The Inauguration. At Last.

This is so beautiful.

Will Somebody Please Tell Me What To Think Already.

So, regarding the House vote on the economic stimulus package:

1) Obama pandered to the repubs and adopted some things that reflect the right's complete obsession with tax cuts while not pushing through enough things favored by progress in the Dem caucus like green energy and public transit, and to thank him for that, not a single f-ing Repub voted with him. So, he gave up ground and compromised and got ziltch in return. Round 1 to the Repubs.

2)Obama got the essentials of what he wanted without a single republican vote, which proves that they are totally ineffectual. They can vote against him all they want, but he'll still get what he wants. And next time he won't be nearly so conciliatory. And the public likes him and will increasingly see the Republicans as an afterthought. Eat his dust, suckas.

Some of you reasonable and bright people might try to explain to me the nuanced middle ground. But, why in the world would we try to bring that type of thoughtful discourse to these here internets?

Obama: D.C. Needs "Toughness"

The Prez is bringing a little bit of Chitown to the District. He teased the press today about how wimpy the D.C. area is when it snows. Love it.

John Updike

The 76-year old author died today of lung cancer. I have mixed feelings about his work (not a fan of Rabbit Run, but like some of his others), but no one can deny that he was a big force in contemporary American literature.

Late Morning Update

Obviously, the struggling economy continues to dominate the news, as yesterday saw a staggering number of layoffs. However, the CBO yesterday did release a report indicating that President Obama's stimulus plan will help the economy. Even Krugman's onboard, with qualifications.

Of course, the GOP is being ridiculous in their efforts to block stimulus spending and other moves by Barack. The latest from the Washington Monthly is that Boehner asked the House GOP to vote against the package. Barack's trying to be bipartisan, but the GOP isn't having it.

The Repugs are also doing their best to keep Gitmo from closing. They're actively working to block moving the inmates to prisons in the U.S. They're busily working to scare the public that the prisoners will be "in their backyards" rather than locked up in the beastly Supermax prisons to which we send our "worst" criminals (including other terrorists such as the Unabomber and Ramzi Yousef, the architect of the 1993 WTC bombing). And, the Repugs "fear" that moving the inmates to U.S. prisons will make those prisons potential terrorist targets. Honestly.

There is happy news, though. The Prez directed the EPA to allow CA and other states to set their own emissions standards. And, Rep. Conyers issued a new supoena for Karl Rove. Now, Barack's people will be giving the word whether Rove is protected by executive priviledge.

Happy birthday

Gabe still looks back fondly on his birthday, so he gets pretty excited when he learns that it is someone else's birthday, especially when that person is his beloved Auntie Paula.

Pics from the Lawsaghans

Sassy rooting for the host's team.

What the drive looked like everytime Bridget was behind the wheel.

Penny's Grand Rapids '92 crew reunites at Millie & Al's.

Al Sharpton is in that black SUV, for realz.

The amazing Andrew Bird at the Hideout party in DC.


Ilsa, Bridget and Vin. One of us is really, really cold.

One more gianormous hill to go before we nap.

One of Sassy's hourly Starbucks breaks.

There's only so much caffeine/sugar can do on a 13 hour ride home.

More Great News from Washington

Two great items today:

1. President Barack (I can't get enough of saying/writing that) will be issuing an EO ending the Bush policy of refusing to support international groups that support or perform abortions. This will allow us to fund many groups doing key family planning work around the world.
2. The Senate approved the Lilly Ledbetter Act to make it easier for women who think they've faced pay discrimination to seek legal help. The House has to make some small changes to the version they passed and then it will become law.

Seriously, change has already come to Washington.

Inauguration Day: Before & After

Bundling Up. Circa 6am.
Heading towards Connecticut Ave.
Sitting on the lawn at the Washington Monument. The 4.5 hour wait has begun.
Eating (gorging) at Nanny O'Brien's afterwards.
"Watching" the parade back at the house.

President. Commander in Chief. Jedi?

I am perplexed.

Hat tip to Sassy reader Brian for this gem.