Hopeful in America

The speech today by President Obama touched all the right bases and provided a clear break from the past. He did what he had to do. And, he was gracious towards President Bush, going so far as to exchange a hug. The Rainmaker rating is 10 on a scale of 10.

Although the markets did close substantially lower; indicating continued skepticism of the new administration in the financial community. The rest of America and the world seems inclined to give the new President a chance.

President Obama enters the new term burdened by unreasonably high expectations and approval ratings. Although he has obviously attempted to lower expectations and urge caution, the majority of people seem to expect miracles. Miracles are unlikely and President Obama will no doubt suffer as time passes.

Nevertheless, the President clearly demonstrated today that he can talk the talk. Hopefully he will now show us he can also walk the walk.

For all or our sakes, let us wish the President success.

Janus

Janus is the God of beginnings and endings after whom January is named. As January approaches and the old year winds down it seems appropriate to ponder our own endings and beginnings.

The end is thankfully near for the Bush Administration while, ever hopeful, the world awaits the begining of the Obama era. Seldom has there been such optimism surrounding an individual as that which surrounds Obama. This despite the early indications that rather than delivering change he is opting for continuity.

The end is at hand for 2008, yet the damage done to the markets over the past several decades appears likely to continue to arrive for the forseeable future. A recent prediction in the Wall Street Journal based on a mathmetical analysis of 27 million mortgages asserts that the 60 day deliquency rate for mortgages will almost double before the end of 2009, which has yet to begin.

The end appears to be beginning to arrive for the misadventure in Iraq, while the next surge is being launched into Afghanistan. The end of the war began on 9/11/01 appears illusive. Already this is the longest war in the history of America.

Each of us has our own endings and beginnings to ponder as 2008 withers and 2009 approaches. May your endings be happy ones and may your beginings bring you succdess as well as pleasure!

The Wisdom of the Prophet

The scribe Gerard Baker, US Editor and Assistant Editor of The Times of London, wrote the report you can find at the link below and verily I say unto you this is the most entertaining political satire that I have read this millennium. The scribe's missive is titled:

"He ventured forth to bring light to the world!

In which missive the scribe describes how, "The anointed one' pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a miracle in action-and a blessing to all his faithful followers!"

I invite you to click on the following link and enjoy the read:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article4392846.ece

You might actually find political enlightenment as you ponder the scribe's words.