The Messiah Named Hussein

Yesterday, Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president. People were embullient around school. Prior to the inauguration, many of our American friends talked about hope and rebirth.

Our lab tech YoungEinstein (called that not because of his intellect though he is smart, but more for his hair) was watching the inauguration on his computer at work. He was quite happy, as were others, that the whole thing went off "without incident."

But I think it's disconcerting all this talk of hope and rebirth. Mainly because, I think that people have this ridiculous expectation that he will revolutionize America. That within a short period of time he will completely overhaul energy policy and healthcare. It seems incredibly unrealistic and completely misguided to believe that one man would be capable of overcoming the inertia of a political system. In addition, how can someone who has been so conciliatory really get anything done.

It was notable to me that Obama's inauguration was held a day after Martin Luther King Day, a holiday celebrated with some festivity here. Very cool.

The other thing that is interesting about the inauguration ceremonies was the presence of religion. At the kick off inaugural event on Sunday, Bishop Gene Robinson, an openly gay Episcopalian bishop, led an invocation.

(Thought by some as a conciliatory move to appease those angry about the evangelical Rick Warren leading the invocation at the inauguration.)

Tuesday, The O's, began inauguration day by attending a prayer at the St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. At the actual ceremony, Rick Warren prayed. Obama prayed on a Bible as he took the oath for oval office. At the ceremonies, Aretha Franklin and The SanFrancisco Boys Choir sang their prayers. Then Obama spoke. As with all his other speeches, the language of gospel (Yes we can and Change you can believe in) has permeated Obama's rhetoric.

(So maybe the image of the messiah is not entirely inappropriate.)

And then today, Obama spent the better part of his first morning as President at the Washington National Cathedral praying with 20 different clergy from various monotheistic faiths.

One hopes with all the prayer, that someone's listening. (Though honestly, I doubt it.)

Okay now onto some more important things than religion, did you guys see the Inauguration gown that Michelle Obama wore? Apparently, designed to convey hope. The Great White Hope. Didn't anyone tell the Obama's they were black?