Not Just Another Day in Washington, D.C.

January 20, 2009. A truly historic day in many respects and for many reasons. While most marvel and celebrate what is called an historic occasion, which I do not deny, I would choose to marvel and celebrate something else.

The inauguration of this nation's first black president is truly historic and certainly it was not something I ever expected to see in my lifetime. It is a great moment for our country, but there is something far greater happening today.

I refer to the peaceful and orderly transition of power. After 8 years in office, President Bush will hand over the duties and office of the President of the United States at 12 noon today to his successor, Barack H. Obama. At 12:01 p.m., we will have a new president and the former president will become just that -- another former president.

It is a remarkable event full of pomp and ceremony. Yet, it is remarkable even more so when one considers that in many other countries this would never happen. In some countries, the transition of governments is accomplished via gunfire and bloodshed. The concept of democracy is a sham and government leaders serve as long as they can maintain their stranglehold on power.

Not so in America, despite what a few paranoid people would have us believe. There've been no last-minute presidential orders declaring a state of emergency so that President Bush can remain in power indefinitely. A new Congress was sworn in and nearly all the elected or appointed Senators are serving.

The Bush family has already moved all their personal possessions out of the White House. All that remains are some suitcases of their clothes. President and Mrs. Bush are ready to resume a semi-private life in a suburb of Dallas, TX this afternoon. The Obama family will begin settling in at the White House this evening.

This is a remarkable historic day for us. For the 44th time in our history, we change administrations. Not with bullets and cannons, but with the ballot box.

That's the way democracy works and it is a dream that many countries would love to emulate.