Watching the Inaugural parade on C-SPAN, I am struck by the sounds of bands, bagpipers, drums and other musical acts all blending together. It’s very Ivesian, and that is absolutely appropriate for this day.

Once every four years, we show the world – and ourselves – that no matter what happens in the lead up to the election, when one term ends and another begins, we do it peacefully. Though it has happened because of death, that is statistically rare. Instead, the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot box and the Electoral College, is carried out.

I know that this language makes some people uncomfortable (especially coming from me, an unashamed liberal/progressive), but we live in the greatest country on the planet because of this.

WF