Our New President

Twenty-fours after yesterday's inauguration of President Barack Obama, I am still on cloud nine. If you did not witness this amazing event, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH YOU? Aside from the numerous subtle digs at the debacle known as the Bush administration, the following excerpts are some of the best from President Obama's inauguration speech. (By the way, if you wish to either read or watch the entire speech, you can go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/.)

• "My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you've bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors."
• "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met."
• "Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America."
• "Now there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage."
• "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
• "As we consider the role that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages."
• "With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents and endure what storms may come. 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."