Jack & Jill Politics

Serena Williams Wins Australian Open

Her 10th Major title.

Her 4th Australian Open.

Her 3rd consecutive Slam final.

Back at the No. 1 ranking.

The Williams sisters win when they feel like it. Totally dominant

rikyrah: PRESIDENT OBAMA is PLANNING A-H-E-A-D!:

Obama To Sign Bill On Digital TV Transfer Delay



WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama will sign a bill to give consumers more time to get ready for the switch from analog to digital television broadcasts. The switch under current law is set for Feb. 17.

The Senate earlier this week passed the bill to delay that until June, but it failed in the House under a procedure that required a two-thirds vote for passage.

The Senate passed the bill again Thursday night, and the House plans to take another run at it next week under regular procedures. That means a simple majority vote is required.

Gibbs said Obama will sign the bill because he wants more time to ensure that people don't lose their television signals.

Paying ATTENTION to HOUSEHOLD DETAILS!! LEADERSHIP!! :>)

I heard on CNN that the compliance of the networks with the bill is optional. I also heard that they are trying to push it back to June. Hopefully none of the networks will jump the gun and switch on the original Feb 17th date...

rikyrah: ALLL U TEXANS! GET READY! GET READY! GET READY!

Ex-Detroit mayor seeking job in Texas

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has a job interview in Texas immediately after his release from jail next week, his lawyers say.

A judge granted Kilpatrick permission to spend five days in Texas once he is freed Tuesday, the Detroit Free Press reported. His lawyers asked for a hearing Wednesday to make the request.

The lawyers refused to say where Kilpatrick is going for the interview. His lawyers also said he plans to spend time with family members in Texas.

Kilpatrick, after his legal troubles began, visited T.D. Jakes, head of a Dallas mega church.

Jim Thomas, one of the lawyers, said that publicity could affect Kilpatrick’s chance of getting a job.

“It’s sort of like taking a look at the nucleus of the atom; they say it affects the conduct,” Thomas said.

Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner said his main interest is the $1 million in restitution Kilpatrick must pay. Kilpatrick has so far paid $27,500.

Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to lying on a deposition about his relationship with his former chief of staff and their role in police firings. He is also the target of a federal investigation.

Are all your MAYORS entrenched in their positions? :>) :>)

rikyrah: "NOW THE DAY IS OVER:"

January 30, 2009: The Day in 100 Seconds

ENJOY! :>)

Now The Day Is Over

ENJOY! :>)

New Obama tax-evasion scandal: Tom Daschle - "So far, the incoming Barack Obama administration has given us a tax cheat/incompetent to run the IRS (Tim Geithner) and at least three lobbyists to regulate their industries (William Lynn, Mark Patterson, Neal Wolin). Now we’re back to tax evasion, and once again it’s a major Cabinet appointment..."

Bumps in the Road: Obama's HHS Secretary Nominee Faces Tax Questions Over Car and Driver...President Obama's secretary of health and human services has hit a traffic snarl on its way through the Senate Finance Committee.

So Karmi, congratulations on Michael Steele's selection as Chariman of the RNC!

I can feel how excited you are, because you're SPEECHLESS.

hey Karmi - we covered this one earlier. In summary . . . .

YAWN!

Economic Stimulus Package Would Place Social Security Trust Fund in Deficit for First Time Ever ... Obama and the Democrats now plan on taking Social Security from seniors: "The Senior Citizens League is advocating for any decrease in payroll taxes to be taken from the general treasury, not the Social Security Trust Fund."

"Economic Stimulus Package Would Place Social Security Trust Fund in Deficit for First Time Ever ..."

Try again. Everyone knew for years that there would be no social security for our children at the rate we were going and if we did nothing to fix this issue so . . . . not sure how this suddenly became a problem based on a stimulus package. Clearly the person that did this analysis must have been living in some alternate reality.

Good one, but I knew two years ago that social security was depleting. Can't blame that on my President.

NEXT!

OBAMA INFORMAL STYLE CREATES MORE RELAXED WHITE HOUSE

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1023547

547,000 customers powerless - Obama sits on ASS while many Americans freeze and go hungry. Katrina was nothing compared to this total neglect by Obama!

LOL. That is a lie! I saw him on the checkout line at Home Depot. He was buying candles and hand warmers... .

I think this may be the comment that Jill warned you about that would get your idiotic racist ass banned. I'll be sure to point it out to her.

I'm in Kentucky & we got hit with the ice storm. The utility co's are working as fast as they can. The trees and powerlines are still caked in ice because the temperatures haven't risen enough to melt the ice and make things easier for the workers. Mother nature has her way and President Obama can't change that! Also he got complimented from our Governor for reacting so quickly to his state of emergency request.

UPDATE: It's over 600,000 now. Must be too cold for Obama and his MSM to go there. Over 150,000 more people than New Orleans had when Katrina hit!

At least Obama authorized help for those people. Bush stood around eating birthday cake!

Get the fuck out of here Karmi. "Katrina was nothing compared to this total neglect of" President" Obama to you, mofo!

Spoken like a true RACIST PHUCK. Katrina was nothing.? It's all about WHITEY, isn't it? What is anybody goinmg to do for our white asses?

You tell him, Spirit! Kapow!

Oops!

Look at post below me.

Liar Liar.....

lol Karmi - I finally figured it out. You get paid to post this drivel. I understand you are just trying to make a living and I can't begrudge anyone an opportunity to earn a $1.00 so carry on.

He/She still thinks they are earning McCain Points. Maybe one day Karmi will earn enough McCain Points to get a Palin T-shirt and bumper sticker.

lol

ROTFLMBAO!!! $1.00, yep, that's about right.

You are a liar and a Troll :P

President Barack Obama has approved Governor Steve Beshear's request for an emergency Presidential Disaster Declaration that will assist people in need across the Commonwealth.

"President Obama called me last night to express his concern about the plight facing our state and many of our people. I appreciate the president's quick response to our request for a disaster declaration," Governor Beshear said as he traveled throughout Western Kentucky to meet with local officials and survey damage to the region. "We will move quickly to bring power generators, communications equipment and debris removal equipment into the region to help restore power and protect our people in their time of need."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28912346/

Karmi,

You really have the nerve! Lets discuss George Bush sitting on his @ss while little babies & old people died at the Convention Center from lack of basic needs like food & water. Lets talk about George Bush sitting on his @ss for 7 minutes in a classroom while the second plane was flying into the World Trade Center.

Come on Karmi....What are your thoughts on that?

Rule #2:

If you're a white president and thousands of people are in peril and you fly over them to look at them, and you land at the airport to have birthday cake, you're doing a heck of a job.

If you're a black president and thousands of people are in peril and you sign government orders to have aid and electricity sent to them, but you don't go down there to personally rewire the electricity, you are just sitting on your ass.

LMAO... I love it!!! Great assessment!!!

BOOYAH!! SHE SCORES!

*Rimshot!*

LOL!

Town, you make me laugh out loud!

LMAO at "go down there to personally rewire the electricity."

Genius, Town, genius.

Justice58: Ya! He/she has made the UN-FORTUNATE 500!

Specifically, NEGATIVE 504! Ya!?

The Un-Fortunate 500 lol

Yay GreenLady!

Justice58: What can I say? :>) :>)

Karmi - where was this post and outrage when Bush sat on HIS ass while hundreds sat on their roofs in the Gulf Coast? THOSE WERE THE LUCKY ONES

Did Obama cause the ICE that caused the power outages? What about the Senator's from these states? Where is the local responsibility? Barack Obama, excuse me, PRESIDENT Barack Obama cannot fix everything. Sucks for the people out of power but WE the people have greater concerns right now - that is why we have local, state and a federal governments.

nickwah22: MAJOR CO-SIGN!!

Annnnnnnd didn't he SIT for 8 YEARS!? YEP!!!

