American Politics Turns Into Lollapalooza

Look, forgive me for being cynical on this wonderful historic occasion. But I can't help it. It's too easy and too necessary. I mean - anything that causes Austin Kutcher to pledge to end "21st Century Slavery" with a straight face must be the subject of ridicule. Must.

But what is this all about, really? What has changed today? America is the same place it was yesterday with a different symbol atop our political apparatus. Does this outpouring of self congratulation wash away our past (and future) sins? Of course not. And I don't suppose anyone is saying it does. But there is a certain amount of skepticism I feel at this moment...because this love and celebration of America feels very much contingent upon a cultural icon being our elected President. A sort of, "I love you so long as you're so popular..." which really isn't love at all, but infatuation. It is not just the musical line up at the inauguration, but the gushing, electric, nature of the crowd there for the event. Sold out hotel rooms, grand parties, adoring fans...you thought we'd actually done something.

We voted a man into office. The same way we did in 2000 and 2004 (and many times before). Back then, the crazed crowds were crying election fraud and the same who swoon today were promising to run off to Canada. What changed? Their guy won. They got their candy. And now they give their love.

Let us not forget, Obama hasn't accomplished much of anything as leader or political thinker. He is smart, wonderfully articulate, and seems very trustworthy. I supported him. I voted for him in the primary and in the general. But his great accomplishment thus far is to be elected...

...and why this gets compared to Lincoln, I don't know. Lincoln merely saved the nation, the constitution, and the idea of America by fighting a bloody four year war against our own citizens. Obama, in contrast, gave a great speech in 2004, was a top student, a one term senator, and happens to be black.

But such is the nature of the 21st Century, I suppose. The Israel-Hamas war yielded 13 dead Israelis. 13. This sounds about as dangerous to Israel as a day on the Los Angeles freeway. But this is a war that the whole world talks about and condemns or views as an existential struggle. Obama's speech contains words directed at Bin Laden - a man with a few thousand followers at most - on the run, hidden away in Pakistan's caves - gets the attention of the President of the World. The 21st Century is about image. The images of the trade center are perhaps more powerful than the event. And the image of Obama is huge. I understand it. The one liner is perfect - a black man becomes President of a country with a tragic racial past. It's the only thing that explains it. Unless I'm missing something.