Jan 20 2009
Change Has Come
I am sitting on my couch, watching the Neighborhood Ball and eating a low fat ice cream sandwich (after witnessing one man change the face of American politics, I figured I could change the ass of yours truly). I feel a little lighter today, as I am sure a lot of Americans are feeling - and the low fat ice cream is clearly not the only reason. I watched Obama’s inauguration address in a conference room at my office. The TV was from the Reagan administration and was all fuzzy and you could barely see anything. But, you could see the mass of people who were there to witness history. Even obscured, it was an awesome thing to see. I was expecting a very well written speech, delivered in his impeccable style and I got what I expected. It was very moving. I was especially moved when he mentioned that he is the son of a father who not that long ago would not have been able to eat in certain restaurants. I am very proud to be an American and I am very privileged to have witnessed history. I mean I do have a few gripes, of course (I mean its the Spinsta, I can never be completely happy). First of course was the crappy TV - like people, I think you can spring for a TV that can withstand the switch to digital (even my grandparents have a more advanced set). And of course the company was not who I would choose to witness history with - one clown did not know who swore in Biden. (Yes, this person was a lawyer and NO this person was not me - I love John Paul!!) And then there was the Chief Justice’s flub - I do not think I have ever felt smarter than when I knew that one of the smartest men in our country had made a mistake, apparently before he did. And, finally, not surprising but the Jew did not love Reverend Warren’s speech. I mean clearly his speech was not that religiously neutral - although I have learned from reading reviews of the speech he made a shout out to Jews and Muslims in the opener when he said the Shamah and a phrase that is commonly used in Muslim prayer. It was WAY to obscure though for me to notice - which was probably intentional. Make them Jews work for it. But, fine we live in a predominately Christian country and at least our president is not beholden to the religious right so I will hold my tongue during the Lord’s Prayer, but I mean was it necessary to use like 18 different words for Jesus? Now you are just showing off Mr. Warren. Even those gripes though are really not that big of deal. Today was a historic day and I feel very hopeful for tomorrow. G-d bless America!! I keep hearing how today proves the truth of the phrase “you can be anything you set your mind to.” Watching these balls, I have decided what I want to set my mind to - I would like to be first lady (ha, loaded statement because that implies that I get married and talk about marrying up but anyways . . .). See, to paraphrase from the brilliant Barbara Streisand in her nearly final concert - if I do that, then I will be the first “real Jewish American princess” (she used to refer to a chance encounter with Prince Charles and so the phrase makes more sense, but you get the point).