Annnnnnd PRESIDENT OBAMA CAUSED the STORMS!

yep. he certainly did GreenLady. lolol Wish they would make up their minds . . . he is the Messiah . . . no he's not. . . . he is the Messiah . . . . . no he's not. . . . he is

blah blah blah

val: DAZED and CONFUSED - - -Just like THIS!

Remember? :>) :>) Those were the days!! :>) :>)

Val,

I know! Our President has them so confused. Geez, will they make up their mind already?

Val, he's an Arab. palling aorund with terrorist, THATONE, THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

LOL!!!!!

LOL!

Web Site Sows Support for White House Farmer
Small, Urban, Organic Growers Get Votes on Web Site Sowing Support for White House Farmer

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Science/WireSt...

White House Lawyers Look to Limit Commercial Use of President's Image

Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama’s popularity makes him a marketer’s dream. Now, the honeymoon may be over for those trying to profit from his appeal.

White House lawyers want to control the use of the president’s image, recognizing the worldwide fascination about Obama’s election, First Amendment free-speech rights and easy access to videos and photos on the Web.

“Our lawyers are working on developing a policy that will protect the presidential image while being careful not to squelch the overwhelming enthusiasm that the public has for the president,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

Obama’s calls for change and his “Yes We Can” campaign mantra are being evoked to sell assembly-required furniture in Ikea’s “Embrace Change” marketing campaign, bargain airfares during Southwest Airlines Inc.’s “Yes You Can” sale and “Yes Pecan” ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. shops.

“I can’t remember this ever happening to an active politician before, as a spokesperson or as an image for a brand,” said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media Inc., a New York-based advertising agency. “He’s in the highest profile of any person in the world right now.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarch...

Chuck Todd on Michael Steele from firstread.msnbc.msn.com

"From NBC's Chuck Todd

The GOP averted a P.R. disaster after the race came down to Steele and Dawson. It was a pretty obvious choice: Pick the African American or the guy who had to quit an all-white country club. Had Dawson not had that negative mark on his resume, he would have won because he was a party insider. (Will this lead to him and other southern Republican politicians to end these country club restrictions? It's very retro in this day...)"

Katon Dawson still is going to "win" because they're going to set Steele up worse than a Oreo cookie tray in a school lunchroom.

Steele has an epic fail, Dawson is installed after they think people's forgotten about the all white club. The end.

Well, the all-white country clubs don't bother Steele. Remember what he said when asked about Bob Erlich holding a fundraiser at an all-white country club? "I don't care. I don't play golf".

of course, golfing wasn't the point

Thanks for sharing Angelar. My favorite parts --

As for Steele, he's got a lot of work to do. The big knock on him was that he wasn't an RNC insider and he's not the best organizer. His Senate campaign in 2006 was a lot of hot air, but he was simply crushed and he ran as a moderate at the time.

Steele will be judged on mechanics more than optics. The issue for the GOP isn't finding a new face; it's finding a new political identity and catching up with the Democrats on the technological front. Steele may become a good spokesperson for the party -- the bar's kinda low right now as it stands. But can he raise the real money and put in place the grassroots tools necessary to make the party competitive?

***********************************************************************************
This will be an interesting year.

Rikyrah - you asked for inaugural pics.

Try these - http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=20...

Val, the pics are amazing! I love the pic of Michelle in front of the red, white and blue!

Black Snob has a great post up about Chairman Steele, check it out:

Michael Steele Wins! Now What?

The guy he beat used to belong to a white only country club for 10 years. I heard a reporter say the repubs he talked to were afraid the only thing they would hear if they elected the white guy was just that piece of info about belonging to a "whites only country club......it was too funny. I think I was listening to MSNBC.

Cubby does Single Ladies - Beyonce and Justin Timberlake SNL PARODY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmma6o5K-hc

I LOVEEEEEE IT

Tyra had him, the 3yr old and the 3 big girls on her show today. There was way to much Tyra megalomania to watch more than a few minutes of it.

see . . . that is why I don't watch Tyra. I don't like the way folks get exploited.

fyi - In case you want to know about Obama's watch.

from www.nationaljewelernetwork.com

"Which watch brands do Obama, Biden wear?
January 30, 2009

This Omega Seamaster, worn by Vice President Joe Biden, retails for $2,080.

Washington--The fashion choices of First Lady Michelle Obama have already generated much press, but for the watch industry, all eyes are on what type of timepieces the leader of the free world, and his second in command, put on every morning.

President Barack Obama is already making news for cultivating a less-formal, rolled-up shirtsleeves environment at the White House, one that is a stark departure from the more formal dress code established by President Bush, who required staffers to wear business suits while on the clock. But Obama's latest choice of timepiece is not just formal, it's government-issued, with a Secret Service seal on it.

Back in 2007, when Obama was still a U.S. senator, Secret Service agents gave him the black-dial chronograph watch that he subsequently wore for the inauguration and for the signing of his first act as president. It was a gift for Obama's 46th birthday, and it came from the Secret Service employees' store at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C., according to a report in The Times of London.

Though the Secret Service employees' store is not open to the public, the Obama watch--without the Secret Service shield--can be purchased from the manufacturer, Jorg Gray. It is called the JGC6500 Chronograph and it retails for $325, the paper said.

TAG Heuer confirms that as recently as 2007, Obama wore a TAG Heuer Series 1500 Two-Tone Diver's Watch.

Meanwhile, Omega has laid claim to having Vice President Joe Biden as a fan in a recently issued press release stating that the new second-in-command leader "completes his stately look with a classic Omega timepiece." Specifically, Biden wears a stainless steel Omega Seamaster 300m timepiece, which features a precision quartz movement and is water resistant down to 1,000 feet. The suggested retail on the watch is $2,080."

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 06:41 EST
Chris Rock's good hair day

PARK CITY, Utah -- According to the story that comedian Chris Rock tells at the beginning of "Good Hair," the documentary he produced, co-wrote and narrates that premiered here this week, his young daughter Lola came inside from playing one day and asked him, "Daddy, why don't I have good hair?" That question launched Rock and director Jeff Stilson on a nearly global inquiry into the meaning and history -- not to mention the prodigious financial significance -- of hair in the African-American community.

Rock and Stilson's initial subject was the annual Bronner Bros. International Hair Show in Atlanta, a prodigious trade fair for black-oriented hair products that culminates with a competitive hairdressing competition that literally must be seen to be believed. A combination of Mardi Gras costume ball, erotic dance routine and performance art, the competition features such larger-than-life characters as Derek J., who performs in specially redesigned women's thigh boots, and Jason Griggers, a blond and flamboyant white man who describes himself as the Rosa Parks of black-oriented hairdressers.

Amazing as the Bronner Bros. show is, the business of black hair is far bigger still. As I confessed to Chris Rock during our Park City conversation, I've seen the aisles of black hair-care products at chain stores, and I knew about the existence of relaxers and hair weaves. But the ubiquity of relaxed, straightened, processed or augmented hair among black women -- and the immense cost this can represent -- was something I'd literally never thought about. (Maybe Rock was just trying to make me feel less clueless, but he says he didn't know much about the subject either before making the film.)

Rock conducts frank, funny and sometimes startling interviews with superbly coiffed black celebrities from Maya Angelou and the Rev. Al Sharpton to Ice-T, Salt-n-Pepa, Nia Long and Raven-Symoné. He meets ordinary women in hair salons across the country; and even travels to the Hindu temples of India, source of most of the hair that ends up in weaves attached to African-American women's heads. "Good Hair" is a smart and thought-provoking film without quite becoming confrontational. Rock raises the obvious fact that black Americans have assimilated to a cultural standard of beauty that is more European than African, but without treating it as a moral issue, or something that a movie made by a comedian is likely to change.

Rock joined me on a sofa in a crowded storefront space on Park City's Main Street for a few minutes of conversation. As with so many professional extroverts, his offstage demeanor was reserved, calm and a little on the serious side.

