As many have borne witness during this most inauspicious financial death spiral, our practice of deregulation, corporate cronyism, and undue influence purchased under the auspices of political speech are actually a pragmatic and ideological nadir for the planet.

President Obama’s inaugural address is a study in contrast with Bush. “As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals,” extolled Obama yesterday. “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.”

Obama fiercely urged America to recall fundamental values, risk personal sacrifice, and regain a sense of who we are and who we have been. He instructed us, without pedantry, about the unnamed millions who slaved and died so we might persevere.

The world watched and, rather than put on notice by an unrepentant bully, were invited to help rebuild our world together. Obama wanted them to “know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.”

In Bush’s 2002 National Security Strategy, he actually suggested that every person, in every culture must adhere to our vision of (economic) freedom and endorsed preemptive war against any nation that even dared approach America’s military power.

If Obama offers friendship only to those who accept our conception of dignity, then he is as wrong as the Cheney-Bush reign of terror. If instead, he extends an olive branch to those who try to find their own vision of peace, prosperity, and dignity, then we are truly on the road to salvation.

What we had here in good, ol’ America was constitutional tyranny in the grand tradition of sovereign power run amok during crises. Lincoln, FDR, and yes, Hitler (to name only a few) declared states of emergency and effectively suspended their respective constitutions.

Cheney, Bush, and their cronies of genocidal violence will never be brought to justice for their various crimes against humanity. Surrounded by a cabal of insidious and insightful legal minds, their abomination of an administration effectively insulated itself by declaring a state of emergency immediately after 911.

Obama and Biden were sworn in yesterday to great fanfare and with an audacious spirit of hope. The political goodwill from both sides of the aisle is awe-inspiring. Bipartisan cooperation and compromise appear to be the watchwords of this new administration.

Unlike the previous excuse for a White House, theirs will not be an echo chamber. Vox populi again occupies a meaningful place in our democracy. Behind the pitiful beard of security, those previous occupants operated at will, without regard for civil polity.

Referring to their monstrous eight years as a postmodern Presidency does a grave disservice to postmodernism. Obama addressed a different America, one moving beyond race, ideology, and even politics. Obviously, I am not yet there with him.

“For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness,” observed Obama. “We cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself.”

Beware proclamations of unity and commonality, if unmitigated by tolerance of diversity, especially difference that defies easy assimilation to cherished American values. Those of us who unflinchingly support Obama and Biden should not allow our enthusiasm impede our critical capacities.

Hope must be tempered with restraint and even more intensive democratic scrutiny.

Yesterday was positively magnificent. The colossal sea of humanity surged in response to the activities on the dais, waving flags and chanting Obama’s name. Personally, I had tears in my eyes several times during the inauguration, particularly during Reverend Lowery’s benediction.

Watching the helicopter take off with ex-President Bush was reminiscent for me of the humiliating evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Saigon that ended of the Vietnam War. My heart soared as Bush’s helicopter lifted off and marked his equally humiliating retreat from Washington.

Yesterday hopefully inaugurated a new era of greatness for America where we will determine the worth of our old values and forge new paths in these changing realities. Out with the old administration, thankfully, and in with the new!

(Be well, Ted.)