By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Barack Obama was poised to make history on Tuesday as the first black U.S. president, riding a wave of public optimism he will need to tap to deal with the worst economic crisis in 70 years and two wars.
As dawn broke, thousands of people, bundled up against the cold, made their way through the city's darkened streets toward the national Mall, where they will watch Obama take the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol at noon.
Some estimates put the number of people expected to pack the Mall and inaugural parade route at more than 2 million after they clogged the city's metro rail system and thronged the security check-points in a mood of excitement.
Yes, I am happy and proud of my country that Barak Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th US president and the first black American to hold the office. It is truly a historic event, and one that the USPS will probably use as a holiday in the future.
But what I am celebrating today even more than Obama's inauguration is the end of the Bush administration. At noon today the gaggle of fucktards that have run this country for the last 8 years will formally give up their positions of power (I hope). And that is a cause to celebrate. It is certainly hard to know how Obama will fair as president, and I can understand to some degree the anxiety many hard core conservatives must have. He will probably make some good decisions as well as some serious errors. It will certainly be a daunting challenge for him to live up to the image and expectations that have been crafted. But at the very, very least we will finally have an administration that does not show contempt and disdain for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the American people and one that actually applies reason, logic, and inquiry to governance rather than strict ideology. Hurray for thinking! Hurray for science! Hurray to the end of the Bush administration!
Now, let's get on with the indictments! Cheney, you first.
