Once More with Feeling!

well, because chief justice john roberts fucked up yesterday... and because you know conspiracy theorists and hardcore republicans would question it for the next four years if not performed again......

president barack obama took the oath of office for the second time today.

as cnn reports (and because it's too late for me to write the whole story myself):

The second oath -- also administered by Roberts -- took place at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday in the White House's Map Room. Roberts asked Obama whether he was ready.

"I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

The do-over was aimed at dispelling any confusion that might arise from Tuesday's take -- in which "faithfully" was said out of sequence -- and erase any question that Obama is legally the president.

However, per the Constitution, Obama became president at noon Tuesday without taking the oath.

"We believe that the oath of office was administered effectively and that the president was sworn in appropriately yesterday," White House counsel Greg Craig said Wednesday in a written statement.

"But the oath appears in the Constitution itself. And out of an abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice Roberts administered the oath a second time," the statement read.

i'm certain no president in history has had to take the oath a second time within a day of taking it the first time.....

do you think obama having voted against roberts' confirmation for the supreme court had anything to do with it?

who knows? well, at least we have that out of the way....

onward and upward!

e.

Official Pre-Announcement Predictions

the nominations for the 81st Annual Academy Awards come out tomorrow.... so you know what that means, my lovelies? time for my official predictions!

and away we go........

Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

Spoiler: Doubt or The Wrestler

Best Director
Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Gus van Sant, Milk

Spoiler: Well, Aronofsky would be the real spoiler and I think Ron Howard might be a more secure prediction for Frost/Nixon. But let’s have a little fun.

Best Actor
Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Spoiler: I would love to see Richard Jenkins nominated for The Visitor.

Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kristen Scott Thomas, I’ve Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

Spoiler: Angelina Jolie replaces Thomas for The Changeling.

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire

Spoiler: Either James Franco or Emile Hirsch for Milk. In fact, I can easily see Franco taking Patel’s spot.

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Spoiler: It seems that this category may be the most up-in-the-air. I could easily see Amy Adams snag a nod for Doubt. But I also think a Slumdog groundswell could pull Frieda Pinto into a nod instead of DeWitt. DeWitt is the most vulnerable.

Other Possible Scenarios:
Okay...just to put some fear into everyone. Here are some possible scenarios that I could see happening but hope will not. Awardsdaily.com gave me the idea and some of these are from there:

The Dark Knight is left out of every major category except Best Supporting Actor. Instead, Eastwood and Torino slip in or even The Wrestler. Or that fourth nomination comes for Amy Adams from Doubt which pushes that film into a Best Picture/Director race.

Kate Winslet is seen as a lead in both her films and cancels herself out and receives a nomination for neither. (Please note: I'm predicting two nominations for her tomorrow.)

Slumdog receives NO acting nominations I see this as a strong possibility.

Also...if Revolutionary Road gains any traction, expect noms for Picture and Actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.

But these are all outside chances...and I remain true to my predictions... Knowing full well that I’ve made some dicey predictions just to make things fun, I fully expect to get a couple wrong.

But I do love this time of year.......

e.

Breaking News!

the new york times is reporting that caroline kennedy has withdrawn her name for consideration to replace the vacant senate seat left by now secretary of state, hillary clinton.

On Wednesday [Kennedy] called Gov. David A. Paterson, who will choose a successor to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her concerns about Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s deteriorating health (he was hospitalized after suffering a seizure during President Obama’s inaugural lunch on Tuesday ) prompted her decision to withdraw, this person said. Coping with her uncle’s condition was her most important priority, a situation not conducive to starting a high profile public job.

i assume this means the seat is almost assuredly AG andrew cuomo's to accept.

stay tuned.....

e.

p.s. did i mention hillary is secretary of state!?!?

she was confirmed today by the full senate in a vote of 94-2. senators vitter (R-louisiana) and demint (R-south carolina) were the only "nay" votes.

