Mr. Norman goes to Washington

Tony Norman 

People who know me know that I'm not a sentimental guy. I've never been particularly interested in inaugurations. I can't remember the last one I watched in real time. (I vaguely remember watching Jimmy Carter take the oath of office and being bored by it; what do you want? I was an apolitical teenager at the time). 

Even today, the ritual pomp and circumstance that signals the change in presidential administrations usually gets a cursory glance from me. If I see the inauguration at all, it is usually as a highlight on the evening news. I'm content to know that the handoff of power has gone smoothly and that America has once again avoided the spectacle of tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Democracy is a rare and beautiful thing in this world. As much as our democratic institutions have been battered in the last eight years and our fears stoked by one of the most cyncical administrations in our nation's history, I always knew that its days were numbered. In a properly functioning democracy, the voters will always have an opportunity to redeem their mistakes. Even in an improperly functioning democracy like ours, this is usually the case. So, here we are, on the eve of what is arguably the most historic inauguration of our (at least my) lifetime. Barack Hussein Obama is about to be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

This time, I'm more than "casually" interested in the inauguration. Even now, it still feels so unlikely to me. It still feels more like a rumor than a settled event. As recently as a year ago, I would have bet against such an event ever happening in my lifetime. I am gratified beyond words that I was wrong. I barely have words to describe my awe and wonder at what is about to transpire in America. I'll have to come up with something, though.

Beginning Saturday, I will be blogging and writing columns from Washington, D.C. I will be in the nation's capital to witness this event. Alas, I won't be attending any fancy parties. I will be rubbing shoulders with ordinary people who will be out of their minds with joy about Barack Obama's inauguration. That will be drama enough for this journalist. Continue to watch "A Fine Point" and "Early Returns" for my thoughts and impressions beginning Saturday. And feel free to jump in with your own impressions and reactions. I'd appreciate it.