Can you avoid feeling patriotic? Can you help but feel fired up for the American Flag? It seems that optimism, hope, and patriotism have permeated the American air. And we're part of it!
The Inauguration of President Barack Obama moved me to a greater enthusiasm for the future. He played the realist yesterday, an unusual approach for someone celebrating the greatest victory of his life--not to mention for someone often accused of being an idealist. It's true that "the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many." But hearing him call us to "pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America" stirred within me a belief that, "Yes, we can."
He's a good man, a tireless worker, an open-minded, thoughtful, composed, family-oriented, civil servant. But as he frequently says, "I'm not making history, you are." He is depending on us for support, both those who voted for him and those who didn't.
Now is a time to trust him. We need politicians to maintain the Constitution and democracy. It is a great blessing to live in a time when the Commander-in-Chief is someone we can trust. As Mom Galli eloquently put it, "I know that we have trouble ahead in our country and around the world, but I believe that, at least for now, we have a president who understands what sort of work, sacrifice, virtue and unity we need. And I believe that he is sincere, and wise. While wickedness will increase before the Millennium, light will also grow brighter. Regardless of what comes, today I saw with spiritual eyes the potential beauty of all the Lord's children united without enmity."
He has much to prove, but he cannot do it without us (though he has already started). He can blaze the trail through policies, initiatives, bills, and firecracker speeches, but we ought to take up the banner behind him and help "restore the vital trust between a people and their government."
"Yes, we can heal this nation," not just he can. Let us support our newly elected president in his call for energy conservation, frugality, hard work, and acceptance of diversity.
Yes we can.
Here are some pictures of the Utah County Inaugural Ball, organized by the dean of the BYU Law School. Live Jazz Band, open art gallery, Obama's speeches read to a jazz combo, and my first time in a limo! Thanks for the invitation Tyler!
The Inauguration of President Barack Obama moved me to a greater enthusiasm for the future. He played the realist yesterday, an unusual approach for someone celebrating the greatest victory of his life--not to mention for someone often accused of being an idealist. It's true that "the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many." But hearing him call us to "pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America" stirred within me a belief that, "Yes, we can."
He's a good man, a tireless worker, an open-minded, thoughtful, composed, family-oriented, civil servant. But as he frequently says, "I'm not making history, you are." He is depending on us for support, both those who voted for him and those who didn't.
Now is a time to trust him. We need politicians to maintain the Constitution and democracy. It is a great blessing to live in a time when the Commander-in-Chief is someone we can trust. As Mom Galli eloquently put it, "I know that we have trouble ahead in our country and around the world, but I believe that, at least for now, we have a president who understands what sort of work, sacrifice, virtue and unity we need. And I believe that he is sincere, and wise. While wickedness will increase before the Millennium, light will also grow brighter. Regardless of what comes, today I saw with spiritual eyes the potential beauty of all the Lord's children united without enmity."
He has much to prove, but he cannot do it without us (though he has already started). He can blaze the trail through policies, initiatives, bills, and firecracker speeches, but we ought to take up the banner behind him and help "restore the vital trust between a people and their government."
"Yes, we can heal this nation," not just he can. Let us support our newly elected president in his call for energy conservation, frugality, hard work, and acceptance of diversity.
Yes we can.
Here are some pictures of the Utah County Inaugural Ball, organized by the dean of the BYU Law School. Live Jazz Band, open art gallery, Obama's speeches read to a jazz combo, and my first time in a limo! Thanks for the invitation Tyler!
4 comments:
I loved this part:
"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relied. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
"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..."
Oh my gosh! You guys were there? I was at the Sego Art Center that whole evening! I can't believe I missed you guys! Wow. Bummer.
What about the FOCA act that he is going to pass? Hmmm, family oriented huh?
I am concerned about that Jessica. I am very conservatively swayed when it comes to abortion. I can't stand the thought of it. It is certainly where President Obama and I diverge the most. I only hope that whatever he does regarding the controversial issue prevents unwanted pregnancies in the first place. I hope he listens to his constituents before passing the FOCA act.
That said, I am glad he has frozen the salaries of overpaid bureaucrats, closed down Guantanomo, looked at timetables to get the troops out of Iraq, and taken our economic situation seriously. He's offering change, mostly for the better in my opinion. Thanks for your thoughts.
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