CMB is back!

Obviously, today is a pretty big day - one that I will long remember. I'll have much more to say in the coming days and weeks, obviously.

On a personal note, I apologize that I've been away for so long. It obviously wasn't planned that way, it just sort of... happened. We were in California for the holidays for 16 days, and I was busy wrapping up a very busy semester right before we left, which left preciously little time for blogging. Plus, honestly, I needed to step back from the world of politics for a bit, too, and the transitional period following the election was a pretty good time to do just that.

What's more, this past election was as contentious for me personally as I can ever remember - with spirited debates flying back and forth among acquaintances and friends via text messages and e-mail. In fact, I've now come to the conclusion that discussing politics among close friends with differing political views is an inherently bad idea, and for the most part, I no longer do it. Some of my friends (who I will not name here) have become so indoctrinated by our right-wing media that it's just simply impossible to have any sort of meaningful debate with them, so I'm not going to try. (Hmm - now that I think about it, I have a few relatives like that, too, and they are worth the same amount of time as a few of my far right friends are.)

Yes, these people remain my friends because they mean a great deal to me - I've just learned to divorce them from their politics (as I'm quite sure they have done with me). So be it. Anyway, enough with the Dr. Phil stuff.

As you can see - the sidebars on this site are in dire need of an update, and that will happen in the coming days and weeks, so please check back often for updates, new features, and of course, lots of posts, too; after all, that's why I'm here, and it's no doubt why you're here, too. Just because Obama won the election doesn't mean our work is done. In fact - it's just beginning. (And by "our" I mean progressives/liberals/whatever is acceptable to call ourselves these days - I refer to myself as both of those labels, and unapologetically so.)

In case you didn't see it - here are clips from the Obama Inauguration - enjoy.

Obama taking the Oath of Office:

Obama's Inaugural Address:

Here are two parts of his inaugural address that I found particularly poignant:

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

I wonder if Congressional Republicans were listening when he talked about "set[ting] aside childish things"? Somehow, I doubt it. I sincerely hope that we don't return to the politics of personal destruction of the 1990s, but I'm not very hopeful. The right wingnuts aren't simply lay down and get stampeded be Democrats, and they certainly aren't going to take Obama's victory in stride. I hope for that, but I know better.

I was also pleased that Obama took on the naysayers, for there are many who will be too busy griping about why things can't be done, as opposed to finding reasons why they can be done:

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

Very well said.

And so we begin anew - I have high hopes, but realistic expectations. I know things aren't going to get better overnight; in fact, I know things will likely get worse before they get better. But, at least we have a capable, articulate leader at the tiller now.

Much more later. ...