Inauguration was great...time to get to work!

I admit it. I played hooky from work (well sorta. I did stay in touch with work obligations through the blackberry, and even found time for a couple of phone calls...). I attended an "Obama Inauguration Party", despite the fact that I am NOWHERE NEAR Washington DC.

I thought there were a few comical moments:

• Dick Cheney looking like Old Man Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life", being wheeled around during the swearing-in ceremony (honestly, was there anything funnier to watch than THAT!?)

• Chief Justice John Roberts, failing to faithfully administer the actual oath of office to Barack Obama. This leads me to wonder whether he got the nomination from Bush based upon his skill in delivering a basic message in public.



• The gargantuan crowd, serenading George W. Bush's final helicopter flight from the White House with chants of "NA na Na Na, Na na NA NA, Hey, hey, hey, GOOD BYE!"

But in the end, the day symbolized a turning of the page. The end of an era. Finally, a rational approach to the issues that face us. And the nice thing about it all is that we finally have a President who really understands the gravity of the situation.

Obama's speech discussed two important things: Personal Responsibility, and Worldwide Cooperation. In both of these arenas, he has a TON of work to do, and not much time to start achieving success.

So I say this: Enjoy the day, and enjoy the night. By tomorrow, it is already "game on", and time to start working on the hard part of politics--DELIVERING on Promises.

By 2010, President Obama will have to deliver on the following:

1. Stem Cell Research funding


2. Government Stimulus Package Administering


3. Honest negotiations of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict


4. Significant withdrawal of troops in Iraq


5. The development of an AGGRESSIVE Energy Independence policy


6. Closing of Guantanamo


7. The review of possible prosecution of the Bush/Cheney Torture activities


8. The review of health care proposals


9. The restoration of the American financial System


10. The restoration of hope in America

Lots to get done. The clock is ticking. "Get 'er done", Mr. President.