I've got lots and lots and lots of words about today's inauguration. It was obviously a very moving, very powerful thing for many of us. But tonight, instead of words (those will come later... in great supply, I'm sure)... I will leave you with two of the most beautiful images I've seen in quite some time. (photos of purdypiedad notwithstanding!)

This first one has got to be my most favorite image from today's festivities...



Our looooooooooooooong national nightmare is finally and thankfully OVER!!!! Good riddance to bad rubbish...

And of course, my second most favorite image from today is this...



And so begins a new era... an era of unity and hope... a renewed commitment to our country and to our Constitution.

It was a beautiful ceremony, a powerful speech and one hell of a way to kick off a brand new day in this country. Change has finally come to Washington. Congratulations President Obama... And congratulations to all of us for surviving the Bush years and taking our country back. YES WE DID!

And just in case anybody is interested in the view from around the world, I offer up tomorrow's international front pages below the cut...

( The View From Around the World... )

It's the dawn of a beautiful new day, boys and girls. Things will most definitely be rough for a while... it's going to take some time to clean up the mess left by the Bush administration... but our better days are most definitely ahead of us.