America the Beautiful

Even the ultimate cynic--TNB--has to confess that he too was excited, inspired and a little bit overwhelmed by the enormity of Inauguration Day. The sight of millions of Americans, black and white, in Washington or elsewhere, exulting in the new President and the hope he brings has to warm even the coldest, most skeptical of hearts. This scenario is what makes America Beautiful.

Even George W. Bush appeared to rise to the occasion by being gracious in transition and amazingly issuing no political pardons, even preemptive. Out of luck were Scooter Libby, George Ryan, Alberto Gonzalez et al. At least W. left office with a lot more dignity than did his predecessor, Bill Clinton, who started a long period of sleaziness with some of his questionable last minute pardons.

Speaking of Bill, leave it to Bush home state Senator John Cornyn to absurdly hold up Hillary Clinton's confirmation (by one day) by refusing to join in a unanimous voice vote (9 other nominees were so confirmed). This proves what exactly?? A little dose of reality apparently. The honeymoon will obviously end, but can we have at least a few months of civility while President Obama (sounds nice) tries to begin extricating America from the mess he's inherited?

Also, was TNB only imagining that Chief Justice Roberts, whose confirmation Senator Obama voted against, sort of deliberately flubbed the administration of the Presidential oath? There's that cynicism rearing up again.

Finally, the best description of the new President (never used for his predecessor) is "he's one cool dude". Come to think of it, that's no description of TNB either.