Well, it’s done! George Bush is back in Texas where he belongs (sorry to my friends in Texas) and the new Obama administration is in full swing. As I spend part of the day catching up on the work I neglected the past few days, here are some things I think you’ll enjoy:
Grammy Robinson is going to be making her own White House headlines, and I like that.
President Barack Obama wasted no time in terms of official duties. Yesterday (yes, on inauguration day), Obama’s Justice Department requested — and was granted — a delay in the scheduled hearings for a handful of Guantanamo detainees. Additional similar requests are expected.
Even with a sea change in administration policies expected, NOW will still hold its annual Roe v. Wade vigil on the steps of the Supreme Court tomorrow, the 36th anniversary of the Roe decision affirming a woman’s constitutional right to abortion.
After SCOTUS Chief Justice Roberts’ slip up on the inaugural oath, some are wondering whether Barack Obama is officially the president. He could always have a ‘do over,’ but let’s remember, regardless of the oath, Obama became president at 12 Noon yesterday, according to the Constitution. (Leave it to Fox News to try to find a loophole — do they think that means W. is still the Commander in Chief?)
President Obama is also wasting no time on moving his attention to the Middle East. From the White House, this statement:
“This morning, the President placed phone calls to four Middle Eastern leaders: President Mubarak of Egypt, Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, King Abdullah of Jordan, and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. He used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term, and to express his hope for their continued cooperation and leadership. In the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, he emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the ceasefire by establishing an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from rearming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza. He pledged that the United States would do its part to make these efforts successful, working closely with the international community and these partners as they fulfill their responsibilities as well. The President appreciated the spirit of partnership and warm nature of these calls.”
Now, back to figuring out why my new iPhone won’t let me load new applications!
January 21st, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Re your comment “George Bush is back in Texas where he belongs…”
My mother’s take on this after watching the coverage of the inauguration was “They showed President Bush arriving in Texas. He was greeted by a huge cheering crowd.”
Excuse me? Was she baiting me, or just honestly that was what stood out for her?
I couldn’t resist. I said “Yes, and there was a large crowd cheering that he was leaving.”
“Oh, I just can’t understand all that hateful talk. I’m not a hater,” quoth she.
Happy Day After Inauguration. I went searching the blogosphere for like-minded mommies since mine had let me down.
I think this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, PunditMom.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I understand he is not the first president who had to retake the oath because it wasn’t originally uttered correctly.
I’m sure that won’t be the last time I “thank” Justice Roberts.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:40 pm
I am actually enjpying watching the flks at FOX try to spin things. O’Reilly needs a reality check-talking about NOT getting it????
If some f those very some rightwingshad followed the law-perhaps W wouldn’t have been so bad. Plus Fox news was always right there saying anything he did was okay. Fox news failed thmeselves by spinning the truth-Now n one is listening to them
January 21st, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I am having sticky keyboard issues-sorry about the typo’s. My Eleven year old has been a bit to comfortable using my laptop. Now I have to clean the keyboard