"As Obamamania gripped the United States with our new president's taking this iconic ritual of our democracy--his oath of office--American citizens in Paris were overwhelmed as well, and not just with the fulfillment of what was and is a new American Revolution, as far as I'm concerned. We were also touched by the kindness of Mayor Bertrand Delanoë and Pierre Schapira, his deputy in charge of International Relations. These progressive Parisian officials hosted a gala reception for Americans and French in the magnificent city hall of Paris, its Hôtel de Ville... "