Full plate and empty pockets

The inaugural pageantry and the soaring rhetoric of the inaugural address are now history. We have emerged, along with our new president, from a smooth transition period marked by unusual wisdom in selecting a team.

The primary and the election campaigns have seemed endless, but there emerged the selection of President Obama who will hold firm to the helm and get our Ship of State over the rocks and shoals of economic chaos. His dignity, along with evidence of a superior intelligence, has carried this African-American to serve us as our Commander-in-Chief, the first such in our history.

Our hopes rise high and our prayers ascend to ask for all the Divine help we can get. Here is a list:

The economy --- The long-term and curative measures he has announced, after attending to the short-term creative steps. Right away: job creation. Counter measures to avoid inflation.

Two wars --- Afghanistan, Iraq and the recurrent fracas involving Israel and the Palestinians.

Problems brewing hot between Pakistan and India --- both nuclear powers.

Iran, and its opposite axis of evil North Korea --- double trouble.

Tensions with our oldest adversary Russia --- except no lull or time-outs.

Health care --- Social Security --- National security --- Energy revamping to stop dependence on foreign oil.

Close Guantanamo Bay facility, staying within the boundaries of the due process of law.

There will be a problem with Congress --- from both sides, each of which will have felt he has deserted his ideology. He will use all his best skills at deal-making within the honesty of the process. There is no guarantee of a prolonged honeymoon such as Roosevelt enjoyed 75 years ago. It's a whole new ballgame. Let us support the new chief Executive and emerge from this mess together.