When my daughter gets older I will sit her down and explain to her the differences between the America I was born into and the one we now live in. I will tell her about this time in our history and how America came together to recognize and embrace a new version of itself. I look forward to her future and to her growing mind. And I am confident that she can be anything she wants to be and will have all of the opportunities for freedom and prosperity now that we as a people have recognized our differences and are beginning to accept our common bond as one people. As PRESIDENT OBAMA said “because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.”
Yesterday was filled with many images that will stay in my heart and mind for a lifetime. But none made me smile and warmed my heart more that the image of George Bush getting into the helicopter (Executive One) and fly away forever. I believe that Bush's policies set back this country so far that it will take a generation to fix… but a new generation of Americans have spoken. It is still time for optimism but more importantly it is time for action. To quote PRESIDENT OBAMA again “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.”
“Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”
