Would Abraham Lincoln ever have imagined a Black man taking the oath of office on Lincoln's own bible?
Barack Hussein Obama is the visible representation of the United States to the world. I like to believe that it raises the estimation of the US in the worlds' eyes. Something that is sorely needed, after the previous disastrous administration.
I must admit to my fear that my fellow Americans would never elect an African American to the highest office in the land. I am happy to say that I underestimated my countrymen... I have never been so proud to be American.
America can be difficult to understand, for those who aren't American. In all the world, America is unique, in so many ways. There has been acres of print written about the Inauguration, quite a lot of it a waste of space. One person here even said that Americans yearn for the monarchy we (foolishly?) overthrew. I think he's just jealous, Aussies can't be arsed to do the same thing.
I stayed up to watch the festivities - it was broadcast here simultaneously. 5 hours, until 3:30 am. Then, I went to a lunch on Wednesday where we watched President Obama's speech all over again.
Now the festivities are over, and the hard work begins.
