Obama has brought about change

Throughout his campaign - Barack Obama promised us he had change we can believe in. Thousands of people believed him. I was skeptical. So I watched very carefully what Obama has done since Jan. 20. I listened to his words carefully. I waited for the reactions to his actions to be seen. Well, lo and behold, I am a skeptic no longer! I have seen that since he was inaugurated as the President of the great nation of the United States of America - Barack Obama has brought about change. It is change I can believe in.

Am I talking about the economy? No. Am I talking about his position on stem cell research? No. Am I talking about what he has done concerning the planting of a food garden in the Whitehouse lawn? No. I am talking about a change that can be taken as monumental in scope. It is a change that hasn't been covered by any of the media. It is a change that I came to realize after a comment by my wife (who often supplies ideas to me - sometimes intentionally).

What is this stupendous change? It is this: The Conservatives have changed their minds about something. Hip Hip, Hurray. Hip Hip, Hurray. Hip Hip, HurWHAT? "Wait a minute!" some of you are saying. "Wait just a Rush Limbaugh minute. Conservatives changed their minds about something? When did this happen and why didn't I get the memo?" Sorry if you didn't get the memo I sent about it. I'm a nice guy - so I'll explain what I mean. Follow me here.

Remember when George W. Bush was President (what some of you would call the "Good Ol' Days; others would call "The days of h-e-double toothpicks"). Remember when there would be an attack or denigration (perceived or real) on one of GW's policies or statements? What did the Conservatives say? "We should not attack or denigrate the President of the United States of America. That is unpatriotic. We must support the President in EVERY decision he makes. To do less is to undermine the office. We cannot allow this. It is the lousy liberals who are doing this evil thing." Yes, that is an actual quote one of my Conservative friends sent to me (and later stated almost word for word later on). Well, that was a strong statement. I was told, again by my friend, that many people held on to this view. I thought they would always hold on this view; and they did hold on to it. Until....... Until January 20, 2009.

January 20, 2009. Obama becomes President of the USA (some of you would call this "The day of freedom." while others would call it "The day the USA entered into a time of h-e-double toothpicks"). Since January 20, my Conservative friends have seemed to change their tune. Now, from the e-mails I receive and conversations I have with them, it seems to be patriotic to attack the President for everything from his economic policies to his religion to his wife's choice of the gown she wore at the Inaugural Ball. "WOW!" I thought. What a change. Under GW, it was unpatriotic to attack and denigrate the President. Under President Obama, it is "....unpatriotic if we do not stand up to his misguided policies and decisions." What a change of heart.

I am in near tears as I write this (sniffle, sniffle). Where are the Kleenex and Rose Colored glasses I occasionally wear? My conservative friends have changed their minds. I honestly did not think it was possible. Now, I see that it can happen. This gives me hope. If a Conservative can change their mind about one thing, they just might be able to change their mind on other issues. Oh rapture! Oh joy! If this can happen, I might even begin to see my Liberal friends be more open-hearted. Think how the world would be a better place if both changes really happened. I'm about to break out in a sappy, Lennonish or Manilowish song. Nah!

Mr. Keb