The Dress, At Last

so president barack obama and first lady michelle obama attended their first ball this evening, the neighborhood ball.

at 8:33pm, introduced by denzel washington and serenaded by beyonce singing etta james' "at last," the obama's kicked off a long night of inaugural balls.

and what has been the biggest question leading up to today's transition (i mean, beyond what type of dog the obamas will get)? what will michelle obama wear to the balls?

well, i'm, umm.... underwhelmed.

i dunno.... the dress isn't great. first off...it's white. i mean... i promised "IN COLOR!" and now.... it's kinda boring. and there are tiny things on it.. and just one shoulder... that shoulder strap almost wants to be a bjork swan song.

cnn reports:

The first lady was clad in a long white gown designed by up-and-coming designer Jason Wu. His design style combines modern lifestyle dressing and haute couture, according to his Web site.

but....judge for yourselves. what are your thoughts?

i mean... it's okay. but i was hoping for so much more.

i dunno? talk amongst yourselves....




e.

p.s. she still looks beautiful. what a stunning, strong woman. i can't wait to see her in action over the coming years.

For Those Wondering... II

if you've been watching closely all day.... you may wander what was in the white box with the red bow that the incoming first lady handed to the outgoing first lady first thing this morning.

well, the gift michelle obama handed to laura bush was a leather-bound journal and pen for mrs. bush to begin writing her memoirs in.

very nice.

also...just FYI. by the time obama finished delivering his inaugural address, the white house website underwent a change of its own:


e.

The Hat

don't ask me why... but i really feel like aretha franklin's hat deserves its very own post.

yes, i'm backtracking to the beginning of the festivities... but look at it!

i mean, don't get me wrong. the queen of soul knocked it out of the park (a baseball analogy for my baseball-lovin' readers) with her rendition of "my country 'tis of thee."

but she clearly picked out her best easter sunday hat for today's event.

my, my, my....

e.

The Dress

a very punchy chris matthews just reported via norah o'donnell via kelly o'donnell (a lot of irish over at msnbc) that michelle obama has still not yet picked out her inaugural gown for this evening.

and let's be honest.... as a fag: the dress is all a care about for the rest of the evening.

will bring a picture as soon as it's revealed and appears in a picture online i can snag.

and...in the tradition of the women (the original film, not the remake)....i may just bring the dress in full color!

e.

The Parade Continues

the obamas are done walking... they're now watching the parade from the observation platform. sasha and malia look like they're having the time of their life. they really are just a beautiful family.

there are bands from all 50 states and the grandeur continues.

oh - and there was an estimated 2 million people attending the inauguration today. amazing.

e.


update: senator ted kennedy is awake and alert. he is talking and they believe the seizure was brought on by fatigue. he should be released tomorrow morning from the hospital.

For Those Wondering...

shortly after being sworn in as the 44th president of the united states and delivering his inaugural address, president obama signed three documents.

these were his first three official acts as president and, for those who were wondering, included:

–-a proclamation declaring today a day of "national renewal and reconciliation."
–-a list of his cabinet nominations
–-a list of his sub-cabinet nominations

apparently, the last three presidents have signed similar proclamations upon being sworn in as president.

the list of cabinet nominations were to be presented to the senate this afternoon and are required for individuals to be confirmed.

while signing the documents, obama told those present: "i'm a lefty. get used to it." he also shared that he was told "not to swipe the pen."

e.

The Parade -or- He's Outta the Limo

at 4:04pm...the people's president stepped out of his limo and walked among the citizenry.

it's a gorgeous day in washington. cold, yes... but sunny and clear. just a beautiful picture.

and the obamas look superb. and the crowd is going INSANE! so much excitement in our nation's capitol.

at 4:12pm, president obama stepped back into the limo for this next leg of the parade. he will step out again later.

e.

Kennedy/Byrd

there are conflicting reports on a medical emergency that occurred during the presidential luncheon.

cnn is reporting the following:

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, collapsed Tuesday afternoon during a luncheon held for President Barack Obama in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

Paramedics were called to the scene at 2:35 p.m. ET.

