My cousin-in-law discusses Caroline Kennedy

By GottaLaff

How exactly does one refer to one's husband's cousin, anyway? This is the very same woman (Mr. Laffy's cousin Ellen) who I referred to in a previous post. She has co-authored best-selling books with Caroline Kennedy, and now AP has interviewed her for a piece on "friends discussing Caroline". I'm all a-twitter:

By the time she was in Columbia University Law School more than a decade later, her intellectual curiosity, and her studiousness, still made an impression.

"She's the A-plus student who does 110 percent," said classmate, friend and eventual co-author Ellen Alderman. "We were nerds ... the two Type A personalities who had worked very hard in school."

Inspired by some of their law school case studies, Kennedy and Alderman had a book proposal completed before they graduated. Soon they were traveling the country, interviewing people who had been caught up in civil rights cases for "In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action."

Kennedy was very good at putting their interviewees at ease, Alderman said. There was never any talk then of a political career, she said, but looking back she's unsurprised.

"For me now it seems very natural," she said. "The most important part of the research we did was talking to people and listening to them. And she's terrific on the legal end, on the analysis and the issues, and she's terrific on the people end, on understanding how the law and government affects people every day."

Kennedy had her first daughter, Rose, around the same time she graduated from Columbia in 1988, and her professional life took shape around her children.

When Alderman became pregnant, she recalls, Kennedy became her "mommy mentor," showing her what she needed to pack a diaper bag, and giving her advice on work: "You can still do it, you're just not going to have eight, 10, 12 hours at a time," Alderman recalls her saying. [...]

Kennedy's friends and colleagues talk about what a remarkably "normal" life she lives, but one could argue they're not the best judges. After all, her circle includes famous authors, a co-president of HBO, a former head of the Democratic National Committee, senators and the president-elect.

Kennedy's finances _ estimated by some at more than $400 million _ never came up, Alderman said. The co-authors swapped who paid for dinner, and they flew coach. Kennedy has an assistant but does not use a driver, takes the subway around New York and books her own flights, friends said.

I'm so proud of Ellen. She's as nice and sweet as she can be, and so accomplished. And she pals around with the coolest people.

Councilman pushing for Nashville to go English-only

By GottaLaff

Je ne comprend pas. No entiendo. Or as we say in my neck of the woods, wtf:

In a proposal that has defined him publicly and dominated local politics for two years, [Eric] Crafton hopes to make Nashville the largest city in the United States to prohibit the government from using languages other than English, with exceptions allowed for issues of health and safety. On Jan. 22, city residents will vote on the proposal, which Mr. Crafton calls English First and critics call English Only. [...]

But the vision he does have for Nashville — and eventually America — has drawn criticism from Mayor Karl Dean and a broad coalition of civil rights groups, business leaders, ministers and immigration experts. The leaders of nine institutions of higher education in Nashville wrote an opinion article in The Tennessean newspaper opposing the proposal, which they said would sully the city’s reputation for tolerance and diversity.

“The irony of the city known as the ‘Athens of the South’ becoming the first major metropolitan community in America to pass ‘English only’ is a distressing prospect,” they wrote. [...]

Jonathan Z. Crisp, a former chairman of the county Republican Party and a supporter of the proposal, said: “Our opponents talk about Nashville being the ‘Athens of the South.’ But if you go to the other Athens, in Greece, all of the government workers are speaking Greek.” [...]

[C]ritics say he has wasted at least $350,000 of taxpayer money on a special election for an issue that does not matter to most voters. “I don’t think English Only would be an issue if it weren’t for Eric Crafton,” said Mr. Schulz of the Chamber of Commerce. But Mr. Crafton insists that momentum is on his side in Nashville and across the country. “We’ll make English the official language here,” he said. “After that happens, we’re going to go city to city, show them how we’ve done it here, and let the dominos fall.”

I have two words for Crafton, universally understood in nearly any language. But since he insists on English, I'll use what's left of my self control and leave them to your imagination. Hint: I'd be quoting Cheney.

U.S. Rejected Aid for Israeli Raid on Iranian Nuclear Site

By GottaLaff

If this is true, and it sounds like it is, it's the only time little Georgie bubbled up to the surface of the Sea of Normal in 8 years:

President Bush deflected a secret request by Israel last year for specialized bunker-busting bombs it wanted for an attack on Iran’s main nuclear complex and told the Israelis that he had authorized new covert action intended to sabotage Iran’s suspected effort to develop nuclear weapons, according to senior American and foreign officials.

White House officials never conclusively determined whether Israel had decided to go ahead with the strike before the United States protested, or whether Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel was trying to goad the White House into more decisive action before Mr. Bush left office. But the Bush administration was particularly alarmed by an Israeli request to fly over Iraq to reach Iran’s major nuclear complex at Natanz, where the country’s only known uranium enrichment plant is located.

The White House denied that request outright, American officials said, and the Israelis backed off their plans, at least temporarily. But the tense exchanges also prompted the White House to step up intelligence-sharing with Israel and brief Israeli officials on new American efforts to subtly sabotage Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, a major covert program that Mr. Bush is about to hand off to President-elect Barack Obama. [...]

