls down Constitution Avenue
Later, I watched the Inaugural Parade, which was a delight to witness. There were dozens of police motorcycles, marching troops from every branch of the armed services, and the Obama and Biden motorcades, carrying our President, Vice President, and their families in newly built Cadillac limousines.
On the Internet, Obama's inauguration was marked by the unveiling of a new White House website, and many U.S. Department sites were also rapidly updated to reflect their incoming leaders and the priorities of the Obama administration.
Above: A closeup shot of the inauguration stage
Obama's inaugural address was about what I expected: powerful, soaring, and crisp. It was both realistic and optimistic, delivered with conviction and thoughtfulness. As Obama spoke, I could hear his words punctuated with murmurs of agreement and satisfaction from people around me. Obama's meaning and intent were clear.
There was no Orwellian doublespeak, no hidden agenda, no empty rhetoric in his address. Obama spoke reverently of the values that this country was founded upon and has always stood for. He didn't just pay lip service to them.
And that is what America has been longing for. An end to the fakery and nonsense of the Bush administration. Anyone who spent time actually scrutinizing Bush and his people could see that the words didn't match the actions.
(Healthy Forests, anyone? Clear Skies? Hello!?)
And as time went by, more and more Americans realized that Bush and his cronies were literally gambling with the future of the country.
They were (deliberately) careless stewards of our government because they don't believe in government. They set out to put a wrecking ball to our common wealth - and they've done a fine job of tearing things up. Now the hard work of clearing up their mess begins. These are certainly perilous times for our country.
The more quickly President Obama gets down to business and starts reversing the harm of the Bush error, the better the prospects of a faster recovery for our depressed economy, overstretched military, and polluted environment.
His ascension to the presidency marks the end of the Bush error - and the lifting of a unwelcome, dark shadow that has been hanging over our nation.
The light is free; our democracy endures. The Bush/Cheney regime is gone.
We've known this day was coming ever since that magical evening on November 4th, when Barack Obama routed John McCain and (unofficially) became the President-elect. But now it has actually happened. Barack Obama is no longer our nation's chief executive-in-waiting - he is the President. Our President.
It's truly a joyous thought.
Above: The Sikorsky helicopter carrying Dubya flies over the National Mall
Dubya was in power for so long that it's amazing to realize he's no longer in control. For me, it's an especially remarkable feeling, because I've only been actively involved in politics for about seven years. And today was the first day since I became an activist that Bush wasn't in charge of our government.
Watching the inauguration at the Capitol today was immensely satisfying. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. It was cold, crowded, and chaotic, but it was wonderful. Simply wonderful. The best part, by far, was observing the happiness of the millions of people around me.
Above: Looking back towards the Washington Monument during the inauguration
Sitting on the edge of the Reflecting Pool after the program was over, I watched as people around me hugged, danced, celebrated, got their pictures taken, and laughed in merriment, excited that new leadership has come to our nation's Capitol.
Above: Vice President Joe Biden's limousine rolls down Constitution Avenue
Later, I watched the Inaugural Parade, which was a delight to witness. There were dozens of police motorcycles, marching troops from every branch of the armed services, and the Obama and Biden motorcades, carrying our President, Vice President, and their families in newly built Cadillac limousines.
On the Internet, Obama's inauguration was marked by the unveiling of a new White House website, and many U.S. Department sites were also rapidly updated to reflect their incoming leaders and the priorities of the Obama administration.
Above: A closeup shot of the inauguration stage
Obama's inaugural address was about what I expected: powerful, soaring, and crisp. It was both realistic and optimistic, delivered with conviction and thoughtfulness. As Obama spoke, I could hear his words punctuated with murmurs of agreement and satisfaction from people around me. Obama's meaning and intent were clear.
There was no Orwellian doublespeak, no hidden agenda, no empty rhetoric in his address. Obama spoke reverently of the values that this country was founded upon and has always stood for. He didn't just pay lip service to them.
And that is what America has been longing for. An end to the fakery and nonsense of the Bush administration. Anyone who spent time actually scrutinizing Bush and his people could see that the words didn't match the actions.
(Healthy Forests, anyone? Clear Skies? Hello!?)
And as time went by, more and more Americans realized that Bush and his cronies were literally gambling with the future of the country.
They were (deliberately) careless stewards of our government because they don't believe in government. They set out to put a wrecking ball to our common wealth - and they've done a fine job of tearing things up. Now the hard work of clearing up their mess begins. These are certainly perilous times for our country.
The more quickly President Obama gets down to business and starts reversing the harm of the Bush error, the better the prospects of a faster recovery for our depressed economy, overstretched military, and polluted environment.
# Posted by Andrew : 6:45 PM
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