You’d have to live on Mars not to know that today is the day that President Obama assumed the office of President of the United States. As I have mentioned before, though I am not a fan of his politics and though I didn’t not vote for him, Barack Obama is my president.

I have watched with perplexed disbelief over the past eight years as people exhibited what has come to be known as Bush Derangement Syndrome. For these people, President Bush could do nothing right. For whatever reason, the hatred for the individual clouded their reason to the point that they have developed an unreasonable hatred and vitriol for George W. Bush. But let’s deal with reality. No human, and I mean no one, is perfect. We are the product of our experience, education, and various other things. We all, myself included, make good decisions and bad decisions. It was true of President Bush. He did many things well. He did many other things things wrong, in my opinion. But, he remained our president. And he remained a man determined to keep America safe, and to restore honor to the office of the presidency (which I think we can all agree was sorely needed when he took office). He was faced with what may be seen by the backward gaze of history as the most challenging time of governing this nation ever. I, for one, think he rose to that challenge. And it is simply shameful for people to hate such a person and be so angry with him (yeah, I’m talking to those of you who made the scene at the inaugural when President Bush arrived on the dais).

And that leads me to this main point: I don’t know that anyone can ever really be ready for the presidency. There are things that may prepare one for portions of the job, but it is very likely the most difficult and weighty job in the history of the world. I have my doubts about President Obama’s readiness for the office, but my concerns are of no import. He is the president, I am hopeful that he will rise to the occasion and grow into the office. He quite literally has had greatness thrust upon him.

Let’s be honest here, and I am speaking to those who share my political philosophy, we bear the responsibility for President Obama’s election. Our primary was a mess, and the result of it was a shambles. And not only that, as much as I adore Sarah Palin (yes, I still do), her future prominence in our party may have been forfeited because of her association with Senator McCain and his campaign handlers. Even deeper at the root of where we are today, we are now suffering the consequences of not governing like we should have when we were given the opportunity. We wasted our majority, and it has passed from us. (Let this be a lesson to you, Oklahoma Legislature.)

I must—and do—wish President Obama well. I pray health, peace, and safety for him and his family. I even wish that his stated goals could come to pass (though I don’t believe it is possible). However, I will not ever allow myself to wish our nation and its people ill because it will be good for my political party. I want the terrorist threat gone. I want the economy to recover. And if it does on President Obama’s watch, so be it. I will not delay those things one second for the sake of denying the credit to President Obama.

He was not my choice, but he is my president, and I will revere and respect him thus. I will continue to disagree with much of his agenda, but I will always endeavor to address my criticism to issues and not persons, and I will also to be a person of gentleness and respect.

But on this Januray 20, 2009, I join my nation in celebration of the fact that it was so expertly crafted by our Founders that in the period of just a few hours, without bloodshed, fighting, or death, the reins of our government are peacefully handed from one executive to another.

God save the United States of America!