Attitude Adjustment: Inaugurated

The News:

Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States today. Attendance = 2 Million?

Meanwhile, Cheney's Records to Remain Secret

A federal district court judge has ruled that outgoing Vice President Dick Cheney, who leaves office on Tuesday with an approval rating of just 13 percent, will be the sole determining authority on the public release of his vice presidential records.

I've pulled a few quotes from Obama's Inaugural Address:

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.

Politicians lie, but I'm going to take Obama on his word here. This to me signals that the War on Terror is going to change. Previously it seemed more like a business opportunity and expensive cottage industry than an actual program to reduce terrorism. There's nothing wrong with companies profiting from a war on terror, but that ought to not be at the expense of our laws or essentially, "the terrorists" have won.

"We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

He's assuring that he will not be soft on terror, or a terror appeaser as the republicans like to say (though what do you call increasing global terrorism if not terror appeasement, which is what took place during the Bush administration)

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

He's an inclusive guy!

"Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."

"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government."

Fiscal conservatism died but we need fiscal pragmatism. Ideologues beware but to me this is smart governance.

"Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

Reactions (from my Facebook friends):

"(I am) happy to live in a country where the President is one we elected!!"

"When was the last time America was so happy?"

"(I am) calm and content."

"(I am) wondering where to celebrate."

"(I am) happy to finally be waking up from this long national nightmare."

"(I am) trying to focus on working."

"(I am) optimistic!"

"(I am) joyous, celebratory. Obama! Obama! Obama! "

"(I am) stoked that the tyrant is gone!"

"(I am) glad that our long national nightmare is over."

"(I am) happy to begin the peace and dignity era"

"(I am) inspired:)"

Your Job:
What can you do today to improve the United States? Adjust your attitude, set goals and work hard to achieve them.

Pessimism is easy -- obviously Barack Obama himself cannot change everything that everyone is expecting of him -- in some ways the system more runs a president than a president runs the system. Barack Obama has however already made changes. He's demonstrated what optimism, sticking with the goals that you set and hard work can accomplish; especially in contrast to fear.

The bully-pulpit does affect our nation -- it affects our culture -- how hard people work, how afraid they are, how good they feel, when they make decisions to purchase things, what they think of other people and cultures. Many people feel pessimistic and/or apathetic regarding government because they feel they have no power over it or don't feel the affect it has on them. The tone set by the president isn't policy but does affect us personally.

Obama critics like to say that he's no different than Bush, that Obama will carry forth the same policies as Bush did. If you're looking at them from miles away, that may be true. I don't expect that Obama will be able to accomplish all that he's stated he will accomplish, but he's already accomplished change through his words; reminding us of our history, of what has made us strong and of the power of attitude, setting goals and working hard to accomplish them.

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."

So adjust your attitude accordingly and set some goals -- regardless of what you think of Barack Obama you must admit that his story itself is inspiring -- how he set his goals, overcame big obstacles and worked hard to get the presidency. Getting involved doesn't mean you have to canvas for a environmental group or fax your senator or purchase goods and services from local independently-owned companies. Those are all good ideas, but simply making decisions that positively affect others or at least do not negatively impact them is a start.

Everyone is different obviously but you never know how you might be able to positively affect someone else's life. Sharon Dawson suggested I start this blog. Todd White and Cathy Nemeth thought it was a good idea, so here I am, writing it. Time will tell if has a positive affect on anyone else but I'm giving it a shot. I know that today I am inspired as a citizen of the United States to do SOMETHING and to acknowledge and celebrate the great things that we are as a nation.

And finally, keep paying attention. The Bush administration was doing counter-productive things long before the general public was paying much attention.

Congratulations America!