Let Freedom Ring From Washington DC

Watching the Inauguration today I felt an extreme pride for my country, one that I haven't felt in a long time. The minute Obama placed his hand on the same bible that Lincoln had been sworn into office with, shows just how far this country has come, and just how far we still need to go. No matter the color of his skin, his beliefs, or whether you feel him worthy or not, this day marked a significant time in all of our histories, as Americans, a new era has definitely begun.

The message of hope seemed to ring true as this years Inaugural theme, Colin Powell called it a "Proud day for all Americans." Most people didn't believe they would see the first African American President in their lifetime, many echoed the words of the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, it only seemed appropriate this day rides on the coattails of his birthday. Dr. King once said "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He asked that we should overcome terror and violence through extending hope and share the American dream... and to let freedom ring. In 1961 John F. Kennedy was sworn into office and during his Inaugural speech he famously said "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." These men were not silenced by the bullet that took their lives, they live on in the hearts of the people who believe their words, and now through a great man who obviously learned from the men and women that came before him.

It will no doubt be a tremendous struggle for President Obama, he will have to face things that no other President has ever had to face, It's now his job, and our job as Americans to rebuild this country, through the war we struggle with everyday and our economy lying in ruins. It's not easy being President, probably the only argument that kept me from bashing my head into a wall during Bush's Presidency (might I add that the highlight of my day, during this historic event, was when Bush got on the helicopter one last time, to go back home to Texas) I, however, have total optimism for the next couple years, I feel the change, the strength behind his words, and now I need to feel the unity, that only we as human beings, can bring about. Welcome, President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.