. . . seem to consist mainly of people who helped create the messes we now face.
(As noted by Jonathan Weil on Bloomberg, "Not only was [Robert Rubin] chairman of Citigroup Inc.'s executive committee when the bank pushed bogus analyst research, helped Enron Corp. cook its books, and got caught baking its own. He was a director from 2000 to 2006 at Ford Motor Co., which also committed accounting fouls and now is begging Uncle Sam for Citigroup- style bailout cash." Much more at the Bloomberg link; see also The New York Times.)
Obama got elected in part 'cause he was the only candidate the media were willing to take seriously who did not vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq . . . suggesting that maybe we the people think, ok, hey, there were lots of pros who may have been well-intentioned but who turned out to be wrong . . . so, for a change, let's just experiment and pick someone who turned out to be right.
Can't help but wonder what it might be like to have more than one person like that in the gummint.
December 1, 2008
Obama's Picks So Far
November 30, 2008
November 29, 2008
Update on "Second Life Dumpster"
here.
Here's a pic of another virtual-virtual incarnation; objects curated by Marcin Ramocki, Lovid, Olaf Breuning, Makiko Aoki, Caspar Stracke, Gabriela Monroy, Ijan Hilaire, Kirin Schwindt, Jason Dean, Arnold von Wedemeyer, Annette Gödde, Penelope Umbrico, Jim Supanick + more.
Background here and here. eteam comprises Franziska Lamprecht + Hajoe Moderegger.
November 27, 2008
Love Train
I totally call this for my next party perf. (don't forget to rate it up on YouTube).
White House Apologizes for Hanukkah Cards
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- "A Bush administration spokeswoman said the invitations to this year's White House Hanukkah reception bore images of Christmas trees due to a 'staff mistake.'"
* * * * *
"The cards, which were sent to U.S. Jewish leaders, are emblazoned with an image of the White House Christmas tree being pulled by a horse-drawn cart with a Christmas wreath tacked on to the White House in the background."
More here.
November 22, 2008
Obama's Annoying Speaking Style
"Millions of Americans who watched Mr. Obama's recent appearance on CBS' Sixty Minutes witnessed the President-Elect's unorthodox verbal tick, which had Mr. Obama employing grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth. . . .
"According to presidential historian Davis Logsdon of the University of Minnesota, . . . . 'If he keeps it up, he is running the risk of sounding like an elitist.'
"The historian said that if Mr. Obama insists on using complete sentences in his speeches, the public may find itself saying, 'Okay, subject, predicate, subject predicate - we get it, stop showing off.'''
(Thanks Richard D!)
November 21, 2008
Think Trickle-Downers:
Except, the Beatles left you wanting more. More here.
I am totally learning that dance routine for my next gig.
Iraqis Topple Effigy of Bush
This was in response to a proposed agreement to allow the U.S. to continue occupying Iraq for three more years. Per The NYT, Bush said we'd leave when they asked us to. I think this counts as an ask.