If I was producing and marketing a film that is about African-American culture, and black people and black hair, the first place that I would want to come is Utah, naturally.

http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/btm/feature/200...

Wow,

That's sounds like a great film to see. Does it have a distributer?? I would love to see it.

I am in the process now of "liberating" myself from the dependency of hair relaxer...translation: i'm tired of relaxing my hair, and I don't feel like paying my hairdresser to do it. I currently trying to "grow out the perm", but my head is so big, that I don't want my hair to be too short, so I'm rocking a "sew in" right now.

Anywya, TMI I know. Anyway, I would love to hear more.

I want to see it, too. An article last week said that if they can't/don't release it to theaters, it might be on HBO. I think it would do well.

I did a grow out for about a year, wore cornrows as cover, then I cut the perm off. I've been called Apple Head at times, so I know about the big head. I don't know if I'm ready to commit to locs yet.

I'm sporting a big AFRO. A big mofo AFO, and I love it!

spirit: Here's a present: IN HONOR OF YOUR HAIR!

USE IT WELL! :>) :>)

GreenLady, you know me so well.

spirit: :>) :>)

I still have mine - - - - from the 70's! :>) :>)

Get locks.They are liberating and there's nothing sexier than a sister with locks.

All I know is it's a Sundance film.

When is President Obama giving The State of the Union Address?

I heard Robert Gibb (press sec) say a few days ago he thought some time in Feb. but he didn't have a date.

President Barack Obama will give a State of the Union style address to Congress sometime in February, spokesman Robert Gibbs said during Friday's press briefing.

"I think it is likely that he will speak to Congress, a joint session in Congress, sometime in February. I don't believe that we have got a date nailed down. I know there is interest from your bosses whether it will coincide with Dancing With The Stars ... and I don't mean Congress," he said. "It is something we are doing, I just don't know the time frame."

An Obama aide notes that while Obama will address the legislature it may not technically qualify as a State of the Union Address. To be determined is whether or not the president will get a hug for Joe Lieberman and/or a kiss from Michelle Bachman.

lol! Lieberman and Bachman = yech.

Can anyone lead me to the clip of Claire McCaskill going off about the bonuses paid to those Wall Street thieves?

there is a video at CNN's politics.com. I don't know how to copy it.

Original - http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/01/...

Interview after she laid them out. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/2893707...

I love my Senator.

I bet she is planning for 2016, assuming she wins reelection in 2012.

exotrip, Senator McCaskill is a treasure. President Obama is very fortunate to have her support. I love her Midwestern Spirit!

Jake Tapper on the casual White House
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6767965

I can appreciate President Obama's working style. They work hard for long hours on major issues of the country but without extra unnecessary stress.

John McCain Working on Alternative Stimulus Plan

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2009/01/mccain...

It's only been a few weeks, and he's already flip flopping.

Poor old thing.

He's been working on that alternative stimulus plan since September, when he suspended his campaign. I guess somebody forgot to tell him the American populace rejected his stimulus plan, as he is still SENATOR McCain and not President McCain.

Can't wait to see what Mr. "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" comes up with. And since he has sooo much sway over House Republicans, I'm sure it will pass in no time.

We know he's willing to drop whatever....even his DEPENDS to tend to the bizzness of our economy.

"Can't wait to see what Mr. "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" comes up with."

lolol That was my first thought KatH

*knock knock* you lost mcsame!

Not political but I simply can't believe this one. 80% of crimes based on gangs?

Gangs Blamed for 80 Percent of U.S. Crimes

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/FedCrimes/story?id...

I am not surprised. I have read many things on how entrenched gangs are in the U.S. With the economy tanking, crime will increase even more.

If you read about the gangs in prison and how organized they are, it is scary.

well if you look at receidivism alot of times its the same group of people doing the same things over and over again. there was a criminologists i think he name was marvin wolfgang. he looked at something similar to this and fond that prisons were filled with people from basically the same areas. la, chicago, philedelphia, and some others. receidivism has always been the biggest problem with crime. multiple crimes is the problem usually because the most heinous crimes get recorded. so i dont know if id give it 80 but i wouldnt put it below 65.

Giuliani: CEO Bonuses Are 'Economic Stimulus'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/30/giulia...

Some people really don't know when to shut up.

Even Leslie Sanchez the Republican strategist on CNN had to admit that he needed to STFU.

Dems: GOP's Stimulus Would Actually Raise Taxes For Many

GOP leaders — led by John Boehner and Eric Cantor — have spent days bashing the economic stimulus package being touted by President Obama and Democrats because it doesn’t sufficiently cut taxes.

But is it possible that the alternative plan House Republicans unveiled as a more responsible approach earlier this week would have actually raised taxes for untold numbers of Americans?

That’s the surprising claim that House Democratic staffers who have taken a look at the GOP plan are now making. They insist to me that the Republicans did some almost comic number shuffling in drawing up their proposal, the upshot of which would be that the actual tax bill would go up for many.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/stimulus-pack...

Rachel Maddow is such a concern and purity troll. She get's the hell on my nerves sometimes.

Did you hear what she said about the Obama Administration & Lobbyist? Ugh!



(Nanny Nanny Boo Hoo)

What did she say?

I know I had to stop watching her show as election day drew near. She was driving me crazy with her worrying!

Ever since the election, she has had a "If Obama doesn't do X, then his presidency will be ruined FOREVER! I wonder if she's still pissed about Warren?

Rachel stated President Obama promised on the campaign trail that he wouldn't have lobbyist working in his White House...but he does. She said he didn't live up to his campaign promise( loosening the rules) and that Politico reports there are 13 former lobbyist now working in his Administration.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#28941330

Are they CURRENTLY lobbyists?

If not, Maddow needs to STFU.

no they aren't and they are not able to work in any department they lobbied in the past or at least 2 years after leaving the job.

Justice, Rachel, Keith, Chris, all of these so -called news folks wouldn't have a job if it weren't for elected officials, criminals, and a breaking news headline.

All of them puff up and spin to maintain their relevance. For me, Rachel has been hit and miss. I think she's still trying to find her way and maintain a balance. Shes a Rhodes Scholar, but the cable tv stations are into ratings and $$$$.

She has turned into a total disappointment with her own show. On Olbermann's show she had an interesting point of view and a sense of humor. I don't watch her now, because every time I do I have the urge to send her a case of big girl panties.

"Talk me down, Talk me down!". Please!

i say bring back dan Abrahams to fill the 10 spot

yeah you can tell shes a liberal shes ready to throw another dem under the bus and start panicking

What is she saying?

I stopped watching her. Reminds me too much of chicken little. The sky is ALWAYS falling.

Yup. They need to tell her quick to stop worrying so damn much.

Excuse the cussin'...

Just imagine President Obama sayin' "I got this!"

isonprize: I almost 4-got this 1. ;>) :>)

Need help:

This Week's New Yorker Magazine has a photo spread of folks who went to Inaugural Balls. I'd love to use some of them. Looking for them now. I can only find a slideshow that I canNOT copy the pics from. Any guess as to how I can get ahold of the individual pics?

Where is the slideshow?

This past week made me wonder why the Democrats have been ineffective at messaging. The Democrats should have been prepared for Republicans attacking the stimulus bill. They need to put more people on cable news show to push back the R's lies.

Obama's a model for black college dress guidelines
Winston-Salem State University
The Winston-Salem State University web site posts campus attire "Don'ts."
Colleges in North Carolina issue suggestions for proper campus attire. As the now-president says: 'People might not want to see your underwear.'
By David Zucchino
January 30, 2009

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asecti...

and he's become a model for black Iraqi's!

fyi from www.dailyadvance.com

First black Iraqi runs in elections

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA
The Associated Press

Thursday, January 29, 2009

BASRA, Iraq — He calls himself the "Iraqi Obama" and hopes to channel President Barack Obama's good luck by becoming the first black Iraqi to win an election.

