I’ve had a chance to digest the events, think about them, and study my reactions. These are my thoughts on yesterday’s inauguration:

I think it’s pretty amazing that there were 1.8 million people in and around the National Mall, and there were no problems. Seriously. Not a single arrest according to USA Today. Now that is a truly a feat. Could we, as a nation, possibly be coming together afterall?

How cool is it that Obama was sworn in with the same bible that Abraham Lincoln was sworn in with? That fills me with a sense of wonder. I alternate between thinking they were crazy to let the book out of the archives in that weather, and thinking that the person who thought of it should win some kind of an award.

Of course I loved Michelle’s inaugural ensemble. I found it very regal and fitting. I’m thrilled she decided against something red, white, and/or blue, which is so obvious and cliché.

I’m a total hypocrite, but while I still agree in the separation of church and state and was annoyed by all of the praying yesterday ((It’s an inauguration, not a church social.)), I have to admit that the quote from Scriptures couldn’t have been more fitting.

“…the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come…to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea…that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

Oh yeah, I thought the rest of the inauguration speech kicked ass too.

I absolutely loved Malia and Sasha. What a pair of spunky, beautiful girls. The secret service is going to have their hand full with those two!

Could Beyonce have sounded any better at the Neighborhood Ball? ((Bitch!)) I think, however, this is the first time she’s been on stage, and was upstaged.

With such a long and event-filled day, there was bound to be some crap:

While I’m the antithesis of a Bush supporter, the booing when he was announced was tacky and in poor taste. The man was the leader of the free world for eight years, and as such does deserve a little respect.

She may have been the Queen of Soul at one point, ((20 years ago!)) but she certainly did not sound regal (or even good) yesterday. I was a little embarrassed for her. And what was with that horrible hat?

Since this was the first inauguration I’ve ever paid attention to, I was surprised by all of the religion (especially with all of the fuss regarding the separation of church and state). As I mentioned previously, I thought the Scriptures quote was á propos, the rest, however, was a little too much for me.

I have to say the low point for me was Sting. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love Sting. Always have. Not only is he so talented he can leave a band like The Police and do even better solo, he’s just H-O-T! I liked his Dune phase. ((Sting in black leather–what’s not to love.)) I was okay with the long hair, mid-life crisis phase. I adore the super-short, yoga thing. I do not, however, approve of the I’m-a-lumberjack-and-I’m-okay phase.

Enough said.

Now it’s your turn. What did you love or hate about Barack Obama’s inauguration? Let me know what should be on my love/hate list, and why.

Like most of America today, I have the inauguration events playing in the background. Being lucky enough to work from home, I don’t have to stream it from the internet. 🙂 While listening, I was thinking of President-elect Obama ((At this time, he’s not quite president yet.)) and trying to formulate what it is about him that has energized our country in this difficult time. Here are 10 reasons I, personally, love Barack Obama:

1. Whether it be limo or armored car, he still opens the door for his wife himself.
2. He still holds his wife’s hand, and actually looks like he enjoys it.
3. He is articulate beyond words. ((Some of you will get that, some of you wont. 🙂 ))
4. He gives (most) Americans hope.
5. There hasn’t been a First Family as attractive as this since the Kennedys.
6. His ideas for change actually make sense. The Issues
7. He shows respect, compassion, and understanding for people from all walks of life.
8. He has the potential to be one of the most influential presidents in American history—and I can say I was a part of it. ((Everyone who voted for him is a part of it.))
9. For the first time in a long time, I can say “I’m very proud to be an American.“
10. He is bringing intelligence and dignity back to the White House.

While these posts have obviously been in favor of the candidate I prefer, I hope my other message has been clear. Get off your ass and vote, no matter whom you are voting for. My philosophy on voting has always been simple:

If you don’t bother to vote, then don’t bother to complain about the way things are.

I came across this video today at The Mom Buzz. Whether you lean to the left or lean to the right, take 5 minutes out of your day and check this out:

This is the most honest video I’ve seen during the 2008 election season. Did you notice what was missing? No McCain. No Palin. No Obama. Just one simple message.

VOTE!

The good news is that my regular readers who don’t necessarily agree with my views can come back in a few weeks, when I stop (maybe) posting the funny (to me) political stuff I find. 🙂

Good stuff, Eh?

Another view I hold strongly was best represented by Craig Ferguson in his Sept. 10 monologue on “The Late, Late Show.”

If you don’t vote, you’re a moron!

Here’s the monologue. It’s a little long, but well worth it.

As a newly-naturalized citizen of the United States, he does a great job of expressing his outrage and confusion regarding the voting process (or lack thereof) in America. I’ve never been a huge fan of his, until this show.

After his monologue, he kept on going. 🙂 Here’s part 2. Again, well worth the watch.

I’m interested to hear what the rest of you think…

Of course, Matt Damon aside, just the fact that she’s a Republican and McCain’s running mate means there’s no way in he-l-l that I’ll vote for her. In the interest of fairness, however, here are some of her opinions regarding major political issues, and my opinion on her opinion 🙂 :

Families & Children:
17-year-old unmarried daughter is 5 months pregnant. (Sep 2008)
Opposes explicit sex-education programs. (Jul 2006)

Civil Rights:
ADA brings expanded freedom to Americans with disabilities. (Jul 2008)
HIV/AIDS among Alaska Natives is public health crisis. (Mar 2008)
Recognize Martin Luther King holiday. (Jan 2008)
Comply with same-sex partner benefits despite disagreement. (Dec 2006)

Education:
Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools. (Aug 2008)
Supports charter schools, home schools, & other alternatives. (Nov 2006)
Let parents opt out of schoolbooks they find offensive. (Jul 2006)
Parents know best, about school spending & school age. (Jul 2006)

Environment:
Opposed protections for salmon from mining contamination. (Aug 2008)
Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008)
We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing. (Jan 2008)
Feds shouldn’t list beluga whales as endangered. (Aug 2007)

Energy & Oil:
Claimed major triumph: $500 million subsidy for gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
Global warming affects Alaska, but is not man-made. (Aug 2008)
Lift moratorium on offshore drilling. (Jul 2008)

Abortion:
Rejected sympathy for Down’s Syndrome son, as gift from God. (Aug 2008)
Choose life, even if her own daughter were raped. (Nov 2006)
Only exception for abortion is if mother’s life would end. (Jul 2006)

Gun Control:
Supports ending D.C.’s 32-year-old ban on handguns. (Jun 2008)
Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms. (Feb 2008)
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)

Crime:
Maximum sentence for first-degree murder by police. (Apr 2007)
If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)
Death penalty for adults who murder children. (Oct 2006)

Drugs:
Opposes legalizing marijuana, but meth is greater threat. (Aug 2006)
Smoked marijuana when it was legal under Alaska law. (Aug 2006)
Top priorities include gangs & drugs; they harm family life. (Jul 2006)

Budget & the Economy:
Control spending by request if possible; by veto if needed. (Sep 2008)
$7 billion savings plan for education & transportation. (Dec 2007)
Firm believer in free market capitalism. (Nov 2006)

I’m surprised at how evenly my ups and downs are matched. I could employ a rating system of some kind, where my priorities are weighted–this would definitely be more accurate. The issues are listed by my priority, however, some items would be weighted heavier than others.

I still think Matt Damon is right. President Palin. Are you kidding me?

Palin’s views from: On The Issues. Check out this site for all of her views, along with the views of the other 2008 contenders.