The interviews also suggest that while Mr. Bush was extensively briefed on options for an overt American attack on Iran’s facilities, he never instructed the Pentagon to move beyond contingency planning, even during the final year of his presidency, contrary to what some critics have suggested.

This critic suggested that, based on news reports (not opinion pieces)... and based on Georgie's penchant for, you know, bombing countries who haven't bombed us first.

The interviews also indicate that Mr. Bush was convinced by top administration officials, led by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, that any overt attack on Iran would probably prove ineffective, lead to the expulsion of international inspectors and drive Iran’s nuclear effort further out of view. Mr. Bush and his aides also discussed the possibility that an airstrike could ignite a broad Middle East war in which America’s 140,000 troops in Iraq would inevitably become involved.

There is a whole lot more here.

Cheney, on catching Bin Laden: "We've got a few days left yet"

By GottaLaff

Please note that the Nation of Dick says he is unaware of any impending strike on Bin Laden. He must just have some kind of "gut feeling" about the imminence of a victory over a 6'4" guy with a health problem who's managed to elude him for years.

And perhaps "feeling" is too emotional a reference when it comes to the Nation of Dick:

Outgoing US Vice President Dick Cheney Friday did not give up hope of capturing or killing Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, with only 11 days left before Barack Obama moves into the White House.

"We've got a few days left yet," Cheney told CNN when asked why bin Laden or Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri continue to elude US capture.

I wonder, did Big Dick take a gander at this here chart?

Or this one?

The government’s own figures, put out by the National Counterterrorism Center but going back only to 2004, show an increase in 2007:

The urgency of rounding up Osama bin Smoke 'im Out apparently diminished relative to the increase in the number of deaths since his September 11, 2001 attacks.

But hey, there are still 11 days to go. Patience. It simply took BushCo 7 years to get it up, so to speak.

VIDEO: Wolf Blitzer (yes, Wolf Blitzer) kicks up his heels with Ellen

By GottaLaff

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade here, but I am not a fan of the Ellen Dance Ritual... especially when it involves Wolf Blitzer. Does anyone else find it as embarrassing as I do? Or am I just a big poopyhead?

Obama 1996: Michelle is "alluring", "I feel dizzy"; Michelle: "He's probably an idiot"

By GottaLaff

Speaking of alluring, how's this for an excerpt:

"Sometimes, when we’re lying together," he says, "I look at her and I feel dizzy with the realization that here is another distinct person from me, who has memories, origins, thoughts, feelings that are different from my own. That tension between familiarity and mystery meshes something strong between us. Even if one builds a life together based on trust, attentiveness and mutual support, I think that’s it’s important that a partner continues to surprise."

I can hear the panting already, and Comments aren't even a twinkle in this blog's eye yet.

The interview is from a 1996 piece that appears in the French newspaper Le Monde. Are your specs steaming up yet? Don't worry, this next snippet will clear them right up:

"It was strange, that excitement over this first-year student," then-32-year-old Michelle Obama recalls when describing the buzz about a new summer associate at the law firm Sidley and Austin. "So smart, so good-looking, so intelligent, everyone was talking about Barack. I’m more of the skeptical kind, I was thinking, 'Yeah, he’s probably an idiot, whatever.'"

Oh, Michelle, you crazy wacky romantic, you. She found herself drawn to him, of course, partially because of his background:

"Usually, these people [at the law firm] are all cast from the same mold, but he came from elsewhere. He had a high level of conversation, while still remaining an average guy. He had an impressive curriculum, but was very down to earth and liked playing basketball. That’s what I found attractive in him. Our relationship was first a friendship. It took off from there."

Like a rocket, it took off. Zoom. Over the moon. Michelle, on their contrasting personalities:

"It’s not certain that we will succeed. But we’re going to be very busy with a number of different things, and it’s going to be interesting to see what life has to offer to us. We’re ready to take on that adventure for various reasons, for instance, for the opportunities it can open to us. [...] He’s more extroverted, more expansive, me I’m more ‘let’s wait and see how things present themselves and how it can benefit us.’""

For those little squirmy trolly types who persist in accusing Obama of turning it on to for political reasons, let's take a look at this quote of his from 12 or so years ago. It's awfully consistent with his recent themes:

He says, "perhaps that’s where the private and public spheres meet, when it comes to couples, relationships, families or tribes. What’s important is empathy, an understanding of shared responsibilities, the ability to put yourself in other people’s shoes. That’s why my marriage to Michelle is vibrant, because we are able to imagine the hopes, the pains, the personal battles of other people, and the challenge for everyone is to transfer that ability (for empathy) from the family sphere to the public sphere."

Obamalicious. Finally, back to the future:

Mr. Obama says that for him and his wife, "kids are an important priority. We really look forward to having them. I think that the issue will be finding a balance between public life and private life, which will mean finding a balance between my temperament that leans towards risk-taking and ambition, and Michelle’s instinct for stability, family and strong values. The way we go about dealing with these issues will be crucial."

They've dealt with them so well that in 10 days, they'll move into the White House with the adorable Sasha and Malia, two of the the sweetest products of their stable, loving marriage.

There's plenty more where this came from, right here.

