"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals."

What a day. What a marvelous, historic, emotional day. 

The husband got up about 6:30 this morning to start watching the coverage, I followed about an hour later. (Hey, I was still going to sleep in on my day off!). Looking over the crowd that had gathered at The Mall, most of the waiving American flags was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

As the former presidents walked out, I think it finally hit me. The man I had supported since long before he even announced he was running for President of the United States was going to be sworn into that very office on this very day. WOW.

Watching him take the oath of office caused me to tear up. His d

aughters and Michelle were looking so proud. What their husband and father had accomplished was extraordinary. He was POTUS.

The people in the crowd were crying, laughing, yelling, screaming and waving their flags. Everyone was excited and hopeful and inspired. 

"What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply."

I think that sometimes people underestimate hope and inspiration. Many right wing pundits have made fun of his "celebrity" status. Said that people thought Obama was the Messiah. That he could do no wrong. No on I know believes that, says that, or expects miracles from Obama. What we are is inspired. Inspired to serve, to dream, to believe. We are inspired to get involved in politics and take charge of our democracy once again. They can make fun of that all they want, but it is a powerful thing. 

"And so to all other peoples and governments who are watch

ing today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father way born; know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more."

The above quote was my favorite line from the speech. I am ready for America to be a moral guiding light once more. Not because of our religion, but because of our desire to always do right, to abide by our founding documents and others agreed upon thereafter, and because of our desire to help humanity as a whole. Not just Americans, but all people. In the end, we are all just people, no matter where we are born, and we all deserve the same basic rights.