As we look down the ever diminishing remainder of the Bush Presidency, the tendency to look back becomes irresistible. But rather than focus strictly on the past, let's balance it with the promised change soon to come our way. Let's raise our glasses and toast the passing of the old ways and the impending arrival of the new ways:

Here's to all people being judged by the content of their character, instead of the color of their skin... or their political label... or their religious belief (or lack thereof)...

Here's to the demise of Freedom Fries, hatred of France, the Axis of Evil, and xenophobia in general, and welcome to diplomacy and rationality...

Here's to the demise of black and white, and welcome to shades of gray...

Here's to the demise of bootstraps and punishing the poor for events outside of their control, and welcome to helping one's Fellow Man and punishing the corrupt...

Here's to the demise of ignorance and obfuscation from the White House, and welcome to intelligence and transparency...

Here's to the demise of fractured sentences, tortured syntax, mispronunciations, and verbal constipation, and welcome to eloquence and erudition...

Here's to the demise of a government that ignores the needy and helps its wealthy friends, and hello to a government that works for ALL of its citizens and the betterment of the country...

Here's to the demise of shocked outrage and welcome to cautious optimism...

Here's to the Constitution, saved to guide our country once more...

Here's to the passing of a Cold War mentality, with its secret prisons, renditions and torture, and welcome to a foreign policy that doesn't stray from the Geneva Conventions...

Here's to worldwide respect, once again regained...

Here's to self-respect as an American, once again retained...

Here's to the American flag - in our hearts reclaimed...

And here's to us who remain... nightmares of midnight crossings into Canada or Venezuela fading as dreams do when the morning light burns away their memories with the promise of a new day.

Here's to us.

Cheers...