Although it seemed to get fairly minimal coverage in the media, earlier today (January 8th) there was a joint session of Congress in which they formally elected Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President. This is a standard routine every four years though of course there was a certain level of history to the election of the first African American … [Read more...] about Obama Certified As President
And You Thought Your Ex Was Bitter
As a lawyer I couldn't resist posting this story. The basic story is that the husband donated a kidney to his wife and she subsequently had an affair. Now that they are getting divorced he wants the kidney back, or absent that he wants financial compensation. I am not sure which is worse, the woman having an affair after he gave up a kidney or him filing this claim, when … [Read more...] about And You Thought Your Ex Was Bitter
Classic Jazz: Fats Waller’s “Your Feets Too Big”
Here's some classic jazz for those who hate jazz as well as those who love it (one that almost everyone loves). The great jazz pianist/singer/composer Fats Waller doing his song "Your Feets Too Big" (circa 1940s): More on Waller's music HERE. … [Read more...] about Classic Jazz: Fats Waller’s “Your Feets Too Big”
Congress Pushes Obama to the Left on Stimulus
Joe references lots of Democratic concern over the Obama economic stimulus plan. What's striking about it is that the pressure is coming from the left much more than the right. Sure, there are Blue Dog Democrats concerned about deficits. But Obama has assuaged the fears of them by speaking openly and frankly about the perils of long-term debt and by consulting with them on a … [Read more...] about Congress Pushes Obama to the Left on Stimulus
Happy Birthday To The King
Since I (we) nearly forgot to mark his birthday, this seemed the best video pick. Still one of the greatest, if only he could have stuck around to celebrate with us today. … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday To The King
Gaza: Pride of the Arabs – Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
To what degree does the Arab world hold the United States responsible for the deaths being inflicted on innocent Palestinians in Gaza? The level of perceived U.S. complicity is a constantly moving target, but as Israel's offensive drags on, the level of anger from the 'Arab street' being aimed toward the United States appears to be growing. This editorial from Algeria's Le … [Read more...] about Gaza: Pride of the Arabs – Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Will Obama’s Call For 21st Century Economy Be Delayed By Democrats?
President-Elect Barack Obama today delivered a stark warning about the state of America's economy in a speech clearly aimed to rally public and political support to get a massive stimulus and economic re-orientation policy in place ASAP. He called for laying the groundwork for a sound 21st century economy -- but the real, hard-nosed question now will be: if the political and … [Read more...] about Will Obama’s Call For 21st Century Economy Be Delayed By Democrats?
World Cartoonists Look At Gaza, Israel And Hamas
The events in Gaza continue to have a polarizing effect throughout the world. This is also evident in the work of cartoonists throughout the world, whose commentaries reflect these varying viewpoints (each side feels it is absolutely correct). Here's a cross section: Breaking the Rules: Yaakov Kirschen, The Jerusalem Post, Dry Bones War On Hamas: Paresh … [Read more...] about World Cartoonists Look At Gaza, Israel And Hamas
Will the Digital Transition be Delayed?
If Obama's transition team gets its way, Feb. 17 may no longer be a day-of-worry for those who still get their TV via antenna. Obama Transition Team Co-Chair John Podesta's letter to the relevant committee chairs and ranking members (Sens. Rockefeller and Hutchison, Reps. Waxman and Barton) -- requesting a delay in the scheduled transition from analog to digital broadcasting … [Read more...] about Will the Digital Transition be Delayed?
