Barack Obama was sworn in at 12:06 PM January 20, 2009 making him the 44th U.S. President and first African-American elected to the office.

The clock starts.

Pundits, detractors and supporters alike will watch with scrutiny as the USA struggles with some of its most challenging circumstances in modern history.

But today, at least for a short moment, we can inhale the pride, the hope and the sense of progress this inauguration represents.

They will count it down in Times Square, they will samba en mass along Copacabana Beach in Rio.  I just say, hurry up 2009!

After a chaotic 2008 that has the U.S. economy on the brink of a depression, 2009 surely can’t get any worse…can it?

Sure we had some bright spots in 2008.  Michael Phelps historic Olympic feat and of course the historic election that will place Barack Obama in the White House in about 20 days were all memorable moments.  However, the unemployment, bankruptcies, foreclosures, bailouts and deficits will forever be tattooed to 2008.

2009 will be a rebuilding year and like in sports, it won’t be pretty.  But, the Bush administration will be gone!  Hopefully the Iraqi War can be wound down and by this time next year our financial health will be improving.  It won’t be pretty and more casualties are sure to result, but like those rebuilding sports team, at least the ugliest season is over.