Change

This is the first entry of many to come, and the focus of this post will be the inauguration. Although the topic for this entry will mainly be politics, this will not always be the case. This Tuesday was a day that will be forever be embedded in United States history. Not only did the country witness the inauguration of its first African-American president, but January 20th marked the end of an 8-year fascist tyranny by George W. Bush and his administration. The country has experienced many different reactions to this shift in government, and for the most part there has been an optimistic response. Throughout Barack Obama's campaign, we've heard one word more than any other, "change." Change is definitely something that this country has needed, but we need to be realistic about it too. If we're all looking for "change we can believe in," then we need to be that change. Ghandi said "be the change you want to see in the world," and I think that's exactly what we have to do. 

I'm very excited about our new president, but I'm trying to be realistic about the situation that we have in front of us. Change would be great, but in order to bring about widespread change, we all need to do our part. One of the main focuses that President Obama has been stressing lately is the need for people to get involved and lend a hand in their community. This is something that I personally am going to do. There is a center for mentally disabled adults right near my school that I volunteered at last semester for a "Community Connections" day at school and I plan on putting in some time there. Last time I was there I learned so much, and met some incredible people with unbelievable stories. 

As I mentioned earlier, there have been mixed reactions to our new president. Overall people seem to be happy and hopeful, but as always, you can't please everybody. The right-wings are not happy. Rush Limbaugh, in an interview (video below) with Sean Hannity, admits that he wants Obama to fail. See I can understand that everyone has their own views and I completely respect that and I'm glad that we live in a country that you're allowed to have your own opinion, but if Limbaugh were a "true American" then despite the fact that he didn't vote for Obama, he'd want Obama to succeed and bring this country up from the deep dark slump that it's currently in. After Limbaugh goes off on a rant about how Obama won't succeed in any of his plans, Sean Hannity praises him. Once again we can thank Fox News for this bias right-wing banter.

Hannity mentions the "Obama worship syndrome" and to a certain extent, I do agree with him. I voted for Barack Obama and I very much hope that the words he said and stances he took that won him this elections will be upheld, but I think that the hype surrounding Obama has become unhealthy in some cases. There are infomercials and TV shopping network specials selling everything from Obama plates to underwear. I like the guy, but I don't want to look down at my dinner and see his face; it's just not necessary. He is an excellent public speaker, an intelligent man, a man of values, morals, and promising aspirations, but he is not a God, he is a human being like you and I. I just hope that people remember that. 

President Obama has wasted no time and has already made some big decisions, like signing a bill to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility within a year. His reasoning being to "restore the standards of due process and the core constitutional values that have made this country great even in the midst of war, even in dealing with terrorism." Now granted, we need to know more about the process that will be taken in terms of trials, releases, relocations, etc. but I think this is a step in the right direction. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, called the order to close Guantanamo "a first key step in restoring America's image and credibility in the world." Not much is known about the future of these detainees though, in terms of where they'll be relocated and what their legal status will be. 

Another recent announcement from President Obama was the plans for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which he hopes will give the economy a boost. The plans need to be finalized and discussed with Congress, but they include an outline to expand electric grids, provide stable healthcare for those in danger of losing it, securing ports, renovating schools, and increasing the number of science fellowships. It's refreshing to see that the new president hasn't wasted any time in laying down plans for improving conditions for the country, but we're still in a serious recession and we'll need a lot of legislation and time to get through it. 

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