On January 20, we'll inaugurate a new president, the nation's 44th, the first African-American president. Our country has come a long way since the days of "separate but equal" public facilities, and the recent election brings to mind an intriguing mix of men: Armstrong Williams, of Rains, South Carolina, and Senator Strom Thurmond whom I also met.

It's a long way from Rains, South Carolina, to a ride on Air Force Two with Vice President Dick Cheney, but it's a trip Armstrong Williams made in late June 2003. It was not a happy trip.

You could say that trip began in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina where Williams grew up as a young black man. There, his father taught him not to stereotype people and work hard. His dad also taught him that if people respect anything, it's success. More on that trip later.

I interviewed Williams a few years back for a magazine assignment and he told me how his career started. In a way, it began with a simple question to Senator Strom Thurmond. At the age of 16, Williams encountered Senator Thurmond at the Dry Dock Seafood Hut in Mullins, South Carolina. He walked over to Thurmond's table and asked the senator if he was a racist. Thurmond laughed and said, "You seem like a bright young man, send me your resume." Armstrong sent it and soon landed an internship with the passionate segregationist of years gone by.

Williams, a syndicated columnist and author today, advocates Christian and conservative values. His radio program is broadcast to dozens of markets, and television outlets carry "The Right Side with Armstrong Williams." Some of his views have served as lightning rods, attracting fire from all sides. I like the man and how he found a way in life to make a difference.

From 1982 to 1986 Williams served as an assistant to Clarence Thomas, then chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In 1991, when Judge Thomas's confirmation to the Supreme Court hit the Anita Hill snag, Williams published several articles defending Thomas that gained national attention … he was on his way. A radio show soon followed.

Williams embraces conservative values. Straight talk and common sense. That's what Williams dispenses on his shows and in his columns. He's not shy about sharing his views either. Among his concerns are education and parents' changing values in the sense that parents today seem to tolerate a lot of foolishness. "Our parents expected us to go to school and learn. They expected us to be disciplined. They expected us to respect our teachers and not talk back to them. Carrying weapons and wearing our pants below our buttocks would have been unheard of," said Williams.

There is, says Williams, no communication going on. No one is listening nor sharing time. In his family there was love, an exchange of ideas, and sharing. "We all had to go to church together on Sunday. There was always that family time together, but now our society is so fragmented, and this goes back to the breakdown of the family."

Change education for the better, says Williams, and you improve a person's image and produce real selfesteem. "What we do now in society is pass kids along to make them feel good," said Williams. "That's false self-esteem. And corporations get the residual effect—kids who have no idea what a work ethic is, kids who have no idea what discipline is, kids who have no real identifiable skills. And then an employer doesn't have the time to bring the kid from where he should be but isn't."

Thurmond taught Williams a lot and was like a grandfather to him. "He taught me how to navigate the waters of life, how to deal with bigots and racists on all fronts, how to be principled. Strom loved everyone. I was devastated when he died," said Williams.

Now, about that flight on Air Force II. When Thurmond died, Williams called Vice President Cheney who was leading the delegation to Thurmond's funeral and told Cheney it would be nice if he could catch a ride on Air Force II. "I'll never forget the vice president saying, "I'd be honored to have you come,' " said Williams.

And now the 44th president will soon be flying in Air Force One, a prominent symbol of the American presidency and a symbol of freedom worldwide. The first president to travel in an aircraft while in office was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Think of all the change we've seen since then. No more riding in the back of the bus. No more separate facilities, and no more filibusters from Southern senators opposing civil rights bills. No filibuster exceeding 24 hours and 18 minutes, which stands as the record. Set by Senator Strom Thurmond himself who, in time, saw the folly of racism.

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