It was something that we, as a nation, have been doing every 4 years, for over two centuries now: inaugurate a new President. We've done it in war and peace, boom times and depressions. But never have we seen something like we saw yesterday.

Gone were the celebrating throngs. Gone were the poets and minstrels. And gone for many were the hopes and aspirations. And in it's place was a sea of National Guardsmen,and police and guards of all types. All outfitted in their field uniforms, and fully armed. Ready, it appeared for any eventuality. No matter how dire.

It was purely Orwellian. A scene from a Steven King movie.