The Ridiculous Regurgitation of Ritual - B-o-o-o-r-i-n-g

For as long as I can remember, I've found ritual tedious. I don't really know why, but where others yearn for such by-the-numbers repetitious routine, some even selecting their churches for such pomp and circumstances, I find it mundane and boring.

Rather, I admire originality and creativity. I relish the thought process that goes into creating something appropriate to the blatant message of the day as well as the more subtle and perhaps more important nuances of that message. Ritual is a rote action, a dictated response, a scripted scenario. How lazy and dull.

For me, ritual sits right there in that next cobwebbed cubbyhole by tradition. I don't actually disdain tradition automatically, but there are too many traditions that were established hundreds of years ago and have not been visited since to test their relevancy, even as historical precedent. We drag those traditions (and rituals) along behind us like the old cartoon characters drag about a ball and chain...as dead weight with no redeeming grace or value. Put me in the middle of some traditional and ritualistic too lengthy time slot and I get antsy real quick. I don't always want to know exactly what or who comes next. I generally like surprises.

Thus, although today's inauguration was fascinating and filled with hope and optimism, particularly when compared to the history of blatant racism in our country, it was still primarily a series of rituals played out with non-traditional stars. One of the high points today was when the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court screwed up the ritual 35 word oath of office to our new President. Such a bobbling of responsibility was shocking, then embarrassing because I didn't want the new Prez to make such an error, and then suspicious since the Justice is an ultra conservative one when placed against the new but liberal Commander in Chief, who ultimately kept his cool and his sense of humor and got it all back on a steady track. Then it became funny, because sometimes the cosmos just comes down and thumps you on the nose and says 'pay attention.'

One interesting break in the traditional ritual was having the new actually escort the old to their transportation at the point of departure. The tone over the last few weeks has remained positive although there were few kind thoughts among the populace about the lame duck still swimming around in the public trough. I must admit that the generosity of spirit portrayed by our new President and Vice President and the wives of both wasn't sufficient to override my cynicism and glee at seeing the Bush and Cheney departures. I certainly have too much class and confidence to have told any of them my true thoughts, but I could hardly wait to see them gone and good riddance.

The ritualistic lunch with the Congress in the Capitol might well have been indigestion inducing, even though it was supposed to be a festive and friendly day. Traditional rituals were certainly upheld as everyone wandered around glad handing each other and smiling broadly, the civility just a touch questionable because of the practiced yet empty ease of such civility as a tradition of Senate. Heaven forbid anyone emulate Cheney's demeanor while residing there in his traditional position to break deadlocks and tell everyone to fuck off. Rather, smile at their face, give them a hug or a pat on the shoulder and try to slide the knife secretly between their ribs tomorrow. Sadly, Senator Kennedy's collapse during the luncheon event was a break in tradition as was the necessity to have EMT's check on 92 year old Senator Byrd's health.

Tonight, of course, there will be too many balls and parties to count. Let's hope dancing the night away will have no reason to be compared to Nero fiddling while Rome burns, even if our market did drop an additional 300 points during today's festivities. We always opine about how being President immediately ages the incumbent, and certainly stamina is required for a job that for most would truly be a 24/7 responsibility, but one also can't help wonder if the tone for over doing isn't set during the inauguration itself, particularly during the evening of that day, no matter how historic the event.

There is a definite difference in the country with this change. Hope is obvious, as is a level of curiosity and concern and an apparent willingness to allow some leeway to the incumbent providing he gets right to work solving our problems. That, of course, all refers to the people. If it refers to the folks inside the Beltway remains to be seen. If it refers to the opposition party certainly remains to be seen. Hints will be obvious in how many of the new appointees will receive quick confirmation.

Of course, the traditional rituals after today will also remain. Those political panhandling rituals everyone tries to deny should probably go into force after tomorrow mornings first Alka Seltzer for over indulgence. It will be obvious after too long, as will the media's view of their own ritualistic regurgitations and spew. At least it should be interesting.

My hopes are higher than they've been for 8 years. I'll even abide some traditions and rituals without complaint or fidgets if what is certain to be an intensely difficult job looks like it's getting done. If it gets done well and quickly, I'll even lead the traditional parade.