Fun with numbers

It was 62º at 12:50 pm in Culpeper, Virginia on January 20, 2013. Any way you look at it, that's a nice combination of numbers. Especially since it was 16º at my house three days later.

We the People...

While not as ground-breaking as the first, the second inauguration of President Obama was no less thrilling for so many reasons.

The first, of course, is the fact that we have gone through another transition/continuation of power sans tanks, mobs, and violence. This is so common for us that we all too often take it for granted. But, if you look around the world, you'll find that it is still a model for how a country should behave.

Next was the amazing progressive attitude prevalent in the entire ceremony. From the "Taxation Without Representation" DC license plates on the Presidential limo to the President's incredible speech, it is clear the second term will attempt to move our nation forward more than we've seen in at least a generation.

I was especially struck by the President's mention of "Seneca Falls, Selma, and Stonewall," touchstones to the freedom movements for women, African-Americans, and the LGBT community. While I know he supports those causes, it was heartening to hear him bring them up so boldly in his speech.

The President also mentioned that, throughout history, we have converted former enemies -- think Great Britain, Germany, and Japan -- into best friends. Now imagine you're hearing that in Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and all across northern Africa and the Middle East. Anyone who travels in those regions knows the citizens of those countries do not hate us or our freedoms, as neo-conservatives would have you believe. The governments of those countries (and, in much of the Middle East, their Islamic religious leaders) are opposed to the United States, but most of the people of the world still see America as a beacon and a leader.

In another nod to the world at large, President Obama pointed out that our security does not require us to exist in a state of perpetual war. After the last ten years, that would be a nice change.

If you missed the address, I urge you to watch it on YouTube or whitehouse.gov, or wherever you can find it. If anyone thought the progressive agenda would fade in light of the other challenges facing our country, you'll find progressive solutions are front and center in facing those challenges. For me, I find that both reassuring and energizing.

To Cape Spear...

For anyone who's ever wondered about the location of the photo to the right -- me at Cape Spear, Newfoundland -- here's a nice little video about the place:



It's truly a breathtaking spot, one of my favorites of all the places I've been. It may be a long way to go, but it's always close to my heart.

My kingdom for a knee...

Of those who believe in intelligent design, who hold that only a god could create such a brilliant creature as man and his surroundings, it might be asked, "But what about the knee?"

If that particular part of the human body were more durable and less susceptible to injury, the Washington Redskins would probably be planning a trip to Atlanta to face the Falcons this coming weekend. When quarterback Robert Griffin III went down with another injury to his already-gimpy right knee, the playoff hopes of my favorite football team took a nosedive.

One man can't really carry an entire team, but Griffin came close this year. He brought physical skills, of course, but he also began every offensive play by forcing the defense to cover a dizzying array of options. Griffin's ability to fake, combined with his skill at running and throwing the ball, meant the opposing team had to try to cover multiple possibilities of plays. That, plus an improving defense of their own and the stellar pay of rookie running back Alfred Morris, were the secrets to Redskin's success the second half of the season.

With Griffin's injury, that threat was gone and the Seattle Seahawks, a very good team in their own right, could use their dominating defense to secure a win last night. Hats off to them, they played well and deserved to win. But, as often happens in sports, we're left to wonder, "What if..."

I was sad the 'Skins lost, but happy and proud of the season they had. Championship football has returned to Washington after a long absence, and the future looks bright. Sweeping the Cowboys was a nice extra. I'm appreciative of the work the players and coaches have done and thrilled at the prospect of more success next season. Let's all hope RG III can rehab his knee in the off-season and return with the same kind of brilliance we saw this season.