What a day
There have been few long weekends that have equaled the one that is just ending. Beginning Saturday, Auburn defeated Georgia 70-68 in basketball. By Monday, Auburn was the unanimous choice as the #1 ranked basketball team in the nation. Kudos to UGA who is much improved and to AU who found a win even as their two big men were sidelined at the end of the game.
Sunday, we celebrated MLK Day at our church with an inspirational sermon by the Rev. Dr. Joan Harrell. She is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Auburn University College of Liberal Arts. She is also the founder of “Becoming the Beloved Community”. Her words challenged our community to unite and come together in the many common bonds of Christianity.
Monday morning found Mary Lou and I glued to the television to watch the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, our 45th and 47th President. The weather caused the crowd watching the ceremony to be reduced to just 1,300 people; 670 in person.
The ceremonial transfer of power was impressive, a drastic change from just four years prior. The swearing in of the President occurred in the historic Rotunda of the Capitol. Four years ago, it was the site of violence and mayhem. America is a resilient country and today’s ceremony gave us hope for the future.
Trump’s speech was not necessarily an olive branch to the 50.1% of the people that did not vote for him. Yet, his win was clear in our system of elections and those that were on the losing side acknowledged the decision. It was a startling contrast to just four years ago and the country is better off for it.
The rest of the day was spent with more speeches, ceremonies, and eventually the executive orders that have become an increasingly significant part of our governance. In a country that was founded largely against the power of a monarchy, we find ourselves increasingly governed by edicts by a single leader.
I blame no one as both parties and their leaders have become increasingly fond of these shortcuts to policy decisions. I am skeptical that we can survive this method of governance when our country is so evenly divided.
Nevertheless, I am hopeful President Trump can deliver on his promises. He clearly owns the path moving forward and will sink or swim based on the success of his plans on so many levels.
As the day ends, I find myself watching the National Championship game for college football. Notre Dame versus Ohio State. It is somewhat telling that there may be more Americans watching a football game than the inauguration.
MLK Day, the inauguration of a President, and the crowning of the best college football team in America, not to mention the chance of the biggest snow even in a generation. Ironic, is it not?
I will not pray for the success of Notre Dame or Ohio State. I will pray that the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. come closer to fruition. And I will pray for our country, our new President, and our new path moving forward. Politically, this is not about us versus them. This is about us. All of us that are blessed to be called Americans.
o0o
Dan Ponder can be reached at [email protected]