Take a Hill pill

Tomorrow we'll likely hear the official announcement by Barack Obama that he's chosen Sen. Hillary Clinton to be the next Secretary of State.

There are already plenty of conservative pundits expressing their outrage at the very thought, and I'm even hearing occasional rumblings from the progressive blogosphere. Let me make just one suggestion:

Chill out.

Give it a chance, will ya's? Obama isn't even sitting in the Oval Office yet, and a lot of people are basically freaking out. Let's give the new administration the typical "100 Days" to settle in and grow into their own leadership style. If, after three-and-some months things ain't going exactly as you please, then feel free to complain, whine, bitch, and moan to your heart's content.

After eight years of disastrous leadership, Obama deserves a few months leeway before you guys start your drum roll. At this moment in history, Barack Obama has the unique opportunity to step up and become one of America's greatest leaders, and he should get the chance to do so.

So, just chill.

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Oh, and an aside to Rupert Murdoch: if you hate Bill O'Reilly so frickin' much, then fire his sorry ass!

Otherwise, you're just another chickenshit hypocrite who desperately wants to be loved by the public. Same goes for Fox News chief Roger Ailes. I call bullshit on the two of you. You both reek from the stink of hypocrisy, caused by the phony "news" network you shamelessly claim to be "fair and balanced". If you crave respect, how about earning some, rather than wistfully hoping for it?

Or, better yet Rupert, how about you go back to Australia and screw up that country for a change? What did we ever do to deserve you anyway?

Black Friday

Go shopping and help the economy!

And enjoy a little classic Steely Dan:



(Where did Colin McEnroe learn to play guitar like that? LOL!)

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for a great many things this year, including the following:

We avoided four more years of Bush!

We sent a new guy to Congress from Connecticut


My wife and I are still employed and have health insurance

Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin!


The fact that Barack Obama already seems saner than the last guy

(I just updated this post to include this photo of the Obama family volunteering earlier today)

All my friends and fellow bloggers, who made this year so much fun!

Kirby, who started blogging again!

Spending a lot of time sailing despite a very hectic year


The replacement windows we installed this year, saving precious fuel oil

My new digital camera, which shoots remarkably good video (see below)

These birds, who chowed down on a suet block yesterday:



And most of all, for the first time in many years, I'm thankful for feeling HOPEFUL for the coming year!

Can they do NOTHING right?

Sometimes I really think they're just fucking with our heads!

From CNN.com:

WHITE HOUSE (CNN) - Whoops! A picture of a Christmas tree is not the first thing you would expect to see on an invitation to an event celebrating Hanukkah, but that is exactly what recipients of invitations to this year's White House Hanukkah reception initially got in the mail.

Shorter White House version: "Merry Christmas, Senator Lieberman!"

The invitation sent to American Jewish leaders on behalf of the President and First Lady, requesting "the pleasure of your company at a Hanukkah reception," bore an image of a Clydesdale horse drawn cart, carrying the White House Christmas tree, with a Christmas wreath-adorned White House in the background.

In related news, another card with a team of Budweiser Clydesdales pulling a sled with a Christmas tree and an ice-cold keg of Bud upon it was sent to the headquarters of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Mrs. Bush's press secretary, Sally McDonough, attributed the snafu to a "staff mistake" in not printing separate cards for the different White House holiday events, as has been the custom in years past. "Mrs. Bush is apologetic, It is just something that fell through the cracks," she said, referring to the role of the First Lady's office in sending out the invitations.

The card as originally intended featured a menorah given to the White House during Harry Truman's presidency. That mailing was to have gone out today, according to Mrs. McDonough.

Sadly, the cards featuring the menorah was sent to over 1200 Islamic Mosques in America, along with the message "Le chaim, bitches!" inscribed upon them in gold lettering.

The White House, when informed of the error, reportedly responded with "oopsie!", and promptly pulled the curtains shut.

Refuting the "Obama is a Progressive" meme

Ever since he emerged as a possible favorite for the Democratic nomination, right-wing pundits have been trying to paint Barack Obama as an "unrepentant liberal", a "wild-eyed progressive", and even a "leftist with Marxist leanings".

I'm paraphrasing here, but this is essentially what the disparate and desperate conservative noise-machine has been proclaiming loudly and endlessly throughout the campaign. In the three weeks since Obama won the election, the pundits have been closely watching his staffing choices and projected cabinet nominations for any hint of an unreasonably liberal slant.

And you know what's been happening? Obama is largely proposing centrist choices for his cabinet. He even wants to keep Robert Gates as Sec. of Defense, a Bush appointee who isn't even the slightest bit Marxist as far as I can see. Although you never can tell; those dirty Commies are quite gifted at hiding their true leanings, sometimes for decades if you believe the more radical right-wing talkers!

As Jane Hamsher (the Godmother of this blog) discusses in the video below from Rachel Maddow's show, this sort of thing is effectively putting the "Obama = Progressive" meme to rest. The only people more disappointed than the right-wingers in this matter are the true Progressives, who are somewhat guilty of projection in trying to shape Barack into their ideal Progressive leader; but who in reality happens to be very much a centrist Democrat.