Kennedy, who appeared to be suffering from a seizure, was transported to a hospital.

"Senator Kennedy had a seizure" which "lasted a while," a Republican House member told CNN.

The member said Kennedy was still experiencing seizures when he was put in a wheelchair and taken out through the Rayburn room, located to the side of Statuary Hall.

Kennedy, 76, was first elected to the Senate in 1962.

The source did not know whether President Obama saw it happening because "there was still a lot of talking" and the program was still going on - the incident happened at the end of lunch.

This source was sitting at table in front of Kennedy and said Kennedy was sitting with former Vice President Walter Mondale and Senator Daniel Inouye.

but msnbc is also reporting that senator robert byrd has suffered some sort of emergency:

Byrd fell ill and was escorted out. The nature of his ailment was not immediately known. Byrd is the longest-serving senator in history.

Byrd, 91, was hospitalized March 5 for tests after a reaction to antibiotics. A week earlier he was hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after a fall at home.

will update if i hear anything later today.

e.

Adios!

at 12:54pm, EX-president george w. bush boarded marine one and left washington.

our long, national nightmare is over. after eight years, bush has left the building.

is it just me... or do you simply feel better today?

e.

The Speech

at 12:07, president barack obama delivered his inaugural address.

it was a moving speech and i would think it lived up to most everyone’s expectations. beautiful, inspirational language.

i did think about 1/3 of the way through his speech, obama’s language describing his desired programs became a bit too intellectual. i bit too professorial. and i think you could feel him losing the crowd. but it was only a moment... and then he brought the back in and lifted all of our hopes.

he began:

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

obama was up front about the difficulties facing us.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.

but then he continued... "But know this, America - they will be met."

and then a tiny dig at the outgoing administration:

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

i found this paragraph particularly strong and resonant:

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

and i hope that we can follow through on this promise...that all ARE equal. and the EVERYONE has the “chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” forgive me for politicizing the moment, but that should include equal rights for EVERYONE. and THAT includes marriage for all.

and then obama called for the nation to “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking america.”

and this is where i think obama lost the crowd for a bit.... talk of economic plans, electric grid and digital lines. talk of markets and ending programs that don’t work. oddly, it was several graphs concerning our domestic issues, the issues most critical to our nation at this time, that lost the audience. but then obama changed to our foreign policy, and the crowd became engaged again. probably because, again, it included tiny jabs the failed policies of president bush.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.

one of his most powerful moments:

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

and obama talked a lot about inclusion (although, no mention of “gay” in his address). and i thought this was a beautiful moment...except for the term “non-believers.” it sounds as if we’re missing something. why can’t everyone else be "false-believers”?

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

some of my other favorite lines:

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

...

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

and forgive the long quote, but i must publish how he ended his speech. so powerful.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you.

God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

we are living history.... and tomorrow looks brighter. there is much hope being placed on the shoulders of our 44th president of united states. and he will experience a bit of a honeymoon. but there is a lot of work to be done.

i hope that obama has the strength, wisdom and courage to do what must be done.

the next four years promise to be as electrifying as today.

e.

History

for now...the public pomp and circumstance has ended.

what a moving ceremony. so much beauty... so much inspirational language.

a bit of a recap with some more specifics to come in other posts.

again, times are eastern:

11:57am justice john paul stevens gives the oath of office to joseph robinette biden, jr.

11:58am joe biden is vice president of the united states.

noon a beautiful arrangement by john williams is played by yo-yo ma and itzhak perlman.

12:05pm chief justice john roberts takes to the stage to swear in barack obama. i thought obama's nerves finally got to him as he fumbles some words. i was wrong. apparently, c.j. roberts fumbled the oath and obama caught the mistake and tried to correct it.

12:06pm barack obama is the 44th president of the united states. "hail to the chief" is played for obama for the first time.

what a day... what a moment.

e.

