President Obama Relaxes White House Dress Code

On a lighter note, a recent article from the New York Times tells the story of some changes that are being wrought in the White House. "White House Unbuttons Formal Dress Code" by Sheryl Gay Stolberg tells of refreshing revisions in the Oval Office reflecting President Obama's less stuffy style, and also what he specifically likes about living and working in the same historic building. I think you'll enjoy it!

President Obama Creates Middle Class Task Force

Watch our President and Vice-President's announcement this morning of the creation of a new Middle Class Task Force. It almost makes up for the previous Rudy Giulani abomination.

Part One:



Part Two:

Oh, Puh-leaze! Giuliani Defends Bonuses for Wall Street Bail-out Recipients

The nerve! The complete callousness! The clueless elite Republican bullshit spewing out of his mouth! Look at this clip of Rudy Giuliani on CNN this morning, defending the enormous bonus sums going to Wall Streeters whose firms were bailed out with taxpayer money -- it will turn your stomach.

Obama on Air Force One!

Footage from last night's National Geographic Channel's special on Air Force One, the President's plane. Unfortunately, the special was mostly about Bush, but we did get to see this glimpse of Obama being presidential and yet accessible. And now we know he likes his hamburgers medium well, too!

President Obama's First Weekly Address -- Jan. 24, 2009

The Presidential Limo with the New President in It!

The Presidential Walk with Barack and Michelle Obama

The President and the First Lady thrill the crowd as they disembark the Presidential limo early and do a little stroll in front of enthusiastic onlookers.

Our Best Thoughts to Sen. Edward Kennedy

-- who was evidently taken ill during the Presidential luncheon at Statuary Hall after the Inauguration. He looked marvelous at the event, snappy in a stylish fedora, and got a rousing reception from his colleagues and the crowd.

Our wishes for his quick recovery, even as we know that he is suffering from a grave illness. He is an amazing Senator, one of the hardest-working members of Congress, and a great credit to the United States.

Congratulations to President Barack Obama!!!

Inauguration Day!

What a day! We've been waiting for it and it's finally here! The feeling of hope, history and inspiration is palpable, even through the TV. The millions who are gathered in Washington D.C. who watch this extraordinary man be sworn in as President are filled with a sense of true patriotism and genuine goodwill that extends far beyond America to include the entire world.

Whether you are watching on MSNBC, CNN or even Fox, take this opportunity to reflect on the transformative effect of Barack Obama, and what his election means to the country and to our planet.

Obama's official Inauguration website is here, and we'll post many follow-up links to footage and material from what will undoubtedly be a very moving day.

Congratulations to our new President (almost!) and his family, and to America for doing the right thing last November!

Another Exciting Obama Train Video!

The Train going through Claremont, Delaware, taken by YouTube user
T0E0D0productions!

Inaugural Day Doughnuts from Krispy Kreme!

We're not endorsing any particular doughnut chain around here, but we're thrilled to see Krispy Kreme's offer of a free doughnut of your choice to all customers on Inauguration Day, tomorrow.

Now, you wouldn't think a nice little stunt like this would become a political hot potato, but somehow to certain anti-abortion factions, Krispy Kreme's P.R. release wording "Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. is honoring American's sense of pride and freedom of choice on Inauguration Day" refers not to the choosing of a President but to the abortion issue. Silly, right?

Well, Krispy Kreme had amend their press release and explain their offer thusly: "Krispy Kreme Doughnuts’ Inauguration Day promotion on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, is offering one, free doughnut of a customer’s choice at participating Krispy Kreme locations nationwide. No purchase is necessary. The promotion allows customers to commemorate Inauguration Day by selecting one free doughnut of any variety at local participating stores. On Election Day, November 4, 2008, Krispy Kreme ran a promotion that provided customers with one free star-shaped doughnut at stores nationwide. The Inauguration Day promotion is not about any social or political issue." Here's a link to a good article on the situation from AlterNet.

It's beyond ridiculous, the whole doughnut controversy, but anti-choice orgs are taking any opportunity these days to mobilize their supporters to protest what will no doubt be a more rational approach to the abortion issue in the Obama White House. Lest you think this issue was settled a long time ago, well...it's obviously not.

Anyway, congrats to Krispy Kreme for getting into the spirit of the most marvelous Inauguration Day in a long time! Go Doughnuts!!

Obama's Speech in Downington, PA!

Video "Ride This Train" by Le Sheppard

A sweet and inspirational original song commemorating Obama's ride to the White House:

Barack Obama's Train Trip to Washington!

Here's a delightful and inspirational video taken by YouTube user arm31089 of the Obama train passing through on its way to Washington!

Obama Gets the Marvel Treatment

Holy Electoral Process, Batman!

President-Elect Obama gets a part in a special Inauguration Day Edition of Marvel's Spider-Man comic! Here's the story straight from the Marvel site!

Obama Meets with All Living Presidents

Great photo op, in any case, and you really wish that Bush had been as smart as he seems to be gracious as he greets the new incoming President.

Be Sure to Read Paul Krugman on Tax Cut Philosophy

As a follow-up to my previous post, I hope you're regularly reading Paul Krugman's excellent and always informative blog in the New York Times. At the beginning of this week, he had a good post "Is Obama relying too much on tax cuts?" which lays out the economic as well as philosphical problems with continuing a tax cut-reliant economic plan.

Not Happy About Obama Continuing Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy

I have to agree completely with this article by Marie Cocco, reprinted on Salon.com, entitled "Obama to Continue Bush's Tax-Cutting Orgy". I have to say that I think this word coming out --that he isn't going to repeal Bush's outrageous benefits to the wealthiest Americans -- is a huge disappointment and somewhat of a betrayal of a principal reason many of us embraced Obama. We were hoping for a return to fairness.

I still am thrilled that he will be the new President in a little less than two weeks, but with the economy foremost in many people's minds, the signal it sends to NOT clearly reject Bush's morally-corrupt and obviously ineffective tax break, is not a heartening one.

I hope that he will reconsider this move, after public opinion and that of economic experts weigh in on this very telling change in philosophy. Come on, man, don't disappoint us!