The Changing of the Guard

It's no secret that I'm not a big Obama fan, but I am a proud American. I love my country, my freedoms, and the system which allows people I don't like to hold the highest office in the free world.

My initial thought today was to boycott the TV all together and spend the next four years plugging my ears, but I have since realized that this attitude only contributes to the degradation of the society I want to protect. When other's do this, I know it drives me crazy, like when immigrants come to America and refuse to become AMERICANS. By not supporting a rightfully elected President, would I be any different?

My feeling are summed up perfectly by Glenn Beck:

"I find myself today in a weird place, angry when I don't want to be, quiet when I don't want to be, supportive when I don't want to be, patient when I don't want to be."

I find that I want to celebrate the inauguration with the enthusiasm of all the millions of people who went to D.C. to see the special event, but I am mired by a feeling that our celebrations are very different. I want to celebrate America! However, I feel that most people were there to celebrate a man.

Nevertheless, this is my president and he has my support, my faith, and my prayers!

With that being said, I hope that people will begin to give George Bush some fairer judgement. He was a man that did what was right for our country... for us... knowing that he would be hated and despised by many of the very people he was trying to protect.

Bush lead us through some of the worst times this nation has ever seen; 9/11, hurricanes and natural disasters, war, etc. in spite of bad press and critical judgements. That takes the courage and strength of a great person. I know that he wasn't a perfect man, but I know that everyday he spent in office he was trying to make a country I would feel safe and secure in.

I heard several newscasters today give him some well deserved, and far overdue, credit. They were saying that after 9/11 they wouldn't have imagined going another 7 years without another attack on American soil. This is what he did for us. He kept us safe for as long as he could and for that I will always be grateful.

Let's face it people... the economy doesn't matter if there is no United States of America at all!

"Have the courage of your convictions. And if you were wrong and you want to continue [Bush's] policy, then have the honor and the decency to say I was wrong." --Glenn Beck

My sincere hope is that things will get better and that I am wrong about President Obama. But if not, I hope that once he takes office, and if he sees that some changes to his policies and promises must be made, that he has the courage to do it in spite of the critics. I would only respect him more for it.

So, this is my soap box speech for the day. Support Obama, if for no other reason then to support America, and give ole W a little credit.

God Bless America!!