Time Out

i'll be taking about the next hour off to watch everthing. but i will be taking notes and will come back soon.

e.

p.s. rick warren is delivering the invocation. i've heard nothing controversial.

The Crowds

Obama

president-elect obama was just announced and took to the stage.

The Exes

how exciting to watch all the ex-presidents and vice presidents come in: AL GORE, mondale, quayle, carter, bush #41 and BILL & HILLARY CLINTON!

ex-president bill clinton and current secretary of state, hillary clinton. how exciting.

the ex-presidents are being introduced now. jimmy carter first... hard to believe we have so few ex-presidents left.

there was a lovely scene of bush #41 and barbara bush greeting, hugging bill and hillary clinton.

HUGE ovation for the clintons.

e.

Heading to the Capitol

barack obama is en route to the capitol for the swearing in. but mostly, i just really liked the above photo.

interesting tidbit...the car transporting obama has holes in the doors where the presidential seal will go. the car cannot yet have the seal on it.

e.

The Attendees

it's 9:44am central time and i finally found time to pour my first cup of coffee. so i'm feeling better.

as you can imagine, there are a lot of top-tier politicians, celebrities, etc. at this inauguration for the 44th president of the united states.

seen so far: mohammed ali, dustin hoffman, steven spielberg, john kerry, BILL & HILLARY CLINTON, caroline, kennedy, chris dodd....

dick cheney just popped out from the pits of hell.... apparently, he hurt himself packing up and he's now in a wheelchair. maybe he's trying to get some pity to help out his exiting approval rating of 13%?

e.

p.s. note to andrea mitchell: when speaking to governor david paterson, don't use the phrase: "you're seeing history made here today." maybe choose the word "witnessing" when speaking to a blind man?

The Lincoln Metaphor

as anyone who has watched any coverage since obama won the presidential election knows... the man loves himself some abe lincoln.

and why not? he's from the land of lincoln. lincoln played a part in making his journey possible with the emancipation proclamation.

so....it's no surprise that his inaugural picks up where all the discussion of lincoln/obama/doris kearns goodwin's team of rivals left off.

he rode the train to washington following lincoln's trip.

he held a kick-off concert at the lincoln memorial on sunday.

he will be sworn in on the same bible which lincoln used to take the oath of office.

but...a little tidbit from our good friends at nbc. apparently, when obama dined with the conservative, media elite last week at george will's home... well, mr. will owns a glass that belonged to president lincoln.

and guess what? mr. obama drank from the glass.

i suppose if you have to be obsessed with a president.....

oh, wait...another tidbit from nbc's kelly o'donnell: the obama's will dine on the lincoln china this evening.

e.

Live Blogging the Inaugural

good morning, my lovelies.... and it is a BEAUTIFUL morning.

today is the day... we've been waiting for eight years. a democrat takes back the white house...

others have been waiting even longer... over 40 years since dr. king shared his dream of individuals being judged by their character, not the color of their skin. and history is made today as an african american is sworn in for the first time as president of the united states.

i've taken the day off and hope to live blog much of the day for those of you who were unable to watch it all. and...ganesha help me...i plan to watch all day.

they'll be short entries. but some insight (i hope).

shortly before 10am (i'll do eastern times even though i'm central), president elect obama arrived at the white house to have coffee with out-going (yay!) president george w. bush.

michelle obama arrived in a lemongrass-colored dress with a gift for mrs. bush. mrs. bush has on a light blue dress. george in a blue tie. mr. obama in a red.

what a beautiful tradition.... a calm, cordial coffee... a peaceful transition.

more to come.

e.

Today Is Bush's Final Day In Office!

happy happy joy joy!

You Are Woman...

so earlier today i was having a very good conversation with a fabulous, feminist friend of mine...

actually, before i go much further.... let's get a couple of things out of the way up front:

1) i think i get away with a helluva lot more than i should because i'm a gay man. even my friend says she doesn't get as upset with certain things when it's said by a 'mo.

