Up, Down and Around Our Town

This is a week to wonder "what if?" A time to consider the circumstances and opportunities that are now upon us. It begs for some reflection, a little dreaming and the possibility that "what if" may actually be a reality. While we don't know the ending of this story, we do know the history.

I remember very well on January 20, 1961, when all of us in school were directed to the auditorium. There we found not one, but four 19" black and white televisions all tuned to NBC. We watched, on that frigid January day, John Kennedy take the oath of office. The instructors and staff were amazed at what was transpiring. After all, we had just elected our first Catholic President. Plus, his wife was young and beautiful and they had two delightful children. We heard him talk of his responsibility to us and moreover, our responsibility to the country. As a 6th grader, I wondered "what if?"

Fast forward. Is it possible that we have just elected an African-American to the highest office in the land? Is it possible that, after 8 years of low ratings, we have suddenly found a free agent who will lead us to the pennant? What if all of this is really happening? We'll soon find out and the "what if" will occur all over again.

We think we are pretty sophisticated; in reality, we are not. But the excitement and the build-up to the inauguration is truly something to behold. It is obvious that our new President is a student of image; the train trip from Chicago to Washington mirrored Lincoln's trip as well. The symbolism is striking. A black man taking the same route as the man who many years ago actually freed the slaves.

What if? What if racism suddenly becomes an afterthought. How about bigotry becoming so out of style that it just isn't used and is hanging in the closet next to the leisure suits. Has Affirmative Action now hit its climax? What if?

More to the point, will they let the new leader govern? Or, will old scores still surface and clog up the debate over what needs to be done. After all, the menu is full. Israel, Iraq, unemployment, credit, housing and most of all jobs. Will the new team get to play, or will we revert back to our usual arguments over which ideology is the best. While we now have Black in the White House, can we get past Red and Blue?

Like many, I have great expectations for this new regime. Add to the fact that W left very quietly and with class and is shows the mark of his predecessor. I have some sympathy for W. He admitted he made mistakes; the biggest one was that he couldn't communicate to the American people without sounding like a 7th grade drop-out. That left him vulnerable for all of the other bad stuff that happened on his watch. What if he was an orator? We'll never know.

What we do know is that Barack Obama will be given every opportunity to change the way we perceive both government and leadership. He will have a learning laboratory from Wall Street to Iraq waiting for him to govern. He will have close to 3 million people begging for jobs, banks on the brink and National Security still a prime mover.

Perhaps now, during this week, we can actually apply Martin Luther King's thoughts of judging a man's charactere and not his skin color. We may actually be able to move past that. What if we do? What will be the rewards?

Like 1961, I am drawn to the possibilities. Linked to the many new ideas that will impact our lives and keep us safe, happy and productive. We do ask a lot from our leader; the stress is amazing. With so many folks new to the voting process and now taking full ownership of the possibilities, can the excitement that leads up to the inauguration follow through with cooperation and teamwork. What if that actually happens? Consider the outcome.

My hope is that Obama's honeymoon will be long and productive. That Michelle will assume the role of First Lady with style and class. That the girls will find living in the White House the joy that it must be. I also hope that the fringe element will be controlled, that talk radio will take a 90 day vacation and that we listen to what is happening. Who knows? It might actually happen. Conventional wisdom tells us that most Americans have been waiting 8 years for this week to occur.

What if?

Till next week and as always, I remain....