Inaugural Preview Review

We're a jaded nation, accustomed to a president that not only shies from the press, but the nation as a whole. Whether it was Bush himself that understood he was too simple to speak without a script, or his staff keeping W's dunce cap out of public view, times have surely changed.How staggering that our new president was not only accessible along his rail-ride to Washington, but addressed the nation today—it's like a bride appearing an hour before the wedding—and I'll be damned, he said the "gay" word out loud again.

Clipped quote: "Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead, I stand here as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will prevail. What gives me the greatest hope is you: Democrats, Republicans, Independents; Latino, Asian and Native American; black and white; gay and straight; disabled and not. As I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day when I walk into that Oval Office." Damn!

And what a payoff his presence must have been for the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd—considering there was no escape from Beyonce, who made "Oh, Beautiful" sound like an earthquake with her fluttering vibrato. More so, oddly, it felt like McCain won the election, given performances from peepaws Stevie Wonder, James Taylor and, uh Irishman Bono (???).But the most humilating moment, for sure, came right after Obama's speech, when Bruce Springsteen introduced great grandpeewpaw Peter Seeger, wearing a hat that someone at the nursing home lent him to keep his head warm, who led a head-hanging chorus of "This Land Is Your Land." I imagine the first daughters thinking, "This must be part of Daddy's disabilities act." The ultimate meemaw is scheduled Tuesday: I can't wait to see how many minks perished to wrap themselves around Aretha Franklin. For once, I'm siding with PETA.

All snarks aside, what a great day for America. Is it any wonder we're all so sarcastic after the past eight years? Without humor, we'd all have lined up along the Brooklyn Bridge without looking down as we jumped.