Tuesday, January 20, 2009

An Inauguration for History

A historic day, by any measure. The inauguration of a new president is always exciting - there have been only 43 Americans who undertook this same task. I just spent the last 45 minutes listening to NPR, capturing the excitement of the crowd, the oath of Joe Biden and then Barack Obama, and listening to Obama's Inaugural Address.

I truly believe the time has come for America to reclaim its place of leadership to the world. My favorite idea from the speech - that America is a friend of your nation.

The time is now, and the opportunities ripe, for the United States to be a friend to the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, as well as a friend to those who choose freedom and democracy in the place of tyranny and terror.

We have an obligation, as a people, to take care of each other. Nothing lasts forever - not you, not me, not a nation, not the Earth. The only way to survive is to reach out and beyond, stretching for something greater than yourself. President Obama has shown us the first step - we are facing tough situations, but responsible actions begin with the guiding principle that we are to take care of one another.

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