Barak Hussein Obama is President of the United States of America

Last night, as Obama delivered a measured, lucid acceptance speech, I finally relaxed a little, and let myself succumb to exhaustion. While the rest of New York, the United States and the world celebrated into the wee hours of the night, I laid down on my back and closed my eyes. Outside, the helicopters kept up the constant buzz of observance. Blocks away in Brooklyn, the streets filled with drummers and dancers. Across the bridge in Manhattan, First Avenue would be closed for a time, filled with the grateful reveling in a new found pride.
Seven years ago the world came together over a single day of terror. The United States, in the wake of disaster, was actively buttressed by a united international community. That solidarity was quickly squandered then actively disassembled by an agenda fueled by fear, malice and ignorance. Today, across the nation and the world, the United States once again finds its idealogical place.
Despite the joy and pride, this is a sober moment. Obama's acceptance speech brazenly points to this fact. This globe is in a self-inflicted crisis on nearly every level. To ask one man to instantly halt such a tide of destitution is perhaps too much. But to ask one man to embody the opportunity to stem the despair is reasonable. Obama, right now, is this man. Momentarily, his existence is the vessel of hope, and the advantage needs to be pressed.
This is a time of confusion and dilemma. The complexities of the breakdown are legion, and it might be easy to try to fight fire with fire. On the contrary, this situation begs a simple, strong agenda.
This is the opportunity we have been waiting for. This is the time to hoist the flag. This is the time to let our pride overflow and to hold ourselves accountable to the cup. Swift, intelligent steps need to be taken. Coalitions need to be quickly reinvigorated and sustained.
It must be done with clear, apparent intent.
Obama will not solve all the problems, but he can open the conversation to the whole table. Abroad, he can include the world in an agenda that addresses the environment, the global economy and the state of misery inflicted by mismanagement of power.
Here, he can use the national mandate to create a viable health care system, fundamentally change the carbon footprint and make the cold, hard decisions that will reassemble the economy along inclusive, transparent and realistic lines.
I am grateful and I am proud. I look forward to the future with hope.