Unfortunately for Obama, there are no backsies

His hair is already going white. And he isn't even a year in. And who could blame the guy? (There may be an advertisement at the beginning of the video.)


White House Reveals Obama Is Bipolar, Has Entered Depressive Phase

Why I love John Hodgman

John Hodgman is one of the funniest people on the planet. He spoke at this year's White House Radio and Television Correspondents' Dinner. His biting, dry wit is beautiful. He refers to Mr. Obama as the first geek President and says, "it's an exciting time to be a nerd." He isn't quite sure what to think of the President's liking of sports, however. When he learned that Mr. Obama was attentive to the March Madness brackets, Hodgman "presumed ... it was some sort of obscure punctuation. I thought he was a typeface nerd. My kind of people." Rather, it's "some sort of sporty flowchart that I don't understand."

Speaking for the assembled, Hodgman says, "We are geeks. We are defined by our passions and enthusiasms but also by our open mindedness. Now is not the time for purity tests."

"One to count on"

Friday's Pioneer Press had a great editorial about the Obama's dog, Bo, "One to count on." According to the writer there's been a lot of skuttlebutt (I love that word) about how Bo isn't a rescue dog. There are so many dogs in shelters waiting for homes. Never mind that Malia Obama has allergies that dramatically narrowed the possibilities.

The writer poo-poos the critics and focuses on Bo's role in the family.

His job is to provide unpredictable doggie high jinks for the first family, to put up with whatever silly hats Malia and Sasha try to get him to wear, and to be ready, 24-7, to present a loving, at times slobbering dog face to whichever Obama should need it at that moment.

It's fun to see the family playing with Bo on the lawn. And it's comforting to know that the president and his family have this source of unconditional love and laughter during these particularly trying times.

Ummm, sorry about that

My friend Jeannie sent this to me. I don't know where it originated but it's indeed beautiful.

Dear World,

We, the United States of America, your top-quality supplier of the ideals of liberty and democracy, would like to apologize for our 2001-2008 interruption in service.

The technical fault that led to this eight-year service outage has been located and the software responsible was replaced on November 4, 2008.

Early tests of the newly installed program indicate we are now operating correctly and are fully-functional as of January 20, 2009.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the outage. We look forward to providing full service and hope to improve in years to come. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

The United States Of America

What a day!

It still doesn't seem real. But it is! The President is Barack Obama. (I love the new White House site!) I'm hoping to see footage of people all over the world celebrating -- just like they did on election night.

This Candorville cartoon was in the Sunday paper. Totally gave me the chills. In a good way. See it larger and/or buy it here.

More reasons to love Obama

President-elect Obama is nominating people to his cabinet, and other posts, who have experience in the posts to which they are nominated. It's sad that this is newsworthy. A couple of examples, Treasury Secretary: Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York; Energy Secretary: Steven Chu, director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a Nobel Prize-winning physicist.

Another great example of the right person for the job: Jon Favreau, Obama's chief speech writer (in the Star Tribune via the Washington Post). He's only 27 years old but is completely in sync with the president-elect.

During the campaign, the 27-year-old with a buzz cut helped write and edit some of the most memorable speeches of any recent presidential candidate. When Obama moves to the White House next month, Favreau will join his staff as the youngest person to be selected as chief speechwriter. He helps shape almost every word Obama says, yet the two men have formed a concert so harmonized that Favreau's own voice disappears.

"He looks like he's in college and everybody calls him Favs, so you're like, 'This guy can't be for real, right?' " said Ben Rhodes, another Obama speechwriter. "But it doesn't take long to realize that he's totally synced up with Obama. . . . He has access to everything and everybody. There's a lot weighing on his shoulders." Rest of story.

Smart talk from the man

'What's in it for me' is not good for anyone.
--Barack Obama

Obama was on Meet the Press yesterday. Every time Tom Brokaw referred to him as President-elect Obama I smiled.

Fab-u-lous

A talented video editor + lots of time = very funny video. Thanks hmatkin! (Via zeFrank)

Boy bands & the election

Best campaign video. Ever.

Powell says Yes to Obama

Gen. Colin Powell, a Republican, endorsed Barack Obama yesterday. In the interview he comes out against those who keep calling Obama a Muslim. One of the best lines in the interview, addressing the claims that Obama is a Muslim (he's not), "What if he is [a Muslim]? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?"





See also Maureen Dowd's column in the New York Times.

Funny smartman

Jon Stewart was on Larry King Live a few months back talking about the primary elections. He's tired of pundits saying:

"‘Is America ready for a woman or a Black president?' I can understand saying, 'Is America ready for a moron?'… Will people flee as if Godzilla is attacking the cities?"

It's about 1/2 through the video below.

He also said about superdelegates, "What are those? Delegates that got bit by a radioactive spider?"

And about that vacant Mitt Romney. "[Mitt Romney] Who by the way, is that guy a Pixar character? He looks like an alien pod had created him to be a president."

Obama to name running mate

Barack Obama is due to announce his running mate today. It's me.

If you're in Minnesota, caucus on Tuesday!

This music video gives me the shivers. In a good way.



Created by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Jesse Dylan. Inspired by Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech.

Find out where to caucus on Tuesday here. (You don't have to stay for the whole caucus. Just show up, vote and go home.)