Vision of Hope

"Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time."

"Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work. That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper."

"...there's not a liberal America and a conservative America, there 's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

Barack Obama

Yesterday was a defining and historic moment, and I was there. Ok, in my living room, but fully "in the moment" (I took the picture with my camera aimed at the tv, not bad). Obama taking up the reins of power was also about Martin the dreamer many years ago, the acknowledgement and acceptance, reaching freedom and unity, the people choosing a vision inspired by hope rather than fear, and the possibility of what may be.... for all of us. May we all be renewed.