44

"...I respect the office, I just don't like the man. And it's not because he's black. It's not because of his race or his gender or his religion. It's because I don't trust his friends, and because he's a muslim terrorist." --My boss on President Obama.

I am not really probably supposed to do personal or non-company related business on the company computers/clock, but I was not going to miss today's historical events. I am kind of a nerd like that, and I can't help but get swept up in the excitement surrounding today. As I watched the inauguration streaming live to my computer screen at work, I could help be excited, and a little bit proud of my fellow americans.
I was also appalled by fellow Americans today. The people at my work were not interested in the inaugural events-- which is fine, but they were not okay with people who were. My coworkers mocked me for my excitement over the day, and called me an "Obama Supporter"--as an insult. My boss made the digusting speech listed above and I didn't even know how to respond, I sat open mouthed.
I guess the way I see it, no matter what your current opinion of our 44th president you cannot deny an exceptional man took office today. And whether you voted for him or not-- or decided not to vote at all, does not matter a bit, because anyway your vote fell, this man is now your president. The cool thing about your country is you have the right to not be happy about that, but you also have the choice as to how you are going to respond to the situation. You have the choice to be hateful, rude, ignorant, ego-centric, and spend your time mocking and tearing down one man. Or you have the choice to support your leader, pray for him, be hopeful, work for change, build up your neighbor and your country. I think it goes well beyond what your party affiliation or political veiws are... You get to decide how will you choose to live and act. What will your actions portray about your truest beliefs?
One more thought, on the verge of this 'new era' for our country we are hopeful at the prospect of change. "CHANGE" is optimistic and idealistic, but any realist will tell you no change can come about without some discomfort and pain. It's normal, and it's easy to forget at the start. It's hard to remember the outcome in the middle... and still you have a choice to do right when it's hard, and love when it hurts. I was encouraged by the words of our president, acknowledging this very thing...

"...never forget that the true character of our nation is revealed not during times of comfort and ease, but by the right we do when the moment is hard. I ask you to help me reveal that character once more, and together, we can carry forward as one nation, and one people, the legacy of our forefathers that we celebrate today." --PRESIDENT Obama, January 18, 2009

Happy Inauguration day! :)