President Barack Obama seeks unity but his first act created a bit of division: some felt he gave a great inaugural speech, others felt it was just good, still others felt you can't judge an inaugural speech until the President serves awhile. And some, like conservative talk show host Michael Reagan, felt it was a poor speech and not as good as Reagan's Dad's. Guest Voice … [Read more...] about Great Orator Poor Speech (Guest Voice)
Anti-Semitism Stories
My good friend Richard Jeffrey Newman is collecting stories of anti-Semitism in a post over at Alas, a Blog. He's looking for stories from Jews and non-Jews alike -- his only rule is that you can only give a story: no analysis, no critique of some politician's rhetoric. Just a story. It's a good project, and an interesting one, and Mr. Newman has specifically told me he's … [Read more...] about Anti-Semitism Stories
Change May Be Good
The word of the week is "change", folks. Whatever that means. (Click the cartoon for a full size image.) For more, visit Small World Cartoons. … [Read more...] about Change May Be Good
Because There Will Be Some Who Will Feel Absolutely COMPELLED to Make an Issue of It …
...President Obama restated, reaffirmed, and re-swore the Oath of Office today, showing far more regard for both the letter and the spirit of our Constitution than his predecessor did, you know, the one who appointed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who flubbed the Oath in the first place, along with ignoring needs for search warrants before wiretapping or habeas corpus … [Read more...] about Because There Will Be Some Who Will Feel Absolutely COMPELLED to Make an Issue of It …
Barack Obama: ‘Boy President’ – La Stampa of Italy
Continuing with our coverage of the global reaction to President Obama's inauguration, this article from Italy's La Stampa fingers an issue that is sure to emerge again and again as America's new president attempts to grapple with the challenges that confront this nation. It's the geopolitical elephant in the room: Has American adherence to the idea of absolute national … [Read more...] about Barack Obama: ‘Boy President’ – La Stampa of Italy
Obama Day One
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted by Cagle Cartoons and licensed for use on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Obama Day One
Barack Obama Retakes Oath of Office
It was actually done by two presidents before, shocking that the reporter on Fox News doesn't know that. As of tonight, apparently Prez Obama re-did the recitation without the flub-up put forth by the Chief Justice, who put the oath's words in the wrong order at the inaugural oath proper yesterday. Frankly, though some want to take a thin thing and turn it into a big fat … [Read more...] about Barack Obama Retakes Oath of Office
Caroline Kennedy Withdraws from Senate Appointment
According to the NY Post, Miss Kennedy has withdrawn her name from the running to be appointed to fill former Senator Hillary Clinton's seat. Some speculate this may have to do with Senator Ted Kennedy's being taken to the hospital during the inauguration ceremonies yesterday. Others claimed she would be the best choice because of her fund-raising abilities for Governor … [Read more...] about Caroline Kennedy Withdraws from Senate Appointment
Second Global Press Roundup: Obama Inauguration
All of the world is saying "Hello Barack", and "Goodbye George", and thankfully, Michelle's inauguration dress, lovely as it was, doesn't get much play... Navbharat Times, India India Too Needs An ‘Obama’ Students believe that now America will progress more than ever before. They also believe that now even India’s command should be handed over to a younger leader, … [Read more...] about Second Global Press Roundup: Obama Inauguration
Who’s Afraid of the Big Tent?
John Avalon has a great piece up at David Frum's New Majority website about how the GOP can win in New England again. He notes that before the Bush-era there were still an favorable number of Republicans holding office in New England and now there are none (two if you include New York State.) One of his tips that the party has to become a Big Tent party: Somehow … [Read more...] about Who’s Afraid of the Big Tent?
The Booing of President George Bush and Mrs. Bush: Old School Conduct In The Here and Now
Old School I'm Old School in most ways, with, I hope, mostly clear vision for the present and future, as you may, like me, be striving to master too.... It's a winding road of trackbacks and do-overs and the occasional brilliant en puentes, right on the head visions, that's for sure. Yet there are time-tested ways and means to rely on, many which create rather than stifle; … [Read more...] about The Booing of President George Bush and Mrs. Bush: Old School Conduct In The Here and Now
Quick Update: Israeli Supreme Court Overturns Ban On Two Arab Parties
According to Ha'aretz, the decision was unanimous. Obviously, I'm pleased by the decision, but it is not a positive sign for a putatively liberal democracy that it needs to be bailed out by a notoriously aggressive judiciary in cases like this. It never should have come to the court's attention, because we have the right to expect that the Knesset will behave like a mature, … [Read more...] about Quick Update: Israeli Supreme Court Overturns Ban On Two Arab Parties
Obama Dumps Strait-Jacket Of Bush Office Jacket Rule
Everyone expected President Barack Obama to button-down and get to work on the first day...but it turns out in this administration there were be fewer buttons: CNN notes that in one of his first moves to dump a Bush rule, Obama has not just been (gasp!) photographed in his new office sans coat but that (double gasp!) this White House may be a place where it doesn't look like … [Read more...] about Obama Dumps Strait-Jacket Of Bush Office Jacket Rule
Very brief thoughts on the inagural address
My previous very brief comment at my personal weblog, Random Fate, was regarding the contrast between President Obama (at that time the President-elect) and former President Bush (at that time the President: Obama confronts fear and defies it, in contrast to President George W. Bush, who appears to embrace fear. Just a thought. When reviewing Obama's inagural address, note … [Read more...] about Very brief thoughts on the inagural address
Wall Street Bursts Balloon
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com (This cartoon is copyrighted by Cagle Cartoons and appears on this site under a licensing agreement. Reproduction of it in other media is strictly prohibited.) … [Read more...] about Wall Street Bursts Balloon
First Day of Operation Redemption – Rush Limbaugh
As President Obama makes his way through his first full day on the job, a familiar voice reemerged from the depths of the river Styx, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. For the last eight years, aside from a public pain medication addiction, Mr. Limbaugh and most of the conservative talking heads have been relegated to proving air cover for President Bush. Now, with a new … [Read more...] about First Day of Operation Redemption – Rush Limbaugh
Obama Inauguration Creates New Candidates For Get A Life Club
Memberships to TMV's Get A Life Club are not awarded easily. But some reaction to the inauguration of President Barack Obama compel the awarding of three memberships. Awards to go groups or individuals who blow something small into something big, fight mega-PC wars, or display breathtaking partisan or ideological hackery. In some cases we'll avoid using names but if we have … [Read more...] about Obama Inauguration Creates New Candidates For Get A Life Club
Human Ants
Check it out: An incredible photograph from yesterday's inauguration. Explanation here. … [Read more...] about Human Ants
The Worst Inaugural Address, Some Say
I thought that our new President's inaugural address was magnificent, and said so in my post yesterday. Of course, as many will point out, I am biased. And, of course, there are many other unbiased bloggers and pundits just rearing to point out how horrible, how "wretched" the speech was---the worst inaugural address in U.S. history. And, of course, having called the … [Read more...] about The Worst Inaugural Address, Some Say
On Judging Obama’s Inaugural Speech
In an earlier post and long roundup HERE, I argued that President Barack Obama's inaugural speech was good but not what you'd call great. But is it too early to even judge? Talk Left's Big Tent Democrat, one of the most perceptive writers on a weblog of any political persuasion, offers this word of caution. … [Read more...] about On Judging Obama’s Inaugural Speech