(Foreword) Calendar year 2009 dawned with a newly elected chief executive presiding over a nation mired in severe economic difficulties. Despite that, subliminal and overt differences between this and the previous administration soon became apparent, inspiring a rebirth of American optimism. Relative transparency replaced government policies hitherto shrouded in secrecy. The forthright dissemination of bad news as well as good superseded hypocritical half-truths and dissembling propaganda. Appointee competence took precedence over loyalty to an individual, and pseudo-scientific dogma gave way to a thoughtful interpretation of real-world events and circumstances. Foresight and diplomacy usurped the role of imperial "wag the dog" militarism.