I-Day Plus One

The last 24 hours, as it has every four years for a very, very long time, brought change to our Great Nation.  This change becomes more poignant, when there is a change in the occupant of the Oval Office.  

I for one, am not a political aficionado.  I do not claim to know it all.  I don’t even claim to know what is best for all.  I don’t like heated discussions where friendships or family ties will be forgotten or shoved to the side.  You can probably tell that I am not an extremist, one way, or the other.  The whole run for the White House campaign period wears on me quickly but I guess it is a necessary evil.  

Having been in leadership roles, I certainly understand that you will never please everyone, all the time.  For one, it is not possible.  Secondly, if you do please everyone, then you are likely not doing your job in the best interest of your employer or customer.  In the long run, that will catch up to you as well.  
I could watch some of the Inauguration Day events for President Trump yesterday as I had access to a TV during the day.  I like to observe grandiose events such as this, which put our nation on display.  Whether it be a Fourth of July Celebration, Memorial Day remembrance or a Presidential Inauguration, I would tune in for the glimpse of the pageantry and content of the event.  Especially when they talk of the past and compare it to the present.  
That’s just me.  

Later in the broadcast, they went to a live feed of a protest going on blocks from the parade route.  The sound of the flash bangs caught my attention and then I watched, with concern, that it was a terrorist attack.  My heart started to sink at the thought of it being an attack.  Thankfully, it wasn’t a terrorist attack but it remained a disturbing occurrence in my opinion.  It wasn’t disturbing because the protest was directed at President Trump, but that it resulted in such conflict.  A conflict requiring the use of tear gas, flash bangs, protestors throwing rocks and bricks from what was described.  Then the destruction of property along the street and later in the day, the scene of a limo burning.  How does any of this help any cause???  

People, who know me, know I love the music of the 60’s, maybe I wouldn’t have fit in with the ‘Power to the People’ crowd.  I would have likely been more like Forrest Gump.  I am just glad I found my Jenny.  I digress.  

I felt bad for those folks who wanted to attend the parade or a related event, only to find their way blocked by protesters in linked arms.  Even men in uniform were blocked from access.  

Ever since the election, I have seen many statements of ‘Not my President’ or some variation of that statement.  It has been posted, tweeted, hash tagged, bumper stickered and t-shirted.  I think I even saw it on a hat.
I also saw a sign that said, ‘America was never great.’  Good thing I don’t believe that because honestly, it made me sad. 

Quite frankly, I am so thankful that I live in a nation which provides the freedom of speech in such a manner.  The freedom to gather for a cause, to share your opinion.  Embrace your freedom.  But also, I feel, one should honor the freedom of others.  

I get concerned or bothered when the protestors choose to enact violence towards others or push the limits that results in a consequence.   Feel free to state your opinion but don’t force feed it to others.  It bothers me when protests turn to damage of property which belongs to hard working people who have no impact on your cause one way or another.  Please have some respect.  
I am aware enough to know that whomever gets in the White House, will lead to protests.  I am sure it occurred 8 years ago, just as it did yesterday.  Most likely at every change in Presidency, whether a shift in party or not.  Just as I saw disturbing sights yesterday, I saw them 8 years ago, as well.  Bottom line, I don’t like anger and hate.  

It makes me wonder if some of the people protesting yesterday also protested President Obama as well.  Some folks aren’t happy unless they are involved in something radical.  I would bet money on it.  Kind of like the line of Alfred Pennyworth in “The Dark Knight’ when describing the Joker.  “Some people just want to watch the world burn.” 

Someone please tell me how blocking the way for someone to attend a parade helps your cause?  I saw one video where an Air Force officer in uniform politely acknowledged the protestors who blocked the checkpoint to the parade.  The officer turned to the left to go around, only to be met by another protestor in his face.  The next protestor appeared to tell the officer that he would have to choose another path to enter.  The officer politely acknowledged that person then continued another way.  Why was this Air Force Officer and the enlisted man with him denied the opportunity to access the check point?  What purpose did it serve?  It appears to me they displayed the ability to organize, lock arms together in order to be rude and deny others the opportunity to attend a parade.  What did it accomplish??  Respect others freedom to live.  

