To get just a glimpse at the magnitude of today one only needs to scan any webpage or newspaper there is (heck, even ESPN is running inauguration coverage). Nearly every angle, story (both past and present), idea and view will be hashed and re-hashed until we are all blue in the face.
My personal take is this: I have never been more hopeful of a politician in my life, and something like this is unlikely to occur again in my lifetime (then again the elder statemen and women among us will certainly remember JFK). The way I feel know must be very similar to how they felt when Kennedy was elected and sworn in. As if finally there is someone who will take the rest of us into consideration.
I know there Obama will not have a magic wand that he can wave and change everything immediately. I know that there are long, hard days ahead in just about every facet of life that can be imagined, but I have never had a more positive view of where this country is headed. I hope that the stream of "bipartisanship" that has been the talk of the town since the election will be more than words and will transfer into deeds. I remember when Bill Clinton came into office with the same rhetotic and it was followed for awhile but not long.
And while I was hopeful that a black president would be elected in my lifetime, it was hardly a lock. It is amazing to be able to actually see this day...but this hardly means our sad racial history has been fully put behind us. Yesterday I saw a poll which said about 70% of african-americans believe Martin Luther King's dream has been realized, but even I can say that while this is a great day there is a lot of work to do still.
But today is a day of celebration, a day to take in and remember for the ages. The hard work begins in earnest tomorrow, and I pray that Barack Obama and Congress govern justly and are blessed to do everything they can to get us out of this mess.
Congratulations President Barack Obama (sweeter words have never been spoken)!
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