The Empire State Building is Red, White, and Blue Tonight

The Empire State building was standing proud tonight. Engulfed in Red, White, and Blue lights. A show of respect for out new president, and our country, I'm sure.

I, on the other hand have mixed feelings about this whole thing, or maybe my faith in our country just falters on the whole. Here's the thing. I'm really happy that we're getting a president that's coming in with these grand ideas, and who's willing to open the lines of communications to countries/people's we've denied an ear to in the past. Realistically, do I think we can accomplish everything he's setting out to do, no. But do I think it's worth a shot? Heck Yeah!

I was a little disappointed when watching the inauguration ceremony today though. I would have loved to have watched it at home, alone rather than with my co-workers. If they weren't talking during it, they were heckling at Bush or booing at him, which, despite the fact that I'm not a Bush fan, I found rather annoying.

I guess it's all about respect to me though. Do I think Bush was our greatest president? No, do I think he was our worst? Only history will tell, but he was our president. We, the people, voted him into office twice, and he lead our country, during trying times, and that demands our respect, regardless of whether we agreed with his policies or not. And honestly, I think we should be proud at the smoothness with which the transition has taken place this time around. I think if anything, Bush has actually shown class during this transition period-something we're not used to, I know.

Remember, that when Bush came into office, the previous administration was not nearly as gracious to him. Even though the elections were one of the worst and most controversial in our history, he was, in the end, named president elect, and we owed it to him to make a good transition. But instead, we were so angry about the election that we made everything difficult from the start. So he started on uneven ground, and I feel he's been struggling to get himself out from the start.

We may not want to believe it, but we the people had a part to play in his controversial presidency as well. After all, it's our job as citizens and voters to change the direction of politics on a state/local level, when we don't agree with the national level. So don't boo a president for doing what you see as being a bad job. Because he can only do a bad job if the vast majority let him. It's are responsibility to keep up with current affairs, to vote, and campaign for/against policies we agree or disagree with. If you weren't involved, boo yourself, not the president, because that's you failing to do your patriotic duty, and it's you failing yourself, your peers, your country, and your president. So, if your upset with public, national, and or international policies, make a difference at the local level, and respect the man, whether you like him or not, for leading one of the most powerful countries in the world for 8 years.

That being said, I think Obama is right to send out a message of hope to the world, and to state that he's stepping into office with a new approach--One of communication.

My favorite part of his speech today was when he said, "And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more. . .To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."I like the ideas of coming in and saying, "hey, were willing to work with you, despite our history, if you're willing to work with us." I mean, we've been closing out countries out for years. Refusing to listen to what they've got to say, raping them of their riches, and soils, and where did that get us?

Well, it got us 9/11 and the downfall of the economy and eight years of a very controversial presidency. Now, we have the opportunity to start new. To re-establish some of our broken relationships with other countries, and that's pretty exciting, but what's most exciting is that for the first time ever, the world is seeing us as a progressive nation. Yes, I did say "for the first time." Don't forget, we might be a country founded on the principles of the enlightenment, but we are also a country who's society was built out of social, political, and religious outcasts, we've made some pretty big mistakes, and now, we're showing that we're ready to make a change that will have an influence on the entire world, and that's something to be proud of.

Which leads me to my second favorite part of the speech. The part where he doesn't apologize for our past way of life, but at the same time tells us we have a responsibility to our planet, and we need to make some changes, but those changes don't me abandoning who we are. Because we do have it pretty good here, and we've worked hard to develop a nation and a country where people can have luxuries, and where almost any dream can become a reality. It's something to be proud of, and we should hold our heads high, and defend what's our, although, not at the expense of the world.


Sigh, ok, now that I ragged a little on the Bush haters, let me rag a little on the Obama haters. Here's the thing. Yes, I agree that the media hype over Obama has been out of control. They've raised him up to be this God-like figure, and I'm not so sure that's so good for our nation either. I mean, don't get me wrong. I think that the message of "yes we can," is exactly what we need right now. I'm just not sure that it's a good idea to make it seem like Obama's going to perform miracles. It just leads to swifter disappointment if things don't go as planned.

I do think, however, that all you haters out there, who booed when he took his oath, and are sending Obama hate e-mail to me, need to take a step back and give him a chance. You know, his victory was pretty much a land slide, which means he deserves your respect. Give the guy a chance. Stand by him and trust him, and give him the chance to prove himself. Then, if he fails to meet your needs, do what your patriotic duty calls for you to do,and get involved in politics. Follow current affairs and vote at the local level. Vote people into office who's views align with yours, and vote him out in four years, but don't walk around booing and hating. It just makes you look stupid and hateful.


Sigh. . . .
Enough about that. I'm so tired of writing I'm not even sure anything I said up there makes sense. But, I wanted to say that today was also a very exciting day for me for another reason. I was pretty excited because it was my very first day of graduate school, OMG! And I've already started to learn so much. I'm taking this Into to Marketing class for publishing, and the professor is awesome. He's teaching us Marketing from a product perspective-like a real marketing class, instead of a book perspective, which is pretty exciting. The workload we have is medium, and the assignments are very practical. I can already see how this class is going to help me do better in my job, and in life in general.

More on that tomorrow. For now, have good night. And happy President Inauguration Day!