Sitting in a conference room with members of the editorial and sales staff, I watch Aretha Franklin sing ‘Let Freedom Ring.’ The television I’m watching the inauguration on sports both UHF and VHF knobs, and will likely be a paperweight in a month. The wood paneling surrounding us probably contains asbestos, and is potentially older than our incoming President.
The decor is reminiscent of a better time in politics. A time before hard-core partisan rhetoric divided the country. A time when politicians worked to improve the country despite their affiliation, rather than pushing their party’s agenda first and foremost.
A time that I hope President Barack Obama can resurrect.