El Gordo

No, that's not what I plan on renaming myself after multiple holiday feasts. That's the name of the annual Christmas lottery in Spain. I'm guessing the chances of ever having a lottery in the US named "The Fat One" are pretty slim (pun intended); too politically incorrect.

In other exciting news, the temperature has gone up to -1.

Nice juxtaposition

I didn't read either story, but I'm betting there is a correlation between these two headlines:

N.Y. governor proposes tax on soda, gas and downloaded music

Poll: Americans grow more worried about the country's direction

Infecting The Host

Obama names Chicago school chief to Education Dept.

Yes, because nothing says "success" like the Chicago Public School system.

On The Other Foot

Doubtless, you've heard about this by now, and probably seen the video, too.

The hurling of shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush on his farewell visit to Iraq strikes many in the Middle East as a fittingly furious comment on what they see as his calamitous legacy in the region.

Arab and Iranian TV stations have gleefully replayed the clip, sometimes in slow motion, of an Iraqi reporter calling Bush a "dog" and throwing his shoes at him -- the Middle East's tastiest insults -- at a Baghdad news conference on Sunday.

First of all, whatever it may mean in the Middle East, here in the US it's just... you know... throwing shoes. As for calling him a "dog," I think some kids these days actually see that as a compliment. If you're really looking for a 'zinger,' find one that at least translates.

Secondly, POTUS has got some moves. He's the only one who reacted (ahem -- Secret Service, we're sort of wondering about you here. The guy had time to reload and throw another one!), and deftly dodged the missile. He handled the whole thing with composure and calm, and even managed to joke about it ("I don't know what the guy said, but I saw his sole").

Thirdly, I'd like to point out that 8 years ago, this guy would have been taken out back and shot...if he was lucky. Probably his whole family or neighborhood, too. I'm not saying things are rosy over there, but the fact remains that any time people are given new freedoms, you're bound to have those who can't wait for the opportunity to throw them back in your face. Whatever was meant by this guy's actions, the fact that he was able and even dared to carry them out speaks volumes.

Perhaps more than the actions themselves.

BizarrObama

Check out this presser from today. You can skip to about 15:00 into the video for the good stuff.

Some highlights:

Obama fielding the question from CBS Mike Flannery - What is wrong with IL politics? This is amusing because he has to answer this while pretending that he isn't a product of this most corrupt system. Bonus: He appears amused with the idea of our Governors being in prison. This seems typical of anyone familiar with IL politics - it isn't outrageous that our politicians are dirty, but it is amusing when they get caught.

Skipping to about 16:55, where Obama describes how, "in Illinois, as is true in American politics", there are two views of politics: Public service vs. "what’s in it for me"? The kicker is right around 18:00 when he complains that IL politics is a culture of “self-aggrandizement”. Can we get a definition check here, Bob?

self-aggrandizement

self·-aggrandizement (-ə gran′diz mənt)

noun
the act of making oneself more powerful, wealthy, etc., esp. in a ruthless way

I wonder if that includes having all of your opponents kicked off the ballot? That was pretty ruthless. At 19:30, Obama piles on this gem: "You can get elected by playing it straight. You can get elected by doing the right thing." The right thing being, apparently, whatever it takes to win.



Question: Does Obama really think that he was above ANY of these things while he was serving the great state of Illinois?

Follow-up: Blago seems like he is off his rocker, and has been for some time now. Shouldn't he be on suicide-watch or something? Not really joking...

Damn...

Here I was, all set to write about my Fantasy Football victory, and then this little piece of news happens:

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich taken into federal custody

Gov. Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested at their homes this morning in a probe involving the governor’s quest to fill Sen. Barack Obama’s open Senate seat and focusing on wire fraud and bribery charges blah blah blah...

Let's highlight the good stuff, like the Blagos' potty-mouth:

Rod Blagojevich said that the consultants are telling him that he has to "suck it up" for two years and do nothing and give this "motherf***er [Obama] his senator. F*** him. For nothing? F*** him." Rod Blagojevich states that he will put "[Senate Candidate 4]" in the Senate "before I just give F***ing [Senate Candidate 1] a F***ing Senate seat and I don't get anything."

Whoa, Blaggy - easy tiger! Do you kiss your wife with that mouth? Apparently he does:

During the call, Rod Blagojevich's wife can be heard in the background telling Rod Blagojevich to tell Deputy Governor A "to hold up that f***ing Cubs s***. . . f*** them."

Stay classy, Illinois.

Right On

I don't get it.

With a long list of tasks ahead of him, Obama needs liberals to stand by him as he deals with a faltering economy, home foreclosures, an auto bailout and two wars, [Obama deputy campaign manager Steve] Hildebrand wrote Sunday on Huffington Post.

"The problems I mentioned above and the many I didn't, suggest that our president surround himself with the most qualified people to address these challenges.

Isn't that a tacit admission that liberal policies are unwise during troubled times? And if those policies won't get you to better times, why on earth would you want to implement them once times do get better?