Salah al-Rekhayis lives in a town southwest of Basra called Zubayr, and with the help of his campaign manager-sister and brother, has pasted campaign posters urging citizens to vote for him in Saturday's provincial elections.

He walks in the unkempt streets of his town, bending down to greet children with a big smile and a warm glow about him, feeling confident of the great ambition to win one of the 35 seats up for grabs in Basra.

Al-Rekhayis is one of an estimated two million Iraqis who have African roots — and one of only 800 in his town. According to al-Rekhayis, his people have never been allowed to run in any Iraqi elections, or to hold important executive positions of power in either political or corporate areas of the country. Until now.

"Obama is the reason I decided to run. We both have African roots," said al-Rekhayis. "We never had the same opportunities as other Iraqis before, but Obama gave me the push to run after he took the leadership of the most powerful country in the world."

Al-Rekhayis, a municipal employee, said he didn't have the money to run a full-fledged campaign. His home — a run-down three-roomed space with very little furniture and a photo of Barack and Michelle Obama on the living room wall — was turned into a makeshift campaign office.

He said they were so impressed with Obama's campaign and victory that he created a small party called the Movement of Free Iraqis and ran under its banner. He said they have already created a list of potential black candidates to run in the next Iraqi elections.

"When we found out that Obama is black from TV, we started to follow his news carefully," al-Rekhayis said. "We had a party and celebrated when he won the elections."

There is a story similar to this in Brazil. Saw it on PBS

rikyrah: BWAHAHAHAHAH @ the DON'Ts ! :>) :>)

But, is that where you put your STRAPped?? :>) :>) :>)

Obama's Other Breakthrough: A Big-City President
By Amy Sullivan / Washington

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,859...

Oh brother, another nominee of Obama has tax problems. What is with these people? Tom Daschle's nomination is in trouble.

They're telling on themselves in the vetting process. What it means is that if and when confirmed, these things won't reveal themselves at some terrible opportunity to embarrass the administration.

and thin all of this is happening early so all the kinks are worked out bush and clinton didnt have their cabinet even close until the summer. get all the stuff out now while everyone is focusing on the first 100 days and when the summer comes or the fall the topic will be. how the hell did barack get health care reform?

Agree.

Seriously, I am so tired of these confirmation hearings. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like they will never end. What's funny is that with all the hoopla over HRC's nomination for SoS, she had her hearing and was confrimed within a week, or less.

I guess it's becasue I wasn't much into politics B.P.O (Before President Obama). Now my fanaticism during the election has become an obessesion during this administration. Seriously, I don't know if my nerves will make it through Obama getting elected a 2nd time.

I agree with you Craig, I don't think it should be a problem. Like I said in downthread: how many of the members of Congress would be ousted if there was an audit of every last Representative or Senators personal taxes. My hunch is a bunch of them would be out of a job.

Besides I don't know about this one. In Geithners' case, he was be appointed as the Treasury Secretary, supervising the IRS, so the tax thing was a justifiable problem. How does Dashles paying back taxes affect his ability to be the Secretary for HHS. I don't think so."

co-signing Craig

But still it looks bad.

It's not willful tax evasion. I don't particularly care all that much.

paging howard dean dr dean are you there

fyi from baltimoresun.com

"Aretha's hat may have a home at Smithsonian

The "Bowdacious" hat worn by Aretha Franklin during her appearance at President Barack Obama's inauguration may find a home at The Smithsonian Institution.

Franklin said today in a news release she's been asked by the institution to donate the "Big Bow" as part of exhibit of President Obama's inauguration, joining other items such as first lady Michelle Obama's inaugural night gown.

I called the Smithsonian Institution, and one of the spokeswomen says she isn't aware of the request, but that the institution is doing an exhibit that will highlight Obama's place in history as the first African-American president.

However, Franklin says in the news release that she is seriously considering the request.

"I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history,'' the release says. "I would like to smile every time I look back at it and remember what a great moment it was in American and African-American history. Ten cheers for President Obama."

The now-famous bow-tied, Swarovski jewel-studded wool hat worn by the Queen of Soul has become an overnight sensation, creating a buzz on television, in newspapers and magazines, and on the Internet.
.
Check back later today for an update from the Smithsonian.
.

Posted by Karlayne Parker on January 30, 2009 1:23 PM |"

Also, non-redneck comments would be appreciated.

Alfalfa update

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/01/3...

fyi, list of inductees to the Alfalfa club (Republicans and Democrats)

The following list includes only bonafide inductees of the club, and not any of their invited dinner guests. The year of induction may be found inside each individual member's profile, when available.

