"Yes we can"?

“Yes we can”?

Obama’s date with destiny started with a train ride on Saturday, January 17 from Philadelphia to Washington. I start to wonder how much secret service he had. I ponder that thought along with how much money was spent on that train ride.

The amount is sure to be impressive.

Emmett Beliveau, executive director of the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee said "As part of the most open and accessible inauguration in history, we hope to include as many Americans as possible who wish to participate, but can't be in Washington," And in Obama’s own words “you are never too old to toot the horn”.

Next on the agenda, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural celebration. A star studded event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Just one catch the concert is on HBO a premium subscription cable channel. We are one, meaning only those of us who can still afford the luxury of HBO.

I guess being accessible to as many Americans as possible only matters every now and then. I am sure that HBO forked over a hefty sum for the rights to the concert. How very Democratic of you Mr. President.

Tuesday, January 21. 1.2 million People made their way to D.C. to be part of the inspiring Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama. Not to mention the 34 million viewers who tuned in to watch as Obama takes the Presidential oath of office.

Isn’t Tuesday a workday?

Oh I forgot over 2 million Americans lost their jobs this past year.

The excitement is palpable. The promise of a new day has gotten 1.2 million women, children, and men, to endure the freezing cold to experience history.

“The state of economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act-not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.”

And then I shall walk on water and turn it into wine. Ok I embellish he never promised to make the water into wine.
Inauguration day was a success the start to rebuilding America and restoring the people’s faith in government.

However, the misanthropist in me can’t help but wonder. Was Chief Justice Roberts trying to tell us something with a slight misplacement of the word faithfully?

Who can overlook the fact that the stock market crash was the worst in Inaugural history?

Senator Kennedy collapses at the luncheon. And Senator Byrd security detail decides to remove him also.

The following morning Caroline Kennedy decides to withdraw from the race for Hilary’s vacated senate seat due to personal reasons. Maybe the omens of the previous day are too much for Caroline.

Obama later addresses his White house staff and says “During this period of economic emergency, families are tightening their belts, therefore so should Washington. That is why I am instituting a pay freeze on my senior white house staff making over $100,000.

Shortly after that Obama is sworn in again at 7:35 p.m. in the map room of the white house.

Thank you, President Obama for tightening your belt along with the rest of us.

One question though did it ever cross anyone’s mind to skip the over the top inaugural event to the tune of $170 million dollars. In lieu of a nice quite ceremony similar to the one held on Wednesday considering “this period of economic emergency”?

The answer came to me in the most unexpected place from the most unexpected person. I was watching the tonight show and Jay Leno says "do you know who gave the shortest inauguration speech in history? George Washington, whose speech was just a couple minutes long, which makes sense because, remember, George Washington couldn't tell a lie, right?"