Symbolically, I'm hoping this clean snow that blankets us helps to cover up and wash away all the disgraceful mistakes and deceit of the last eight years.
I had toyed with the idea of attending Barack Obama's inauguration later today, but it seems about 2 million people beat me to the punch, and logistically, it just didn't work out. Since I can't be there, I'll think out loud of my hopes for what today could mean.
I hope our new leader can enhance and build on the good will and sense of optimism he's created.
I hope America begins to earn back respect -- it takes years to earn and one decision to throw it all away -- around the world.
I hope the economy begins to turn around and friends and loved ones who worry about their jobs will gradually have their concerns eased.
I hope there is a real commitment to addressing environmental concerns so we don't leave a smoking shell for our grandchildren.
I hope partisan politics takes a backseat to problems that can only be solved by multiparty collaboration.
I hope we take accountability for our embarrassing behavior in the world's eyes.
I hope we have the creativity and wherewithal to end this war peacefully and bring our dedicated troops back home.
I hope we center our focus on an educational system that is falling behind in some areas and broken in others.
I hope we remember New Orleans and stop treating her like someone we gave up on long ago.
I hope we address immigration in a way that allows all parties to retain their human dignity and sense of decency.
I hope the move toward volunteerism and charitable efforts takes hold.
I hope the promise of an amazing nation is realized, and the wasted and damaging actions of recent years is erased from the collective memory.
I hope Obama turns out to be who I think he is.
But most all, I hope. And it feels good just to be able to do that again.
Yes, we can.
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