The Lack of Respect

People across the world lacked respect for former American President Bush. With two misguided wars and a completely mismanaged natural disaster among other things, Bush failed our country.

Clear evidence of disrespect is a foreign journalist throwing his shoe at you.

America, with Bush in the white house, was a joke to the majority of the world. This is just one example.

Mexico is Watching

Mexicans, alike, were not oblivious to the occasion. Here, a photo courtesy of Boston.com, shows a Mexican family attentive to the American event.

"We are not your enemy"

Eight years. That's how long former President Bush was in power. Zero. That's how many times he opted to interview with a Arab news channel in an effort to improve America's image since the start of the war.

President Obama, however, is changing that. Just barely two weeks into his presidency he arranged to interview with a Arab news channel based out of Dubai and took the much belated opportunity to tell the Muslim world "We are not your enemy."

It's a sign that real change is here.

"Mr. President"

America's big day also made headlines in far reaching places like Korea. This photo, courtesy of Boston.com shows a local Korean publication's front page on our momentous day.

I cannot honestly recall,in my lifetime, any other presidential inauguration that swept the world the way this one did.

Peace Symbol

A middle Eastern country holding signs of an American president for a positive cause? Yes, it's true.

Barack Obama has come to symbolize peace. This photo, courtesy of Boston.com, depicts a global peace ceremony in Islamabad on Jan. 20, 2009.




It's evident from this photo that although there is much more work to be done in rebuilding America's image overseas, we certainly have a start.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, they actually celebrated with "Obama fried rice" as people filled the streets to take in the experience. Indonesians relate to Obama since he once lived in the Muslim nation.

It's incredible to see what an effect the American inauguration has had on other countries, particularly Muslim countries given the stigmatization of terrorism post 9-11.

But it seems that the past has gone to the way side and anticipation of peace in the future has taken its place.

"The Obama Effect"

It seems that everywhere across the world there is a collective sense of excitement and jubilation.

The Inauguration of President Barack Obama was far more than just a national event, evident in the celebrations that occurred in countries far and wide. This BBC article is only one story documenting praise for our new president.

Kenyans, perhaps more poignantly than others, feel a sense of responsibility for the monumental inauguration of America's first black president. President Obama's father was born in the impoverished country.

America's big day was also the world's big day.