I am sitting here listening to Yo Yo Ma, Itzahk Perlman and some others play a version of my favorite Copland composition, which is based upon a Shaker hymn - Simple Gifts. Incredible....
It is really a great time to be an American.
I have been a voice for a more civil tone in our shared life as Americans, and this blog post is written in that spirit. The audience is small, and those likely to read the whole thing perhaps smaller, and those who will think like I do smaller yet..... but write I will.
Part of what I will say is good bye to George Bush. His bumbling words, tendency toward duplicity, and even excessive and/or misguided aggression make him one of the least appreciated Presidents in recent memory. It is entirely with merit that he is thought in a less than glowing light.
Still, let's remember that he did more for Africa's AIDS crisis than any prior President.
He had the most diverse cabinet in the history of the executive branch.
He stood up to those who attacked us in 2001.
He gave a brave speech with children behind him wherein he declared "These children are not spare parts." (the children were all once frozen embryos).
These are things he received very little in the way of accolades because of the other things he did and stood for. So be it. But perhaps he contributed to the future in a way we cannot yet anticipate. That's the best we can hope for - that some goodness will stem out of the last eight years. Surely, enough heartbreak has happened in Iraq and elsewhere that we are almost obligated to look for some light in the darkness we have all walked through.
Yes, for those who want to give me the counterpoints..... I know all of that, please spare me the e.mails. And by the way, you are right.... and so am I.
Laura Bush did some redecoration of the White House recently, which largely should be interpreted as a gesture of kindness to the next occupants. One friends of FaceBook wrote, "In the midst of this financial crisis.... ARE YOU KIDDING ME??"
Then, this Inauguration is the most expensive in history. No comments.
So, it is the first time in a while that people on the left, those who make up most of our family and friends, have the ability to set a new tone in our public life in the US.
I am in a bit of a unique position in that I also have many friends and (fewer) family on the right, and they are being very optimistic right now. May the good will that they are extending be sustained and may we work together to enter into a new place.
Then there is this issue of the Inaugural pastors. One pastor is invited to pray and some declare him divisive. Then, a second pastor is invited who "the other people" consider divisive. So, those who claim the name of Christ end up being the most divisive element of the whole affair. What a shame.
Barack Obama's speech just ended, and it was delivered in a way that reinforces he is an inspiring orator. Just fantastic.
The cold hard reality is that staring tomorrow, the heady adoration will need to die down and we need to get to the business of moving forward and upward.....
For the record, my comrades on the left thinks I am one of them, and my comrades on the right think I am one of them...... let the mystery continue! Just know that I am dedicated to helping bring you all together.
Happy Inauguration Day to Americans everywhere!