2) despite all that....i do consider myself a feminist. and i'm sure some (or maybe several) would disagree.

that line would begin with twisty of "i blame the patriarchy" fame. twisty does not believe a man can be a feminist. period. no discussion. you got a dick...you're not a feminist. but despite that...i've enjoyed reading that blog from time to time...

and ganesha knows i love all of my strong-willed, feminist friends....

i believe strongly that due to our patriarchal society...women get fucked over more times than not. hell, let's just take the simple issue of equal pay for equal work.

and i understand that as a man (as a WHITE) man...i'm part of the oppressive patriarchal society. but i do work to buck it. (plus...as a gay man.... sorry, sisters: i'm a second-class citizen too. at least you can marry.... and get tax breaks on the lesser salary you earn than me. but you really should be able to get tax breaks on the SAME salary....)

i'm getting off topic.

here's the rub: sometimes i'm just horrified by some of the things i hear from my feminist friends. and i ask myself, "why the fuck is a feminist saying these things?"

this is a case in point... a viral video of a rather misogynistic beer commercial made the rounds today amongst some of my friends. it was sexist, yes. basically, it's slowly revealed that a woman was having a threeway with three (yes, count them...three) men as they rest their beer on her back.

it was sexist.

but twisty, and my friend, also consider this "gang rape." if sex involving a woman, apparently, consists of any more than ONE man... it's gang rape. obviously, this includes threeways.

"but what if the woman enjoys group sex?" i asked (knowing full well i love a good threeway).

"it doesn't matter," was the answer. she went on to explain that no woman can possibly enjoy group sex... and that if she does it's only because the patriarchy has convinced her that she should enjoy it. this goes with anal sex, as well.

twisty takes it even further.... high heels? the work of the patriarchy.

so all of these things women are doing, either consciously or subconsciously, are influenced by the patriarchy.

oooooo-kay.... so i asked my friend: "doesn't that logic make all women inherent victims?" i mean....it sounds like any woman that might really, truly enjoy sex with a man....much less two or three...is brainwashed by the patriarchy.

i don't understand this thought process.... you're basically arguing that women aren't smart enough to distinguish feelings and instincts on their own. that their feeble women minds can't function outside of the patriarchy's influence.

i find the logic insulting.

now most of this comes from aunt twisty and my friend does have some more lenient views on women and their sexuality. but twisty is pretty fucking adamant against the feminist theory that taking control of your body and sexuality is not a feminist trait but an offshoot of patriarchal submission.

now... i'm in no way defending the ad that began this conversation and i can easily differentiate sexist male-driven advertisements and the objectification of women in our society from, well, some good-ole fashioned fucking.

but i firmly believe that women...strong women....can enjoy sex. hell, LOVE sex... with another woman. a man. several men.... a man and a woman at the same time. and it doesn't have to be to satisfy some skinamax bullshit hammered into the minds of most men.

but because she is a smart, beautiful, independent, glorious woman. a woman that knows what she wants because she wants it and not some idiotic fantasy designed by a horny, undersexed man.

i love my female friends... and i love that they're all so strong-willed and intelligent. and most of them are sexually free and fulfilled.

and don't you let some twisted version of feminism tell you otherwise.

e.

p.s. yes, i understand how odd this post is coming from a man. but dammit... i told you i'm a feminist!

Don't Let the Door Hit'cha...

well, i sit here.... watching the idiot of the united states deliver his farewell address. couldn’t he just leave washington as soon as he’s finished talking?

fuck me... what an abysmal eight years. but let’s live-blog the speech:

shortly after 7pm CST....he begins. it’s. already. painful....

7:02: he is thankful and honored. yeah, yeah...

7:03: he wishes the obamas luck.

wow, really? he’s thanking the American people? wouldn’t most of us not thank him?

7:03: first mention of 9/11. the issue he’s based his entire presidency on. right or wrong, politicized or not... his entire ideology always returned to that september day.

7:04: he’s “transformed” the intelligence agencies. yeah....they’re spying on us now!