Name Occupation Birth Death Known for

David Abshire Government 11-Apr-1926 US Ambassador to NATO, 1983-87
Dean Acheson Government 11-Apr-1893 12-Oct-1971 US Secretary of State, 1949-53
Spiro T. Agnew Politician 9-Nov-1918 17-Sep-1996 US Vice President, 1969-73
Madeleine Albright Diplomat 15-May-1937 Bill Clinton's Secretary of State
Joe L. Allbritton Business 29-Dec-1924 Well-connected Washington billionaire
Dwayne Andreas Business 4-Mar-1918 Archer Daniels Midland CEO, 1970-97
Anne L. Armstrong Government 27-Dec-1927 30-Jul-2008 US Ambassador to the UK, 1976-77
C. Michael Armstrong Business 18-Oct-1938 CEO of Comcast, 2002-04
Neil Armstrong Astronaut 5-Aug-1930 First man on the Moon
Norman Augustine Business 27-Jul-1935 CEO of Martin Marietta, 1996-97
Warren R. Austin Politician 12-Nov-1877 25-Dec-1962 US Senator from Vermont, 1931-46
Howard Baker Government 15-Nov-1925 Reagan's Chief of Staff, 1987-88
James Baker Government 28-Apr-1930 US Secretary of State, 1989-92
Alben W. Barkley Politician 24-Nov-1877 30-Apr-1956 US Vice President, 1949-53
Carter T. Barron Business 30-Jan-1905 16-Nov-1950 Washington advocate for the arts
Evan Bayh Politician 26-Dec-1955 US Senator from Indiana
Daniel W. Bell Government 23-Jul-1891 ? Undersecretary of the Treasury
Lloyd Bentsen, Jr. Politician 11-Feb-1921 23-May-2006 US Senator, Treasury Secretary
Clifford K. Berryman Cartoonist 2-Apr-1869 11-Dec-1949 Political cartoonist
Joseph Biden Politician 20-Nov-1942 Vice President-Elect of the United States
Leslie Biffle Government 9-Oct-1880 6-Apr-1966 Secretary of the Senate
James Billington Historian 1-Jun-1929 13th Librarian of Congress
Hiram Bingham Politician 19-Nov-1875 6-Jun-1956 US Senator, discovered Machu Picchu
Michael Bloomberg Politician 14-Feb-1942 Mayor of New York City
Kit Bond Politician 6-Mar-1939 US Senator from Missouri
David L. Boren Politician 21-Apr-1941 Governor and Senator from Oklahoma
Frank Borman Astronaut 14-Mar-1928 First to circumnavigate moon
Larry Bossidy Business 5-Mar-1935 CEO of Honeywell
Omar Bradley Military 12-Feb-1893 8-Apr-1981 US Army Chief of Staff
Nicholas F. Brady Government 11-Apr-1930 US Secretary of the Treasury, 1988-93
John Breaux Politician 1-Mar-1944 US Senator from Louisiana, 1987-2005
Warren Buffett Business 30-Aug-1930 Billionaire in Omaha
William Bulow Politician 13-Jan-1869 26-Feb-1960 US Senator from South Dakota, 1931-43
Dale Bumpers Politician 12-Aug-1925 Governor, Senator from Arkansas
Mac Bundy Government 30-Mar-1919 16-Sep-1996 National Security Advisor, 1961-66
Warren Burger Judge 17-Sep-1907 25-Jun-1995 US Supreme Court Chief Justice, 1969-86
H. Ralph Burton Government 1882 5-Aug-1971 Red-baiting Senate staffer
George H.W. Bush Head of State 12-Jun-1924 41st US President, 1989-93
George W. Bush Head of State 6-Jul-1946 43rd US President
Jeb Bush Politician 11-Feb-1953 Governor of Florida, 1999-2007
Marvin Bush Relative 22-Oct-1956 Brother of Jeb, Dubya, and Neil
Prescott Bush Politician 15-May-1895 8-Oct-1972 US Senator from Connecticut, 1952-63
Harry F. Byrd, Jr. Politician 20-Dec-1914 US Senator from Virginia, 1965-83
James F. Byrnes Politician 2-May-1882 9-Apr-1972 US Secretary of State, 1945-47
Andrew Card Government 10-May-1947 White House Chief of Staff, 2001-06
Steve Case Business 21-Aug-1958 CEO of AOL, 1991-2001
John H. Chafee Politician 22-Oct-1922 24-Oct-1999 US Senator from Rhode Island, 1976-99
Elaine Chao Government 26-Mar-1953 US Secretary of Labor
Buck Chapoton Government 18-May-1936 Reagan's tax guy
Kenneth Chenault Business 2-Jun-1951 CEO of American Express
Dick Cheney Politician 30-Jan-1941 Dubya's VP, ex-CEO of Halliburton
Max Cleland Politician 24-Aug-1942 US Senator from Georgia, 1997-2003
Clark Clifford Government 25-Dec-1906 10-Oct-1998 US Secretary of Defense, 1968-69
Thad Cochran Politician 7-Dec-1937 US Senator from Mississippi
Michael Collins Astronaut 31-Oct-1930 Apollo 11 command module pilot
John Connally Politician 27-Feb-1917 15-Jun-1993 Governor of Texas, 1963-69
John H. Dalton Military 31-Dec-1941 US Secretary of the Navy 1993-98
Tom Daschle Politician 9-Dec-1947 US Senator from South Dakota, 1987-2005
F. Elwood Davis Attorney 15-Dec-1915 Prominent Washington lawyer
Robert A. Day Business 1943 Billionaire, Founder of TCW
John Dingell Politician 6-Jul-1926 US Congressman, Michigan 15th
Everett Dirksen Politician 4-Jan-1896 7-Sep-1969 US Senator from Illinois, 1951-69
Chris Dodd Politician 27-May-1944 US Senator from Connecticut
Elizabeth Dole Politician 29-Jul-1936 US Senator from North Carolina
Pete Domenici Politician 7-May-1932 US Senator from New Mexico
Bill Donaldson Government 2-Jun-1931 SEC Chairman, 2003-05
Ken Duberstein Government 21-Apr-1944 Reagan's Chief of Staff, 1988-89
John Foster Dulles Government 25-Feb-1888 24-May-1959 Eisenhower's Secretary of State
Lawrence Eagleburger Government 1-Aug-1930 US Secretary of State, 1992-93
Glen E. Edgerton Military 17-Apr-1887 1956 Canal Zone Governor, 1940-44
Dwight D. Eisenhower Head of State 14-Oct-1890 28-Mar-1969 34th US President, 1953-61
John Fahey Business c. 1953 CEO of National Geographic Society
Dante Fascell Politician 9-Mar-1917 28-Nov-1998 Congressman from Florida, 1955-93
Dianne Feinstein Politician 22-Jun-1933 US Senator from California
John Spalding Flannery Attorney 16-May-1870 17-Feb-1954 Prominent Washington attorney
Jack Fletcher Photographer ? 31-Dec-2003 National Geographic photographer
Timothy Foley Military 6-May-1946 US Marine Band director
Tom Foley Politician 6-Mar-1929 Speaker of the House, 1989-95
Steve Forbes Business 18-Jul-1947 Owner and publisher of Forbes magazine
Gerald Ford Head of State 14-Jul-1913 26-Dec-2006 38th US President, 1974-77
Peter Frelinghuysen, Jr. Politician 17-Jan-1916 Congressman from New Jersey, 1953-75
Bill Frist Politician 22-Feb-1952 US Senate Majority Leader, 2003-07
J. William Fulbright Politician 9-Apr-1905 9-Feb-1995 Conceived the Fulbright Scholarships
Newt Gingrich Politician 17-Jun-1943 Speaker of the House, 1995-99
John Glenn Astronaut 18-Jul-1921 First American to orbit earth
Barry Goldwater Politician 1-Jan-1909 29-May-1998 US Senator from Arizona, 1953-65, 1969-87
John Oliver La Gorce Explorer 1880 1949 Antarctica explorer, National Geographic editor
Donald E. Graham Journalist 22-Apr-1945 Washington Post CEO
Katharine Graham Publisher 16-Jun-1917 17-Jul-2001 Washington Post publisher, 1966-79
Maurice R. Greenberg Business 4-May-1925 CEO of American International Group, 1967-2005
Alan Greenspan Economist 6-Mar-1926 Federal Reserve Chairman, 1987-2006
Joseph Grew Diplomat 27-May-1880 25-May-1965 US Ambassador to Japan, 1932-41
Duke Guider Business 10-Mar-1900 1969 Defense attorney for Hideki Tojo
Chuck Hagel Politician 4-Oct-1946 US Senator from Nebraska
Alexander Haig Government 2-Dec-1924 US Secretary of State, 1981-82
Lee H. Hamilton Politician 20-Apr-1931 9-11 Commission vice chairman
Jane Harman Politician 28-Jun-1945 Congresswoman, California 36th
William B. Harrison, Jr. Business 12-Aug-1943 CEO of JPMorgan Chase, 2000-05
Nelson T. Hartson Government 26-Nov-1887 ? Solicitor of the IRS
Orrin Hatch Politician 22-Mar-1934 US Senator from Utah
Howell Heflin Politician 19-Jun-1921 29-Mar-2005 US Senator from Alabama, 1979-97
John Heinz Politician 23-Oct-1938 4-Apr-1991 US Senator from Pennsylvania, 1977-91
Richard Helms Government 30-Mar-1913 22-Oct-2002 CIA Director, 1966-73
A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Judge 25-Feb-1928 14-Dec-1998 Chief Justice, 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals
Joseph H. Himes Politician 15-Aug-1885 9-Sep-1960 Congressman from Ohio, 1921-23
Fritz Hollings Politician 1-Jan-1922 US Senator from South Carolina, 1967-2005
Kay Bailey Hutchison Politician 22-Jul-1943 US Senator from Texas
Daniel Inouye Politician 7-Sep-1924 US Senator from Hawaii
Henry "Scoop" Jackson Politician 31-May-1912 1-Sep-1983 US Senator from Washington, 1953-83
Robert H. Jackson Judge 13-Feb-1892 9-Oct-1954 US Supreme Court Justice
Eli S. Jacobs Baseball 5-Oct-1937 Former Baltimore Orioles owner
Robert L. Johnson Business 8-Apr-1946 CEO of BET
J. Bennett Johnston Politician 10-Jun-1932 US Senator from Louisiana, 1972-97
David C. Jones Military 9-Jul-1921 Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1978-82
Jesse H. Jones Government 5-Apr-1874 1-Jun-1956 US Secretary of Commerce, 1940-45
Vernon Jordan Business 15-Aug-1935 Advisor to Bill Clinton
Paul X. Kelley Military 11-Nov-1928 28th USMC Commandant, 1983-87
Jack Kemp Politician 13-Jul-1935 American politican, football player
Anthony Kennedy Judge 23-Jul-1936 US Supreme Court Justice