Doomsday Minus Twelve
The Barack Obama countdown to saving the American economy continues today, this time with his warning, "A bad situation could become dramatically worse." In what the transition team describes as a major speech at George Mason University this morning, the President-Elect says: "I don’t believe it’s too late to change course, but it will be if we don’t take dramatic action … [Read more...] about Doomsday Minus Twelve
Kidney Rebates and Fava Beans
It's been one of those days when I haven't felt terribly inspired to write anything on politics for you, primarily because we're dealing with a very serious medical issue regarding our basset hound. However, one story popped up over at Hot Air which took my mind off of things for a bit. Those of you who have been married, or know somebody who is married, understand that women … [Read more...] about Kidney Rebates and Fava Beans
Chris Matthews Decides Not to Run for Senate
What's worse: a) Chris Matthews on TV (being a blowhard and making millions); or b) Chris Matthews in the Senate (being a blowhard and wielding power)? I'd say the latter, which is why it's a good thing that he's decided not to run for the Senate in 2010. I can't take much of him on TV, but at least I can turn the channel and ignore him. Either way, though, he would … [Read more...] about Chris Matthews Decides Not to Run for Senate
Bye-Bye Bond: Kit, Not James
Chris Cillizza has the scoop. As a lifetime Missouri resident, I'm sure this will be very big news at home. Love him or not, Bond's one of the Show-Me State's epic political figures and the first Missouri governor I remember as a child. (He was first elected to that position in 1972, when I was seven.) The Dems will be salivating for the chance to pick up this seat in … [Read more...] about Bye-Bye Bond: Kit, Not James
Government Finances Go Mad
These days when I hear the financial news I think of Alfred E. Neuman. Remember Alfred? Mad comics' doofy looking stalwart? Remember his pet phase? "What? Me worry?" That phrase keeps popping into my mind: A projected $1.2 trillion federal deficit in fiscal 2009. What? Me worry? With perhaps an $800 billion Obama stimulus spending package added in. What? Me … [Read more...] about Government Finances Go Mad
The RNC Elects the Chair, But the Base Decides the Future
As the RNC goes through the motions of finding a new (or perhaps not so new) leader, many Republicans may be thinking the same thing as CNN: all hope rests on this decision. While I don't disagree that the leader of the Party is an important post and that the right or wrong person will make a difference in the future of the Party, I think it is misguided to pin the entire … [Read more...] about The RNC Elects the Chair, But the Base Decides the Future
Amazing: Ohio’s Schools Rated 7th-Best in Country
Education Week, the publication of a not-for-profit organization that seeks excellence in education, says Ohio has the seventh-best public education program among all the states. Ohio was given a B- overall. For a severely cash-strapped state whose public school funding program has been ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court on four different occasions, this is, … [Read more...] about Amazing: Ohio’s Schools Rated 7th-Best in Country
Rewarding Regulators Like the Regulated
What do you get when you cross a brief, vegetative vacation with an extremely fast-start to the new year? For me, those circumstances recently combined to create a very bad case of "writer's block." Nor was it a single-issue case of writer's block like Andrew Sullivan experienced after his respite. Mine was a pervasive block; it was the Hoover Dam of writer's … [Read more...] about Rewarding Regulators Like the Regulated
On Michelle Obama, American Girl; and Black & Gay in America
Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses Michelle Obama with an outspoken publisher and former Black Panther—his father... The first line of Ta-Nehisi Coates' must read piece in the January/February Atlantic, American Girl, puts a distinctly 21st century twist on the "Clinton was the first Black president" trope. Says Coates, "The first time I saw Michelle Obama in the flesh, I almost … [Read more...] about On Michelle Obama, American Girl; and Black & Gay in America
Why The Fuss Over Panetta And Gupta?
Over the past few days we have seen a great deal of controversy over the pending nominations of Leon Panetta as CIA director and Sanjay Gupta as Surgeon General. The airwaves have been crackling with various legislators and pundits objecting to the selections. I must admit that, when I first heard the two names, I also wondered about them but as, I have considered them, I find … [Read more...] about Why The Fuss Over Panetta And Gupta?
Mumbai Terror: Pakistan Govt’s Denial, Confession, Denial
The Pakistan government is in a tizzy. After days of denial, and emphatically stating that no Pakistani national was involved in the last month's bloody terror attack in Mumbai (Bombay), its National security adviser Mahmud Durrani made a dramatic announcement on Wednesday. He said that Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor among the Mumbai attackers (who is in the Indian police … [Read more...] about Mumbai Terror: Pakistan Govt’s Denial, Confession, Denial