“ In those countries where wise people are in power, their subjects do not notice the existence of their rulers.” — Lao – Tzu

I hope we are about to witness this when Obama takes office. We have all noticed the existence of our out-going leader.

My one objection to President-elect Obama is the length of time it takes him to answer a question. He seems to go on forever. However, his conclusion makes sense. The other night I watched a dated presentation by Barack Obama after he was elected to the senate four years ago in the Chicago area. It wasn’t much different than what he has been saying in this election, his election for president.

When he finished his talk he took questions from the audience before doing a book signing. About eight or 10 people got in line to ask questions. Before the first question was asked Obama reminded the folks that there was limited time so some of those in line may not get their questions asked. This made me wonder how he wouldn’t be able to get through the questions before the book signing began.

Then came the first question. I’m guessing it took about five minutes for the answer that followed and this was the same for the next few questioners’ questions before the question and answer portion ended. His letting them know they would not all get their questions answered helped those who would not get to have their questions asked and answered. He cushioned the outcome.

His answers took much more time than anyone had anticipated, and Obama maintained this example in his debates with Hillary Clinton and then his debates with McCain. In both settings, he often dropped off a joyful touch of humor.

Watching the results of the national election at the labor center, it was rewarding and warm to see George Thomas with tears rolling down his cheeks hugging Ruben Perez. There was something very special about this election and then seeing Jesse Jackson again and again in Grant Park with tears falling from his face in the park with all those others — a joyful occasion long in coming.

Now we must face the secret litter deposits that we have scattered about in the Mideast and our last administration’s efforts with “the axis of evil.” Hearing those words addressed by our out-going President in a state-of-the-union speech bothered me to no end. Then during this President’s rein we had “pre-emptive strikes” and now we read that the U.S. military, operating under a secret order signed by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in 2004, has conducted secret raids against Al-Qaida in Syria, Pakistan and elsewhere. This had to have the blessings of President Bush.

Of course some will argue this was necessary, just as the war in Vietnam was necessary and the Iraq war. Neither of them were really wars, yet they certainly produced a tremendous number of deaths on both sides including my friend Jim Hinkle’s in Viet Nam, dying from going over a command detonated 155 artillery round.

The poet Sylvia Plath said, “Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise.” I see this as a description of Barack Obama.

According to the Monday’s Tribune Obama once declared, “When George Bush steps down, the world is going to breathe a sign of relief.”

It’s difficult to know with any certainty what the future will hold. These are hard times. My old friend Cowboy Billy Dugger used to often comment back in the early seventies: “Hard times in America” and maybe they were, but there were good times too. I’m not so sure about these times.

The squirrels are still climbing up and down the oak trees, chasing each other only now the oaks are mostly bare so it’s a little more difficult for the squirrels to play tag or hide and seek.

With the schools in session again, students are back in school and none of them are wanting to be “left behind.”

Of course it brings me back to my days at San Bernardino State College where carved in granite beneath the flagpole read: “Education never ceases,” and I wanted to chisel beneath that: “It’s only interrupted by school.”

It is my understanding that students are becoming more skillful at text messaging.

As for me I am one those you will not see driving and using my cell phone. I don’t have one, and I am grateful.