Inauguration

Happy Inauguration Day everyone! It's an exciting day to be an American, even if you're a traditional conservative (see Ron Paul) like me. Regardless on your thoughts on the election, you do have to marvel at the seamless transition of power on Inauguration Day. I know Europe wasn't very supportive of McCain during the campaign, but while in London I have talked to people from all around the world and they keep coming back to one thing: McCain's graciousness in defeat. Eastern Europeans are especially floored by how McCain has accepted defeat and resumed his service in the Senate. It may be old hat for us, but on days like today you have to reflect on what makes the United States a destination for the jilted, destitute masses all around the world. As we read about election tampering in Zimbabwe, Russia, and other nations around the world, we must remind ourselves that a lot of people don't have it as good as we do. No matter how bad things have gotten, just remember that people don't risk their lives to travel by raft to Cuba. 

That being said, check out this article from ESPN's Tom Farrey that urges Obama to get kids active again. While a lot of attention is already and will continue to be paid to Obama's stimulus package and his actions in directing our troops abroad, I think this cause has some merit. Children are less active today than ever before. Obesity levels have skyrocketed. I think Farrey makes a good point in that President Obama could make pick-up games cool again. While organized teams have thrived over the past two decades because of helicopter parents looking to schedule every minute of their child's day, overall participation in sports is down because kids don't take it upon themselves to meet at the sandlot, field, rink, court, pitch or playground to just play. 

Ferry writes, "The economic consequences of Americans' physical inactivity are huge, costing more than $76 billion a year in direct medical costs alone, according to one academic study." Nothing a few pick-up hoops games at the White House couldn't fix.