Today marks a historic day. You've probably heard that Tuesday, January 20th President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. By now you no doubt have seen every talking head, read every news report, and realize that Barack Obama will be the first African-American President.
While Obama will certainly usher in a new era in U.S. race relations, that's not today's most remarkable achievement. At noon Eastern Time, we will witness the peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time.
Many lesser countries, lesser peoples have succumbed to the egos and ambitions of those who would be tyrants. Since April 30th, 1789 - despite often tremendous egos and boundless ambition - each new president in succession has handed over the reins of power to their duly elected successor.
Becoming President is no easy task. It takes MILLIONS and MILLIONS of dollars, great political skills, and a whole lot of luck. Giving up the power, the privledge, and the ability to quite literally change the world is an act of selflessness that we as a people have been fortunate to witness repeatedly since President Washington first handed the presidential mantle to John Adams in 1797.
Today our great experiment in democracy continues. It's certainly a tribute to the two men and their administrations but more than that it's a tribute to the people of the United States who demand that their leaders give up power after serving. Today Obama begins his 1st term. In four or eight years he too will be required to follow in the steps of the 42 Presidents before him and cede power to the next man or woman who will be his replacement.
----- Correction -----
We originally implied erroneously that there were "43 Presidents before" the current President Barack Obama. We were kind of half right. There were 43 Presidents but only 42 men who have served as President of the United States before Obama. Grover Cleveland served as both the 22nd and 24th Presidents of the United States making Obama the 43rd man and the 44th President.
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Americans who don't travel much outside the country are not aware of how extraordinary our peaceful transfer of power has been - but foreigners are. When Nixon was forced out in 1973, I think there was just one policeman on duty at the White House on Nixon's departure date. When I tell that story to foreigners, their response is always the same:utter amazement.
I was born in the U.S.A. That makes me an American. I'm not African, Irish, Hispanic, Chinese, Caucasian, etc.... I'm simply an American! (More accurately said, I'm a U.S. Citizen; Canada and Mexico are also part of North America)
I love all these posts with their pathetic whining about the ethnic labels. The fact is, Obama wouldn't have been allowed to use the same bathroom or water fountains as white men in Washington D.C. just sixty years ago. The fact that he's now the President is an amazing accomplishment both for him and for the country as a whole no matter how much you try to downplay it.
WHy does there always have to be a racial component to everything?
I think it is because of the media, they cant llet a day go by without hitting us over the head with a racial angle on some story, so it begins to make sense that we discuss that aspect of Obamas presidency like it is important. We will never be ''post racial'' until everyone just shuts up about it
But Canada doesn't call itself The United States of America and neither does Mexico.
I agree we're American and there should only be 3 choices on those applications, American, non-American, or Illegal.
I had hope also until the Dow dipped below 8000 yesterday.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Hey smart people, there's a difference between your Ethinicity and your Race. Go back to school, and learn the difference. My oh my!
Do you have hope again that the Dow closed up yesterday? Funny that you are basing "hope" on the Dow. You must be an angry Republican who cares only for money like most Republicans do. You are the reason the Dow is so shakey!
Funny, I'm actually a Dem!
Yeah, sure you are.
its funny how he wants everyone to give but he and the new VP only gave $300.00 to charity last year. Bush gave over $100,000.00. So now who is the Republican who only cares about money. When I ran a charity organization the Democrats would always give the name of a Republican to get a donating from instead of donating themselves. By the way I am a registered Independant!
Hey Dems can have money!! Look at Manny , his came in 5 gallon paint buckets
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