Interview tomorrow: Obama Calls for 'Grand Bargain' on Economy: 'Everybody's Going to Have to Give'

By GottaLaff

George Stephanopouloploploploplopagus interviews President-elect Obama tomorrow on "This Week":

"And eventually sacrifice from everyone?" I asked.

"Everybody’s going to have to give. Everybody’s going to have to have some skin in the game," Obama said. [...]

In his most comprehensive interview since the election, we discussed…

-- objections to his economic stimulus plans from both Democrats and Republicans, and why Obama believes it must get done by President's Day;

-- his plans for the next $350 billion of the TARP

-- the conflict between Israel and Gaza, and his plans for the Middle East, including a potential crisis with Iran;

--the potential for a Mumbai-style terrorist strike here in the U.S.;

--how and when the Obama Administration will revise U.S. counterterrorism policies and close the Guantanamo prison;

--Vice-President Cheney's advice for Obama, and whether an Obama Administration will move to investigate and prosecute Bush Administration officials for war crimes;

--the controversy over Eric Holder's nomination for Attorney General;

--how Obama is preparing for his Inaugural Address and his search for a church in Washington.

The big treat of the day was having Malia and Sasha Obama tour visit our This Week control room. The girls got on my executive producer's headset and gave me the question they most want their Dad to answer.

The goils alone are worth the price of admission.

Burris' appointment certified, may file lawsuit to get Senate seat

By GottaLaff

Ball. Court. Reid:

Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris "may return to Washington next week to demand that he be accepted as the legitimate Senate appointee to replace President-elect Barack Obama and be sworn into office," a Burris adviser tells Politico.

"If Burris' appointment is not accepted, he will file a lawsuit challenging Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democratic leadership's refusal to seat him."

Removing a key hurdle, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White officially certified Burris' appointment today.

Let's see what else Harry does to prolong the inevitable.

VIDEO: Obama drops in on Ben's Chili Bowl in D.C.

By GottaLaff

(Via)

Original story here.

Yum.

UPDATE via Nellcote:

Toxic sludge redux

By GottaLaff

No, the post title doesn't refer to BushCo, but only just this once:

The Tennessean reports that there has been a second TVA spill, today's occurring at the Widows Creek coal-burning power plant in northeastern Alabama. A "break in a pipe that removes water from the 147-acre gypsum pond" reportedly caused the leak, which resulted in "the spill of gypsum slurry at 10,000 gallons." "Some materials flowed into Widows Creek, although most of the leakage remained in the settling pond," said a TVA spokesman.

A.k.a. clean coal.

Alaskan blogger gets email from Team Palin member

By GottaLaff

I hope the Celtic Diva doesn't mind my posting her entire entry, but I didn't dare leave out one word out of her exquisite response to the chuckle-inducing email she received from Grandma Palin's peewee-brained sycophantic little disciple:

From: Rick Ward rickward@hotmail.com
To: celticdivaak@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 6:50:54 AM
Subject: Blog

You are one nasty and mean spirited person for continuing to perpetuate outright lies regarding the integrity of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Do yourself a favor (as well as your readers) and do your own research on Gov Palin and report the fact to us. If it is so important for you to blaspheme her, spend the money and fly to Alaska and obtain the facts. Best wishes for 2009. Rick

1) I've lived in Alaska for 25 years, my husband and daughter were both born here. Are you in Alaska? Nope...didn't think so...

2) I've met and talked to the Governor...I've gone to the Governor's office for press availabilities...I've sent the Governor's Office records requests...the staff knows who I am. Have you met the Governor? Nope...didn't think so...

3) Governor Palin fights back harder when we hit a "truth nerve." The fact that she put that press release out on official state letterhead could potentially leave her open for an ethics violation. You didn't know that? Nope...didn't think so.

4) Other in Alaskans for Truth and I know and have consulted with members of the Alaska Constitutional Convention (you know...the folks who actually wrote our Constitution?) as well as lawyers who are constitutional experts. Have you read it? Do you know any Alaska Constitution experts? Nope...didn't think so...

5) This is most important to me because I live here, she's my Governor and her behavior affects me daily as one of her constituents. Does it effect you in your day-to-day life? Nope...didn't think so...

Before you lecture me, you'd better learn a little bit about a) the Alaska Constitution b) the Alaska Statutes and c) the Executive Ethics Act...and you'd better have a REAL dog in this fight, not some school-boy crush.

Also, the most common definition of "blaspheme" is "to speak irreverently or profanely of or to (God or sacred things)." Please get some psychiatric help.

Best wishes for 2009 to you as well.

Linda Kellen Biegel
DNCC State Blogger for Alaska

Standing O, Linda!

VIDEO: D.C. resident's first Obama motorcade sighting

By GottaLaff

These sightings will become more commonplace, but I could feel the excitement of this videographer as I watched this:

At approximately 8:30pm on Friday, January 9th, 2009, I was approaching the corner of E Street and 8th Street NW, Washington, DC and noticed that people were waiting on the corner & a police woman was blocking traffic. When reached the corner I heard a murmur from a woman nearby saying that it was president-elect Barack Obama who was about to drive by. Right after she said this, I pulled out my camera and recorded president-elect Barack Obama's motorcade driving west on E street.

