Picture This!

With the the inauguration of President Obama for a second term, we now look ahead to the many daunting problems facing this country in the next four years. One of the most pressing of issues is the growing polarization within our nation. Partisanship and division in U.S. politics and within the public have grown ever more intense in recent years. Progress is becoming hindered by political deadlock, civility and decorum are fast becoming scarce, and the public continues to lose faith in the effectiveness of their elected officials and the system.

Of course the one image that really sums up the current challenges of our modern divided society is the cover of one hit wonder Joey Scarbury's 1981 hit album "America's Greatest Hero" featuring his #2 hit "Theme from Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" (and yes, no mention of that song can be complete without a mention of George's answering machine message). How did Mr. Scarbury predict the fractured political climate between red and blue states in 21st century America all the way back in the early 1980s? Alas, no one seems to have bothered to seek him out since then to ask.

One additional observation: someone with absolutely no prior knowledge of Joey Scarbury might assume, just based on looking at the cover, that this was some kind of spoken word album of Mr. Scarbury's political views (it sort of reminds me of Johnny Calhoun's unsuccessful spoken word album of his right-wing political views "These Things I Believe").

Sentimental Hogwash

If you haven't noticed already, a certain 44th President is having the "best day ever". When I was hired as possibly the first Asian teenager at my local A&P in high school, all I was given was a name tag and a quick tutorial, this was a little bigger. If you really think about it, given the extent of global media coverage and the age we live in, at this moment he is quite possibly the most popular person in the history of mankind. Going by all the people glued to the TVs at school today, you'd think it was the last episode of MASH (now there's appointment television; you could in theory get two Obama inaugurations, but only one series finale of "MASH.").

With all the attention and historic images that have been pouring in all day, the most striking one to me surprisingly was old Dick Cheney in a wheelchair.

Seeing the now former VP in that state reminded of another notable, bald, wheelchair bound, curmudgeon:
I'm not sure what Mr. Cheney's post Vice Presidential plans include, but I wouldn't put taking over the savings and loan and creating a crooked, hedonistic slum town known as "Cheneyville" beyond him.

As for you Mr. President, I'm willing to give you a pass on this $150 million dollar multi day Obamafest in the middle of a growing recession; on account of history and the expected national catharsis resulting from the end of the previous administration. You can rub elbows with Jay-Z, have your parades, and attend your ten balls (infact by the 10th ball you should be like Fonzie in that episode where he had to win a dance contest with Joanie and pretend you're all danced out and then wow everyone with a crazy Fonzie dance).

However, Wednesday morning I expect you to get down to some serious work.