I once started to have that feeling of ‘Not My President.’  But then I took a step back and took stock.  At the time, I was an NCO in the Ohio Army National Guard.  The person elected was now the Commander in Chief. 
When I enlisted, the following oath was administered:  

"I, Joseph A Koesters, do solemnly swear, (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

An oath, whose wording is largely intact since 1789, modified in May, 1960 and again in October, 1962 to the current version which I took in December of 1986. 

So regardless of how I personally felt, The President of the United States was in fact The Commander in Chief.  

As citizens, we are able to cast our vote.  I cast my vote on a very consistent basis.  That is what I own and what I possess actual control over.  I am not quite sure that you can ever possess a President of a large nation and world power.  Even if you voted for them, are they ever really ‘Your President?’ I don’t believe so.  They are The President.  

Even if you voted for them, I am pretty sure that they won’t always make you happy.  So if they don’t make you happy, do you disown them if you ever declared they were ‘My President?’  I am sure it happens.  

Essentially, I came to realize that once the vote was cast; the oath was administered; the weight of being The President of the United States of America was now upon their shoulders.  This person was now The President of the United States.  Whether their last name was Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush or Obama, they were in fact, The President of the United States of America.  

Anyone having the courage and willingness to take on the responsibility, in and of itself deserves an enormous amount of respect and commendation in my opinion.  It is certainly not a comfy chair day in and day out.  You can see that by how the men who hold the office age and change while in office.  

I had that thought yesterday as Donald Trump took the oath of office to become The President of the United States.  My hat is off to anyone who can take on the responsibility of the office.  I may tweet President Obama to acknowledge his terms in office and thank him for his service to our nation.  When I got the internet way back when, visited The White House online and saw a link to send a note to The President.  So I sent a message to President Clinton.  I recall telling him, ‘even though I didn’t vote for you, thank you for taking on the responsibility.’  I may still have the return letter in a file somewhere.  

So when I see the messages of ‘not my President’, it just makes me wonder if they went and bought their own president at Target or something. 

Regardless, while The President is in office, I will choose to support the office whether the candidate I cast ‘my vote’ for occupies the office or not.  I maintained that for the last 8 years.  I will maintain it for the next four years and then see where it goes from there.  If someone chooses to argue that I am only saying this because the candidate for whom I cast my vote is in office, go ahead.  What I have said is true.  As with any leader, I am sure I will agree with some things they say and do while disagree with others.  

I also know that every day I will give thanks for this great nation and I will pray for The President of the United States and the leaders of our nation to guide us effectively.  Regardless of the year, regardless of party, regardless of the last name, I will continue to be an American and support The President of the United States.  

I celebrated Inauguration Day +1 in an appropriate fashion.  I checked Facebook. 

I saw many message of support for The President; I saw messages against The President; I saw ‘#NotMyPresident’ posted several times.  I saw supporters of the The President swapping posts with those who are not in favor.  

I saw that Scott, my college roommate was lamenting a tough 9 months.  Earlier this year, he lost his sister after her battle with cancer.  Something I wish no other families would have to experience.

Recently, Scott and his family also mourned the loss of Sam, their family dog.  Scott referred to Sam as his best buddy.  

I posted a message to Scott, offering my condolences, support and wishes for a brighter future. I chose to ignore all those other posts. 

I would rather offer words of support and wishes for a brighter future to a friend in need.  Try in some way to make the world a better place in a positive manner.  Hope that my action reduces the strife and rage that seems to be so acceptable across many mediums.  

Try to live my life and lead my family in the best manner possible.  Create and environment based on Faith, Hope and Love.  

From the way I read some of the posts or messages, whether related to this recent election or one of the past, the status of the author’s existence is solely based on who is in The White House.   

In all actuality it is up to you.  Instead of being angered or filled with strife, take a moment to just be nice to someone.  Maybe someone you disagree in regard to this most recent election.  Or just do your best, to live your life to the best of your ability.  Find one thing to do better today than you did yesterday.  If we all do that, it all adds up.  

It may just brighten your day.  

Try it, you may like it.  

(Also, find your Jenny, it is one of the best things to happen in my life.  :-)