Much significance has already been placed upon the cultural import of today’s presidential inauguration; as yet again the veil of history drapes favorably on our America. The race barrier has been destroyed and equality pulses with a renewed vitality. And while I could wax poetic, no different from all the rest, I wish to highlight the unremarkable and the mundane. The boring story oft ignored and easily taken for granted by those of us who are kept blind to the more arcane truths that underlie the lurching progress of civilization. It is a history of triumph and tribulation that began in mud huts in our fertile Mesopotamian Cradle.
On January 20, 2009, President George Walker Bush and President Barack Hussein Obama silently passed a torch in a manner so innocuous that but for a firm handshake and a solid embrace before the Nation’s Capitol, it would otherwise go unnoticed among the masses. However, it is in this very moment that the power of America, the power of Progress, and the power of Civilization manifests in Republican virtue.
Throughout the annals of history, the transfer of power was marred by fear, strife, and unrest. Often times civil war would wreak havoc on the populace as the power vacuum was mercilessly consumed by eager successors. Upon Julius Caesar’s assassination, civil war once again decimated the city of Rome and its provinces a mere decade after one hundred plus years of prior infighting was subdued. After a brief alliance to hunt down the assassins Brutus and Cassius, the rival factions of Mark Antony and Gaius Octavian would meet in battle pitting Roman against Roman. Just as the deceased Republic was still writhing, the perils of imperial power were already clear.
In later years plotting sons would have their fathers and brothers murdered so that they alone could assume the seat of power. Greed and lust for power have served as a dark stain on the civilized world throughout much of its history, with despots and tyrants vying for the throne. It was not until a leader, one like no other, who intuitively understood the painful lessons of history. One who realized that power was fleeting while ideals were eternal. One who knew that your time as king was discrete. One who knew that for a nation to thrive its leadership must carry on a message of stewardship and respect; respect for the office, for the past, and most importantly for the people. His Excellency, George Washington taught us to pass on the torch of leadership; to welcome our successors with open arms and support them and the oath that they now bare.
Upon John Adams ascendence to the Presidency it was Washington who casually reminded Adams, “I am hardly out and you are hardly in.” Ironically, John Adams would be the lone President who did not transfer power personally to his successor. Bitter at his defeat to his longtime friend and revolutionary, John Adams silently left Washington City (as it was known at the time) via carriage during the early hours of the morning of Jefferson’s coronation. As civil and graceful as ever, Thomas Jefferson opened his inauguration speech with a unifying cry that echoed the sentiments of Washington, “We are all Republicans; we are all Federalists.”
Today was a great day. A day to remember that without the peaceful transfer of power there would be no America. Without the peaceful transfer of power there would be no freedom. Without the peaceful transfer of power there could be no hope.
Image Used in this Post
Plato and Aristotle image courtesy of Flick user Image Editor published under the CC license.
15 Comments
Excellent points Greg!
One thing I am curious to see is will Bush be as respectful as he appears to be so far?
Remember when Bush took office – the Clintons had stolen all the china from the kitchen, dozens of pieces of furniture (which they were forced to return), and of course the infamous removal of the W’s from all White House keyboards.
So, will Bush hold true to his fraternity days and remove all of the O’s from the keyboards or better yet will he leave an appropriate form of revenge for the Obamas?
I for one am glad that it took one comment to politicize this post…
However, I do believe George Bush the younger will be very gracious in departing office.
He has been stellar so far, and he deserves credit for the dignity he demonstrated in his final days.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest Presidents, just not now!
Jon! I’ve missed your entertaining comments!
I got to say, it was awesome watching one of the greatest presidents America has ever had get aboard a helicopter and leave Washington forever and ever, amen.
And honestly Jon, how can Bush II really end up being considered one of the greatest presidents in the face of the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe? I mean…seriously…
Andrew, there is a new breed of Republicans/Conservatives who are willing to believe in Obama and give him a chance. There is also a new breed of Democrats/Liberals who are willing to put their negative criticizm of Bush 43 aside in the interest of keeping such unification.
Bush 43 was a great president. Obama will be better at the very least. People will either get on board with this concept to achieve maximum unification or remain trapped behind as Bush/Obama hating laggards.
You on board or you still want to nit-pick? Either way, I don’t care….I belive in my president of this great country as I have in the past.
I hope, rather than believe.
After all, Obama could end up sucking worse than Bush…we won’t know til time and world events test him.
But, his ability to form meaningful sentences that inspire already fills me with much more confidence and hope than the dyslexic ramblings of Bush ever did.
I don’t know about you John, but I reserve the right to be every bit the miserable prick that liberals have been for the last 8 years.
By the way, my truck is low on gas and I hold Obama directly responsible!
Yes it is everyones right…but how productive is that really going to be? If he messes up bad, then that will be a different story. But until he does…I’m not gonna be over-critical of him the way people were about W.
As a fan of Bush, I have been on the defensive for 8 years….and you Jack especially can relate to that. One thing I have never done is given up on him. But just cause the political tide has turned, doesn’t mean I am going on an offensive.
The United States of America is our home team and that is who I’m rooting for no matter who the coach is!
I don’t want moods at a nice family/friend dinner ruined over passionate political debate anymore. I don’t want Americans pointing the finger at each other. To be honest it has gotten quite old. Sure, an election year is a great time to practice political articulation, but its time to get serious. I personally feel that Obama’s momentum of progress for this country will be a direct reflection of how much support he has. Did I vote for him? Hell no. Do I agree with most of his policies? Certainly not. But god dammit, I support my commander in chief!
Yea, well I just sneezed and Obama didn’t hand me a tissue. This administration has clearly failed in this matter.
Nicely done with the sports analogy. It’s not like we are talking about rooting for the Red Sox here.
Jack you clever so and so. I get what you are doing. You are poking fun at those who feel President Obama will solve all their problems (You rascal you.)
I think a government and leader should be questioned and held accountable and we the people should continue to do so. I do however agree the act of condemning an idea just because the other side thought of it is close minded and ignorant. While I won’t apologize for questioning President Bush I will concede the point that we all need to move away from bi partisanship.
Jack as an aside please don’t pretend that the liberals invented bi partisanship.