John F. Kennedy Head of State 29-May-1917 22-Nov-1963 35th US President, 1961-63
Bob Kerrey Politician 27-Aug-1943 Governor and Senator from Nebraska
James Kimsey Business 1939 AOL's founding CEO
Henry Kissinger Government 27-May-1923 Secretly bombed Cambodia
Fred Kleisner Business c. 1944 CEO of Wyndham International
Melvin Laird Government 1-Sep-1922 US Secretary of Defense, 1969-73
Paul Laxalt Politician 2-Aug-1922 US Senator from Nevada, 1974-87
Curtis LeMay Military 15-Nov-1906 1-Oct-1990 USAF General
Drew Lewis Government 3-Nov-1931 US Secretary of Transportation, 1981-83
Charles P. Light, Jr. Attorney 1902 1976 Prominent Washington attorney, law professor
Trent Lott Politician 9-Oct-1941 US Senator from Mississippi, 1989-2007
Ben F. Love Business 1924 13-Jan-2006 CEO of Texas Commerce Bank
Dick Lugar Politician 4-Apr-1932 US Senator from Indiana
Cecil B. Lyon Diplomat 8-Nov-1903 6-Apr-1993 US Ambassador to Chile, Sri Lanka
John Macomber Business 13-Jan-1928 JDM Investment Group
Fred Malek Government 22-Dec-1936 Thayer Capital Partners
Donald Marron Business 21-Jul-1934 PaineWebber CEO
George C. Marshall Military 31-Dec-1880 16-Oct-1959 US Army Chief of Staff, 1939-45
John McCain Politician 29-Aug-1936 US Senator from Arizona
John J. McCloy Military 31-Mar-1895 11-Mar-1989 World Bank, Warren Commission
Mitch McConnell Politician 20-Feb-1942 US Senator from Kentucky
David McCullough Historian 7-Jul-1933 The American Experience
Ben McKelway Journalist 2-Oct-1895 1976 Editor, The Washington Star
John G. Medlin, Jr. Business 1933 CEO of Wachovia, 1977-93
Andrea Mitchell Journalist 30-Oct-1946 NBC Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Walter Mondale Politician 5-Jan-1928 US Vice President under Jimmy Carter
R. Michael Mondavi Business c. 1943 Second-generation vintner
Robert Mondavi Business 12-Jun-1913 16-May-2008 Vintner
Robert Mosbacher Government 11-Mar-1927 US Secretary of Commerce, 1989-92
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Politician 16-Mar-1927 26-Mar-2003 US Senator from New York, 1977-2001
Terrence Murray Business c. 1939 CEO of FleetBoston
Ed Muskie Politician 28-Mar-1914 26-Mar-1996 US Senator from Maine, 1959-80
Don Nickles Politician 6-Dec-1948 US Senator from Oklahoma, 1981-2005
Richard M. Nixon Head of State 9-Jan-1913 22-Apr-1994 37th US President, 1969-74
Patrick Noonan Activist c. 1943 Chairman of the Conservation Fund
Sam Nunn Politician 8-Sep-1938 US Senator from Georgia, 1972-97
John Lord O'Brian Government 14-Oct-1874 1974 Prominent antitrust lawyer
John J. O'Connor III Relative 10-Jan-1930 Sandra Day O'Connor's husband
Sandra Day O'Connor Judge 26-Mar-1930 US Supreme Court Justice, 1981-2006
Rod Paige Government 17-Jun-1933 US Secretary of Education, 2000-04
Arnold Palmer Golf 10-Sep-1929 Won 61 PGA tournaments
Richard Parsons Business 4-Apr-1948 CEO of Time Warner
Landon Parvin Government 1948 Speechwriter for Reagan, Bush, Schwarzenegger
H. Ross Perot Business 27-Jun-1930 Eccentric presidential candidate
John J. Pershing Military 13-Sep-1860 15-Jul-1948 General of the Armies of the United States
Wilton B. Persons Government 19-Jan-1896 Sep-1977 Eisenhower's Chief of Staff
Colin Powell Government 5-Apr-1937 US Secretary of State, 2001-05
Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Judge 19-Sep-1907 25-Aug-1998 US Supreme Court Justice, 1972-87
Heinz C. Prechter Business 1942 6-Jul-2001 The sunroof king
David Pryor Politician 29-Aug-1934 US Senator from Arkansas, 1979-97
Dan Quayle Politician 4-Feb-1947 Vice President under George H.W. Bush
Franklin Raines Government 14-Jan-1949 CEO of Fannie Mae, 1999-2004
J. Donald Rauth Business 1918 28-Dec-2005 CEO of Martin Marietta, 1973-83
Sam Rayburn Politician 6-Jan-1882 16-Nov-1961 Speaker of the US House, 1940-61
Ronald Reagan Head of State 6-Feb-1911 5-Jun-2004 40th US President, 1981-89
Joseph Verner Reed Government 17-Dec-1937 US Ambassador to Morocco, 1981-85
Stanley Reed Judge 31-Dec-1884 2-Apr-1980 US Supreme Court Justice, 1938-57
Donald Regan Government 21-Dec-1918 10-Jun-2003 US Secretary of the Treasury, 1981-85
William Rehnquist Judge 1-Oct-1924 3-Sep-2005 US Supreme Court Chief Justice 1986-2005
Condoleezza Rice Government 14-Nov-1954 US Secretary of State
Elliot Richardson Government 20-Jul-1920 31-Dec-1999 Refused to fire Watergate Special Prosecutor
James O. Richardson Military 18-Sep-1878 2-May-1974 US Admiral
Chuck Robb Politician 26-Jun-1939 US Senator from Virginia, 1989-2001
Joe Robert Business c. 1952 CEO of J.E. Robert Companies
John G. Roberts, Jr. Judge 27-Jan-1955 US Supreme Court Chief Justice
Pat Roberts Politician 20-Apr-1936 US Senator from Kansas
David Rockefeller Business 12-Jun-1915 Founder of the Trilateral Commission
Jay Rockefeller Politician 18-Jun-1937 US Senator from West Virginia
Nelson Rockefeller Politician 8-Jul-1908 26-Jan-1979 Ford's Vice President
Charles G. Ross Government 9-Nov-1885 5-Dec-1950 White House Press Secretary for Truman
Dan Rostenkowski Politician 2-Jan-1928 Congressman from Illinois, 1959-95
Donald Rumsfeld Government 9-Jul-1932 US Secretary of Defense, 2001-06
Frederick Ryan, Jr. Business 12-Apr-1955 CEO of Allbritton Communications
Leverett Saltonstall Politician 1-Sep-1892 17-Jun-1979 US Senator from Masachusetts, 1945-67
Everett Sanders Politician 8-Mar-1882 12-May-1950 Congressman from Indiana, 1917-25
Roger W. Sant Business c. 1930 Billionaire, AES
Jim Sasser Politician 30-Sep-1936 US Senator from Tennessee, 1977-95
James R. Schlesinger Government 15-Feb-1929 Served Nixon, Ford, Carter
William Schreyer Business c. 1927 CEO of Merrill Lynch, 1984-92
William Sessions Government 27-May-1930 Director of FBI, 1987-93
Donna Shalala Government 14-Feb-1941 Secretary of HHS, 1993-2001
George Shultz Government 13-Dec-1920 US Secretary of State, 1982-89
Alan Simpson Politician 2-Sep-1931 US Senator from Wyoming, 1979-97
Samuel K. Skinner Government 10-Jun-1938 Bush 41's Chief of Staff
George Smathers Politician 14-Nov-1913 20-Jan-2007 US Senator from Florida, 1951-69
Roger Smith Business 12-Jul-1925 29-Nov-2007 CEO of General Motors, 1980-90
Bertrand H. Snell Politician 9-Dec-1870 2-Feb-1958 Congressman from New York, 1915-39
A. Owsley Stanley Politician 21-May-1867 12-Aug-1958 US Senator from Kentucky, 1919-25
Harold Stassen Politician 13-Apr-1907 4-Mar-2001 Perennial presidential candidate
Adolphus Staton Military 28-Aug-1879 4-Jun-1964 US Navy admiral
Ted Stevens Politician 18-Nov-1923 US Senator from Alaska
Potter Stewart Judge 23-Jan-1915 7-Dec-1985 US Supreme Court Justice
Robert S. Strauss Diplomat 19-Oct-1918 US Ambassador to Russia, 1991-92
James Symington Politician 28-Sep-1927 Congressman from Missouri, 1969-77
Robert A. Taft Politician 8-Sep-1889 31-Jul-1953 US Senator from Ohio, 1939-53
Harry S. Truman Head of State 8-May-1884 26-Dec-1972 33rd US President, 1945-53
Millard E. Tydings Politician 6-Apr-1890 9-Feb-1961 US Senator from Maryland, 1927-51
Jack Valenti Business 5-Sep-1921 26-Apr-2007 Presidential advisor, headed the MPAA
Cyrus Vance Government 27-Mar-1917 12-Jan-2002 US Secretary of State, 1977-80
Alexander A. Vandegrift Military 13-Mar-1887 8-May-1973 18th USMC Commandant, 1944-48
Arthur Vandenberg Politician 22-Mar-1884 18-Apr-1951 US Senator from Michigan, 1928-51
John Vessey Military 29-Jun-1922 Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff 1982-85
Fred Vinson Judge 22-Jan-1890 8-Sep-1953 US Supreme Court Chief Justice, 1946-53
James W. Wadsworth, Jr. Politician 12-Aug-1877 21-Jun-1952 US Senator from New York, 1915-27
John Warner Politician 18-Feb-1927 US Senator from Virginia
Earl Warren Judge 19-Mar-1891 9-Jul-1974 US Supreme Court Chief Justice, 1953-69
James Watkins Government 7-Mar-1927 US Secretary of Energy, 1989-93
James E. Watson Politician 2-Nov-1864 29-Jul-1948 US Senator from Indiana, 1916-33
William Webster Government 6-Mar-1924 FBI Director 1978-87, CIA Director 1987-91
Jack Welch Business 19-Nov-1935 CEO of GE, 1981-2001
Togo West Government 21-Jun-1942 US Secretary of the Army, Veterans Affairs
William Westmoreland Military 26-Mar-1914 18-Jul-2005 Commanded US Army in Vietnam War
George White Politician 21-Aug-1872 15-Dec-1953 Governor of Ohio, 1931-35
Wallace H. White, Jr. Politician 6-Aug-1877 31-Mar-1952 US Senator from Maine, 1931-49
Christine Todd Whitman Government 26-Sep-1946 GWB's first head of EPA
John A. Wickham, Jr. Military 25-Jun-1928 US Army Chief of Staff, 1983-87
Anthony A. Williams Politician 28-Jul-1951 Mayor of Washington DC, 1999-2007
James Wolfensohn Business 1-Dec-1933 World Bank president, 1995-2005
Andrew Young Politician 12-Mar-1932 Second black mayor of Atlanta