7:05: “there are legitimate debates on many of these decisions.” ummm, yeah. but i don’t think we all agree on the results.

he makes his biggest argument that his presidency has offered some sort of success: no attack on our soil since 9/11. yes, but at what cost?

7:07: only george would smirk as he delivers the line (after faltering, at first): “providing AIDS medication to bring dying patients back to life.” what a prick...

okay, sorry... fuck the time stamps. i’m too busy stopping and rewinding to copy down some of his idiocy and hypocrisy.

“around the world, america is promoting human liberty, human rights and human dignity.” really?!? i’m not sure torture is a human right? and no matter what you’re doing around the world… you sure as hell limited the rights of individuals here at home.

and go ahead...taut the appointments of alito and roberts... but they’ll help limit our rights here at home for years to come.

oh, oh… “set backs.” “done things differently” is he about to admit more mistakes?

nope... “but i hope you can agree that i was willing to make the tough decisions.”

“greatest threat remains another terrorist attack. our enemies are patient.” hammer it home, georgie. your numbers are at their highest when you scare the shit out of us.

“reject isolationism and protectionism.” umm...didn’t bush do more than anyone to isolate us from the rest of the world by making everyone hate us? i think the only thing we really reached out to other nations for were loans (i’m lookin’ at you, china!).

“i’ve often spoken to you about good and evil. and this has made some of you uncomfortable. but good and evil are present in this world and between the two there can be no compromise. (and here bush hits it home.) murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right.”

okay, so.... let me get this straight: you’re admitting that every innocent life you killed in iraq when you unjustly invaded a sovereign country in order to forward your narrow ideology that “freedom” is only defined in your terms therefore you’ll force it down the throats of the entire middle east....was wrong? or do you find your war crimes somehow “eternally right”?

“there have been good days and tough days.” no “bad” days? really, george?

bush's final words:

And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next President. And may God bless you and our wonderful country.oh, thank vishnu! the moron only spoke for just over 13 minutes.

and so endeth the lesson.....

well, tonight we continued to see a man who truly believes that every choice he made was right and good... that he did nothing wrong. that he’s made america better in every way.

there was minimal talk of the economy. no mention of the current crisis in gaza. no mention of the plane crash in a river off new york this evening and the true heroism on display there today.... (a story, in fact, that has completely trumped and eclipsed any coverage of his address. seriously, right now: go look at any news website and story #1 is not georgie porgie saying “ta-ta.”)

instead...he once again tried to sell a bunch of hooey (yes, i said “hooey”) to the american people.

the man kills me!

four more days.... just four more days....

please let time fly!

farewell, #43. and good riddance....

e.

Oh *HELL* No!

it's like looking at a snapshot from my nightmare.....

e.

Pay To Play

so i rushed home for lunch a bit late today so i could pick up on the senate foreign relations committee's confirmation hearing for hillary clinton to be the next secretary of state.

and, of course, i'd been reading all day and it quickly became clear, that the big question concerns a potential conflict of interest in respect to her husband's foundation and clinton global initiative.

ignore the fact that the clintons have agreed to disclose more information than is required by law or ethical rules... or that hillary is just too fucking kick-ass to allow some schmuck who makes a donation to the CGI to sway her mindset....

but i'm watching and the questioning gets to STILL-SITTING louisiana senator, david vitter. and he's all trying to play hardball with my girl, hillary... and he wants more assurances and more promises in writing.

and all i can think is.... YOU SLEEP WITH HOOKERS!

i mean...if you really want to talk about paying to play..... where does vitter get off? (forgive the double entendre.)

i just really wanted hillary to sit back, sigh, and say... "ya know, senator vitter. why don'tcha just go buy yourself a hooker and make yourself feel better? okay...? next!"

but my girl is keeping her cool and she's kicking some ass.

one week from today.... changing of the guard.

e.

p.s. speaking of "pay to play." i think it's awfully nice of illinois governor rod blagojevich to fill the void left by the absence of sarah palin on the national stage. man, blago fuckin' cracks me up!

