Accessibility at the Inauguration

For the last several days, I have been angered by the news from Washington that the Inauguration of our 44th President will be minimally handicap accessible. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has essentially said, "If you have a disability, please do not attempt to attend the inauguration."

This morning, while watching the ceremony, I noted that Dick Cheney was in a wheelchair. He had strained a muscle in his back and was using it temporarily to avoid the pain associated with standing. He was pushed down the entryway after George W. Bush, and then disappeared down a side aisle, as he could not descend the stairs.

I wonder: if the Inaugural committee had known that Cheney would be in a wheelchair, would they have made the ceremony more accessible?

By electing President Barack Obama, we have moved past our racial prejudices and come to see people, not as black or white, but as people. How long until we can move past our prejudices against individuals with disabilities? Until we can see all people for who they are, and not confine them to a box?

Book Review

I just finished reading a wonderful book my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas. The Shack, by William Paul Young. It is a fabulous read for anyone who has questions about God, and who wants their relationship with God to be more than it is now. I have struggled for a long time with my beliefs about God, specifically about how God can be all-knowing but still allow us to have free will, and why bad things still happen in this world if God loves all His children. I am definitely looking forward to re-reading this book and allowing myself to dwell in possibility. For anyone who is interested, I would highly recommend it.

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog! While I don't have the audacity to think that our life is terribly interesting to the average person, I hope that it is at least vaguely entertaining to family and friends. I will apologize in advance for not blogging more frequently, but I'm not really sure that anyone (even close friends and family) is that interested in the day-to-day lives of us newlyweds. When a little munchkin or two come along, however, I hope that I will remember to post more frequently. Until then, go find something more exciting to read. :)