Angelar: ***S-L-O-W-L-Y looookin' down the L-I-S-T**** NOPE!

NOT on this one either! :>) :>) :>)

That's quite the list. Thank you Angelar!

It IS an interesting list...

certainly...I found it quite interesting

rikyrah: Ohhh! NOW WHAT??

Tom Daschle Tax Problem?

ABC reports Friday that Obama's choice for secretary of Health and Human services, Tom Daschle, is now facing tax questions regarding a borrowed car and driver.

Via Jake Tapper:

The controversy deals with a car and driver lent to Mr. Daschle by a wealthy Democratic friend, a chauffer service the former Senator used for years without declaring their use on his taxes.


It remains an open question as to whether this is a "speed bump," as a Democratic Senate ally of Mr. Daschle's put it, or something more damaging.

ABC notes that during the vetting process Daschle corrected the tax violation, paying back over $100,000 in back taxes plus interest.

More from the New York Times on what caused Daschle's tax problem:

THERE IS MORE

He has been vetted!! WHAT??

Hey Greenlady - I don't think this will be a big deal. It is better to reveal this stuff now and we will move on.

Val: I agree. Annnnd, IFFF I was Mr. Daschle, I'd "axe" IFFF errybody elses TAX RECORDS were gonna B "looked at!" B4 they took any office. Whew! :>)

how many of the members of Congress would be ousted if there was an audit of every last Representative or Senators personal taxes. My hunch is a bunch of them would be out of a job.

Besides I don't know about this one. In Geithners' case, he was be appointed as the Treasury Secretary, supervising the IRS, so the tax thing was a justifiable problem. How does Dashles paying back taxes affect his ability to be the Secretary for HHS. I don't think so.

lamh32: Seeeee. U SPEAK TA - RUTH!! :>)

Whew! ***shakin' my head*** :>)

I know that the TARGET IS PRESIDENT OBAMA!! Geeez!

good grief who the hell ha been running the IRS and why havent they been looking at our politicians?

allamr18: "WHYCOME?" Indeed!! :>) :>)

-Uh! -Uh! -Uh! ***shakin' my head*** :>)

rikyrah: OFF TOPIC:

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Serena Williams warmed up for Saturday night's women's final against Dinara Safina by combining with sister Venus to win the doubles title. They beat Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova and Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-3, 6-3 under the roof at Melbourne Park.

Yaaaaaa! WILLIAMS SISTAS!!

It was the eighth Grand Slam doubles title and third in Australia for the Williams sisters, who also won the doubles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Serena is aiming for her 10th singles major and to continue a sequence that includes an Australian title in every odd-numbered year since 2003.

Also on the line is the No. 1 ranking, something Serena has already held. Safina has never won a major, coming closest with last year's French Open final loss to Ana Ivanovic.

[GOOD LUCK!]

Who's Coming to President Obama's Superbowl Party?

The following is a list of elected officials who will be guests at the President's Super Bowl party.
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)


Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
Congressman Artur Davis (D-AL)
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA)
Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA)
Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ)
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH)
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC)
Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA)
Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI)



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/30/obama-...

rikyrah: I am------ **lookin' down the list*** ----- NOT!! :>) :>)

I guess Joe Biden couldn't be there what with them not wanting the two of them together all the time for security purposes.

But doesn't Joe Biden look like the guy who would be working the grill (wearing a KISS THE COOK apron) in the back yard?

ROTFLMABO!!! Town, you're a just hoot!

Yelling for somebody to toss him a Bud.

Chilled of course LOL!

TOTALLY.

You nailed it, Town. I'm sure Joe is going to have his own party up at the Naval Observatory.

It is a total blast to be in the heart of the city hear the sirens and motorcade ride through DC everyday. I am staying just a heartbeat away from the Naval Observatory. Love it!

I'm jealous. I never made it to a White House tour but I am determined to do it while we have President Obama. Want to take our grandson to the Smithsonian too!!!

Angelar, you and your grandson will have an amazing journey together. How old is he?

Hi Spirit, he just turned 12. I have only been in DC once and it was such a quick two days I didn't get to see much.

I grew up south of DC and made frequent trips with my daughters to visit the monuments and attend the theater. The city is rich in culture and history. When you come again, plan to come and stay at least a few weeks to take in the sites and sounds.

He is.

rikyrah: 'bout that DECORATING of OUR HOUSE:

Michelle Obama To Decorate White House With Pottery Barn

Michelle Obama loves to dress in J. Crew, and now she's bringing her affordable aesthetic to her new home. According to Us Weekly, the First Lady will use Pottery Barn to re-decorate parts of the White House.

Michelle is working with L.A.-based Michael Smith (clients: Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer) to furnish the rooms of Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, with items from the reasonably-priced shop and Anthropologie, an Obama staffer reveals in the newest issue of Us Weekly.


Smith says he'll take design cues from the Obamas' "casual style" while "utilizing affordable brands." (The family also brought a portion of their collection of African and Asian art from their $1.65 million home in Chicago's Hyde Park.)

