Inaugurate This: Waiting for Barack Obama

The inauguration of a new President is drawing close and the excitement in our media is palpable. All the outlets are planning big coverage and newspapers are doing special sections, with full color pictures and endless memorabilia. In the midst of this midwinter depression/recession--whatever it is--many Americans want to celebrate the end of the Bush era and the coming of a President they believe they can believe in.

You would think that Barack Obama might tone down the festivities, given the hard times, but the millions on their way to Washington next week don't want to hear that.