AMERICA IS BACK! — The Weekly Opine

Democracy prevails, as evidenced by a flawless Inauguration Day. (Photo credit CNN screenshot)

On Inauguration Day, the mall and Washington Monument splendidly showed America is back. (Photo credit CNN screenshot)

Professionalism and intelligence as optimism surges

Yesterday was nothing short of a spectacular transition, an inauguration for the ages. President Joe Biden laid out a clear, intelligent, and understandable vision for America’s future. Vice President Kamala Harris eloquently took her place in American history as the first woman, and first woman-of-color, vice president. Harris’ day also included escorting out the last vestige of the hapless Trump administration, and then swearing in a Black senator, an Hispanic senator, and a Jewish senator.

Vice President Kamala Harris is President of the Senate. She got right to work, swearing in three new Democratic Senators; Warnock, Padilla, and Ossoff. (Photo credit CNN screenshot)

Biden did more work in an hour yesterday – signing 17 executive actions to undo some of Trump’s stupidity – than Trump did the past 6 months. Notably, Biden served notice the U.S. is reasserting our position as world leader when he immediately rejoined the United States with the Paris climate agreement. Surely, our allies, and those who believe the science of climate change, now rejoice with us.

President Joe Biden gave a powerful speech, anchored by purpose and reality. Hours later, he began reinstating America’s participation in global affairs. (Photos credit CNN screenshot)

The inauguration planning committee, spearheaded by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Roy Blunt, delivered a flawless event. Biden cemented the proceedings with a tone-perfect speech that made it clear unity is the goal. But it will take sincere cooperation from Republican leaders, many of whom glibly stood by and/or egged on the American insurrectionists who threatened democracy two weeks ago.

Biden, quoting Abraham Lincoln, said his “whole soul is in it” with respect to bringing unity to America. Unity will only happen if Republicans, complicit during Trump’s blatant sedition, are willing to put their whole soul into unification, founded on truth and belief of facts.

Young poet laureate Amanda Gorman knocked it out the park. (Photo credit CNN screenshot)

Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old poet laureate, read a perfectly pitched poem titled, “The Hill We Climb.” It was as if Biden and Gorman coordinated their remarks. Gorman reinforced the words Biden had just spoken, providing further insight why this moment is so critical to the future of America. “We lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us,” Gorman adroitly said.

Former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and (not present) Jimmy Carter, are part of a club that will not welcome Trump. (Photo credit NPR screenshot / Inaugural Committee video)

Throughout the day of inauguration, mask-wearing was in vogue, with 99.9% of those in attendance donning a mask. Even the now former Vice President Mike Pence, also formerly head-man-in-charge of the failed coronavirus task force, did the right thing…twice. First, Pence attended the inauguration. Second, he wore a mask.

Genuine love and affection flow from the First Couple. Hopefully, they will inspire Americans to become a kinder nation. (Photo credit CNN screenshot)

The feared Insurrection Part 2 never materialized, which meant the transition was peaceful, thanks to 24,988 National Guard troops brought in to maintain peace. The number would have been 25,000, but media reported 12 guardsmen were sent home just days before the inauguration, after FBI vetting linked them to white supremacist militias.

Yesterday was an uplifting celebration. And we are back on track. Certainly, there are miles to go but at least we are facing in the right direction.

Across America, champagne and sparkling wine flowed on Inauguration Night. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)