Historical 2009 Presidential Inauguration

(Since returning to work after the first of the year, I have been unusually busy. I've made an effort to keep reasonable hours which means I'm not staying up late or getting up early in order to write new blog posts. I've indulged in relaxing activities in spare moments including seeing a number of current movies. I do have pictures and videos of the Rose Parade New Year's Day that I wrote earlier we would attend, but posting them all now seems quite like old news.)


Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Let's celebrate the hope he brings to each of us and our country for the future. Change we wanted and change to ultimately benefit all of us is what I look forward to happening in these years ahead.

Those who want to view the events as they happen can do so beginning on commercial television as early as 4 A.M. for those of us living on the West Coast. The actual official swearing in ceremony will take place at 12 Noon in Washington, D.C. (9 A.M. in my Pacific Time Zone.) There will be a variety of additional sources for tracking these activities in addition to television, both commercial and public, with all media focused on the event including radio, print and streaming videos from the amateur to the professional.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for 2009 provides coverage of this event. Coverage at this site will begin at 11 A.M.(EST)

This is an historical event in that Obama will be the first black President of our country. Given the blood that has been shed for this nation to get to this point we can all be proud of this moment. Personally, from the time I was a child I've always had difficulty understanding why when someone is part of some other race than caucasian we have to go to such lengths as to describe this difference based on skin color or some other distinguishing physical feature. Maybe someday we'll have real equality in this nation and the world -- that such matters will be insignificant.

These are exciting times in which we live. Along with so many others, I believe I have been and am continuing to contribute in some small way to creating a positive environment for our current and future generations. I am proud to be living during this time. The actions we take individually, in our groups, and as a nation will have tremendous influence on our country -- yes, even the world. We all have an opportunity to examine our souls and focus on what unifies us which is the greatness of The United States of America.