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How are you spending Inauguration Day? This Jan. 21, 2013, file photo shows an overall view of President Barack Obama taking the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts at the ceremonial swearing-in on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington. AP Photo Friday Jan 20, 2017 at 2:00 AM By John Darling For the Tidings The U.S. today gets a new president, probably the most controversial one in memory, a man who takes the helm in a moment of relative peace and prosperity but finds a country deeply divided, with the political extremes brought out in vigorous enmity toward each other. One daily hears that many people, both high officials and regular folks, are staying away from the spectacle in droves, including many — most — big-name entertainers. But then again, most such stories come from the Internet, which during this election has become a platform for “fake news” in a “post-truth” world. Is it true? To find out, one has to “fact check” several major, presumably reliable sources, such as PBS, NPR, the New York Times, Washington Post — and, if they all are in relative agreement, one might be able to put it in the category of “as true as I can make it.” In fact (if such a word as “fact” can still be used), the Oxford Dictionaries named “post-truth” as Word of the Year for 2016. How do we know this is true? Well, it was on the Internet! How does Oxford define post-truth? It’s “an adjective defined as 'relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.'” America has once again plowed new ground and raised a model for the world to follow, appealing to emotion and belief with occasional examination of the complex issues that face us. Will this draw the populace to their many screens to see the hand placed on the Bible and the new leader swear to uphold the Constitution? The official passing of the presidential baton happens at noon in Washington, D.C., 9 a.m. our time. Coverage of the Inaugural swearing-in, oath of office and Inaugural Address begins in earnest at 11:30 a.m. at the Capitol building (per-inaugural coverage begins much earlier, on Thursday night in some cases). That will be followed by an Inaugural parade at 3 p.m. We asked Ashlanders how they were going to spend this momentous day. Cindy M. (declined photo) — I’m going to watch it because he is our president. This divisive stuff does not help. Everyone is in denial that he won. I’m fed up with the division. The reason Hillary didn’t win was because she has too much baggage. It came down to the lesser of two evils. One was worse than the other. If we had a really good choice, that person would have won. If this is the best we’ve got, we’re in trouble. Brad Cobb — I’m not going to do anything. That’s a terrible thing to say. My wife is going to Portland to the march. I probably will watch much of it on TV and probably be despondent throughout. I won’t be celebrating. I won’t be toasting it. I will concur with those 40-plus Congress members who won’t show up for it. Robert Carson — I haven’t decided what to do. It’s altogether possible that curiosity might get the best of me. If I find something more pressing, I will go do that. It’s not something I look forward to. I suppose I will be not despondent. I think I will be dissatisfied and curious what the outcome of this will be. Kim Lewis — I’m going to watch it and feel patriotic because every presidential election, whether you agree with it or not, is a reminder of the freedoms our country shares with us, as a democracy. It’s a unique event. My first one was JFK, whose parents lived in my town of Palm Beach, as does Trump, for a winter home. I’m going to feel hopeful, regardless of the tumultuous election. I’m feeling hopeful and positive for those people who will join the newly employed because of the new administration, all politics aside. Kathy House — I will probably peek at it, but I don’t like it. I’m really concerned about it. I feel he might be a traitor. His cabinet positions are very strange, especially Pruitt for EPA. I really don’t like the idea of the can-can dancers at the inaugural. I don’t like his views of women. He is a nasty creep. I’m really worried about the state of our country. Denise Tschann — I’m going to go to work and try to forget the rest of the world. I’m very disappointed, more so in the media, no offense. The focus on things to get sales and not the issues and solutions. Like ACA. At least it will continue for a year if they repeal it. I will work Friday with my students so I’ll feel good, then I will go on the march in Ashland (on Saturday). I won’t feel depressed. I have to work harder, as a citizen. We all have to move forward on this. People might be fearful because the racism issues that were raised. It had gotten better for women and minorities, but then racism divided the country again. That’s what a Forbes poll said and I agree. And Congress blocked everything for eight years, so the Rust Belt felt nothing was being done for them. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].