The World According to Oatney

Inauguration Day

Today is Inauguration Day. It bears reminding some people that in spite of the fact that we had an incredibly close election and the country is deeply divided, today is looked upon as a miracle in much of the world. There are many nations in which a close election would bring about fighting in the streets, men at arms would be seen everywhere trying to keep order. This is not what is happening in Washington today, indeed the only thing remotely strange about today's events is the heightened security due to the fear of a terrorist attack.

For the 55th time in our history, a man will take the oath prescribed in the Constitution for the President of the United States. In this case, the President will begin a second term, and will doubtless use his noon address to the nation to outline his plans for that term. All morning, the customary news shows will tell us how he doesn't really have a mandate. They will drag out the internal opposition to the war as proof of this. What many of the pundits still fail to grasp is that George W. Bush's mandate is not for war, but for families, for life, and for a more Constitutionally correct Supreme Court. It is on these matters that he must be held accountable, because those are the issues that got him re-elected.

I am ever the optimist. I believe the President will have a successful second term. For the country's sake, I pray so, because the President's success will determine the kind of successor he will have.

posted by Deacon David Oatney @ 10:39 AM