Man has always been a tribal and territorial creature, as evidenced by our long history of allegiance to clans, empires, religious sects, countries, cultures, political parties and sports teams. Unfortunately, this trait has ignited war, famine, discrimination, revolution and intolerance throughout the years.
Today, with the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first minority President of the U.S. and a man who seems committed to communication rather than confrontation, there is reason to hope that humans may begin to choose a different course. Having just survived eight years of ignorance, militarism and cowboy diplomacy, we have elected someone who, hopefully, will allow America to lead by example, not by intervention.
Whether Obama's leadership will be enough to overcome the self-righteous zealotry of many religious, political and nationalist groups remains uncertain. But, as they say, it's darkest just before the dawn.... and it can't get much darker.
