Click here to subscribe today or Login.
How can anyone not be proud to be an American on Inauguration Day where the peaceful transfer of power, one of the most coveted rituals in our country, is on display for all the world to witness?
Regardless of political party affiliation or political beliefs, the way we transfer shows what our country is all about. When one president leaves office and another takes over, there are no tanks in the streets, no warfare, no guns. Instead, the ritual is filled with hand shakes, kisses and waves.
Like it or not, Donald J. Trump is the 45th president of the United States. That’s a fact. Whether you voted for Trump or threw your hat the way of Hillary Clinton, the bottom line is Trump won and Clinton did not. Complain all you want about Clinton winning the popular vote, our president is elected by the Electoral College and Trump gained enough electoral votes to grab the office.
Both former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama campaigned heavily for Hillary Clinton. They wanted her to win. But she did not win, and the Obamas were thrown into a position where they were expected to recognize Donald Trump as the next president of the United States and Melania Trump as the next first lady of the United States.
On Friday, we saw the Obamas, with grace, dignity and respect, welcome the Trumps to the nation’s home – the White House. We saw Barack and Michele shake hands, hug and kiss Donald and Melania and wish them well as they take the reigns of the United States of America.
The peaceful transfer of power is a beautiful thing. On the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Americans watched as those with completely differing views of how our country should be run conducted themselves gracefully.
Then, the television cameras turned to the streets. And things were not so peaceful.
Protesters found it necessary to break windows in buildings, set a limousine on fire and be downright nasty about things happening around them. They refuse to accept the outcome of the election and took their frustration out on material things by destroying them.
For crying out loud, people. What is the point? All that does is show the rest of the world that, while our elected officials are conducting themselves with respect and dignity, Joe Q. Public is stooping to the lowest level possible.
Even Hillary Clinton buckled up and attended not only the inauguration ceremony itself but the luncheon afterward. As the wife of a former president, she was expected to be in attendance. No one would have faulted her, though, for taking a pass on this one.
She attended the inauguration, applauded when necessary and even shook the hand of President Trump at the luncheon. That’s what you call dignity and grace.
Instead of following suit and presenting themselves with some degree of respect, protesters burned and smashed things that did not belong to them. That’s not what this country is all about.
And it’s downright embarrassing.