Inauguration

It was amazing. Cold, but people were packed so close that the iciness couldn't really seep in.

It took us over three hours to walk from Union Station to the Washington Monument because the streets were literally more crowded than a mosh pit. But when we did get there it was craziness. People screamed and cheered as soon as they saw anyone remotely favored. Colin Powell, the Clintons, Jimmy Carter, the Bidens and, of course, the Obamas. Bush got looooud boo's and then everyone saying "Na-na-na-na na-na-na-na hey hey hey goodbye." And then again as Bush's helicopter flew him safely away from the Whitehouse. It was like the scene at the end of Dick, only we were all wearing four pairs of pants instead of cute flag bikinis and flares.

And then there was a loooong poem and a rhyming prayer. John Stewart was not exaggerating in the least when he said that the one-two combination of those cleared the mall in about 60 seconds.





"To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."
-President Obama