Supreme Court refuses to hear case claiming Obama was not born in Hawaii.

Yea, I heard. It was expected that they would hear it. Boy, talk about "hangers on". :lol


TIS

Obama is meeting with Al Gore. I wonder what's up with that?
Energy Czar?

I heard that they are looking for an Auto Czar. Al the Auto Czar. It has a lovely ring to it.

Auto Czar sounds like a sleazy used Car Lot.

"HOLIDAY EXTRA SAVINGS SPECIAL AT THE AUTO CZAR!!! 2006 Honda Accord Like new

only $7,999. NO MONEY DOWN! NO PAYMENTS DUE UNTIL FEBRUARY AND REMEMBER:

"IF YOU NEED A CAR, COME TO THE CZAR!"

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff have been taken into federal custody on corruption charges. They were allegedly both willing and quite eager to "sell" Obama's Senate seat for anything and everything they could get.

"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement. "They allege that Blagojevich put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States Senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism."

That's amazing. If I remember correctly, the previous governor was sentenced to prison for similar corruption, kickbacks and fraud. If the allegations prove to be true, this will result in a long jail sentence.

Yeah. Big news here since the Chicago news stations are my local stations.

Yes, Klyd. Former Governor Ryan was brought up on corruption charges almost exactly five years ago.

From the wiretap data released by the FBI, apparently Governor Blagojevich was apparently pissed that Obama's camp wouldn't give anything in political considerations or kickbacks in favor of Blagojevich appointing Obama's supposed prefered pick.

"He promises in return only appreciation? Fuck him."

That is unbelieveable isn't it? To actually try to sell a Senate seat? That is really low I am listening this morning to more details and this Governor, evidently, is not well liked (gee,ya think?) How predictable that the media is trying desperately to make Obama part of this.
Oh, and this morning the media is hanging out by the Governor's house because it's reported that he will go to work today...business as usual hu?

Btw, they said the previous Illinois Governor is in jail now. What's up with Illinois?
On another note, I really like the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald (from the Valerie Plame case, if you remember). He is known as a bulldog, straight forward type. What a story.

TIS

By the way, one of the "bidders" has been identified as Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.

There's a big fuckin' surprise.

Why is when these officials get a little power under their belts they become sleezebags?

I got news for you, Miggie, they're all sleazebags before they take office.

It's part of the megalomania that goes along with political aspirations.

So why bother voting? For rights?

For Cake.

Your a funny guy! Your not funny like a clown, you are.......

Jesse Jr. seemed a bit too defensive yesterday. Looks like the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Jesse Jr. is hoping to be on Paterson's short list as the next Senator of Hymietown.

Just quick random thought regarding Obama thus far.... I know some are disappointed with the fact that he choose a few Republicans for his cabinet, but I am not. We will see how it plays out, but I think he is doing what he said he would do and I give him credit. Wouldn't it be nice if this was the beginning of "reaching out" and the parties wouldn't be so viciously divided and see only in black white? (I know that's a real dream)

I understand the issue with this Rev. Warren too, but I honestly feel that right now, with the economy and two wars to deal with, that this President is walking into a world of shit and MUST deal with the economy front and center first, not to mention Iraq.

TIS

I haven't been keeping up who he's been appointing so I didn't know he appointed Republicians.

What's up with this Rev. Warren story? I didn't hear anything about it. I haven't been watching the news alot lately.

Rev Warren is a relatively right wing evangelical leader who is anti-abortion and vociferously against gay marriage. However he has also tried to get evangelicals to do more anti-poverty work and get involved in more Christian outreach activities that are not necessarily centered around sexuality. He's of the next generation of evangelical leaders. He's not as far right as Falwell or James Dobson.

Warren invited Obama to speak at his church about 2-3 years back. More recently during the campaign, a "debate" (really more of a dual campaign appearance) between Obama and McCain was held at Warren's church.

So President-Elect Obama reached out and invited Warren to give the opening invocation at the inauguration.

Because the feelings are still raw around the passing of Prop 8 in California ,(which Warren of course supported) for some in the gay community/left community, inviting Warren to give the opening prayer was downright heresy. It made them so mad they could just SPIT.

My take is that they are overlooking the inconvenient fact that like Warren, Obama also opposes gay marriage. More to the point Warren will not be making policy. This is a purely symbolic role. The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a civil rights veteran, who does happen to support gay marriage will be giving the closing prayer.

So I think the whole brouhaha is silly. There are a lot of policy issues (from a VERY progressive standpoint) that I think Obama can/must be criticized on but this isn't really one of them. Obama consistently kept a campaign theme of reaching out and engaging people who disagreed with him. Personally I think he does this to a fault and it will backfire on him one day but so far I've been WRONG. Also a lot of people didn't believe it but Obama is not really all THAT progressive. He's going to be a liberal centrist. Obama also said repeatedly that he is going to be the President of all. That includes Americans who are anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage and who didn't vote for him.

Obama is a superb politician and this could also be a way of muting or slowing future opposition from the Warren camp to his policy decisions. It could also be a way of getting political cover to make real progressive changes. Who knows.

I just think that in the big picture, Warren giving an invocation is no big deal. Obama will be President, not Chief Inquisitor...

Thanks much Lilo

Excellent assessment, Lilo. Obama seems to truly believe that in order to make progress, you've got to invite everyone to the table.

Spider-Man Punches Out Obama

In an upcoming issue of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN...

"The comic starts with Spider-Man's alter-ego Peter Parker taking photographs at the inauguration, before spotting two identical Obamas.

Parker decides "the future president's gonna need Spider-Man," and springs into action, using basketball to determine the real Obama and punching out the impostor.

Obama thanks him with a fist-bump."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/08/obama-spiderman-to-team-u_n_156329.html

I'm not into Spiderman comics, but that is so cool!

I'd give my right arm (well, maybe I shouldn't go that far) to go to the inaugaration. I'm may either take a vacation day or call in sick...yet, after still being off on a three week Christmas break, I feel kind of bad asking for another day. It will be historic that's for sure.


TIS

Thus why YouTube is a Godsend.

Also, the panels themselves so no one here has to bother buying the damn thing:

http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/6944679.html

RR,

I know of live journals, but fill me in on the one you posted???? I'm not quite sure how it works. I am definitely over 14 but what's the "adult content" mean? Will they be live journaling the Inaugaration?

Thanks for your help.

TIS

Just pleas YES or ok or go on, for its more a generic warning label, a liability-protection from rowdy nasty people who comment.