Read more about White House decorator

'cause she can do whateva she likes! :>) :>) [I love that SONG! :>)]

The President and his family have so much class it is driving the other side totally nuts!

Definitely!

You're so right.

Angelar: U ain't said nuthin' but a WORD! :>) :>)

I so love the First Lady.

When she left lunch and was shaking hands, did ya see that SS agent guiding her around....come on...this way, over here, come on - the car's this way....yep, here we go...we're almost there.

Yeah, I'll just bet those Secret Service guys will be actually earning their wages with this First Family as compared to 'gotta get to bed before 9 PM' Bush.

"When she left lunch and was shaking hands, did ya see that SS agent guiding her around....come on...this way, over here, come on - the car's this way....yep, here we go...we're almost there."

I saw that. At first I was like -- Why are you touching First Lady Michelle like she ain't grown? Then I thought well . . . they are trying to protect her.

I've seen pictures of Obama shaking hands in huge crowds where the Secret Service have been holding on to him by the back of his belt, so Michelle Obama got off easy! :)

Yes, I saw them. They were on it it. It's plain to see Michelle loves being with the people. Love her, just love her!

See......Michelle been raised right...LOL....you don't just LEAVE....you go on a farewell tour! Leaving takes as long as the event itself!

Exactly! A farewell tour was about it too.

I was laughing because you just know there'd be HELL TO PAY if anything happened to her.

Me too, Miranda; just love her to pieces.

She is my shero

:-))))

Heard Bay Buchanan say on CNN Situation Room tonight that Obama is having too many parties and is acting like a Frat Boy and its time for him to start acting like the President? Hmmm....I think the Republican jealousy factor is working overtime!!!!

A frat boy? Too many parties?

Ya know what it is? Exposure. President Obama and the First Lady - love typing that - are out and about, not afraid to be out among the people. Not sitting around locked behind the stone blocks and fences of the White House waiting for some godd**ned 'turrista or other fereigner' to strike.

A frat boy! She's got the wrong president. Besides she's really part of that lunatic fringe. She and her brother.

"Not sitting around locked behind the stone blocks and fences of the White House waiting for some godd**ned 'turrista or other fereigner' to strike."

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!

I also thought it was funny when Wolfie brought up the quote by Peggy Noonan that Obama shouldn't be on TV so much.

Here's what she wrote:

A final point: In the time since his inauguration, Mr. Obama has been on every screen in the country, TV and computer, every day. He is never not on the screen. I know what his people are thinking: Put his image on the age. Imprint the era with his face. But it's already reaching saturation point. When the office is omnipresent, it is demystified. Constant exposure deflates the presidency, subtly robbing it of power and making it more common. I keep the television on a lot, and somewhere in the 1990s I realized that Bill Clinton was never not in my living room. He was always strolling onto the stage, pointing at things, laughing, talking. This is what the Obama people are doing, having the boss hog the screen. They should relax. The race is long.

She just doesn't want to be reminded that the Leader of the Free World is a Black Man.

wtf????

Okaayyyy lol she really needs her nap now.

Peggy Nonsense Noonan is IRRELEVANT.

I swear white folks can't stand it when they're not getting all the ATTENTION

Hell, Peggy Noonan shouldn't be on tv so much with that drawn out arched speaking voice of hers. She stole literary prose and passed it off in Reagan speeches...arg.

Go away Peggy Noonan & sit down somewhere! Who cares what you think. I wanna see our new President on tv. It gives me great comfort that he is about taking care of the Nation's business!

I heard that also, although Paul Begala responded by saying basically it was too early to say Obama was in saturation mode. He is new and still making appointments and the public is still curious. I think it would be very odd if he wasn't in the news alot during his first few months. And if he stays popular, the public will want to see him alot. After 8 years of bush and cheney it gives me comfort to see President Obama so I know someone is working for us and not their corporate fat cats.

co-sign

Whatever. President Obama has done more in the last week than President Bush did in the last six months.

Democraticunderground posters are making comments that someone let Bay off her leash and she's off her meds! LOL

That sounds about right.

I think they realize Obama is finding and including moderate republicans -- either by district or by inclination. -- the image is worrisome.

lol.

Rules of the Workplace:

Rule #1

If you are white and you schmooze and are sociable, you are "networking."

If you are black and you schmooze and are sociable, you are "slacking off."

.... and if you are black and you are working really hard, you are kissing up or showing off. Can't win.

Town: SPEAK TRUTH!! :>) :>)

If I may:

RULE #2:

IFFFF you are white and you come to work @ 6:00am and leave @ 6 pm annnnnd go ta sleep @ 10:00pm - - - You are managing your daily schedule WISELY.

IFFFF you are black and you start your day very EARLY, have a FULL SCHEDULE ALL DAY, work until LATE at NIGHT annnnnnd on the WEEKENDS - - -YOU JUST AREN'T WORKING HARD ENOUGH to solve the problems of this country which were CREATED by the person who managed his daily schedule wisely!

Sooooo, you betta STEP UP YOUR GAME!!

***shakin' my head*** :>)

bingo

Spoken so true!

If Obama was George Bush, he'd probably be on his second vacation by now.

It seems that they have forgotten how much time Bush spent on vacation during both his terms.

Thank you...

IHey y'all, I want an autographed copy of the rules book for Blacks

Bay Buchanan is full of crap! STFU Bay!

Where her words slurring? I think people believe its just the way she talks, but I'm starting to believe she's a functional drunk.

I beleive she is a functional drunk. She sounds like one; I ought to know. I use to be one.

spirit: God bless.

Ha! didn't notice a slur just typical Bay crap.

raotfl

lol lame. i dont listen to anyone who predicted he would lose. i wonder where she was when bush was when the interior dept threw that sex party or when bush was having all those baseball games on the white house steps.

lol. Isn't that cute.

That means President Obama is doing something right.

I love this pic of Malia and Obama. Of the 2 girls, malia looks the most like Obama.

Agreed. Sasha looks like her mom.

The part of Malik will now be played by...

Darius McCray!! (aka Eddie Winslow!)

I know that's right.

He's on the money. It's why my tv viewership is down. Nothing to watch.

M huband and I have joined a community theater. Our motto: If you can't get good entertainment, become the entertainment!

spirit: HOW CA - UTE!! :>) :>)

U jes' GO 'HEAD - - OSSIE DAVIS annnnnd RUBY DEE! :>)

Have soooo much fun!!! :>) :>)

Whoa...he did NOT hold back. He is right though.....we get as much as we demand, which means, from what I see on the 200 channels I have, we don't demand anything but nonsense in terms of the images of black people.

and there you have it.

rikyrah, I love the pics of President Obama, Malia and Sasha. The love and adoration they have for each other is soooo palpable.

I like the comments from Sen. McCaskill. She cuts right through the crap and tells the truth. She's right. Mr. Gibbs offered good insight into The President's feeling about the matter as well. Outrageous doesn't even begin to describe it. Shameless is another adjective that applies as well.

I saw and heard them both today. Senator MsCaskill was fierce. Robert Gibbs' daily press briefings are a breath of fresh air. He has a firm grasps of President Obama's vision and articulates his agenda well.

I'm watching McCaskill now......All of these executives should be put on blast by NAME and position so we know exactly who was responsible for these bonuses.

I know that's right.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/...
this is another one of my beefs with Steele -- essentially he became a "grass roots organizer" (hmm where did he that from... given at the RNC it was a laugh line)

"As for Steele, he's got a lot of work to do. The big knock on him was that he wasn't an RNC insider and he's not the best organizer. His Senate campaign in 2006 was a lot of hot air, but he was simply crushed and he ran as a moderate at the time. Get used to a lot of sentences that end in "baby," Steele is fond of the word when he wants to showboat a tad in speeches. He certainly will be a better TV book than Duncan or Dawson would have been. And that does matter."
via Chuck Todd

Wonder how soon he'll get his marching orders from Rush?

So in other words, he gonna get on folks nerves REAL quick.