The 44th President of the United States

It was never going to live up to the hype; these moments rarely do. Only a walk on the icy waters of the reflecting pool would have matched the excitement, anticipation, and cost of this historic day.

Barack Obama is now the 44th President of the United States.

The end of a long journey for the African-American community has arrived. Thomas Jefferson's, Abraham Lincoln's, and Dr. Martin Luther King's common visions of a country where all men are created, treated, and honored equally has come to it's full fruition.

Pay no attention to the awkward bumbling of the actual oath, both President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts were a little nervous. It's sophomoric of anyone who wants to make an issue of the mistake. Admittedly, the moment was botched and Barack deserved better.

His speech was heavy on dramatic phrases, each of which overshadowed the others. No single brilliantly memorable quote, no over-arching central theme you could put your finger on. If you've been hanging on his every word, you heard nothing new. It sounded like any one of his campaign speeches.

But a new chapter in American history starts today. It can never be said again, with any validity, that the color of a man's skin keeps him from obtaining anything his heart desires.

The change the left yearned for has begun. Since the campaign lacked specifics, what the incoming administration has in store for us will be enlightening, if nothing else.

Fasten your safety belts.

Congratulations President Obama.