Peaceful transition of power

For me, Inauguration Day is a day to celebrate the peaceful transition of power. Of course, it's a more dramatic observance when there is a transition, when the control of the White House changes parties. I think it can be effectively celebrated even when there is no change. After all, we did have the opportunity to make a change but a majority chose not to at this time. The concept of peaceful transition of power deserves celebration at least once every four years, especially when you consider the many countries that rarely, if ever, get to experience a peaceful transition.

Celebrate, with me, by visiting the Library of Congress' Inaugural Exhibit that includes delightful stories and colorful digitized artifacts. Lincoln's words in his second inaugural speech always seem appropriate during contentious times:

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

I tried, rather unsuccessfully, a few months ago to explain to my niece and nephews why "flag-waving liberal" is not an oxymoron. I used to think it was and one or more of them think it now.

A part of the change in me came about when I realized that patriotism does not demand believing that the USA is the best or #1. We're not talking about a high school basketball team here, folks. (Go Bulldogs!) Patriotism is a more sophisticated and complex endeavor.

For me, patriotism grew naturally from

• an appreciation of the things that work well in this country


• an understanding of the origins of those successful concepts


• and an awareness of the people who worked with malice toward none and charity for all to make those ideals succeed.

One of the things that I appreciate about the United States is that, with one notable exception, our democratic election process has led to peaceful transitions of power for over two centuries. The fact that the country was able to return to peaceful transitions of power after the Civil War says a lot about the systems, ideals, and citizens that worked together to re-form the Union.

I still have a long way to go before I fully engage in being a part of the "loyal opposition," but I'm making progress. For me, I suspect, it will have a lot to do with a vigorous defense of the Bill of Rights and, professionally, with a campaign for keeping the United States at the forefront of supplying government information to its citizens.     #

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