the obligatory inauguration post

a new day has arrived for our country with the inauguration of Barack Obama. My conservative friends have tended to bemoan and belittle the occasion, while my more left-leaning compatriots have been barely able to contain their glee. My own thoughts are of course somewhat more nuanced (big shock there right?). I explained these feelings about the event in a message to one of my old professors - i'm pasting a copy of it here, with some edits/additional thoughts:

To describe the onset of the new administration as a "relief" from the seemingly continual disaster of the past seven years (W gets a pass in 2001) would perhaps be a gross understatement. From W's foreign policy colossal mistakes, to his domestic blunders, to his enabling of one of the most poisonous partisan eras in recent memory... there's nothing i wanted more than for Jan. 20th to finally arrive.
I'm not going to sit here and pretend that every single negative event since after 2001 should somehow be attributed to our 43rd president. To lay the blame at his feet for every catastrophe, every failure, would be naive at best, and misguidedly hateful at worse. "W" inherited an increasingly troubled world... the specter of terrorism in a way that our country has never known, the inevitable bursting of the technology-fueled bubble, a complicated international scene.... and in many ways mishandled opportunity after opportunity. Honestly though, two of the biggest problems i had with the previous administration involved perception, for lack of a better word.
(1) His handling of international affairs was embarrassing on the whole. His administration, with few exceptions, seemed incapable of understanding the nuances of being a superpower in a world that has grown markedly less hegemonic. Gone were the days of the world being carved into two by the US and the Soviet Union. Gone also were the days where the US sat alone at the top, with the capital (economically, militarily and politically) to have its way in the world arena. The rise of China, the growing economic power of the EU, and the return to political significance of un-democratic regimes such as Iran all represented an international system that was entirely different than one that many of Bush's policy advisers had lived their lives in. And they blew their opportunity to make a positive lasting impact in this 21st century world. If the U.S. was a corporation, our "international image" would be about to equal to that of Enron's right now.

(2) His administration's continued refusal to handle the "war on terrorism" with accountability, openness, and a willingness to make changes sparked an incredibly deep partisan rift in our nation that will take years to repair. I'm not at all attempting to condemn partisanship in itself but rather the level of intolerance, irrationality, and antagonism that marked the partisanship of the past eight years. His acceptance speech and inaugural speech after the divisive 2000 election proclaimed the age both of "compassionate conservatism" and bipartisanship. Eight years later, i think its fair to state that neither was achieved by the Bush administration. I've written previously about the former failure; the latter failure is less esoteric but still very real. Try having a conversation with someone who has a different political opinion than you these days. I venture to guess 80-90% of the time that conversation will get tense and antagonistic - regardless of who started it. I honestly believe that the Bush "doctrines" and policies directly impacted the severe polarization of our society, and more than anyone, he had failed to live up to his potential to set a tone that would allow for dialogue and conversation rather than accusations and denials.

So having cleared the air some about my feelings on the past... what of the future? some of my friends have been surprised that i haven't seemed to really celebrate the coming of our 44th president, or grasp the incredible historical significance of what has happened.

This is not at all true. I simply have chosen to remain "cautiously hopeful" (this blog would not be complete without some poetic political paradox right?)...
The inauguration was indeed awe-inspiring, even for someone as "post-racial" (haha) as me, to see something that honestly i didn't expect to happen before i hit my mid-life crisis... a biracial son of an African immigrant has ascended to the most powerful position in our country. I dont know if i can even begin to accurately depict the significance of that...

But that said.... I still think moderation is very much called for. If i am ironic about the rise of Obama at times - it is my "quiet" way of showing that my excitement is still tempered by reality. I understand that Obama has an unbelievable level of popularity, his party in power, and an adoring media at hand. I respect and admire him-- in many ways if i were to ever act on my little political ambitions i would follow his blueprint closely. BUT he shouldn't get a free pass either; he's not above being judged when its necessary, and many of the Obama fans have exhibited a rather scary level of fanaticism over what he's capable of doing, and ignoring any missteps. i'm excited, but i'm tempering it because, simply put, he hasn't actually achieved anything yet as President (this is not a knock on him by any means, i simply am trying to say that i'm not going to be creating any marble busts until after he actually begins making decisions as a president). How many times have we seen politicians on the rise, with such promise, who can never quite deliver? Call me cynical, but i want to be able to judge our new President on his merits and achievements when they happen, and not simply because "he's not bush" or because he ran a phenomenal campaign. In his own words:

"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."

And i think thats the root of any "tempered" emotions that i might exhibit-- i am excited about this man's potential. And am excited about the fruition in some ways of the Civil Rights struggles that have been going on for decades and longer. But i'm not going to be bestowing any mantles of "greatness" on him until he does indeed earn it as President.