Red, Blue. Personally, I've always been a fan of purple, and I think that the vibrant hue might be coming into style, which means we can pull the dress out of the closet that has been sitting, accumulating moth-holes for the past eight years. Unfortunately, purple also kind of depresses me lately, which you would understand if you watched the Ravens game. That was the last time that Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, and Bart Scott will play together, and the last time they will play for Rex Ryan. That was our last chance. We had to win. But Daren Stone, the officials, our fourth string CB, Ben Roethlisberger, and Troy Polamalu had different ideas. It didn't help that Limas Sweed had to take out his frustrations (that he can't catch) with a cheap hit to Corey Ivy. It didn't help that Hines Ward, although rendered immobile in the second quarter, had his usual stupid comments and flashed his usual stupid smile. It didn't help that Willis McGahee was the best player on the entire Ravens roster that night. It didn't help that he was absolutely crushed in a helmet to helmet hit that unnerved the entire team and confirmed the Steelers' victory. It didn't help that for once, we went to our passing game, but entrusted the responsibility to a rookie quarterback who made maybe 10 completions all season.
The penalties didn't help. The defense's numerous missed tackles really hurt. Sam Koch was as frozen as, well, ice, and we all know that touching ice burns. Most of all what really hurt was that this season, this experience, came to an end. The Baltimore Ravens defense as we know it came to an end. And it didn't go out in style. Despite the injured Terrell Suggs making huge tackles and even recording two key sacks, we were beaten. Badly. And when it counted most, we allowed Big Ben to make completions all over the field, whether they be to Hines Ward or No-names. What really hurts is not hearing the Sports Radio chatter when I drive home from school. Not seeing the purple flags whipping past me, as cars rush by. No more "let's go Ravens" spelled into the sign at McDonalds, no more Ravens Specials at restaurants. No more electricity, no more hope. And now we will have to wait long months until next football season. And who knows if we'll even be good next year.
are you aware you lost the AFC Championship yesterday, Joe?
Putting football aside, though, it's been a pretty darn good weekend. I mean Bruce once again proved himself to be a superior being, and put on a great show for the President. And also realized my blog is named after his song, so... But sure enough, there are some good signs for the country's future. First of all, Barack Obama was inaugurated yesterday. While I sat taking a Biology exam, my dad stood among a crowd of millions, waiting to catch a glimpse of our President. Luckily I got home in time to catch it on TV. First of all, as they wheeled Cheney out, I couldn't help but think that he looked remarkably like Scrooge. Or Potter, if you've ever seen It's A Wonderful Life. Chris Matthews also observed Cheney's appearance to be a metaphor for his performance as Vice President and for the public opinion of him.
Then came the girls. Gorgeous. Angelic. I wanted to be their best friends. Wait, I still do. 1) Malia does not look like a 10 year old. 2) Sasha looked like the most adorable coral and tangerine teddy bear in their custom JCrew peacoats. Audrey Hepburn is one thing, but these girls are a real style icon. I totally want to buy a matching one. Michelle looked sophisticated and assumed an elegance I can only hope to attempt some day. Joe and Jill, my favorite All-American couple. Oh, except for one. The President of the United States and his First Lady.
When Bush came out, the crowd booed him like noneother. They sang 'na na na na, na na na na, hey, hey, goodbye.' Personally, I took offense. I thought it was so disrespectful. His father was there. His wife. He was still our President. Who cares what he did or didn't do in office? At that point, he was still the face of our country. He is an American. 2) We reserve that song for Steelers' fans. But in all seriousness, I found that moment so disheartening, for how far have we really come, if we still boo Former President Bush? Luckily, they began to blare the music, in an attempt to drown out the disgraceful chants. Ted Kennedy popped out, looking cheerful as ever.
When it came time for President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama to drop the "Elect," I had trouble believing it. I didn't live during the civil rights movement, but I saw enough scarred, wrinkled, tear-soaked faces who did. I saw Elijah Cummings. I had trouble believing that George Bush simply wasn't President anymore. I had trouble believing that the man I made 300 phone calls for, organized canvassing trips for, put my whole faith into, would be the leader of the free world. He delivered a strong message to the nation, and the world, a sharp condemnation of the Bush years, and hope. He reminded us that we all need to do our jobs, and work hard, and love our neighbors.
He is a transformational figure, and while this is largely due to the color of his skin, who cares? If he inspires people to involve themselves in politics, or to vote for the first time, or to help a friend, or a stranger, who cares why he appeals to someone, why he inspires someone? In so many ways, things are already promising. Air strikes in the Gaza strip were ordered to conclude before yesterday. The world is listening. People show up to the United States Presidential Inauguration from Ethiopia, Kenya, France, Japan, Jamaica.
