Jasper Journal

My friend Bob sent me the following information today . I thought it was worth sharing. 

Headlines on This Date 4 Years Ago:

“Republicans spending $42 million ( $47 million in today’s dollars) on inauguration while troops Die in unarmored Humvees”

“Bush extravagance exceeds any reason during tough economic times”

“Fat cats get their $42 million inauguration party, Ordinary Americans get the shaft”

Headlines Today:

“Historic Obama Inauguration will cost $150 million”

“Obama Spends $160 million on inauguration; America Needs A Big Party”

“Everyman Obama shows America how to celebrate”

 In other inaugural thoughts, how about next time we get rid of the inaugural poet. What in God’s name did she say? And while we’re at it, if Rev Lowry is going to speak on a  “unifying occasion,”  how about something more that a 1960’s era creed about blacks in the back, yellows being mellow, browns being around, redmen getting ahead,  and whites doing whats right. Give me a break!  Have you noticed that it is always the liberals harping on race? I thought we were over that? I guess electing the first African American president still didn’t prove how far we’ve come.  Obviously Lowry didn’t get the word on hope and change.

The media is in a veritable frenzy now as the Obama express arrived in Washington.  Recreating part of Lincolns journey to DC via rail is only the latest PR effort of the soon to be president. From shots playing basketball, to 13 covers on time magazine, to bathing suit pictures, the adulation never ends.  The expectations are staggering.   Come Tuesday afternoon though ,  when every single problem drops squarely on his desk, he will need more than platitudes, focus groups, media fawning,  and soaring speeches filled with generalities.

There is a legitimate concern that the president elect does not have the experience or depth to handle  grave issues;  that he is too beholden to special interests to act independently;  that his choice of cabinet advisors is wanting to say the least;  that rather than bring in change he has brought back politico’s from the Clinton era.   We are supposed to have hope;  well  I sincerely hope i am wrong for the country’s sake and that he does measure up.

The presidency is an awesome responsibility. Over 300 million people in this country and hundreds of millions throughout the world will be watching what happens after noon on Tuesday. The warm-up games are over.  The mythical office of the president elect will evaporate as quickly as it was created.  There will be no one else to blame for failures. Barak Obama steps into the batters box alone and we will know soon  enough the measure of the man who would be president.  For the sake of the country, I wish him success.