Okay – I’m officially, 100% on the Obama bandwagon, largely because of a few things I heard in yesterday’s inaugural address. Most people probably didn’t even notice these few little words and phrases, but they left me positively weak in the knees.  It may give an indication of how desperate I am to finally hear this kind of language coming from Washington.

First up:

“These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics.”

Omigod! Omigod! He said, “data and statistics!”

“We will restore science to its rightful place…”

You mean he doesn’t think science is the enemy? Science isn’t some high-falutin’ thing dreamed up by them fancy-pants intellectual elites? [insert long sigh of relief here] I immediately recall how Obama once told Meet the Press that he wants to have scientists come to the White House and lecture:

Mr. Obama said he wants the White House to be a forum for “elevating science once again and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about traveling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about.”

Finally, there was this:

“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers.”

At this point, I began to think I’d consumed one too many mimosas. Did he just give a shout-out to non-believers? Is my wretched kind finally going to be acknowledged?

Ahh – there’s the Hope and Optimism everyone’s been talking about for so long. I finally feel it.

It feels pretty good.

I’ll admit it – it feels a little bit like Christmas morning. After months of not feeling very much except, perhaps, a faint sense of relief, I’m finally pretty damn excited about this whole thing.

I came of age, politically-speaking, during Clinton’s last couple of years – just in time for the Lewinksy drama. George W. Bush is pretty much the only president I’ve ever known. (Before then, I had only the vaguest awareness of what happens in our nation’s capital.) My zeal and optimism peaked in 2004 with Howard Dean, and has since evaporated, drop by drop. At the end of Bush’s final year in office, I’m left with little more than deep disillusionment, cynicism and even a little bit of apathy.

I shouldn’t pin all of this on Bush, though. My disillusionment has sprung largely from feeling like a permanent minority – from feeling completely out of touch with most of the country, let alone the administration in Washington. The never-ending, bitter divisiveness has, quite simply, left me not caring about much. My bitter anger has gradually turned to a deep annoyance.

But this morning, I feel just a little bit different. While my cynicism may not have been replaced with Hope and Optimism, necessarily, my interest in Washington has been renewed. I’m very curious to see how this all turns out. I harbor no illusions that Obama is the Superpresident many seem to think he is (and I feel sorry for him and the absurdly high expectations that have been pinned to his presidency), but maybe, just maybe, things can be a little bit different.

In the meantime, I plan to celebrate today. Dwight and I both have taken the day off (seriously – how can anyone be expected to work on such an important day) and after squeezing in a workout, we’ll be camped out in front of the T.V., enjoying a spectacular Inaugural Brunch consisting of spinach and mushroom quiche, roasted red potatoes, bacon, fresh fruit, and a great, big pitcher of mimosas.

The “change” part remains to be seen, but that’s certainly a brunch I can believe in.

I’m kind of peeved at the Senate Democrats right now.

Apparently, Rogue Senator Joe Lieberman got called into the principal’s office for speaking poorly of Obama at the Republican convention, and may lose his committee chairmanship as a result. This really bugs me.

If he did a poor job as Chairman, then the Democratic leadership may have a valid reason to take it away from him. But to punish him for simply speaking his mind and/or not being “Democrat” enough, well – that’s just plain vindictive.

And you know what? Even if Lieberman does decide to go caucusing with the Republicans (as he’s rumored to be contemplating), I think the Democrats should still keep him as Chairman of Homeland Security. It would send the message that for once, someone’s going to do something about this bipartisanship thing.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a little spite and retaliation as much as anyone – but it’s time for these people to put their money where their mouth is. Everyone goes on and on about how great it is to be independent and reach across party lines and all that crap, but apparently party loyalty is still what matters most. Besides – I keep thinking about how if this was happening to some Republican senator, I’d be disgusted with the Republican Party for punishing someone who didn’t keep in line. No reason it should be any different for the Democrats.

Sooner or later, someone’s got to stop just talking about bipartisanship and actually do something about it. I really hope it begins with this crowd.

Come on, people. Get crazy up there on the Hill. Break the cycle.

Every now and then, it’s much more fun to fill your head with useless trivia than with useful information. Here’s what I’ve learned so far about Obama’s new Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel:

He used to be a ballet dancer.

His brother Ari was the inspiration for the character of Ari Gold on the HBO series, Entourage. 

He once sent a dead fish to a pollster who pissed him off.

He swears. A lot.

His nickname is “Rahmbo”.

All in all, I don’t think too much should be made of this appointment. The whole Director-of-Freddie-Mac-in-2002 thing makes me gag a little, but it’s not like he’s going to be Treasury Secretary or anything. Furthermore, Robert’s Rules of Bipartisanship don’t necessarily call for your Chief of Staff to be of the other party, do they? There are still plenty of appointments to be made. And from what I’ve read, even if Emanuel is fiercely partisan and even a bit, well, dickish - many observers (of both parties) agree that the guy knows his shit, and knows how to get things done.

Besides – I like profanity. When used creatively and with gusto, of course. It makes one slightly more interesting.

Being the slightly insane animal welfare freak that I am (hey – everyone’s gotta have a cause, right?), I was actually thinking about writing a letter to the Obamas, urging them to adopt their new dog from a shelter or rescue society, rather than buy from a breeder.

CC 2.0 By eastick_east

Then, I read this:

Michelle Obama announced the family would, indeed, adopt a rescue dog. The Obama campaign did not return a phone call Wednesday regarding the first pet, but Obama confirmed in his acceptance speech that his girls would get their dog.

Any exposure that shelter dogs can get is a great thing – and it’s a little extra bonus when it comes from the First Family.

CC 2.0 By Stephen Witherden

In related news – this weekend, the Central Oklahoma Humane Society will be having the grand opening of their brand-new adoption center:

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 24, 2008) – The Central Oklahoma Humane Society (OK Humane) announces the grand opening of its new Adoption Center on Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 7500 North Western Avenue. The community is welcome to tour the new facilities as well as participate in OK Humane’s fall garage sale with proceeds benefiting the Adoption Center.

In addition to the huge garage sale, there will be a bake sale – and plenty of adorable, adoptable animals. If you happen to be on the North Side this weekend, stop by and check it out!