Ill Will in the Midst of Hope

I'm shocked. I'm estatic, to be sure, but there is an alarming theme that wove its way in and out of the comments from Joe Public today.
Today is Inaugration Day -- Barack Obama took the oath of office and became the USA's 44th president. He did it with grace and dignity, the required pomp and circumstance, and with wife and children by his side.
Newscasters from every station were there, adding their commentaries on every move the president and others made. Bloggers clogged the internet with their opinions on everything from Michelle's shoes to whether or not Obama's speech was noteworthy enough.
Informally, social networking sites and email listserves captured the very thing that alarms me -- a vehement ill-will toward the outgoing administration. One man who I've never heard say a foul word against anyone sent an email to everyone in his address book -- a photo of Dick Cheney in his temporary wheelchair with a subject line of "this makes my day." Women friends posted their status with violent desires to throw shoes at outgoing President Bush, hopes that the helicopter would crash, etc.
Isn't that where terrorism comes from?
Righteous indignation -- sure, people have reason to be angry and even hate the outgoing administration, but their reign is over! Isn't the hope and inspiration this country is experiencing enough? Isn't the desire for revenge and violence exactly the opposite of what our new president is asking of us?
My favorite moments of the day: The Obamas greeted by the Bushes on the steps of the White House -- oh, the graciousness! The congeniality! Michelle brought a gift for the Bushes -- not common practice -- beautiful! The handshakes, the hugs, the genuine smiles all around -- wow.
The speech: Obama began his inaugration speech with a genuine thank you to President Bush for his service to this country and his cooperation to ensure a smooth transition. Nice. Yet he went on to say that the USA would be be this and that AGAIN -- clearly indicating that we'd fallen as a nation, yet not directly attributing that fall to President Bush. Direct and clear, yet still gracious.
It surprises me that Joe Public is not taking Obama's lead. Bush is out of power, retiring to Texas, and the Cheneys? Who knows? Here we have this new dawn, new era, new administration, new hope and revitilization, a positive energy unlike anything I've seen in my 37 years as an American. Can't we just be relieved and let the change begin? Why focus on wishing bad things on the Bushes and Cheneys??
This worries me.