I once witnessed a Bush motorcade on the opposite side of the freeway. Needless to say, my reaction was less enthusiastic. The only thing I felt compelled to pull out was a bottle of anything alcoholic with a chaser of Pepto Bismol.

Obama's 1st Foreign Trip As President: Canada

By GottaLaff

One of my favorite memories from my childhood trips to B.C.
(via)

A treat for all of our Canadian readers:

US Presidents Typically Use Canada As First Int'l Trip

President-elect Barack Obama plans to take his first international trip to Canada.

Transition aides said Saturday that Obama picked the United States' northern neighbor as his first venture outside the country as president. Aides said they could not discuss the date for the trip or its agenda.

I've always maintained that P.E. Obama has excellent taste.

Obama watch: Chillin' with chili

By GottaLaff

Can you imagine going to some little local eatery and bumping into the future president? Some lucky chili-lovers at Ben's Chili Bowl lucked out:

Barack Obama dropped in Saturday afternoon for a bite to eat with Washington's mayor, Adrian Fenty.

Obama drew laughs from the Ben's staff and nearby patrons when he walked up to the counter and asked, "Where's the food at?"

They ordered a house specialty, a Chili Half-Smoke — a quarter-pound half pork and beef smoked sausage on a steamed bun with mustard, onions and chili sauce. They also picked up some chili-topped french fries and ice tea.

It was Obama's first time there. I know that because, being the ace blogger that I am, I noticed that when he was asked if it was his first visit, he said, "It is, actually, and it was terrific."

Those wily reporters can't pull one over on me.

A Filibuster Proof Senate in 2010?

By GottaLaff

Aw, what a cryin' shame this would be:

CQ Politics: "There doesn't seem to be any rest for weary Senate Republican strategists, who are trying to plot a comeback in 2010 for their party after two election cycles in which they lost ground."

Think of all the Dem infighting! I can almost feel the frustration now...

Reaching out:: Obama to host dinners honoring Powell, Biden and McCain

By GottaLaff

I'm not sure I could be this generous:

President-elect Obama will host a series of dinners the night before his inauguration honoring Ret. Gen. Colin Powell, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and his former presidential rival, Republican Sen. John McCain, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Saturday.

"In these times of great challenge and great change, leadership requires rising above the same old narrow partisanship," the president-elect said in a statement released by the committee.

"Each of these distinguished Americans has spent his life in service to his country, at each and every moment placing the interests of America before issues of political party. That is precisely the spirit of common purpose we need as we begin the work ahead."

Have you ever seen a (soon-to-be) president go so out of his way to be inclusive? Or to put it another way, Obama's the anti-Bush.

Oh, and by the way: Powell is not looking for an administration job.

Obama Will Eat Like Lincoln on Inauguration Day

Oy. The only good thing is if you read the article, it's obvious that the Inauguration Committee picked the menu, not Obama. But that won't stop the wingers from screeching as reading comprehension was never their strength. You can actually check out the recipes here.

On Inauguration Day, not only will President-elect Obama be sworn in using the Bible that was used to swear in President Abraham Lincoln, he will dine like Lincoln as well.

The luncheon that will be served in Congress's Statuary Hall to the president-elect and vice president-elect and their families -- as well as congressional leaders, justices of the Supreme Court and pending members of the Obama Cabinet -- will be modeled after foods that Lincoln ate and enjoyed.

The first course will even be served on replicas of the china picked out by then-first lady Mary Todd Lincoln at the beginning of her husband's term in office.

The luncheon is being put together by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which has chosen as its theme "A New Birth of Freedom," celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 12.

(snip)

The luncheon's appetizer will be seafood stew in puff pastry -- scallops, shrimp, lobster -- served as a nod to the 16th president's love of stewed and scalloped oysters.

The main course -- duck breast with sour-cherry chutney and herb-roasted pheasant served with molasses sweet potatoes and winter vegetables -- is a nod to the root vegetables and wild game that Mr. Lincoln favored growing up on the frontier in Kentucky and Indiana.

The apple cinnamon sponge cake dessert is a nod to Mr. Lincoln's love of apples and apple cake.

CDC Director, Bush Puppet Asked To Resign By Obama Administration

This is my kind of change. Remember, this is the chick that had her testimony on global warming effects "revised" by the Bush Administration for a congressional hearing. Check out the anon CDC blog for some fun. And here's some background on her probable replacement.

(CNN) -- Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will leave her post by noon on January 20, the day President-elect Barack Obama is to be sworn in to office.

In an e-mail to the staff at the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the CDC, outgoing HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt asked Gerberding and several other senior officials from his team to submit their letters of resignation.

"She did so, and it was accepted, and it is effective January 20," CDC spokeswoman Karen Hunter said.

h/t

Biden Arrives in Pakistan, Gets High Honor

The Swiss army knife with Bluetooth, USB drive, and only unlocks by fingerprint

The ultimate geek must have. You just know some guys will get it and only use it to clean their teeth....

The iconic Swiss army knife has had a technological makeover from its creator, Victorinox.

The Presentation Pro, which is designed to help survive the urban jungle rather a literal one, features a removable USB flashdrive with 32GB memory, a laser pointer, and most remarkably, fingerprint recognition.

The tool also boasts a facility that allows users to store all their passwords securely, and Bluetooth, which means it can even double as a computer mouse.

In the tradition of the famous penknife, the Presentation Pro also features a standard blade, some scissors and a file.

GOP sees Franken as top public enemy

They couldn't have picked a better guy to demonize. I think Al is up to the fight.

With only a longshot court appeal standing in the way of Democrat Al Franken’s election to the Senate, Republicans are gritting their teeth and bracing for the arrival of a new senator whose every utterance will sound like nails on a chalkboard to them.

While Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) has filed suit to contest the results of a disputed recount process that turned his narrow lead into a 225-vote deficit, his likely defeat stands to turn Franken, the polarizing former “Saturday Night Live” writer, into the senator who launched a thousand direct mail fundraising appeals.

“I don’t know if we’ve ever had an opponent who is so disliked by Republicans as Al Franken,” said Minnesota Republican Party Chair Ron Carey, who cautioned that Coleman’s election challenge could still turn the results back his way. “It’s one thing to lose to an honorable opponent, but Al Franken is not considered an honorable opponent by Minnesota Republicans.”

Saturday Links

Amazing. Crapdoodles more snow just when I thought I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, we're supposed to have that artic crap again next week. Sigh. Somebody tell me something happy please?

Ants 'get aggressive with cheats'

NYC eatery grants freedom to lobster centenarian

Space-age probe may help save eyesight

Low on cash, French Quarter may stink again

Baby moose drops in on Spokane family

From Galileo to a glimpse at the dawn of time

British Ugg boots importer closes doors

Fla. conservatives fight transgender potty rule

Pic via Cat of course.

01/10/09: President-Elect Obama's Weekly Address

Happy Birthday Motown!!

50? Really, you don't look a day over 46!! The Freep is going to be doing a video retrospective in the next few months, so check it out when you get a chance. Another one of my favs is turning 50, also and such, very soon.

On a housekeeping note, we have a new ad so click thru and check it out. You can also always make a donation thru the PayPal button to the right, and if you are thinking of buying anything from Amazon, if you use the links over to the right, just using one of those links to buy anything gets us a couple pennies a transaction. Time to stock up for Christmas erm, Keith's birthday!!

And.... Open Thread!!

Obama inauguration tickets sell out online in 60 seconds

Wowee wow wow, that's like U2 erm, Miley Cyrus* speed! They're already on Ebay at $500 for 4.

Reserved seats for the US presidential inauguration parade have sold out within one minute of being put on sale, the ticket company has said.

More then 90% of the 5,000 seats available along the parade route in Washington were sold online.

The tickets cost $25 (£16) each - but some went on to reappear on internet sites at much higher prices.

(snip)

The tickets that went on sale on Friday were for stands that line the route Mr Obama and his vice-president, Joe Biden, will take between the US Capitol and the White House.

Sales began at 1300 (1800 GMT) and went "blazingly fast", Albert Lopez, a spokesman for sales company Ticketmaster, said.

*I'm old.

John Warner bucks GOP-ers, backs Holder

This is interesting. Won't stop the R's from screeching about Mark Rich and Puerto Rican terrorists, but nevertheless interesting.

Sen. Arlen Specter and other Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee may want to derail or slow down Eric Holder’s nomination to become the next attorney general, but one of their just departed colleagues is going to bat for the nominee.

Former Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), who just stepped down from the Senate after 30 years in the body, will appear on behalf of Holder during Thursday’s Judiciary Committee hearing, according to Sen. Patrick Leahy’s (D-Vt.) office. Leahy is the chairman of the panel.

Warner and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) will introduce Holder to the Judiciary panel, and they will offer strong support for his nomination to the AG post.

Nightly News- Measures To Protect Obama During Inauguration

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Somehow I'd feel more reassured if it was someone other than Chertoff in charge.

Hardball: Moran and Kucinich on the Stimulus Package

Sounds like Moran and Kucinich are hopeful, but I'm still worried.

Al Franken to attend Obama inauguration

Hopefully he'll have time to scope around for someplace to stay after he's sworn in.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Al Franken is traveling to Washington, D.C., later this month — but not for the reason you might think.

A spokeswoman says Democrat Franken and his wife, Franni, will attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20.

Franken is awaiting a court challenge over whether he'll be able to claim a U.S. Senate seat. A state board certified that he won the election over Republican Norm Coleman by 225 votes. The pending challenge prevents Franken from getting sworn in as senator.

David Shuster V Right Wing Palin Film Maker

Round two happening right now on 1600. If you want to goggle at the idiots, check out the longest comment thread I've ever seen on Media Bistro. Remember, Zeigler was this guy who pimped a f'd poll a few months back. Read the interview with Nate Silver for more wingnuttery.

Hannity and Sharpton?

I don't get the addition of Meatloaf, but the idea of Sharpton, Bachmann and Hannity in the same room together makes my head hurt.

The new Alan Colmes-less Hannity premieres Monday with frequent Fox News guest Al Sharpton filling the liberal seat on Sean Hannity's newly christened "Great American Panel."

Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-Minn.) will fill the seat on the right. (And she should have plenty to talk about given the Senate dispute in her state between Al Franken and Norm Coleman.)

The X-factor on the panel: Meatloaf.

Obama’s Mother-in-Law to Move Into the White House

As it should be. I hope she gets her own staff so she can take it easy. Wonder if Joe's mom is moving to the Naval Observatory too?

It’s official: Marian Robinson, the 71-year-old mother-in-law of President-elect Barack Obama, will be moving into the White House, transition officials said on Friday.

In fact, Mrs. Robinson is already in town, helping to smooth the family’s personal transition as Mr. Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters prepare for new lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

“She is here to help them get up and running,’’ said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Obama. “She will determine in the coming months whether or not she wants to stay in D.C. permanently.”

VIDEO: Blagojevich responds to impeachment

By GottaLaff

Blagoqpshiyqhavich speaks... or rambles... or whines... or blurts... or defies... or stomps... or...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The One, The Only, The Barack Obama Action Figure!

By GottaLaff

BuzzFlash gives us the one! The only! Barack Hussein Obama action figure!

Okay, it doesn't look exactly like Obama, but it's sure selling like hotcakes. It's a fun, campy commemorative. [...]

From the manufacturer and designer:

"Like countless others out there, we were inspired by the meteoric rise of Barack Obama and his campaign. In a time when America so desperately needed a hero, along came a man who showed us a brand new vision of what America and the world could be in the 21st century. In many ways, Obama is the closest thing we've ever seen to a superhero... someone who has literally inspired millions of people simultaneously to step past fear, to be brave enough to hope and to go past cynicism and imagine what we could be if we were at our best. That's the stuff of legend! And we wanted to pitch in.

In that spirit we created the Obama Action Figure because every superhero should have one."

The Obama Action Figure is 6" tall.

He has eight points of articulation. Pose him presidentially!

I promised myself not to make any 6" jokes. Or eight points of articulation jokes. I mean, come on, this is the future president we're talking about here... a president I can actually respect.

Even so, you think this kind of self control is easy?

VIDEO: Three charged for seeking out blacks to beat after Obama victory

By GottaLaff

My heart breaks whenever I read stories like this. It breaks even more because I just had to say, "stories like this". There shouldn't be any:

Three young men from Staten Island, who allegedly spent Election Night looking for African-Americans to beat up after they became outraged by Barack Obama's victory, are now under federal indictment.

One victim of the group, 17 year old Liberian immigrant Alie Kamara, was beaten with a metal pipe and a police baton and still suffers from headaches and walks with a limp. Kamara's mother told ABC News, "My son didn't deserve what happened to him. ... He had to jump over a fence for his life."

The alleged ringleader, eighteen year old Ralph Nicoletti, is accused of the most heinous crime, deliberately running down a man whom he believed to be African-American as he drove with his friends through a predominantly black neighborhood.

Ronald Forte, who is actually white, was in a coma for 45 days. In a statement to the court, his mother said, "I have to take care of him for the rest of his life now. I had to leave my job to take care of my 38-year-old son because of this senseless act."

Nicoletti is considered the leader of the "Rosebank Krew" or "RBK," which is known for fire-bombing neighborhood homes and cars. He himself has an extensive history of arrests going back to the age of 14.

More here.

H/t: Babzter

Federal judge finds Bush administration engaged in illegal record-keeping practices

By GottaLaff

BushCo is always on the wrong side of the law. Busted again:

A federal judge on Friday rejected the Bush administration's latest attempt to keep secret the identities of White House visitors and declared that it engaged in illegal record-keeping practices.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth concluded that the practices in dispute took place before October 2004 when the Secret Service transferred large numbers of entry and exit logs to the White House and then deleted internal Secret Service copies of them.

The practices ended, the judge said, after various private organizations went to court in an effort to gain access to the logs.

Lamberth's ruling brushed aside the government's argument that revealing Secret Service logs would impede the president's ability to perform his constitutional duties.

The court said that the likelihood of harm is not great enough to justify curtailing the public disclosure goals of the Freedom of Information Act.

A watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, asked for the records to determine whether nine conservative religious leaders visited the White House and Vice President Dick Cheney's residence in October 2006.

Lamberth's decision means the government will have to find other legal grounds if it wants to block release of the Secret Service logs.

They'll run the clock out on this case as they have in all the others. But at least we won one.

Burris Loses Court Case

By GottaLaff

We've got the next episode of our soap opera. What next, "Blagojevich the Musical"?

The Illinois Supreme Court rejected former Attorney General Roland Burris' motion to force the Illinois Secretary of State to co-sign Burris' appointment form.

The missing signature was the main reason Senate Democrats refused to allow him to take his seat in the U.S. Senate earlier this week.

Capitol Fax: "The ball is now in US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's, um, court. Reid has said that the rule requiring the secretary of state to co-sign has never been waived in the history of the Senate. So, he'll have to back off that as well if Burris is to be seated."

"The Roland Horror Picture Show"? "HarrySpray"? "Sweeney Rod"?

I'm done now.

Palin: Waaaah!

By GottaLaff

Apparently, those pro-Palin interviews that we posted yesterday are a big misleading sham. The doggone media are lookin' to do Grandma Grizzly in, see, and we bloggers also too keep pushin' rumors like nobody's business, see.

All that talkin' Grandma's been doin' has all been edited and shuffled and designed to turn the world against her.

That sounds awfully familiar. I could have sworn she said that very same thing back in the day of the Katie Couric interviews and the Charles Gibson interviews. Now why would I make a connection like that? Oh, I know why... because she did.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s office accused the media Friday of habitually taking her remarks out of context “to create adversarial situations,” and of pursuing “erroneous and often outrageous leads on a variety of non-issues.”

Gee, that never happened to Barack Obama, and it was never due to any malicious rumor that Grandma pushed.

The statement also charged that some members of the media, including independent bloggers and the Atlantic, were continuing “to give credence to the sensational allegation that the governor’s child, Trig, is not hers.”

“As a public official, I expect criticism and I expect to be held accountable for how I govern,” Palin said in a statement released by her office Friday. “But the personal, salacious nature of recent reporting, and often the refusal of the media to correct obvious mistakes, unfortunately discredits too many in journalism today, making it difficult for many Americans to believe what they see in the media.”

The day Grandma's held accountable for anything is the day BushCo will... be held accountable for anything.

And she says "salacious" as if it's a bad thing.

The governor also said press coverage had distorted her recent remarks about aspiring New York senator Caroline Kennedy. “I was not commenting at all on Caroline Kennedy as a prospective U.S. senator, but rather on the seemingly arbitrary ways in which news organizations determine the level and kind of scrutiny given to those who aspire to public office,” she said. “In fact, I consider Ms. Kennedy qualified and experienced, and she could serve New York well.”

Palin said, “It’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out and I think that as we watch that we will perhaps be able to prove that there is a class issue here also that was such a factor in the scrutiny of my candidacy versus, say, the scrutiny of what her candidacy may be.”

Well, Granny, I'd like to expand on that "class issue" remark you made. You're right. There is a class issue, and here it is: You don't have any.

To add more ammunition to our growing stash of sound bites, Grandma kicked up a fuss about accusations about her future son-in-law.

Palin’s office also charged that reporters were unfairly scrutinizing the governor and her family. “Just this week, false stories in the media surfaced alleging improper influence by the Palin administration or the governor herself,” they said in the Friday statement, pointing to a report by an Alaska paper on union charges that her administration had delayed serving an arrest warrant on the mother of Levi Johnston, fiance of Bristol Palin. Union officials later changed the substance of those allegations considerably.

If anyone endured false rumors and smears (again, many fueled by Palin herself) in the past year, it's been Obama. He handled them with grace, poise, and the truth. If Palin is nail-biting herself into a self-pitying frenzy and whining and battling the media over this stuff, she is even more inept than she's already shown herself to be.

As I've said often and loudly, Palin is Bush III... in heels*.

*See how I avoided the "L"** word?

** lipstick***

*** I guess I didn't avoid it after all.

H/t: Ellen

VIDEO-- Obama: "If Paul Krugman has a good idea…then we’re going to do it."

By GottaLaff

Watching this live on the Tee Vee Machine made me feel a little more comfortable about Obama's take on the criticism of his economic package:

Via Think Progress:

[T]oday in his New York Times column, Krugman expresses skepticism at the effectiveness of Obama’s stimulus plan, in particular his tax cuts for businesses:

But right now we seem to be facing two major economic gaps: the gap between the economy’s potential and its likely performance, and the gap between Mr. Obama’s stern economic rhetoric and his somewhat disappointing economic plan. [...]

Last month, Krugman told radio host Bill Press that he is “in communications” with the Obama team.

Good.

A particularly ugly Bush stain: BushCo to bar autoworkers from striking against GM

By GottaLaff

When Thom Hartmann rants, I listen. Right now, he's ranting... loudly. He's quoting from this Raw Story piece, and when you're done reading, feel free to rant with Thom and me in Comments. The gist: GM says give us the loan money, but make it illegal to strike. A strike would give the government permission to rescind their loan and allow GM to declare bankruptcy:

A little-noticed provision buried in the Bush Administration's $13.4 billion loan package to General Motors will prohibit the United Auto Workers from launching a strike as long as the company receives funds from the federal government.

Not only that, but a strike would give the federal government the power to call in their loan -- putting the loan in default and forcing GM into bankruptcy. The government now has the power to force a bankruptcy if “any labor union or collective bargaining unit shall engage in a strike or other work stoppage.”

Why would he do this? Here's one reason: Break the unions, break the Democratic party.

The terms of GM's loan package were reported last night in the Detroit Free Press. They did not become public until GM filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

So the big fat corporate rich guys get their bonuses, but the workers get... screwed.
The US auto workers union is also saddled by another requirement of the loan: the UAW must now accept a plan to lower wages and benefits for GM to match those of other foreign-owned US automakers' plants.

Feel that rant coming on yet?

Colin Powell launches new Obama community service initiative "Renew America Together"

By GottaLaff

Colin Powell was just on the Tee Vee Machine announcing the unveiling of the new Obama community service web site called USA Service:

[The] “Renew America Together” initiative, [is] asking all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. The “Renew America Together” initiative will begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th to honor the legacy of a man who lived his life in service to others.

