I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the big news of the day. Mr Obama was sworn in as our 44th president this morning. That is exciting news. He is a powerful speaker with a message of hope for our country. I voted for him, and I want to believe that he can bring about all the changes he speaks of. I want to see our country respected by the majority of the world again. I want to see the end of this downward economic tailspin we seem to be stuck in. I want to see our government acknowledge and adhere to our Constitution again. Not least of all, I want to see Mr Obama's presidency have a profound effect on the racism within our borders.

I believe he can do all these things if he sticks to the course he's already outlined for himself, if he's not distracted by the inevitable political distractions that rear their heads by the day or hour during any presidency. I don't believe Mr Obama is a miracle worker. Who could be working within the American political system? But, I believe the points I mentioned above are attainable.

Moreso than in any previous speech, Mr Obama mentioned many points that really struck close to my beliefs. For me, nothing was more powerful than these early lines: "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics."

*sigh*  I'm no political writer, and the depth of my political thought wouldn't overflow a saucer. I believe that so much is possible right now.

Unfortunately, I don't have any faith in politics or politicians. I am naturally pessimistic, but my sense of politics is also a product of Nixon's downfall. In 1968 I 'voted' for Nixon in my class. (1st grade? 2nd grade?) In 1974 I watched that president get torn down on the nightly news over the course of several months. I was 12 at the time and starting to pay attention to the world around me. My faith in politicians went with the man, and in the 35 years since then, I haven't seen a politician who could turn my doubt. Rather, I have seen my doubt re-affirmed over and over and over. You might argue that I'm old enough and smart enough to overcome this pessimism, but you're talking to a guy who still refuses to believe in God because God didn't grant him the mutant powers of Iceman despite hours and hours of prayer (also in 1974).

So, I wish Mr Obama luck and fortune. I will continue to support him— as long as he doesn't violate the principles he's sold us on. But, in the back of my head I'm waiting for the 'politician' in him to rear it's head.

"God bless us every one!"— Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens