News reports of the current trip by President-elect Obama as he heads toward the Capitol for his historic inauguration raise feelings of exhilaration and hope. Perhaps more importantly than anything, his journey represents the manifestation of the “possible.” Many in the United States of America had not envisioned, though they had perhaps dreamed, of the possibility of a President of color. During the past eight years, clouded by contrived and amplified fear, the country has not been able to look forward. The country has been in the mindset of a crowd riding a sabotaged roller coaster over the crest and plunging toward the bottom. Scared out of their wits, the crowd’s only focus has been on whether it would survive the plunge.
The crowd has been unable to focus on what has actually been happening, oblivious to the deceit that led them to board the ride and unable to muster the discipline to halt the potentially fatal dive. Now the country is in the throes of the worst economic disaster it has faced in more than 70 years. In addition, the country has been further weakened by the wasted commitment of more than a trillion dollars to a manufactured “war.”
The preparations for the inauguration are unprecedented in terms of anti-terrorist measures. Tanks, barriers, electronic surveillance and much more have been planned and put in place to avert a terrorist attack. At the risk of cynicism or even naiveté, perhaps the truth is that the terrorist are not eager to destroy this opportunity for hope and a positive step into the future.
The secret service states that there are no credible threats of a terrorist attack relating to the inauguration. It would be foolish to discount the possibility of some lunatic who might plot to take the life of the incoming President. Yet is it not possible that Obama represents something quite different than did George W. Bush, and his “bring it on” arrogance and provocation? Rather than foolish bravado and divisive antagonism toward imagined and created “enemies,” Obama represents calm, intelligent and rational consideration of realistic problems.
The incoming President states that he will carefully assess problems that he faces and that he will sit down with both friends and enemies in order to attempt to find peaceful and constructive solutions. His predecessor, in contrast, views the world in terms of “good and evil” and refuses to even communicate with those that he has placed in the category of his “enemies.” The old President offers his opponents only the option of violence and vengeful response to hateful rhetoric and actions. The new president offers the possibility of new and different options. There is a reality to the cliche about "he who lives by the sword dies by the sword." One who casts the world and relationships only in terms of have, division and enmity will generate a corresponding level of fear, distrust and hatred against him. In many ways, the climate of fear and risk to security that pervades is the creation of the policies and attitudes of George W. Bush and his small minded politics. Obama has called upon the United States and the world to turn away from small minded and divisive politics and to look toward the possibility of a more enlightened future.
The headwinds of challenge into which Obama will step as he takes the oath of office suggest to us the monumental courage that the man who will become the 44th President has. Yet he seems confident, humble and prepared for the undertaking. And perhaps more than any President in recent history, there is a huge supporting population that yearns for his success, a cadre that dreams of the possible.
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