A tradition we can be proud of

It seems for a political blogger to ignore the events of the past week would be just wrong, so I won't.

Although possible, it would be difficult to find a person in the world that isn't aware that the United Stated inaugurated its first African American president last Tuesday.  This was an amazing day for a country steeped in a history of black oppression and I'm certain the collective tears shed by a nation on that day could quench the droughts of many dry lands.  The personal stories of so many who never thought they would see such a day continue to be shared and continue to both inspire and humble.  For the skeptics who claim change won't be easy to come by, I say that while we as a nation face many obstacles - the change has already started.

The election of our first African American president certainly marks 2008 as historically significant and gives us all a reason to reflect.  In addition to this, there was something else that continually gave me pause on inauguration day.  We are a young nation and thus comparatively have few traditions that define our culture.  However, we do have, every 4 or 8 years, a peaceful transition of power that demonstrates the strength and integrity of our democracy.

I found myself becoming increasingly patriotic as Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer shared nuggets of information about the traditions and protocol that accompany the event.  Actions timed down to the minute that have been occurring on this day for well over 200 years.  Something as small as the President sitting on the right of the President-elect as they make their way to the Capital for the inauguration seems such a small detail, but is so significant to the tradition of the transition.

There are no bullets fired, no riots launched.  Partisan politics are put aside for a day as we, as a nation, illustrate to the world and to ourselves the conviction of our democracy.  It might even be said that inauguration day, a peaceful transition of power, is a democracy's finest day.

In a time when our country seems to be facing a mountain of obstacles, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on this peaceful tradition that we can be incredibly proud of.