I started this post yesterday but my site went down, then I had to go to work and time shifted by until yesterday’s post is now today’s. c’est la vie!

Well, the world watched as Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th American President. I don’t normally follow American politics beyond the most basic information. The Americans are after all, the next door neighbour to my own country and what happens there has an effect on Canada. Do I hang on their every sneeze, no, as small as our little boys in Ottawa are, they are the ones who truly impact my life.

I watched fascinated and almost unable to believe what I was watching as the first black American took the reigns of power. I’ve said it before in these pages, I never ever thought it would be possible for that to happen in the USA of all places in my life time. This man is a man like no other, of any colour.

Obama has a charisma about him that Americans liken to Kennedy (who was around before I was aware of the world) and for Canadians, we’ve not seen anything similar since the days of Trudeau. His skilled oratory, his willingness to take a stand, his humanity transcends colour or race. The question now is, will he have the fortitude and force of will to take the actions that are needed to meet his bold oratory?

Already, the American people seem to be responding to him. They seem to be standing a bit taller, their hope up higher than they have been in months, or years. Hopes that not only will the US be viewed with less contempt by some on the world stage after eight years of Bush but that with them all pulling together they can indeed rise above the economic maelstrom that has engulfed them.

Obama has moved boldly on his first day in office by bringing at least a 120 day halt to the trials getting underway at Gitmo, freezing salaries of his senior staff and setting strict lobbying rules. He’s now signed an executive order to bring about the closing of Gitmo within a year. His critics will be watching closely to see how that is carried out and the current inmates dealt with.

Meanwhile up here, in the great white north, Canadians can only watch the little boys on Parliament Hill as they play their petty politics while our economy shudders and starts to sink. We can but hope that some of them, any of them, are watching closely what is going on to the south and actually get the clue that Canada deserves better than their behaviour.

---

notice: The content of this post contains my opinions and my right to express them. I will respect your right to express your opinion in the comments as long as you’re not abusive and you respect my right to my opinion.

I've had my say, I encourage you to have yours. Leave a comment below.