Better than Christmas, New Year's and a birthday, all in one!

I realize that, due to the time difference, it is not yet the 20th in the USA. But it is over here, so this is the day I have been waiting for ever since November 9, 2016 (with the time difference, it wasn't until the 9th here that we could know Trump had squeaked through the election with narrow wins in a few key states).

I couldn't have said all along that it was Joe Biden who would be inaugurated today, but I never believed it would be Trump. I expected his popularity to tank much quicker than it did, but it is enough that he has accomplished what no other president has managed: an entire term, with his approval rating never once topping 50%. (I read back in 1976 that that had also been the case for Jimmy Carter, but I was a pretty faithful Republican back then and I realize now my source for that information must have been rather partisan; historical records clearly show that was not the case.)

My hope was that a Democrat who is not particularly whacko would be inaugurated today, but I would have settled for any Democrat. Joe Biden actually suits me fairly well. Will he be a great president? Probably not. (He has already disappointed me by announcing that the caravan of migrants coming to the American border seeking asylum will not be admitted immediately.) But I have little doubt he will be at least average, which is so much better than what we have had for the last 4 years that it seems incredibly good.

So today is a day to celebrate. I promised myself 4 years ago that I would never salute the American flag or sing the American national anthem as long as Trump was president, but today I can once again say that I have hope for America. I'm not sure if all the damage Trump and, especially, Trump's supporters have done to the country can be repaired, but at least the process can begin.

President Biden: my wholehearted, sincere best wishes are with you. Do the best you can to really make America great again, instead of the laughingstock it has become for the last 4 years.

Have never said this until now but happy Inauguration Day!

Makes the old adage more relevant than ever. "you don't appreciate what you have until you are at risk of losing it"

I posted on my personal page 4 years ago that you could no longer consider yourself both a Republican and a good person with Donald Trump as POTUS. And I feel completely vindicated by that prediction.

Today however we still have the same problem - you can't deny the basic expression of our democracy and the rule of law in the US without any factual evidence whatsoever and call yourself a good person.

Of all the many travesties of the Trump administration, and they are legion and too fresh and harmful to recount here, perhaps the greatest is the simple understanding of how absolutely amoral so many of our countrymen are, and how it is so easy to turn simple, ignorant minds to evil.

IT'S NOON IN WASHINGTON, D.C.!!!

^ I just saluted that flag (scout salute; it's how I always salute flags). It's been four years since I did that.

Was about to post "What, no inauguration thread?" and then realised this counts, despite the title.

Biden's speech got a bit repetitive towards the end, but then there are some intended targets with short attention spans I guess. Started very strong though. The odd verbal stumble but novfefe near Trump's gratest hits.

The only thing that would make this day more perfect is if FBI agents swarmed Mar-a-Lago later this afternoon.

(There's still time!)

Amanda Gorman was phenomonal.

Joe's speech was strong and hit the right notes.

Don John has been flushed. Looking forward to see the Biden team get to work.

17 executive orders today - including rejoining WHO and putting Dr Fauci there as our lead liason.

And due to the threat of Joe Biden winning the election would cause a Taco truck on every block, we are having a Taco extravaganza spread at the Demi house this evening. Don't threaten me with a good time!

I was incredibly impressed with Amanda Gorman. Excellent speaker. I see a bright future for her.

Shame her descendent will only be remembered for suicide bombing himself and a Latina soldier in a futile rear-guard maneuver.

Fuck Garth Brooks.

Group chat on my phone messenger app with a group of friends. I mentioned that I thought it was weird that Brooks made a point to shake hands with Harris's husband, then totally nearly walked away without acknowledging her. Others in the group chat chalked it up to an intention to social distance, then when everyone else didn't, became more comfortable shaking hands and giving hugs. So, he gets a pass. Still ..., thought it was weird.

You know, that was my first reaction as well, then I thought, 'Dude, pandemic.'

Let's hope we get this shit under control finally and can go back to the serious job of hugging presidents!

I had a moment when after taking the oath, Biden popped his head over the bulletproof glass to point out to someone in the crowd.

"Dude!!! Keep the fuck DOWN!"

But then that wouldn't be very Presidential.

Yeah, he fathered Bro Country so I have no use for him.

Call me a weirdo, but I still like Friends in Low Places. ... or was that Hank Jr?

Is it . . . is it . . . really over?

The bad man can't President at us anymore?

You know, I'm in such a good mood today, I'll just leave that one hanging over the plate.

Woke up this morning like:

Someone said those mittens were made by one of his constituents using repurposed wool sweater and lined with fleece from recycled bottles.

Congrats to Kamala for becoming the first <check all the boxes> VP in American history..

Serious question though. Why haven't we elected a woman to the position of POTUS .. 59 countries have already elected one as their exec. https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2016/06/politics/women-world-leaders/

59 countries! think about that. It wouldn't even be that ground breaking if it happens here in the next decade.

Obama got it in 2008 and trump in 2016.

Hillary may have been more than qualified, but her PR team did nothing to make her more appealing to voters. She was carrying a lot of baggage

Most of the baggage was bullshit lies hung on her by the GOP establishment. Their absolutely appallling shitshow predates Trump considerably.

Though, there is this: