This is getting old real fast

I didn't think too much of the Barack Obama posters by Shepard Fairey when the campaign started using them. Even worse, more and more politicians, at least the liberal ones, are now copying this style. Enough already.

At long last!

Former NY Senate leader Joseph Bruno indicted

It's too bad this had to wait until after he quit the NYS Senate. But I'm not the least bit surprised that this came when the Repugnants are no longer in control of the Department of Justice.

Plat du jour--guest submission

When I first saw this I read it as "ME ON LYME."

HT to Jean from the MHB boards.

Headline of the day

(assuming the day was January 15)

Fish poop helps balance ocean's acid levels

Semi-random thoughts

● This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down. There's a whole generation who never experienced Berlin, and Germany, being divided.

● The people proposing a cabinet-level secretary of LGBT affairs are crazy, for a good number of reasons. Equating LGBT people with veterans is wrong (for one thing, the government creates veterans). But a secretary of the arts is not a bad idea.

● I'm glad they figured out a way President Obama can keep using his Blackberry. I think one of the biggest problems of our presidency is how isolated they become.

● The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team just doesn't have the talent it did the past two years. It is doubtful they will repeat as regular season or Big Ten tournament champions. I think there's a good chance they can get into the NCAA tournament, but I'd be quite surprised if they win more than one game there.

Blog For Choice Day

It's the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

This is a blog for choice. Basically, I believe people should have the right to control their bodies. My friend Helen Boyd, who can write rings around me when she's half asleep, explained it much better:

I’m pro-choice because

● because this planet is too crowded
● because abortion will always be available, but it will only be available to wealthier women if it’s illegal, which is class discrimination
● because women deserve to decide their own lives & when & how they want to have children
● because they never, ever report on where the father is when a teenaged girl leaves her baby on someone’s doorstep (or in a local dumpster, etc).
● because women don’t always choose when they’re having sex, even if they’re not raped
● because younger women, especially, may not have the self-confidence to insist on safe sex

Plat de l'année

Well, last year.
From the NY Times: Story.

HT to @Sarahgoat

My thoughts on the inauguration

Today is a historical day. This we all know. I am a bit amazed at the millions of people who traveled to Washington and braved sub-freezing weather to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama. I can understand how African-Americans would want to be a part of such a big step toward racial equality. But there are so many others there also. There are also so many more who did not go, but were too excited even to sleep last night.

I understand their excitement, but I don't share it. There will be big changes, for the good, some immediate. But there will also be disappointments, especially for those anticipating huge, quick changes on everything that President Obama campaigned on. The economy is a mess, and I think it will be the focus of his first weeks. Other areas will be touched, especially ones that can easily be handled by executive order, but some will be put on the back burner. Guantanamo (the prison, not the whole base) can be closed. The process of getting out of Iraq can be started. But the repeals of Don't Ask Don't Tell and DOMA will wait. Health care will wait. A little can be done about global warming right now, but mostly it will wait.

Again, there will be disappointments. No president ever gets everything he wants. The Republicans in the Senate still have enormous power to throw up roadblocks, and I doubt they will refrain from using it, despite the enormity of the economic disaster the country is facing. They don't understand what got us into this mess, or how to get us out of it. Some of them may look at the polls that are so supportive of the president and temper their opposition, but plenty will just ignore them.

I was, to be honest, a bit disappointed in the inaugural address. It was good, but not great. There were no great lines, there was no "Ask not," maybe nothing that will make the quote books. There were certainly no surprises. Obama effectively made his points, basically repeating his campaign positions, but without any rhetoric that will make the speech memorable. I'm sure former-president Bush (smile, smile) was quite uncomfortable at parts of it (assuming he was even listening). I think even former-president Clinton may even have heard a veiled criticism or two.

History has been made. The celebrations continue. But I can only be hopeful that President Obama is successful in acheiving his program.

Weekly free associations

1. Arrival :: Departure


2. Vomit :: Puke


3. Fit :: Fiddle


4. Stutter :: Speech impediment


5. Lifestream :: huh?


6. Tread :: Tire


7. Desire :: Want


8. Freezing :: Cold


9. Permit :: Allow


10. Crinkle :: Cut

HT to Unconscious Mutterings.

A sign you're getting old