The President Of The United States

Inaugural Address
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Washington, D.C.

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.  I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. 

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.  The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.  Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.  At these …

Today’s Most Difficult Job Belongs To…

Emmett Beliveau.  He’s executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee.  And the most difficult part of the most difficult job is the emptying of 5000 portable toilets.

“I’ve signed the contract for regular emptying of the port-a-potties. But that’s different from saying I’m sure they will be [emptied].”

The maestro of Tuesday’s inauguration in his role as executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Mr. Beliveau is overseeing the 5,000 portable toilets plus 20 Jumbotron television screens, hundreds of shuttle buses, thousands of VIPs, the distribution of event tickets by armored trucks, and what the Obama staff …

The “L” Word: Now You Can Say It

You no longer have to treat the word “liberal” as though it’s something one steps in by accident.  It is now safe to say you are one.

Though the word appears to have lost its sting after years of Republican attacks, most of those on the left of the Democratic Party prefer the word “progressive,” the one Hillary Clinton embraced when asked about her political identity.

But at a concert hosted by the New Republic last night, Rahm Emanuel — amid a stream of praise for Rep. Barney Frank, also in attendance — embraced the word.

 …

Mr. 22 Percent

The CBS/New York Times final rating for George W. Bush has him with a 22% approval rating, with 73% saying they disapprove of how he’s done his job.

Mr. Bush’s final approval rating is the lowest final rating for an outgoing president since Gallup began asking about presidential approval more than 70 years ago.

The rating is far below the final ratings of recent two-term presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, who both ended their terms with a 68 percent approval rating, according to CBS News polling.

Recent one term presidents also had higher ratings than Mr. Bush. …

On Monday’s Radio Show…

• Alan talks with former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, author of What Happened, about the Bush legacy and the incoming administration’s agenda.

 • Former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card shares the inside scoop on the goodbye party he co-hosted yesterday for the outgoing president.

• Matt Towery, author of Paranoid Nation, discusses how President-elect Obama led one the most successful presidential campaigns in history.…

The First Amendment Applies To All Americans, Not Just Conservatives

Bill Ayers, who became a political football during the presidential campaign, was denied entrance into Canada where he was to speak at the University of Toronto.

Jeffrey Kugler, the executive director for the Center for Urban Schooling at the University of Toronto, said Ayers was deemed not admissible after being pulled aside by Canadian immigration officials while trying to clear customs at the Toronto airport.

Ayers was told he could request a hearing, but that would require detention and a two week wait.  And he is being protested by conservatives at St. Mary’s College in San Francisco, even …

Free At Last?

President Bush made the right wing happy with his commutation of border patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The two shot an unarmed man in the back as he was running away from them, fleeing across the Rio Grande.  At the time, Compean and Ramas didn’t know he was a drug dealer.

Compean and Ramos were convicted of shooting admitted drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete Davila in the buttocks as he fled an abandoned van full of marijuana. They argued at trial that they thought Davila was armed and that they shot in self-defense, but the prosecutor said no …

Last Minute Pardons, Anyone?

Politico runs down the top 10 last-minute pardons to look for.  High on the list of possibilities:

Scooter Libby:

Status: Convicted in 2007 of obstruction of justice, false statements, and perjury in investigation into leak of identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, two years probation and $250,000 fine; prison sentence commuted by Bush before service. A Libby pardon has strong support among conservatives. “Scooter Libby was not guilty of the original crime trumpeted by the media and the Democrats for campaign purposes. He was not responsible for the leak…..It’s a travesty, it seems to …

Be Careful, Pastor Derrick Harkins

Dr. Derrick Harkins is senior pastor at the Nineteenth street Baptist Church in DC, where Obama and his family worshiped the Sunday before his inauguration. The church dates back to 1802 and has a storied history.

Through the years, the church has been progressive in its teachings and actions. In the early 1980s, the Rev. Jerry A. Moore Jr., the pastor at the time, joined other local Baptist ministers in defying an unspoken ban within black Baptist clergy to ordain a woman. Under Harkins, who became pastor 11 years ago, the church has been outspoken on issues involving HIV/AIDS, …

John McCain Won’t Let Wife Appear On Dancing With The Stars

Cindy McCain really wanted to do it, according to the New York Post, but hubby John said no.  Talks began before Thanksgiving, but “no” is the final answer.  I guess the closest we’ll ever get is Arden Myrin on MADtv’s “So You think You Can Dance: President’s Edition”, in a Cindy-like pose.…

Will It Be A Real Ceasefire?

For one thing, it will only last if Israel leaves Gaza.  Hamas leaders say they’ll abide the ceasefire for a week, by which time it wants Israel out.  And, as Jonathan Shainan writes, there is no chance for a lasting peace unless and until Israel offers Palestinians sovereignty in Gaza.

It is important to understand that Israel did not leave Gaza in 2005. Israeli settlers left Gaza, and Israeli soldiers moved from its center to its perimeter. The deprivation inflicted by the subsequent siege has been widely chronicled elsewhere, and while it may provide little justification for Hamas violence, …