The first couple minutes of the video Rachel spends discussing the John Brennan controversy that the liberal blogosphere successfully affected. I love the way she introduces Jane!

And a note to Rachel Maddow: yes, "netroots" IS a word, inasmuch as "blogosphere" is a word.

Will Dan Malloy run?

The race for the Democratic nomination for governor got a little more exciting last weekend when Sec. of State Susan Bysiewicz pretty much alluded to the likelihood that she'll probably throw her hat into the ring. In addition to outgoing Speaker Jim Amann, who is already running, and the possible inclusion of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, it might be a somewhat crowded field.

Enter Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy.

Back in August on the night of Jim Himes's primary victory over "ol' what's-'er-name?", I interviewed Dan Malloy about his possible run for governor. Here's what he told me:



So Dan...you said it takes two years for a Democrat to run, and it's right before Thanksgiving. How'd you like to give your ol' buddy Connecticut Bob an early Christmas gift?

A "scoop" makes the ideal present for a blogger!

Seemed like a no-brainer to me

Today, Democrats in the State House torpedoed a bill pushed by Gov. Rell and the Republicans that would require beverage distributors to turn in unclaimed can and bottle deposits to the state. Previously, the recycling law contained a loophole where the distributors were allowed to keep the unclaimed deposits.

From ConnPolitics.com:

The Governor has been trying to squeeze every nickel and dime. She wants to seize the unclaimed deposits left behind when people don’t bring back bottles and cans.

“It’s about…$24 million in a full year,” Gov. Rell said. “You know, we need the revenue to help balance this budget.”

But the industry disputes those figures and says they need the money to run these recycling centers, they’re fighting hard against the proposal and it appears dead for now.

OK, so this seemed like a good way to help meet our state's projected $300 million budget shortfall, to the tune of nearly 10%. I was actually surprised that the state didn't already get the leftover deposits, and that every empty beer can I crushed against my forehead for the last two decades like John Belushi in "Animal House" was another nickel in the pocket of those guys; who BTW seem to have NO problem raising the price of a six-pack every single year!

So why do they get to keep the money that technically should go to the state, like it does in several other deposit-law states?

Maybe it's time to fix that law.

Last on my list

The very last thing on my list of important things the President-elect should be doing right now is worrying about attending church.

However, as noted by Attaturk at FDL, this is apparently a big deal to Politico and the hysterical handwringers who operate the Drudge Report.

From Politico:

"President-elect Barack Obama has yet to attend church services since winning the White House earlier this month, a departure from the example of his two immediate predecessors."

OMG!!! The world is going to spin right off its axis if we don't bundle Barack Obama off to a suitably acceptable church immediately! What can he possibly be doing that's more important than taking time to worship the Lord?

Well, I think he's putting together a transition team and selecting cabinet members who will be crucial in repairing the myriad problems left by the outgoing lame dork president; who, as we all know, is an active church-goer and remarkably shitty leader. I'd rather have Obama worry about that right now than waste time in a church. God will be just fine without his worship for a few weeks.

Plus, the Republican shillsters seem to think taking care of your health is nearly on par with Satan worship! More from Politico:

"On the three Sundays since his election, Obama has instead used his free time to get in workouts at a Chicago gym."

Jesus help us! The world's obviously gonna end any minute now, because Obama is working out instead of humbling himself before (let's face it) the television cameras and the media. Of course, a good workout helps not only your physical health, but also releases endorphins and has a psychologically calming effect that will help the president-elect make better decisions. Maybe if George Bush spent a little less time sweating in a church and more in a gym, he might not have made such awful decisions. (No, I'm just kidding...there's no way George Bush could have made anything BUT awful decisions!)

And, although he doesn't need to explain his actions to anyone, Obama's people offer up a reasonable explanation about the situation:

"Asked about the president-elect's decision to not attend church, a transition aide noted that the Obamas valued their faith experience in Chicago but were concerned about the impact their large retinue may have on other parishioners.

"Because they have a great deal of respect for places of worship, they do not want to draw unwelcome or inappropriate attention to a church not used to the attention their attendance would draw," said the aide."

That's fine with me. It should be fine with everyone. It really sucks that a person's religious beliefs needs to be such a public matter and, more to the point, a political issue.

In an age where politicians are frequently hypocrites and liars, who often use the idea of religion as a cover for their awful policies, and who make it a point to end every single speech with "god bless you and god bless America", I happen to find it somewhat comforting that our president-elect isn't exhibiting the same behavior.

I'm sure this will lose him some support from the ultra-religious fundies (not that there were going to bat for him anyway!); but ultimately, he will stand as proof that we CAN successfully keep church and state separated, as guaranteed by the Constitution. He should be allowed to decide IF and WHEN to attend church.

And a note to the rabid GOPers out there: you got him wearing that flag pin now. Isn't that enough for you guys?