Golden Afterthoughts

well, after being diminished to a paltry new conference last year, the golden globes returned last night in all their glory. the alcohol. the gowns. the cleavage!

yes...it appears jewel-colored gowns and cleavage are on the menu this awards season. (thank you, salma hayek!)

so, my lovelies, let's think back for a moment....

there was a time when the globes meant something. there was some stock in winning a globe. but lately, especially after the reports of scandal and "buying" statuettes, the globes seem watered down to a glamour, popularity contest much more than a ceremony to recognize a distinguished performances.

put simply: celebrity helps.

there are always exceptions.... especially in television work where HBO once again rules in most categories (and 30 rock, thankfully).

the extraordinary john adams took home acting prizes for paul giamatti, laura linney and tom wilkinson, as well as best mini-series/movie.

but let's be honest... what we really care about are movies here. so some preliminary thoughts on the globes that were:

i think "slumdog" winning the big prize can only help the film. i'm sure it will be a lock for pic and director nominations... but does this help it even more as it tries to break into the academy's need to give it's big prize to an american film?

yes, the academy has a long tradition of patriotism and it generally wants its big prize going to an american-made film. this often means more deserving pics are left to lesser categories (often best original screenplay).

but if the globes are good for anything... it's highlighting smaller, often foreign films and performances that may otherwise go unnoticed by the academy... and perhaps that exposure could ultimately help garner an individual or movie an oscar nod....

the biggest movement
i think kate winslet (the reader) has jumped over viola davis (doubt) and penelope cruz (vicky cristina barcelona) to be the best bet for supporting actress. she is long over due for some academy love and i think they'll be able to finally do it in a supporting category. plus - the buzz on her is exceptional. and if she is also ultimately nominated for revolutionary road in the best actress category, can they really let this woman go home empty-handed again? as a double nominee in the same year....? winslet will be the "losingnest" actress in academy history... and she's young, people.

endearment helps
now.... i haven't seen the film yet (because it hasn't been released here yet) and i'm sure he is very good in it... he's very possibly exceptional in it. but does the "story" of mickey rourke help him more than his performance in the wrestler? will the academy be caught up more in the comeback story than anything else...?

i think possibly. but i also don't think rourke's rambling, rather crass, acceptance speech did him any favors last night.

it never hurts to endear yourself to the academy. some think eddie murphy's globe speech cost him the oscar for dreamgirls. of course, i'm sure having norbert out the same year didn't help.

unlike rourke, sally hawkins of happy-go-lucky was so sweet and nervous and adorable up there...... i'm certain she'll at least garner a nomination for best actress. and that will make me happy.

senor spielbergo
i find steven spielberg films are often hit and miss... they always look great, but they're not always great. he is more consistent these days and his cecil b. demille award did not upset me last night... especially after a very generous, very enthralling acceptance speech.

if there is a lock
heath ledger appears to be on his way to winning the first posthumous oscar since peter finch in network. and this is well-deserved. his win last night was a moving moment with some very well-spoken words by christopher nolan.

the other categories
i see no real locks... but i do see some tight rices:

best actor: sean pennn (milk) vs. mickey rourke (the wrestler) with frank langella's nixon as the spoiler. does penn's recent win for mystic river hurt his chances? honestly... i think if anyone deserves two oscars, it's penn.

best actress: god, probably meryl streep vs. anyone. if winslet is nominated for revolutionary road, some things could change and open up supporting actress.

supporting actress: a three-way race between winslet, davis and cruz.

director: boy, wow.... ummm.... nolan (dark knight) vs. danny boyle (slumdog)?

picture: i almost think it's a race between dark knight and slumdog millionaire.

in conclusion
the globes are fun... they're loose and boozy... with great gowns and actors having fun. but what everyone really needs to look out for are the guild winners. screen actors, directors, writers and producers.

and i promise: i shall keep you posted on the developments.

until then.... happy movie-watching!

e.

