I’m not one to post much about politics that aren’t directly related to atheism and anti-science, but seeing as it’s such an overwhelmingly historic time right now with Obama as our new president, I have to at least comment a bit!

I watched on Tuesday, along with my co-workers, as Obama was sworn in as president.  I think the reality of what he’d accomplished hit him right as he started his oath, as he stumbled over the words at first.  He’s been so busy since the election getting organized and preparing his team that he probably hadn’t really thought about what was coming.  I can’t imagine what he was feeling at that moment.

I was disappointed by the seeming disinterest of several students on campus.  I saw them wandering into the offices while we were all watching the inauguration and waved them over to watch.  All but one declined.   One of those great moments in the history of the USA, that will be remembered forever as a very significant first, and these students were not interested.

Well, there’s great hope at least for the future.  His first day in office and Obama seems to be doing exactly what he promised in his campaign.  Many of the things Bush had put in place to limit access to knowledge of government activities have been effectively repealed.  As this New York Times article shows, more transparency and openess in government business will be the rule of the day.  Go Obama!

UPDATE: Just caught on the news that the reason Obama stumbled on his oath was because the justice giving it messed up.  Oh, well.  I’d still like to think it was at that moment it all hit home!