Random Thoughts from a Day of American History

January 20, 2009

On this brisk, January morning, President Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. The transfer of power was swift and peaceful. It was indeed an historic occasion replete with memories for all who experienced it. While I am seemingly one of only a dozen or so citizens not on the lawn in D.C., I have made some key observations from my living room.

1. John McCain seems to say "I can't look" during the swearing in. The gentleman next to him is a disguised Mitt Romney, taking photos of things he likes as he begins planning his inauguration in January, 2013.

2. Left - Supreme Court Justices Stevens and Scalia lament to Chief Justice Roberts that they had no idea their hats were so hideous. Right - We see Hillary Clinton right before she finds out that she isn't the next president...

3. Senator Feinstein had WAY too much exposure on this day. As the head of the Inaugural Committee, she was apparently required by the Constitution to be next to (or in front of) the new president at all times. My favorite moment was following the swearing in, when President Obama entered the Capitol to sign his first executive orders. The President signed the orders in the company of the vice president and...you guessed it...a California senator. Oh the tradition. As the President was signing, Feinstein oohed and awwed at his "beautiful signature." She went on to comment about how she "used to be a lefty, too, before the accident." You could see the annoyance in President Obama's eyes; it was a scene analogous to a high school senior's nagging grandma hanging out with and making comments to all his friends on graduation night.

4. Of the nearly 2 million estimated people viewing the parade, 1.7 million of them were secret service agents. In all seriousness, how in the world do they keep the president safe in such a situation? I find their training and skills truly incredible. I do feel, however, that they should be allowed to wear track suits or something more conducive to running, wrestling, jumping, etc. I wouldn't want anything, including restrictive slacks or a trench coat, impeding the men and women responsible for protecting our government officials.

5. Today, we all have a new president. Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, and whatever it is that Tom Cruise is all have to come together to get through these hard times. I pray for our new president's success and for the continued perserverance of the American people. We can make it through a recession, a war on terrorism, and a looming decline of moral values. What we can't handle, however, is another day with Senator Feinstein at the microphone. I'm glad this day is history.