This is a great day for America.
I don't want to talk about politics or parties right now. I don't want to discuss pettiness and differences. Not now.
This is a moment to be treasured by all those who love liberty. Today is the day that all the world stands up and takes notice. This is America's finest hour. This is the bedrock of the American Experiment.
Barack Obama was sworn in today as the 44th President of the United States. He is the first man, of African American decent, to rise to this office. It is a major step forward in the writing of the story of America. The United States of America is one step closer to realizing the truth of it's founding declaration -- that all men are created equal. It is a day long in coming, and a day worthy of rejoicing.
But that's not what I am talking about.
There was a phrase spoken today -- over and over again -- that cannot be overused: The peaceful transference of power.
The United States is a kaleidoscope of opinions, and colors and ideas. We don't always see eye to eye with each other. Often we vigorously disagree with one another. We all have thoughts as to which direction our nation is going -- and where we think it should go. Sometimes we speak civilly to one another, sometimes we scream and yell. That's our right.
Sometimes the person who stands at our head is someone we agree with, sometimes they are not. But that person serves at the discretion of the people of the United States of America. And he -- and someday soon hopefully, she -- goes into office knowing that, in no more than eight years, he will step aside for the next president -- often a person with vastly different views than himself.
We have done this forty four times in a row now. Do you know how remarkable that is? No guns, no cannon, no threats, no blood.
It is done in an instant.
With an Oath and a Handshake.
God Bless America.
With an Oath and a Handshake.
God Bless America.
18 comments:
Well said. And BTW, I forgive you for being one of those patients!
chris...you did an outstanding job grasping the true beauty of this day!
~AirmanMom returning to her blog...
That was wonderfully said! Would you mind if I linked to your post? There is no way I could say it any better than you did and I would love to share...?
Sticky
Spoken perfectly as usual. Me & my little ones partied to the joy of the day all day long!
Love the pictures you chose!
I am American. I am blessed and honored and proud to be an American and I don't believe that American has diminished in the past eight years because the media tells me this is so.
I believe there are obligations that go along with being an American. One of the most important is to remember that the democracy we cherish works. Yes. It.Does!
The President of the United States stands for something. He is larger than his person, larger than his office, larger than any degree of military, political or economic power that he might command.
The President of the United States represents the continued success of this great experiment in government, for and by the people. He is a shining symbol of the independence, determination, courage and the CAN DO spirit of the citizens. When the President of the United States arrives in a foreign country that is oppressed by tyranny, he carries with him the unspoken message that libety is not an extravagance, it's a right. But, as I can tell you from living in China, there are many people quietly watching who feel a sudden swell of hope, that their children, just perhaps, might take a step closer towards freedom so long as the light of liberty still shines on our shores.
I do not hope for President Obama to fail. I am an American. Americans want their leaders to succeed. They want their nations to succeed. I learned this from my father: That Honor Matters. That includes being respectful to the leader of the greatest nation on the globe, even in you disagree with him. You deal with it. Honor demands no less.
Well said (er, written :)
Visiting from Sticky's post today. And so glad.
Very well written!! Isn't it amazing to be apart of history?
Where was I when this peaceful event took place..with my family at a hotel. We (the little ones may not so much) will never forget this day and what we were doing...just so grateful to be here on this earth at this time!!
Where were you??
Beautifully written.
Nice post, Chris. This was a joyous day!
Great post...it was a monumental day.
Probably the best post on yesterdays events I've seen...you captured the essence of it in words and with the photos you chose!
Wonderfully written!
Amazing post as always, Chris. The whole thing brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps all over. It was truly a moment in history.
Beautifully written and wonderful photo's that catch perfectly the sentiments of the piece.
very well said. it really is wonderful isn't it? :)
have a great day!
As always you said it beautifully!
I wonder if W feels anything like I did when I graduated from college ? :)
AMEN to that!! What a great post...very well put!!
I hadn't thought of this, but you are right. 44x for this transfer to be peaceful is absolutely amazing. Love the collection of picture. Well done.
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