p.s. i forgot the funnies!
ricky gervais was very funny last night.... he appeared onstage after winslet's first win for the reader. and he said something along the lines of, "see, kate. i told you to go holocaust. do a holocaust film and the awards come in." his follow-up line about the disappointing lack of gag reels on holocaust film DVDs did not go down as well.

nor did sacha baron cohen's line about the economy even hitting celebrities hard. "even madonna had to give up one of her personal assistants. and i know all of our hearts go out to guy ritchie." ouch.

oh....and a very awkward moment when seth rogen talked about how he wished he had been at the globes in the 80s because he wouldn't be just getting drunk with mickey rourke like tonight... but doing coke with him. very strange.

this after colin farrell admitted he was sniffling because he had a cold, "and not the other thing it would've been before."

lots of cocaine talk at the globes last night... weird. funny... but weird.

New Year's Blah Blah

happy new year...exactly one week late...and my apologies, my lovelies.

i've been busy, tired, movie-watching and just all around sluggish. so i thought i'd wrap up some end of year/beginning of year thoughts in a nice, tidy post.

i have made some tentative plans for the new year. call them resolutions, if you must.... i prefer to think of them as ways to improve my happiness. maybe "improve" is the wrong word. increase?

like much of the masses and against the sage advise of my beloved epiphenita.... i do plan to diet and lose some of my excess tonnage. i do it for a couple of reasons.... but (and i don't think most people can argue against this) mostly because i am simply unhealthy at my current weight and i'm finding simple tasks taxing once again:

--walking up to the top row of a movie theatre.
--bending over to tie my shoes.
--simply finding a comfortable way to sit as my stomach pushes itself up into my chin.

two years ago i lost over 50 pounds... i have slowly and successfully put all 50+ pounds back on.

hooray for me!

so, yes... the dieting, the exercising....the probable veganism is back in my present.

i am being smart and not using january 1 as my start date. for this i think sister epiphenita of the disapproving sneer can congratulate me. i do agree that january 1 is too arbitrary a date.

i have some left over remnants from the holidays that did cost money and i refuse to throw away. these are mostly various cheeses from the wisconsin parental units and other yummies. it's also the big BCS week and i plan to enjoy my games.

this weekend, however, it's on.

but i've also wanted to make some other decisions to help better myself.

--cut back on t.v. viewing. this has been helped immensely by the cancellation or season end of several of my favorite shows. (fuck you, ABC, for canceling my pushing daisies.)

--attend the theatre more. it's embarrassing how little i attend the theatre considering i plan a life in the venue.

--i've always wanted to draw a subject out of a hat and then research it for the month.... pick twelve topics that have always interested me and then look into them. i hope to start that this weekend.

--and finally.... i want to write at least one thing new each month. it could be a short play... a scene in a new, longer play. it can be a short story or an entry into a book of essays i'd like to pull together à la david sedaris and sloane crosley.

i need to keep my creative juices flowing. last year was a great year for me creatively. another 10 minute piece produced and the completion of my two act. this year i will focus on shopping around the two act and creating my next two act.

plus, hopefully, a 10 minute (see if i can keep the streak alive) and a 20 minute piece (to enter for the first time in theatre southwest's festival of originals).

these are mental and health improvements i'd like to make... i realize they are assumed to be resolutions and i don't mind the label. but i need to continue the creative flow and get back to a healthy weight so i don't start losing appendages to diabetes.

plus...a heart attack at 35 is just embarrassing.

boy, ya know.... i had plans to talk about all these other topics: rick warren, the obama inauguration, the "oops" richardson appointment.... frost/nixon, slumdog millionaire, doubt, the texans, the longhorns.....

but i think i'll keep this entry devoted to thoughts on the new year. i'll do an NCAA football wrap up after tonight's championship game... and there will be plenty of movie and oscar posts in the coming two months.

for now... i hope everyone had an enjoyable new year's eve. i wish you all the best in 2009.

and thank vishnu bush #43 is gone in 12 days!

e.