Time has blown past the Baron's poor blog lately. First, he went out of town, then he came down with the flu for two weeks, and to top it off, he's a had a fairly hectic social calendar of late, which likely wasn't the smartest thing to do given my sickness. I'll also admit, I haven't been feeling as bilious of late now that we have adult supervision in the White House. But now, with the host more or less returned to health, it's time for a little housecleaning today. I'll try to compose some trenchant analysis in time for the weekend.
• One week into the Obama administration, it appears as though the statute of limitations on Batack's Bipartisanhip Initiative has already expired. It really is simple: Obama ran as the candidate of change, the Republicans didn't, and Obama won. He's opened the door to the GOP, and they've slammed it shut in his face. Time to govern now, and if the brats on the doorstep want to hold their breath until they turn blue, let them. Obama and the rest of us, have work to do.
• Blago made his case before the Illinois legislature today, arguing that incipient assholism isn't sufficient grounds for impeachment. Apparently, the lawmakers didn't agree.
• Obama signed his first piece of legislation today. In case anyone still had any doubts, this is looking like the most unapologetically pro-labor Presidency we will have seen in 40 years, and more power to it.
• Obama also expressed some, er, indignation over certain Wall Street business practices of late. WHich is all well and good, but how about, well, signaling your displeasure in a more pointed fashion by simply not giving these bastards any more taxpayer rescue money instead?
• Even on its way out the door, the Bush administration couldn't help but stick it to the French one last time.
• In case you missed it last weekend, Bob Simon's top-notch if sobering report on everyday life for Palestinians in the West Bank for 60 Minutes bears watching. It's quite a statement that even mainstream media outlets such as CBS are daring to insinuate what has become more-or-less open knowledge these days, that Israel has effectively colonized the West Bank to the point that it can never completely disentangle from it, and hence sabotaging even the remote possibility of a two-state solution---at least, involving the West Bank. Unfortunately, to discuss the subject in the most obvious terms is still forbidden amongst the Wise Men of Washington, as Glennzilla (and others) have so eloquently noted. Either way, give the 60 Minutes report a watch---then remember, your tax dollars have helped to pay for it.
• Republicans in Congress are still blaming Fannie and Freddie for the failure of America's financial services sector, even though this brilliant post by Brad DeLong proves once again that they are patently full of shit.
• If you voted for Proposition 13 back in 1978, I sincerely hope you're happy now since you're finally getting the government you've always wanted. Unfortunately, the rest of us in California are stuck with it too.
• The government of Iraq would appear to have more decency and common sense than our own.
• The Iraqi people are obviously resilient. Despite having their country trashed courtesy of the Bush administration and US taxpayers, they apparently haven't lost a sense of humor.
• The Moose Whisperer has formed her own political action committee. Keep up the good good work, Sarah---we'll see you at the GOP Convention in 2012. Please!
Anything else? Let the open threads unravel.
---Vitelius
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