Let's Put Obama on the Couch

When I first heard that Obama had met with Hillary about the SoS job, I figured it was a leak from her side to boost her negotiating status in the Senate on health care. She clearly had not counted on Ted Kennedy pushing back when she assumed the health care mantel -- don't count him out yet.

Obamaland cannot control leaks anymore. FBI background checkers talk to neighbors, co-workers and friends, and they have no reason to keep quiet because that's how Obamaland works.

At this point, who am I to argue with Obama? We have wondered what was up with the Obama camp earlier in the campaign, and he pulled it off in grand style. But, Bob Woodward thinks "they're smoking something" (Chris Matthews Show 11/23).

And Harvard Business Review columnist Michael Watkins nails the four points that have been in my mind: influence, incentives, baggage part 1 and baggage part 2.

Yet, today, the NY Times tells us:

By this past Thursday, when Mr. Obama reassured Mrs. Clinton that she would have direct access to him and could select her own staff as secretary of state, the wooing was complete.

I doubt this type of inside story is coming out of Chicago.

Is this a brilliant move or Obamaland's first catastrophic move?

(and, many thanks, Bob, for letting me back in the blogosphere!)

Would Lieberman have helped McCain's ticket?

Would Joe Lieberman have been that big a help to John McCain if he was the VP choice?

From Politico.com:

Top advisers to President-elect Barack Obama’s presidential campaign said Thursday that Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) would have been a powerful boost to the Republican ticket.

During a conference on the 2008 election hosted by Politico and the University of Southern California, Obama-Biden deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand said choosing the renegade senator as his running mate would have helped McCain undermine Obama’s claim to represent a new kind of politics.

OK, I dunno if I'd go anywhere near that far.

It's true that Joe Lieberman would have possible been a small help to McCain's campaign, but it would be much more of a he ain't Sarah Palin vibe, rather than a Lieberman represents the same kind of politics as Barack Obama thing.

Because he doesn't. Joe Lieberman has made the last six years all about supporting the same failed policies that George Bush made famous, and nobody thinks that John McCain would have hesitated to continue his presidency along the same path.

“I think if he would’ve picked Lieberman or another Democrat, he would’ve taken away an important trademark of Barack’s,” Hildebrand said, explaining that he believed the Republican base would have accepted a Lieberman nomination. “I think the convention would’ve been just fine.”

Couple of things suggest that Hildebrand is talking out his ass here. First, calling Lieberman a "Democrat" is a huge misnomer, at least as far as "pre-November-4th" thinking goes. Joe Lieberman, the great Democrat, couldn't even bring himself to VOTE in the Connecticut primary back in February!

Second, the GOP base was the main reason Lieberman wasn't selected to be the VP nominee. I'd bet dollars to donuts that John McCain was drooling in anticipation of the prospect of having someone like Joe Lieberman join him on the ticket. Lieberman had a presumed (though faulty) "bipartisan" appeal, he's much more measured in his public speaking than McCain, and he could bring a lot of pro-GOP, pro-Iraq, pro-bomb Iran experience to the ticket.

Plus, Joe Lieberman hadn't run against John McCain in the primaries. For some reason I have a feeling that McCain possesses a very fragile ego, and I think it would have galled him to share his ticket with someone who might have said negative things about him during their campaign. Joe Lieberman has never said an unkind word about McCain.

But the Republican base still perceived Joe as a wild-eyed, baby-killing, Eastern establishment liberal, and nothing could dissuade them from that notion. I'd be surprised if McCain didn't lobby long and hard for Joe, but the ultimate powers that be (the Republican money men) seemed to distrust Lieberman and refused to give him their blessing. So that left McCain scrambling to find a replacement for his BFF Joe.

Which is where Sarah came from. She was obviously a compromise choice, decided upon due to her solid GOP credentials, the fact that she never ran against McCain, and an ill-conceived idea that she'd appeal to disgruntled Hillary supporters. And for a good two weeks after the Republican convention, she seemed to be the miracle that McCain was looking for. Of course, once the world learned that even though the lights were on, nobody was home behind Palin's eyes, and the honeymoon was over.

What the Republicans didn't count on was how awful a candidate she really turned out to be. Dozens of high profile long-time GOP supporters not only abandoned the ticket, but they went public in support of Obama-Biden. And the primary reason they gave was because of John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin for VP.

Republican panelists defended the nomination of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, though they acknowledged that she had not accomplished all the goals the McCain camp hoped she would.

“Certainly our hope with Gov. Palin, going forward, was that there would be a connection to more moderate voters,” said Mike DuHaime, who served as the McCain campaign’s political director.

In their attempt to appeal to moderates, they lost a big chunk of their conservative base. And considering Palin's no-kidding ultra-conservative politics, it looks like they vastly misread the effect she'd have on the very moderates they were trying to persuade.

The reason McCain lost is because the GOP is a party in disarray, that lost their way and was taken over by religious extremists and the ultra-conservative. And if they don't let sanity prevail and somehow learn to become more moderate, they'll continue to lose.

And nothing Joe Lieberman could have done, even if he was their VP candidate, would have made any difference.