The Winds of Change

Well, here we are at last in the week when we inaugurate a new president. This week is about eight years overdue by my calendar since the past eight years have been anything but productive. But that criticism would be the subject of not only a separate post, but an entirely separate blog! On to the moment and beyond.

Yesterday kicked off Inauguration fever in earnest with the big pre-inaugural event on the mall in DC. We tuned in to watch history in the making and of course were disappointed by the non-broadcast of the invocation by Bishop Gene Robinson. According to what I've read, it was the decision of the transition team to not broadcast the "Pre-show" show. How sad. I have read the text of the prayer and seen the UTube of it and was quite impressed by Bishop Robinson's care in crafting a prayer that said what needs to be said without being overly political. It will be interesting to see the unfolding explanations of why it was not broadcast. The rest of the concert was pretty good, though I can't imagine why some of the "artists" (and yes, Ben, I intentionally used the quotes) were invited. At least there was enormous diversity. I commented at one point how this whole thing must be driving the radical right crazy -- at one point it looked like a bunch of homeless folks having a sing-in on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Overall, I would rate it good -- not great, but good. There was certainly an air of hopefulness and celebration in the air.

This is the last full day of the Bush debacle -- that alone being reason for hopefulness and certainly celebration. Our country and indeed our government has been stuck shifting between neutral and reverse for the past eight years and it is indeed time for change. That change has begun and will officially become the expectation beginning at noon tomorrow. I will be tuned in!!!

Sandwiched in the midst of all this celebration of change is the celebration of one of the greatest agents of change of my generation -- the birthday of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. This voice for change still rings out across this land some 40+ years after his untimely death. The upcoming inauguration is glowing evidence of the truth and depth of Dr. King's legacy. Look how far we have come in those 40 years. Yet, we still have miles to go. Perhaps the next four years (and perhaps the next eight) will move this nation and society into a new age of peace, inclusion, liberty, and dignity for all it's people.

Anyway, that's all of my philosophical musings for this early Monday morning. Take a moment to pray in whatever manner is comfortable to you for the winds of change to propel us forward as a nation and a people. AND -- as usual -- Hug someone special!