A glorious day

It was cold, crowded and you couldn't hear the speeches too well, but it was a glorious day nonetheless. It was glorious because we are finally taking our nation back from the torturers, the "Christians", the warmongers, and the homophobes. We are finally becoming the nation we aspire to be.

A steaming pile

We already knew that Obama had one steaming pile awaiting him as president in the form of the war in Iraq, but who knew an even bigger one would be out there and one that people actually care about- the economy. Unemployment is now at its highest level in 16 years. Bush and his cronies are raiding the bailout faster than you can say corporate welfare or yellow parachute. And Congress is debating how far their "stimulus" plan will fall short of what the economy actually needs.

It's bad out there and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight. But here's one suggestion- how about Americans quit spending their money on useless crap they don't need like iPhones and SUVs and ginormous houses and actually save money. Then, banks will have money to make loans with and businesses will have capital to play with. Just a thought.

Another word about Rick Warren

Since writing the previous post, it has come to this clipmonkey's attention that Rick Warren once said that Jews would ultimately burn in hell because they are not Christians. If this is indeed the case, Warren is not qualified to attend the inauguration much less provide an invocation for it.

A word about Rick Warren

Many on the left continue to vent their anger and disappointment at Obama about his choice of Rick Warren to perform the invocation at the inauguration. But the ones who are most up in arms are simply reacting to the word evangelical attached to Warren's name. Yes, Warren was unfortunately involved in the efforts to repeal California's same-sex marriage law, however, he is a largely apolitical evangelical who urges people to help out and give money to the poor. He is even known for reverse tithing- giving 90 percent of his money to charity and keeping only 10 percent. He is one of the few evangelicals who seems to actually acknowledge the Bible's emphasis on helping those in need.

So, while people can be disappointed in Obama for choosing Warren, he certainly is no crazy along the lines of Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson. Ultimately, he's a shrewd choice for Obama and the Democrats' efforts to bring religious people back into the party. Now let's hope he pushes for a middle ground on abortion...

A Christmas Wish

I hope the Republicans don't try to destroy Obama as they did Clinton. The sh%t happening in this country is too serious for the frivolities of the 1990s.

Hairhelmet-gate

Gov. Blagojevich is clearly a complete d-bag, but on some level, he's also a refreshingly honest politician. I mean, don't we all operate out of self-interest? Some of us are simply better at obscuring our motivations and maybe a bit more charitable in our actions as well.

Clearly, that giant head of hair has a reckless streak. Maybe he even wanted to get caught, but politicians make similar deals all the time. They decide not to run for positions to make way for a favored candidate. They decide to vote in support or against legislation in return for certain favors. They just don't announce it on a phone that's being wiretapped by the FBI.

A disgraceful human being

In his latest column from the Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol advocates for President Bush to give the Medal of Freedom to those who committed acts of torture. This speaks for itself:

One last thing: Bush should consider pardoning--and should at least be vociferously praising--everyone who served in good faith in the war on terror, but whose deeds may now be susceptible to demagogic or politically inspired prosecution by some seeking to score political points. The lawyers can work out if such general or specific preemptive pardons are possible; it may be that the best Bush can or should do is to warn publicly against any such harassment or prosecution. But the idea is this: The CIA agents who waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and the NSA officials who listened in on phone calls from Pakistan, should not have to worry about legal bills or public defamation. In fact, Bush might want to give some of these public servants the Medal of Freedom at the same time he bestows the honor on Generals Petraeus and Odierno. They deserve it.

Oh and he is one of the guys who brought us Dan Quayle and Sarah Palin. Is there anything more to say about this fellow Kristol?