Solid Foundation

Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

When you see shots of Seattle's most recognizable landmark this is not normally the part that is featured. With our fog the past number of nights even the base of the Space Needle has been hard to see. I feel like our nation has been in a similar fog. It is built on some strong features that we've allowed to become obscured. My hope is not in our 44th president, but in the renewal of principles he speaks of honoring and the sleeping giant he has helped to awaken and inspire: the better selves of the American people. He appeals to our decency and has given us renewed energy to work hard to restore some basic tenants of a 233 year old democratic republic that have been obscured for a time. I think we as a nation are looking to become our better selves, more of what the promise of this nation encompasses. We have this chance to try to right some major wrongs and strengthen the foundation of a government of, by, and for the people. Starting with the Justice Department's abolishing torture as a state sanctioned practice and shutting down the last administration's end run around basic legal and human rights called Guantanamo, and continuing to lift the fog in every other area of government, policy, and corporate accountability that has been obscured from the light of constitutional law and human decency. Wish us luck and join in our genuine excitement today as we turn a page in history together. We have this moment to change ourselves and become more worthy of the sacrifices and toil of the generations who have gone before us, and more worthy of the friendship and good will of other nations and people around the world. In the words of a brassy 70s funk band from V-Town, "We Can Make It If We Try." Happy Inauguration Day America!