The Inauguration: A Few Thoughts

Notwithstanding the historic significance of today's event, the swearing in of Barack Obama as our 44th President, I had not intended any special attention to all the hoopla.
But, I did pay attention to these ceremonies anyway.
My wife and I watched TV coverage from the comfort of our home, and were again struck by the massive connection that our newest President has with the American people, and indeed with the citizens of the entire world!

Despite my reticence to participate in an event held 3000 miles away, I willingly did and was fascinated by it.
Spontaneous tears came to my eyes on more than one occasion, as I listened to Obama's words that resonate so well with what I hold most important, and that I have hoped for so ardently for so long!

Thank God this moment has at last come to pass, so that the hard work can begin in earnest to restore our collective confidence.
Our President expects the best from us in this endeavor, and I for one intend to fully support his enlightened style of leadership.

The pundits will argue forever what Obama's words were intended to mean, but I accept them at face value; a sincere statement of how severe and persistent problems will be faced, no matter what their cause or the obstacles encountered.
Together, our nation has no limits upon what it can achieve, provided we unite in doing it.
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25 years ago I took a Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator Test as part of reassessing what career path might suit me best.
That exercise was not only helpful to me, but also to my wife, Joan.
It allowed me to delve not only into into my 'druthers', but also those activities that I would rather avoid.
In other words, the idea is to go with your strengths, not your weaknesses, once you know what these might be.
Of course, the M-B method doesn't explain everything about an individual, but it does help.

Years later, I found a website [http://www.keirsey.com/] that focuses on the M-B method and summarizes broad findings by the professionals who specialize in it.
At one time, that website had an analysis of which US Presidents likely fit each of the 4 basic M-B personality types; Artisans,
Rationals, Guardians and Idealists.
Of these 4 types, only one had never characterized an American President, the Idealist.
I wouldn't be surprised to find that Barack Obama may be our first -ever- Idealist President!
And, if he isn't, he comes closer to that than any other has so far.

May God bless this great land of ours, and the purpose for which it stands!
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Finally, check out this YouTube - 'There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama' from the Corrigan Brothers at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HplZ_taHXLM

Original lyrics:

O’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

From the ould Blarney stone to the green hills of Tara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
You don’t believe me, I hear you say

But Barack’s as Irish as was JFK

His grandaddy’s daddy came from Moneygall

A small Irish village, well known to you all

Chorus 2:
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo toor a lama

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

He’s as Irish as bacon, and cabbage and stew

He’s Hawaiian, he’s Kenyan, American too

He’s in the White House, he took his chance

Now let’s see Barack do Riverdance

Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo toor a lama

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

From Kerry and Cork to old Donegal

Let’s hear it for Barack from old Moneygall

From the lakes of Killarney to old Connemara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

O’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama


From the ould Blarney stone to the green hills of Tara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
Two thousand and eight, the White House is free

They’re cheering in Mayo, and in Skibereen

The Irish in Kenya and in Yokahama

Are cheering for president Barack O’Bama

O’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama


From the ould Blarney stone to the green hills of Tara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
The hockey mom’s gone, and so is McCain

They’re cheering in Texas and Borrisokane

In Moneygall town, the greatest of drama

For our famous president, Barack O’Bama

Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo toor a lama

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

The great Stephen Neill a great man of God

He proved that Barack was from the auld sod

They came by bus, they came by car

To celebrate Barack, in Ollie Hayes’ bar
O’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

From the ould Blarney stone to the green hills of Tara

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo toor a lama

There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama

Repeat!
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