He wants to use words over weapons, he wants to use reason over irrational action. He wants to bring soldiers home, and make a commitment to these soldiers and their families. He voted for the GI bill. He realizes we are in the 21st Century, and need to fight wars as if we know this. Double alternative energy in the next three years, instead of pretending you've never heard of global warming. A real dedication to education. College tuition for community service. A President who understands the challenges of our nation because he has seen them first hand. He has been the boy who didn't want to learn, but then something peaked his interest, and made a name for himself. He knows what inspires kids, what makes them want to learn, how to improve their grades. He knows more than how a good family legacy can get you into Yale. He is shutting down Guantanamo Bay (literally, now.) Universal Healthcare. Finally. He is open to science and the world of wonders it can do. Tim Pawlenty, Republican Governor of Minnesota, spoke so kindly, so graciously of President Obama. He spoke of Obama's own transformation, his shift to more moderate positions, that appeal to more than the far left-wingers.
To all the haters, there is nothing false, or lame, about getting caught up in the jubilation, believing in the hope, thinking that "we can." People have said President Obama has made America cool again, and from my standpoint, if you think getting swept up in the magnitude and greatness of this is obnoxious, or stupid, or joke-worthy, if you mock this, all I can do is feel bad for you. I don't care if your comments are all in good fun, they are offensive to me and to my country.
During the Inauguration, Keith Olbermann commented that Obama looked tense before being introduced, and offered that he didn't "think anyone could possibly be calm in a situation like [this.]" I don't think Keith has met Joe Flacco. Joe Flacco, who everyone else in Baltimore has been completely enthralled by over the past four months, has never impressed me too much. And I really wish he would show some emotion. A smile, a frown. Even after he blew the game? He didn't even look upset. Really, that's all we get? I like people who wear their hearts on their sleeve. As professional as President Obama is, even he has, at times, channeled Vice President Biden and shown some feeling.
"As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honour them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all." With this statement, President Obama reminded me of why I so seriously consider joining the Armed Services. Furthermore, I believe so much in this man, I am aware of the physical and mental capabilities our maker has given me, and I would gladly serve this Commander in Chief. I would gladly serve a nation as great as the one we live in, where on a sub-freezing January day, just 35 years after the conclusion of the Civil Rights movement, 3 million people fill the National Mall, stretching across the lawn, waving flags, and elbowing (in a friendly way) to catch sight of our nation swearing in a black President. 
Rather, a president, who happens to be black. I doubt I would even know or care about the race factor if it weren't for the books, or the media.
I am not going to lie, I am pretty jealous of the youth volunteers who were invited to the Youth Ball. MTV did a disgraceful job covering it, but the Obamas showed up, and even danced, "old school." Since I was such a dedicated volunteer, I am wondering how exactly these kids were chosen. But I think Barack's message to them was even more important. He told them that America progresses and changes when young people inspire their older countrymen. He told them that they made his impossible dream a reality, they made his journey possible. And while I wasn't at that ball, I know he was speaking to me too. I want to do more. I didn't get one of those fist bumps or thumbs up from Sasha that I covet (yet), but nonetheless I am beginning to feel the power.
My family and I drove to the side of the railroad tracks on Saturday. We didn't go downtown, because we knew it would be too crowded. About 20 other people stood near us, behind a Church, in Hartford County. There were police, too. And there were comparable groups of people lining the tracks from Pennsylvania to Baltimore. Where we were, firemen stood on their trucks, trying to catch the first glimpse as the Amtrak came around the bend. Old women sat, perched with digital cameras in hand. Children. My friend saw a Steelers Fan and a Ravens Fan sharing a towel where she was. (Could this perhaps bode well for the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict?)
A charming old man, with icy blue eyes, kind eyes, and wind-burnt skin, approached us and asked if he could help my dad hold our huge American flag as the train went by. In the 20 minutes we waited, they shared their entire life stories. He was a lifelong Midshipman, in every sense. He had dedicated his youth to our country, and he told us of his ventures. Then the train came. It rushed by, blazing down the tracks. They were inside the special car, but nonetheless, we stood a few hundred feet off from the World's role model. And we knew they saw us, felt our support. At the end, I told the man I was looking at the Academy, and his face lit up. He gave me a card and told me he would love to help me out, whether it be learning about the Academy or beginning the Admissions process. Those are the kind of people that voted for Barack Hussein Obama. Those are the kind of Americans we live side by side with. (And Ted Kennedy has left the hospital.) God Bless this country.
[photos: NYTimes, Baltimore Sun]
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