Underwhelming...

What is the first word to go through my mind listening to President (YEEEE) Obama's speech today?

No grandiose guarantees assuring the place of the United States in the world; Simply knowledge of the extant capabilities, enduring philosophies latent in our constitutional system of government, and a world seeking a new direction amidst a haze of overwhelming fear.

Maybe America needed to be underwhelmed.

Maybe we need the truth placed before us, waiting for this nation to rise to the call of duty.

Time to step up.

Edit:

I have had some more time to both listen to and read the speech President Obama (it feels good) gave this morning. I have some other thoughts.

First, what seemed a palid speech forewarning of a dark future was hardly that; it was an admission of fault. I have to give President Obama credit for standing before the nation and speaking to them as adults. Here is the quote that brought me to this conclusion: "Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents."

No coddling. Little rhetoric, except that to paint a picture. Nothing to placate the masses. Simply this: "So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans."

The sentence belongs in the Holy Bible for the power it evokes.

This generation must carry forth the new age of republicanism in America. This generation has been given a society faltering. This generation must not only find the solution, but display it in its actions, in its intent, and in the standard we create from here on out.

I will indulge rhtoric for a moment and convey this quote, simply because of its beauty: " What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end."

This promise has too long passed the lips of politicians with no action garnered to further their rhetorical guarantees. If the President does nothing to make this true, his platform has failed those responsible for its election. If he attempts and fails, history will give him credit for being the President who dared to fulfill his promise, despite having gone "down in the blaze of glory."

If President Obama can lead us to the political promised land beyond partisanship and faulty ideas championed out of spite (and I am skeptical), American may fulfill the promise he spoke about today.