Powell:

At this moment of great purpose and great promise, President-elect Obama is calling on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. We’re not just asking the American people for one day of service. We are asking you to make an ongoing commitment of your time - an hour, a weekend, whatever you can spare. Because that’s how we’re going to rebuild this country and meet our great challenges - together.

A quote from Powell that I caught just now sums it up.

"I got back more than I gave."

Grandma Grizzly's self-serving belittling of such programs only speak to her bovine intellectual capacity and will lead to her continuing propulsion to as-yet-undiscovered depths.

Yet another Republican bites the dust?

By GottaLaff

The GOP is in flux once again:

Marc Ambinder reports "more unnamed Republicans are suggesting" that two-term Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) "was on the verge of making the decision to step down. Perhaps they're trying to pressure him to step down; former Rep. Rob Portman would be ready to run to take his place."

Blagojevich impeached

Please dear jeebus, can we move on now?

SPRINGFIELD---In a historic vote, the Illinois House has impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich, directing the Senate to put the state’s 40th chief executive on trial with the goal of removing him from office.

The vote by the House was 114-1 and marks the first time in the state's 190-year history that a governor has been impeached, despite Illinois' longstanding reputation for political corruption.

Rep. Milt Patterson (D-Chicago) was the lone vote against impeaching the governor. Patterson, from Chicago's Southwest Side, said after the roll call that he didn't feel it was his job to vote to impeach the governor. He declined comment on whether he approved of the job Blagojevich is doing.

Inaugural parade tickets to go on sale today at 1p

The hot ticket.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Presidential Inaugural Committee is releasing tickets Friday for bleacher seats along President-elect Obama's inaugural parade route, but they likely won't last long.

After all, some estimates of the crowd gathering around the National Mall are as high as 3 million people and the committee is only releasing 5,000 tickets.

Still, those parade-goers who feel especially lucky can log on to Ticketmaster.com at 1 p.m. ET to try to score the coveted tickets. They cost $25 each and individuals can purchase a maximum of 4.

The Daily Show On Joe The Reporter

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Burger at 1600

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Obama Would Initiate Communications With Hamas

I can already hear the howling from the right, but it seems plain to a sane person that if what you're doing ain't working, try something else.

President-elect Obama "is prepared to abandon George Bush's ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation," sources close to the transition team tell The Guardian.

"There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive."

Most Americans Favor Stimulus Package

It needs to get done, and yesterday. Via Taegan-

A new Gallup poll finds that 53% of Americans favor and 36% oppose the proposed $775 billion stimulus package of the type President-elect Obama described in his Thursday speech on the economy. The remaining 11% had no opinion.

A Rasmussen survey shows similar results, with 54% in favor and 33% opposed.

Meanwhile, a Politico poll finds even greater support with 79% of Americans in favor of the stimulus, versus just 17% opposed.

Jobless rate jumps to 7.2 percent in December

Dammit, I'm getting grumpier by the minute. As Duncun points out, the U6, the real measure of unemployment is up to 13.5%

Washington—The nation's unemployment rate bolted to 7.2 percent in December, the highest since early 1993, as nervous employers slashed 524,000 jobs.

The Labor Department's report, released Friday, underscored the terrible toll the deepening recession is having on workers and companies, and highlights the hard task President-elect Barack Obama faces in resuscitating the flat-lined economy.

For all of 2008, the economy lost a net total of 2.6 million jobs. That was the most since 1945, when nearly 2.8 million jobs were lost. Although the number of jobs in the U.S. has more than tripled since then, losses of this magnitude are still being painfully felt.

Friday Links

Grumpy. Computer and this pissing me off.

'Cancer-free' baby born in London

When Daddy Is Off at War: A Hologram Home?

Do-it-yourself 3D movies at home

Washington Times: Inauguration gown buyers go Goodwill hunting
You've snagged the highly coveted inaugural ball tickets, a hot date and, most importantly, a place to crash afterward. Now the real challenge - finding a gown or tux at a recession-proof price.

Women detect, encode male sexual sweat

Will snack lovers go nuts for squirrel-flavoured crisps?

Attendance Down at Adult Entertainment Expo

CNN: Bush Delivers Final Policy Speech with Few Watching
Twelve days before he leaves office, President Bush delivered his final policy speech, choosing to focus on his signature education reform law known as "No Child Left Behind."

Rachel Maddow Show: RNC in Chaos

Shallow Thoughts: Sarah Palin calendar edition

By GottaLaff

You all remember that Grandma Palin has her very own 2009 calendar, don't you? So does Newsmax. The Motley Moose:

"Hot Sarah Palin Calendar Just Released"

Newsflash from Human Events doh't com. And, yes, that is the actual subject line of today's Newsmax spam.

Today's Shallow Thought, via Motley:

So glad to see the Far Right evolving. Way to honor the office of the Governor of Alaska that you respected so deeply only a few months ago.

That was today's Shallow Thought. Thank you for wading in.

Colin Powell to hold presser on behalf of Obama

By GottaLaff

Just a one-liner about Powell and the Inauguration Committee holding a presser. D'oh! I ruined the surprise:

The former secretary of state will hold a media avail at the Mayflower Hotel at 12:15 pm ET about Obama's call to national service.

I just can't keep a secret.